OMEGA GM-1 Rockband Kit - let the discussion begin

Pepsiman · Band Member Joined: 23 Jan 2010 Posts: 7

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/omega-gm-1-lets-you-bring-your-real-drum-set-to-rock-band/

WHat do you all think?

This vs Epro from Pearl (alesis dm10 modified kit - DM10 module, Surge cymbals and heads designed by pearl and alesis together , wood work by pearl)?

Current mods out there Vs both these?

I have a lot to say, but I will chime in later with those thoughts - lets all read about the GM1 and then post thoughts and discuss.

el_bobbo · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:56 am Post subject:

Yeah it's pretty nifty.

I put in an inquiry about a month ago to get it. Still waiting to hear back from them.
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davidshek · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:17 am Post subject:

We talked about this several months ago when Omega first put this up. Sorry to say, but Engadget is WAY behind on this one. Like, at least a good 6 months, probably more.

My opinion: $250 is far too expensive for a package of piezos and basically what amounts to a Madcatz portable controller.
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el_bobbo · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:25 am Post subject:

Yeah, I kinda agree.

I trying to work something out to see if we can get a set of Pintech RS-5s working with an ION controller, etc.

Gonna have another phone call w/ Pintech soon and may make a test subject out of one of you guys Smile

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waldo15 · Hardcore Band Member Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 223

Certainly this went unnoticed by the big tech blogs for a while... but not for the keen eye of the Drum Mods comunity!

The Omega approach is definitely a very good idea, but there are caveats that don't make it a good approach for everyone. First of, you need to have your own acoustic drumset already, which many of us never had or never even considered having (they take quite a bit of space!). You can buy entry-level sets for about $350 or so, so that adds to the price tag.

On top of that if you want silent drums for playtime add the mesh heads on the drums, which may definitely be a hassle of switching heads back and forth if you use your drumset in an acoustic fashion.

Notice that you also need to add your own gamepad interface also be it a GHWT controller or a MadCatz box to make it work.

Add to that the fact the Omega box has set MIDI values that you cannot change. This somewhat limits the usage for e-drums. Also there's little to no control over your triggers, only a hi/lo mode, so may find that certain triggers give you trouble with crosstalk or with double triggering.

Personally I'd recommend folks going a slightly different route. This list matches (almost) what the Omega pack includes:

Alesis IO: $159 (or cheaper. Call master El_bobbo for deals!)
Simmons triggers: $13 x 6 for all four drums and two cymbals
Cable snake: $40 (has 8 cables!)
MIDI cable: $5.00
Zildjian cymbal mutes: $22.

The grand total comes at $304. Not cheap I know, but this will get you more mileage and control over your MIDI configuration and trigger control.
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Pepsiman · Band Member Joined: 23 Jan 2010 Posts: 7

I personally think it is a rip off.

I would prefer rockbandkickbox.com products over this.

I think the ION expander Midi has already been doing this for months and works with a real drum module or the GHWT module.

I also think the cost of acoustic drums make this a poorly priced and marketed product.. Mesh heads or drum mutes cost even more money and those cymbal triggers will work on round plastic or even hard foam - let alone a real cymbal. I think your money is better spent buying Alesis Surge Cymbals.

I think the omega module will work with a drum brain as the values are the same as a GHWT midi box. SO you don't need a GHWT set - just a Ekit. (Vdrums DTXpress, simmons, ect...)

Now I know we are talking big money.. but hey the price of this once all said and done is 1/3 that the cost of epro live kit. Might as well save up for that.

davidshek · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject:

Pepsiman · Band Member Joined: 23 Jan 2010 Posts: 7

David you are right... I typed without reading...I should delete that comment I had a dyslexic idea in my head - it it was 100% wrong..LOL

mbnasir6 · Band Member Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 22

No one will buy this, reviewer like Cena might get it to review, then return it.
Seriosly, the only people who buy third party products like this know or find out about all of the cheaper options. Once they find out about those, they won't buy the Omega. I expect only one person to buy it and actually use it

SDT10 · Band Member Joined: 06 Nov 2009 Posts: 29 Location: SoCal

My initial reaction was Dammit - that's the exact conversion I just did (even on the same Pearl Rhythm Traveler kit) for half the $$.

But when I look closer - it looks like the Omega box only works as a MIDI converter, not a true drum brain that generates voices, etc. Also, as pointed out above, the settings look very limited (hi-low only?). That gives me serious pause - it took a lot of tinkering to get my triggers to read accurately and avoid double hits. The easiest part were the Pintech cymbals - I can only imagine how difficult it would be to get real cymbals to trigger properly. I also don't see a hi-hat pedal hook-up, at least in the photos shown.

I wish these guys luck, and I think it's a good thing that people are trying to make these kind of solutions easily available, but I have my doubts as to how well this particular kit will work.

I would love to see Pintech put in a serious effort on this front - those people really understand e-drums and drumming generally. I think their general approach is that everyone's setup is so unique, they are better off doing custom conversions instead of selling a one-size fits all "kit".

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