how to:
set up and play drumbeam.
Producer Jannis Le Wolff built a free Ableton Live project with ready-made drumbeam presets and walks through his full workflow. Download his presets, play along, and see how the zones map to a real set.
Our cheat sheet: the quickstart guide has the key info about the device and its configuration at a glance.
Drag-and-drop USB update, no tools or installers. Hold the inner button (B) while you connect USB-C, then drop the .uf2 file on the drive that appears.
Every feature, every menu, every config option, as a PDF in German and English.
If you run into problems with your device, we’re happy to help. Send us an email. We usually answer within 48 hours on business days.
Connect with other drumbeam players who share their setups and performance videos and help each other. Our team checks in regularly, too.
Return policy and warranty, per market. All in one place.
always improving.
drumbeam updates are drag-and-drop. No tools, no installers. Hold the inner button (B) while you connect USB-C and drop the .uf2 file on the drive that appears, done.
what’s new in 1.14- Sequence mode: a zone plays a sequence of up to 8 notes, the next note on every hit
- Preset switch zones: change the preset with a hit on the matching zone
- Select the preset bank on the device: briefly press both buttons, then hit the bank’s zone or step to it with the buttons
- Program change on preset switch: drumbeam can now send a program change when you switch presets, so your connected gear changes its sound presets along with it
- MIDI In Zone Highlight: incoming MIDI notes light up the matching zone. Perfect for live looping
- Toggle mode: a hit turns a zone on or off. Use it to switch effects on and off, for example
- Pad Dead Time against double triggers (Settings › Sensitivity)
- Edit several zones at once, swap two zones, mirror the zone order
- Faster, more stable config app
- Fixed: zones sometimes changed color on fast hits
- Minor fixes and UI polish
view details: v1.13
- Redesigned app interface for faster navigation
- CC Send now configurable per zone, added visual feedback on device
- New color picker adds white and adjustable saturation
- Trigger In: note length, sensitivity, scan and idle time now configurable
- Improved sensor algorithms
- Firmware version display after update for easy verification
- Wi-Fi can be switched off and back on, and the setting is kept (hold outer button on boot)
view details: v1.12
- drumbeam rebooted on Wi-Fi connection in some preset configurations. This update solves the issue. Presets are still usable.
- Improved Trigger Sensitivity
- Note length can now be set up to infinite
common
questions.
Can’t find your question? Email us at the address below.
does drumbeam make sounds on its own?
No, and that’s deliberate. drumbeam is a MIDI controller and drives anything that speaks MIDI. Connect it to Ableton, Logic or any other DAW via USB-C, or to a drum module, sampler or synth via the included TRS MIDI cable.
do I need a laptop on stage?
No. Your presets live on the device, and with the included MIDI cable drumbeam plays a drum module, sampler or synth on its own. If you run Ableton for samples and backing tracks anyway, plug drumbeam in over USB-C and it plays along.
will it work with my DAW and my gear?
Yes. drumbeam is class-compliant USB MIDI, so it shows up like any standard controller in Ableton, Logic, Maschine, Bitwig and anything else that speaks MIDI. No drivers, no installation. TRS MIDI in/out connects it to hardware, or chains it after your SPD.
how do firmware updates work?
Drag-and-drop over USB. Hold the inner button (B) while you connect drumbeam by USB-C, and it shows up as a drive. Drop the .uf2 file on it, done.
what does the warranty cover?
Every unit, including B-stock, comes with the 2-year statutory warranty. If something is wrong with your drumbeam, email support@afk-audio.com with your order number and we’ll sort it out, usually within 48 hours on business days.
will I pay customs or import fees?
No. You’re in the EU — VAT is included in the price and there are no customs fees. Ships from Germany, usually the next business day.
what’s the return policy?
You have the EU’s 14-day right of withdrawal: return drumbeam within 14 days of delivery and you get your money back. The cost of sending it back is on you. Please email support@afk-audio.com first.
talk to us.
When you email us, the person reading it knows drumbeam inside and out, because they helped build it. We’re a small team and do our best to reply quickly. On business days, that’s usually within 48 hours.
Pulsnitzer Straße 6 · 01099 Dresden · Germany
