Ever bought something and without being told to promote it you immediately start telling everybody you know about it? It’s like you find ways to bring it up in conversation. That’s how I felt when I received the new BeatBuddy Mini Drum Machine Pedal.
The BeatBuddy Mini is a great looking compact drum machine designed for a guitar player. It has a killer design and looks great on my pedal board. With one pedal I can start/stop the beat, trigger drum fills, and transition into a different beat (like going from a verse to a chorus).
Getting started, it was quick and easy to find my way around. I simply plugged in my headphones and was immediately able to start playing some songs.
There are several styles to choose from and each style has about 4 different sub styles. Then to go along with that each, sub style has two versions which are ideally used as a verse chorus combination. The BeatBuddy mini includes tempo control so I was able to play at the tempo that best suited the songs I wanted to play.
The pedal is very easy to understand and only has uses a few commands:
– Tap the pedal once to start
– Tap again to play a fill
– Hold for a fill that transitions into the other drum beat (hold again to transition back to the original)
– Tap twice to end the beat
As a guitar player that generally finds it difficult to get together with a band, I found this incredibly enjoyable for when I want to squeeze in a quick jam session at 2 am. However, it’s not just limited to home practicing. This can easily be brought to a gig if you are a singer-songwriter looking to add some drums to your songs. I know I’ve played a few shows where I wished I had a drummer backing me up.
Overall I say this is an incredible tool that should be added to every guitar players arsenal.
For more information, visit: www.mybeatbuddy.com or visit your local retail music store. Retails for approximately $149.99.
Tech Specs
Sounds: Drums
Kits: 9 kits fixed with each song/pattern
Patterns: 100 songs
Inputs: 1 x 1/4″ (instrument), 1 x 1/4″ (external footswitch)
Outputs: 1 x 1/4″
Power: 9V power supply included
Height: 1.3″
Depth: 4.4″
Width: 2.3″
