configure once.
play anywhere.
drumbeam is class-compliant USB MIDI and TRS MIDI Type A. Use it with Ableton, Logic, Maschine, a hardware drum module, a sampler. Anything that accepts MIDI.
Configure in any browser via drumbeam’s built-in Wi-Fi. Save layouts as presets. Close the browser. On stage, you just play.
not fixed pads. not a preset grid.
You decide how many zones, how wide each one is, and where it sits along the bar. One zone for a full-bar trigger. Four for a compact kit. Eight for sample banks. Twelve for melodic control. Switch between presets with the buttons on the bar, or with a MIDI program change from a footswitch.
where you hit, not just how hard.
drumbeam reads where along the zone your stick lands. Map that position to any MIDI CC: a reverb send, a filter cutoff, a hi-hat openness, a sample crossfade. Current position shows as a dot on the user-side LEDs, so you have visual feedback without looking at a screen.
the audience sees what you play.
The LED strip runs on both sides of the bar. The back faces the audience. Five animation modes give your performance a visual dimension most controllers don’t have, from a static highlight to a beam that radiates out of the hit point. Or none at all: it’s fully configurable, down to zero.
configured in a browser.
nothing to install.
drumbeam creates its own Wi-Fi network. Open a browser on your phone, tablet or laptop, go to drumbeam.local, and you’re in.
Design your layout. Assign notes and CCs. Set velocity curves. Name your presets. Save them to the device. Close the browser. drumbeam carries the configuration with it wherever it goes.
The afk-audio drumbeam plays excellently and the rebound is very pleasant. The triggering response is clean and reliable.
"drumbeam is a real joy to play, and its design is a breath of fresh air, allowing you to configure it in almost any way you can imagine."
"drumbeam is neither just another pad nor a toy from the world of controllers. It is a quasi-instrument that reimagines the concept of "drumming and MIDI"—striking a fine balance between innovation, playing enjoyment and practical utility."
“Anyone looking for a controller without sound generation for drums and percussion, etc., will find the Drumbeam absolutely perfect [...] I no longer use a pad at all, as the Drumbeam offers much more possibilities and flexibility as a controller thanks to its design - and is also much easier to use"
@sfrevol
not better.
different.
tap a feature to compare against the others
| drumbeam | Roland SPD-SX | Roland Octapad | KMI BopPad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| configurable zone layout | 1 → 12 | fixed | fixed | fixed |
| positional stick sensing | all zones | — | — | limited |
| browser-based config | any device | editor app | on-device only | editor app |
| no driver / installer | yes | no | no | yes |
| weight | 0.8 kg | 4.7 kg | 4.4 kg | 0.7 kg |
drumbeam doesn’t need to replace the SPD-SX as a sample player. It complements it if you chain them via midi.
built
to gig.
Mounts, cases and cables made for the same rig. Everything ships in one box.
every detail.
nothing hidden.
Physical
Zones
Connectivity
Power
Presets
Mounting
questions,
answered.
Can’t find your answer? Email support and you’ll reach the people who built it.
all faqs & support →Do I need a laptop on stage?
For configuration, no. Everything is saved to the device and you never need to open the browser during a show. For sound, it depends on your setup. Most users connect drumbeam to a laptop running Ableton or to a hardware drum module. Connect via TRS MIDI to use drumbeam without a computer entirely.
What makes it different from a standard drum pad?
Most drum pads have a fixed layout: four, six, or nine pads in a grid. drumbeam has one continuous surface you divide into zones yourself. The number, size and position of those zones is fully yours. It also reads stick position within each zone, which standard pads don’t do.
Does it work with my DAW?
Yes. drumbeam is class-compliant USB MIDI. It appears as a standard MIDI controller in Ableton, Logic, Maschine, Bitwig and any other MIDI-capable software, no drivers needed.
Can I use it with hardware, no computer at all?
Yes. Connect via the included TRS-to-DIN MIDI cable to any hardware drum module, sampler or synthesizer. Configure presets once via the browser app, then use it completely standalone.
Will I be able to hit the zones accurately?
The LED strip shows you exactly where each zone begins and ends. There’s a learning curve if you’re used to fixed pads, but 12 zones is playable with practice. Most setups use fewer.
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 within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. Ships from Germany, so there’s nothing to arrange across borders.
