GEAR REVIEW
[ BEATBUDDY GETS SMALL | Eric Dahl ]
KEY FEATURES
100 built in songs
10 different drum kits
24 genres/styles of music
(rock, country, blues)
Most popular time signatures
on it. In the review model, I played around with
the two knobs on top of the pedal control the
the 100 built in songs (many of which matched
volume, genre, song, and tempo, plus there is
up to songs I already knew), 10 different drum
an additional foot switch to stop and start it.
kits, 24 genres/styles of music (rock, country,
The large LCD screen is also very easy to read
blues) and most popular time signatures. The
from the floor. Street price for the BeatBuddy
visual metronome on the pedal is great too. I
Mini guitar pedal drum machine is $99, but if
tested out the Mini at a church service and the
you’re going to use it in a live music situation I
congregation thought we had a real drummer
suggest the additional footswitch for $49.
Singular Sound, the company that is behind the
hidden on stage and wanted me to use it more
BeatBuddy drum machines, won a number of
frequently. The built in drum sounds are taken
The footswitch makes tap tempos, add fills,
awards when it first launched a few years ago,
from sampled drums so they have a much
scrolling through songs, and stopping patterns
including NAMM’s Best of Show.
more organic feel to them.
simpler. If you’re a techie and enjoy building
your own beats, editing, and storing them,
In 2016 they launched their new Mini model,
BeatBuddy Mini isn’t just for guitarists. It’s also a
then the original Beat Buddy Pro may be a
which has many of the features of its big brother
practical practice tool for bassist, keyboardists,
better fit and it does include an SD storage
but is a smaller footprint for your pedalboard,
horn players, and even percussionists as a
card and a USB port, but added features push
and it doesn’t have the editing capabilities the
rhythm cue. The company states, “We designed
the cost to $299. For my money (and uses)
Pro model does. I was a fan of the Pro Model,
the Mini model for students and musicians on
the Mini provides all the drum sounds, songs
but for stomp and go Christian musicians it can
the go. It’s smaller, but still powerful, and it fits
and tempos I need. Plus it functions like one
be a little daunting in a Praise Team or Worship
in a gig bag easily. Plus the cost is much lower
of my guitar pedals. If I need more percussion
situation. I personally prefer the smaller size
for beginners.”
than this pedal provides then we probably need
of the Mini, and it is very user friendly so the
manual isn’t required reading to find cool beats
to find a real live drummer to play the service
It is powered by a 9-volt power supply and
with us!
Check out the videos online,
and if you get the chance, play
one for yourself to give it the real
life test.
The Singular Sound BeatBuddy
pedals are not your father’s
drum machines of the past.
$99 Street - BeatBuddy Mini
$49 Street - Additional Footswitch
www.BeatBuddy.com
18
Sep Oct 2016
ChristianMusician.com