Drumming News :
By Alan Leibowitz, Drumming News Network
digitalDrummer will introduce a new feature at this year’s Europe Drum Show with the launch of the Innovation Showcase, part of the E-drum Labs programme.
The showcase will take place at the end of the first show day on Friday, April 11, and will be repeated on Sunday morning, April 12. Each session will present three new electronic drum products making their first appearance at the Europe Drum Show.
Among the innovations being demonstrated is DrumPi, a compact electronic drum sound module developed as a standalone alternative to laptop-based VST setups. Described by its developers as delivering studio-quality sounds with ultra-low latency, DrumPi will be demonstrated by developer Paolo Simonazzi, who will explain its functionality and show it in use with a triggered acoustic shell pack.
Also appearing is a new digital drum trigger developed in Sweden by Enes Sabanovic. Designed as a home-brew solution, the trigger incorporates a number of features not currently found in commercial products.
Completing the lineup is EavesDrum, a DIY trigger-to-MIDI interface developed by German e-drum enthusiast Tobias Gunkel. The system is intended as an alternative to conventional drum modules or off-the-shelf trigger-to-MIDI interfaces, and will be demonstrated live during the session.
digitalDrummer editor Allan Leibowitz said the Innovation Showcase is intended to highlight grassroots development within the electronic drumming community.
“There is a significant amount of experimentation and innovation happening outside the established manufacturers, much of which never reaches a wider audience,” he said. “This showcase is designed to give independent developers a platform, while also giving e-drummers insight into emerging ideas and alternative approaches.”
The Innovation Showcase expands the E-drum Labs concept, which was introduced at the UK Drum Show in 2024 and subsequently featured at the inaugural Europe Drum Show in Friedrichshafen last year.
Allan Leibowitz discovered electronic drums when returning to drumming later in life, seeking a solution for noise control. Unable to find reliable reviews, he launched digitalDrummer in 2010. As an award-winning journalist, Allan has reviewed most e-drum gear, advised manufacturers, and beta-tested key products.
He continues to use e-drums for practice, rehearsals, collaborations, and live performances, drawing from his diverse instrument collection. Alongside his drumming passion, Allan has had a successful career in business journalism, earning awards in motoring, travel writing, and event organization. He recently hosted the E-drum Labs at the UK Drum Show in Liverpool.
