This is an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at U.S. National Champion Pat Kennedy preparing for the V-Drums World Championship 2. He’ll be representing the U.S. during the V-Drums World Championship in Frankfurt, Germany on Thursday, April 11, 2013. And Roland is giving everyone around the world a front row seat to watch the event live, online! Check the V-Drums contest website for all the streaming details, and join us for the show if you can. Go Pat!

Patrick Kennedy (USA)

Like Pat Kennedy, each contestant is already a champion, having won their respective national V-Drums contests, but climbing to this level has been far from easy. In order to adhere to an interesting twist in Roland’s V-Drums contest rules, contestants had to learn and incorporate an additional piece of Roland gear for their national championship showdown. Each regional finalist won the opportunity to choose his or her prize, an SPD-30 or an SPD-SX. (Pat chose an SPD-SX.) Then, each national champion went on to win a TD-30KV V-Drums flagship electronic drum kit. With the playing field as level as possible for the world championship event —  TD-30KVs, SPD-SXs and SPD-30s at each drummers’ disposal — the pressure to shine creatively and technically will be higher than ever, and the competition will be fierce.

What’s the difference between the SPD-SX and the SPD-30, any way?

The first V-Drums World Championship contest attracted hundreds of talented drummers from around the world. These were narrowed down to 16 finalists who traveled to the world final in Anaheim, California during Winter NAMM 2012. After a night of spectacular performances, the top honor finally went to drummer Baard Kolstad of Norway who beat out the U.S. national champion JP Bouvet.  Judges were impressed not only with Baard’s drumming ability but also with his use of the technology available on his Roland V-Drums kit.

Based on the contestant lineup below, the judges have a tough job on their hands trying to choose a winner for this year’s V-Drums World Championship. Meanwhile, each drummer must impress the panel of judges with technique, creative rhythm, use of technology, and of course, great showmanship.

What are your thoughts on the U.S. national champion Pat Kennedy’s preparation? Do you have a favorite drummer from the list below? Will Pat bring home the world title?

Judges:

Dirk Brand – Musician, V-Drums Specialist (event host as well)
Craig Blundell – UK Songwriter, Producer, Journalist, V-Drums Clinician
Tommy Snyder – Drummer, Singer
Florian Alexandru-Zorn – Drummer, Lecturer, Journalist
Mark Van Schaik – Journalist
Rich Chamberlain – Journalist
Axel Mikolajczak – Journalist

Related links and articles:

• V-Drums Contest U.S. Finals Results
• Pick Your Poison: SPD-SX Versus SPD-30
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums
• Roland on Stage with American Idol

On Saturday, September 29, our good friend, Brendan Buckley took a break from his very busy touring schedule with Shakira and Taiwanese super star Leehom Wang to judge the V-Drum semi final contest at Sam Ash in Torrance California. Sandwiched between tour dates in Italy and China Brendan had just one week in the United States before jet setting over seas. Besides the judging criteria, Brendan shares with us what he was personally looking for in contestants.

For more of Brendan Buckley, please visit his website: www.BrendanBuckley.com

This year’s V-Drums World Championship will take place in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, October 21st with live performances by Thomas Lang and Johnny Rabb. This year’s contestants are:

• Brandon Currie – Marietta, GA
• DeCarlos Davis – Winston-Salem, NC
• T.J. Fisher – Long Beach, CA
• Casey Glass – Loveland, CO
• Reed Hayes – Deltona, FL
• P.J. Hill – Milwaukee, WI
• Patrick Kennedy – Manor, TX

Photos from Sam Ash semi finals in Torrance California

Michael Schack demos the Roland SPD-30 Octopad. Michael is currently the drummer for Drum and Bass producer Netsky (Boris Daenen). I asked him to show off the electronic sounds and capabilities of the Octapad. Check out what he came up with.

More of Michael Schack:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Linkedin
• Website

Related articles:

• Omar Tavarez (Pitbull): How I use the SPD-SX
• Kurt Kesedar (Vile Kings): How to Make Builds on a Gaia
• Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) - Using the Lucina Keytar to Control iPad Apps

In this video Omar Tavarez, both drummer and musical director for Pitbull, discusses how he uses Roland’s SPD-SX sampling pad. He explains how he has customized his SPD-SX for Pitbull’s show and where it falls in place with his acoustic drum kit.

More of Omar:

• Omar’s Instagram: drummer_305
• Omar on facebook

Related Articles:

• Pick Your Poison – SPD-SX versus SPD-30
• Aaron Spears (Usher): Checks His Timing on the TD-15KV
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums

Aaron Rossi, drummer for Ministry tells us what it takes to land a gig like his in the ever changing and competitive music industry. This is practical advise given by a world class drummer, according to Rossi the key is consistency. Rossi’s current set up includes Roland’s SPD-SX to trigger samples during sets.

Related links and articles:

• What are Drums Triggers?
• Pick Your Poison – SPD-SX versus SPD-30
• Michael Schack Looping on the Octapad