DigiTech SDRUM Strummable Drums

Warranty

DigiTech provides a warranty for its products. Registration on digitech.com within ten days of purchase is required for the warranty to be valid in the United States. The product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase for the original purchaser. Proof of purchase is necessary for warranty service. DigiTech reserves the right to make design changes without obligation to install them on previously manufactured products. The warranty is void if the product is opened by anyone other than a certified DigiTech technician or if the product is used with AC voltage outside the manufacturer's recommended range. DigiTech is not responsible for any consequential damages resulting from the use of the product. Note that information in this manual may change without notice and may contain inaccuracies. This manual supersedes all previous versions.

Technical Support and Service

For technical support, contact DigiTech. Be prepared to describe the problem and provide your device's serial number. Register your product on digitech.com. Before returning the product for repair, consult this manual to ensure proper installation and operation. For further assistance, visit digitech.com. A Return Authorization Number (RA#) must be obtained from technical support before returning any product to the factory; otherwise, returns will not be accepted. Out-of-warranty service will incur charges for parts, labor, and packaging. Customers are responsible for shipping costs to the factory. DigiTech covers return shipping for in-warranty products. Use original packaging, mark the package clearly, insure it, and ship prepaid.

Introduction

The SDRUM Strummable Drums is the world's first intelligent drum machine for guitarists and bassists. It allows for the creation of drum patterns using either the built-in pads or the patented BeatScratch™ technology, which enables kick/snare pattern creation by strumming guitar strings. The SDRUM learns drum patterns using a method familiar to guitar and bass players. Once a kick/snare pattern is created, a "right-hand" drum element (hi-hat, ride, tom, etc.) is automatically added to complement the pattern. The SDRUM can learn up to 3 parts per song and store up to 36 songs, with adjustable settings for time signature, feel, embellishment, intensity, and tempo. The drum sounds, sourced from RealiTone™ and Digital Sound Factory®, feature multi-velocity samples for realistic dynamic expression, along with humanization and random variations. The SDRUM offers five drum kits (E-Pop, Brush, Percussion, Power, Clean) and features internal Lexicon® reverb. It can generate natural, powerful, organic, and authentic drum tracks with minimal effort.

Features

• High-quality drum samples with multi-layer dynamics, humanization, and variations for realistic drum patterns.
• 5 drum kits: E-Pop, Brush, Percussion, Power, Clean.
• Alternate kick and snare sounds for each kit.
• Choice of hi-hat, ride, tom, shaker, or other percussion patterns.
• Legendary Lexicon™ reverb internally applied to drums.
• 3/4 or 4/4 time signatures.
• Adjustable feel (Straight or Swing) and embellishment amount (Simple to Busy).
• BeatScratch™ technology for creating kick/snare patterns by strumming guitar strings.
• Kick and Snare pads for traditional drum pattern learning.
• Adjustable tempo via variable encoder or tap tempo.
• Built-in metronome and count-in.
• Create up to 3 parts per song (verse, chorus, bridge) and switch between them using the footswitch.
• Adjustable part intensity for enhanced song dynamics.
• Storage for up to 36 songs.
• Drum output level control.
• 1/4" mixer outputs (mono/stereo).
• 1/4" amplifier output.
• JamSync™ support for synchronization with DigiTech JamMan® Loopers.
• SilentClear™ prevents glitches when clearing parts or songs.
• Support for optional DigiTech FS3X footswitch.
• Soft-touch footswitch.
• Includes power adapter.

Connectors and User Interface

Connectors

1. POWER INPUT: Connect the supplied power adapter here.
2. JAMSYNC OUT: Connect to DigiTech JamSync compatible loopers.
3. AMP OUT: Connect to a guitar or bass amplifier input, or an effects chain input. Output connectors are auto-sensing.
4. MIXER L/R OUT: Connect to mixer line inputs. Output connectors are auto-sensing.
5. USB port: For SDRUM firmware updates.
6. GUITAR IN: Connect your guitar using a 1/4" TS (unbalanced) instrument cable.
7. FS3X IN: Connect an optional DigiTech FS3X footswitch for hands-free control.

User Interface

PART Buttons (VERSE/CHORUS/BRIDGE): These buttons provide access to the three parts that make up a song and serve the following functions:

• Part Selection: Press to switch between the three song parts.
• Part Intensity Adjustment: Repeatedly press a selected PART button to cycle through available intensities (how loudly the part plays).
• Metronome or Count-In Activation: When playback is stopped, press and hold a PART button to activate the metronome (for empty parts) or count-in function (for parts with drum patterns).

PART Button States:

• LED Off: Part not learned or selected.
• Dim LED (Green, Amber, or Red): Indicates an auto-generated part (for empty songs) or a learned but unselected part (for non-empty songs).
• Bright LED (Green, Amber, or Red): Part is selected.
• Blinking LED (Green, Amber, or Red): Part is learned, selected, and the count-in function is enabled. Blink speed indicates tempo. A brief red blink signifies clearing a part, while three red blinks signify clearing a song. A brief green blink indicates a part or song has been restored.

TEMPO Button:

• Tempo Indication: The TEMPO LED blinks at the current song tempo when a part is empty and the metronome is on, or when a part is not empty. The LED changes color to indicate tempo changes or when the tempo is adjusted. Press and hold TEMPO to save the new tempo.
• Metronome: Press and hold TEMPO for ~2 seconds to turn the metronome on/off.
• Tap Tempo: Tap the TEMPO button at your desired tempo.
• Update Nominal Tempo: Press and hold TEMPO for ~2 seconds to save an adjusted tempo as the nominal tempo.

GROOVE/KIT Encoder: Turn and press to change drum timing, feel, embellishment amount, and kit selection.

• Timing: Select 3/4 or 4/4 time signature.
• Feel: Select Straight (ST) or Swing (SW).
• Embellishment Amount: Three LEDs indicate how simple or busy the drum part is.
• Kit: Select from five available drum kits.

ALT (Kick/Snare) Button: Selects alternate kick and snare sounds.

LEVEL Knob: Adjusts the drum output level.

LEARN LED: Indicates the status of learning new patterns.

KICK/SNARE Pads: Used for learning drum patterns.

SONG Button: Select songs using the HATS/RIDES encoder.

HATS/RIDE Encoder: Select right-hand drum patterns and sub-beat timing variations.

ALT (Hats/Rides) Button: Select alternate sounds for right-hand drum elements.

TEMPO Knob: Adjusts the song tempo.

Operation

Tempo Adjustment: The TEMPO button and knob allow for tempo control. The TEMPO LED indicates the current tempo and changes color to reflect tempo adjustments. Saving a new tempo requires pressing and holding the TEMPO button.

PLAY LED: Indicates playback status (off, dim green, bright green, blinking).

GUITAR AUDITION Button: Switches between audition modes (Off, Hybrid, On) and calibrates BeatScratch.

FOOTSWITCH: Used for arming learning, starting/stopping playback, deleting parts/songs, and undoing deletions.

Connections and Setups

The SDRUM can be connected in various configurations:

• Amplifier Setup: Connect the SDRUM's AMP OUT to an amplifier. Effects or loopers should ideally be placed before the SDRUM.
• Mixer Setup: Connect the SDRUM's MIXER OUT to a mixer's line inputs for a mono guitar signal and stereo drum signal.
• Amplifier + Mixer Setup: Connect to both AMP OUT and MIXER OUT for simultaneous guitar and drum signal routing.
• JamSync Setup: Connect the SDRUM's JAMSYNC OUT to a compatible JamMan looper for synchronized playback and control.

Output Connector Operation: The SDRUM automatically optimizes outputs based on connected jacks. The AMP OUT provides a mixed mono guitar and drum signal, with EQ applied to the drums. The MIXER OUT provides a mixed mono guitar and stereo drum signal.

Drum Pattern Learning

Methods: Learn drum patterns using the BeatScratch feature with a guitar/bass or the KICK/SNARE pads. The SDRUM automatically detects time signature and feel. It also automatically generates a chorus part when a verse pattern is learned.

Metronome: The built-in metronome can be activated for practice and timing. It can be turned on/off by holding the TEMPO button for ~2 seconds. Tempo can be set via tap tempo or the TEMPO knob.

Learning with Pads: Select an empty song part, arm the SDRUM with the footswitch, and play patterns on the KICK/SNARE pads. The LEARN LED indicates the learning status. Maximum pattern length is 4 bars.

Learning with Guitar/Bass (BeatScratch): Calibrate BeatScratch first by following specific steps involving strumming strings. Then, select an empty part and use the footswitch to arm the SDRUM. Strum the guitar strings to create kick/snare patterns. The LEARN LED indicates learning status.

Drum Pattern Settings

Time Signature: Choose between 3/4 or 4/4 time.

Feel: Select Straight (ST) or Swing (SW) feel.

Embellishment Amount: Adjust the complexity of the drum pattern with Simple, Intermediate, or Busy settings.

Drum Kit Selection: Choose from five drum kits: E-Pop, Brush, Percussion, Power, and Clean. Each kit offers different sounds and characteristics.

Alternate Kick/Snare Sounds: Select alternative sounds for kick and snare for each drum kit.

Right-Hand Drum Elements: Choose from various hi-hat, ride, tom, and percussion patterns using the HATS/RIDES encoder and ALT button. Sub-beat timing can also be adjusted.

Tempo and Song Management

Tempo Adjustment: Tempo can be adjusted using the TEMPO button (tap tempo) or the TEMPO knob. The knob allows for 1x, 2x, or 1/2x tempo adjustments relative to the learned tempo.

Song Parts: The SDRUM supports three song parts: Verse, Chorus, and Bridge. Part intensity can be adjusted to add dynamics.

Playback and Switching: Parts can be played and switched using the PART buttons or the footswitch.

Song Management: Up to 36 songs can be stored, each with up to 3 parts. Songs are saved automatically. Functions include creating, loading, copying, and deleting songs.

Advanced Features and Tips

Count-In and SilentClear: Enable a 1-bar count-in and SilentClear for seamless pattern clearing.

Automatic Bridge Generation: The SDRUM can automatically generate a bridge pattern based on the verse pattern.

Pre-selecting Timing and Feel: Override automatic detection by pre-selecting timing and feel settings before learning a pattern.

Learning Entire Songs: Learn an entire song by learning just the verse part, with automatic generation of chorus and bridge parts.

Special Drum Patterns: Learn complex patterns, patterns without kick/snare on beat 1, half-time shuffle, 6/8 ballad, and train beat patterns.

JamSync: Synchronize SDRUM with JamMan loopers for integrated performance and recording.

FS3X Footswitch: Control SDRUM hands-free with the optional FS3X footswitch, offering various modes (Live, Table Top, Direct Part) for controlling parts, tempo, metronome, and fills.

Factory Reset: Restore the SDRUM to its original factory settings, which will erase all songs and custom calibrations.

Specifications

Interface: Controls include Groove/Kit, Hats/Rides, Level, Tempo. Backlit buttons for Tempo, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Song, Alt (Kit), Alt (Hats/Rides), Guitar Audition. Pads for Kick, Snare. Main Footswitch. LEDs for Learn, Play. Jacks include Guitar In, FS3X In, Amp Out, Mixer Out L(m), Mixer Out R, JamSync Out. Mini USB port for updates.

Inputs: Guitar Input (1/4" TS, Unbalanced, 1 MΩ impedance), FS3X Input (1/4" TRS).

Outputs: Amp Output (1/4" TS, Unbalanced, 1 kΩ impedance), Mixer L/R Outputs (1/4" TRS, Impedance balanced, 1 kΩ impedance), JamSync Outputs (1/8" TRS).

Performance: 24-bit Bit Depth, 44.1 kHz Sample Rate, >108 dB Signal-To-Noise Ratio, 0.004% THD + Noise @ 1 kHz.

Storage: Max 4 bars per song part, 3 parts per song, 36 songs total.

USB: Mini-B, USB 2.0.

Physical: Dimensions: 5.25" (L) x 3" (W) x 2.45" (H). Unit Weight: 1.14 lb. Shipping Weight: 1.92 lb.

Power: 9 VDC external power adapter, <5 W power consumption, 500 mA current draw. Power Adapter Model: PS0913DC-04.

Product Information: SDRUM Owner's Manual, PN: P01300347. © 2023 CORTEK Corp. DigiTech is a registered trademark of CORTEK Corp. Some drum samples licensed from RealiTone™ (http://realitone.com) and Digital Sound Factory® (https://www.digitalsoundfactory.com).

Instructions for Conformity and Safety

[Electrical Hazard] symbol indicates dangerous voltage. [Important] symbol indicates user should read the manual. Do not open the unit; service by qualified personnel only. Opening the chassis voids the warranty. Avoid moisture. Disconnect during lightning storms. Do not operate above 2000m altitude.

Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturer: DigiTech. Product Name: SDrum. Declares that the product complies with EMC standards (EN 55032, EN 55035) and FCC Part 15. Complies with EU Directives (EMC, RoHS, WEEE, Regulation EU 278/2009). Contact: CORTEK Corp.

Safety Precautions

General: Keep instructions, heed warnings, follow all instructions. Do not use near water. Clean with a dry cloth only. For indoor use only. Do not block ventilation openings. Install according to manufacturer's instructions. Avoid heat sources. Unplug during storms or when unused for long periods. Ensure proper grounding. Protect the power cord. Use only with specified carts or stands. Service by qualified personnel is required for damage, liquid spills, or abnormal operation.

UK Mains Plug Warning: Do not use a cut-off mains plug. Dispose of it properly. Never insert a damaged or cut mains plug into a 13A socket. Use only with a fuse cover. Use 13A fuses approved to BS1362.

Power Cord Wiring: Follow color coding for Live (Brown), Neutral (Blue), and Earth (Green/Yellow) wires. Ensure correct connection to the plug terminals.

Electromagnetic Compatibility: This device complies with FCC Part 15. Operation is subject to conditions that it does not cause harmful interference and accepts any interference received. Avoid operating in strong electromagnetic fields. Use shielded cables.

Disposal: Do not dispose of this product with general household waste. Follow local regulations for electronic waste recycling.