An electronic percussion device has a plurality of touch sensitive pad, an array of lighting elements disposed adjacent each pad, and a virtual display of the currently selected kit. The light array provides the user with immediate visual cue about the status and capabilities of the sound selections, without having to interrupt the user's performance. The user can color code and animate the illumination pattern of each light array so that, from a distance, the user is visually reminded what sounds are assigned to each pad, when sound associated with particular pad is currently playing, when playback of a sound associated with a pad is about to end.

An electronic percussion device has a plurality of triggerable actuators, in the form of any of pads, external trigger inputs or foot switches, that may be organized into synchronized groups, and has an operational mode in which triggering of any actuator within the synchronized group initiates playback of audio events or execution of control functions associated with other of the actuators within the synchronized group in one of multiple different synchronization orders, e.g. one at a time, all simultaneously, random or in a predefined or user-defined consecutive order.

An electronic percussion device has a plurality of touch sensitive pad, an array of lighting elements disposed adjacent each pad, and a virtual display of the currently selected kit. The light array provides the user with immediate visual cue about the status and capabilities of the sound selections, without having to interrupt the user's performance. The user can color code and animate the illumination pattern of each light array so that, from a distance, the user is visually reminded what sounds are assigned to each pad, when sound associated with particular pad is currently playing, when playback of a sound associated with a pad is about to end.

A drumming exercise method and system involves detecting the striking of a surface with a drum stick by a user, and calculating a calorie expenditure of the user based on the detection. The system may be configured as a digital drum machine having drum pads and sensors operatively connected with the drum pads, and a processor that receive signals from the sensors to detect the striking of a surface with a drum stick. Alternatively, the system may be configured as drum sticks that include a sensor and a processor, with the sensor detecting the striking of a surface and the processor transmitting information thereon to calculate an expenditure of calories. Still further, the system may comprise a digital video camera and computer with recognition software, with the camera capturing images of a user performing drumming motions, and the computer detecting the striking via the recognition software.

An electronic percussion device has a plurality of triggerable actuators, in the form of any of pads, external trigger inputs or foot switches, that may be organized into synchronized groups, and has an operational mode in which triggering of any actuator within the synchronized group initiates playback of audio events or execution of control functions associated with other of the actuators within the synchronized group in one of multiple different synchronization orders, e.g. one at a time, all simultaneously, random or in a predefined or user-defined consecutive order.

A circumambient configuration of sensor pods is disclosed, focusing on a percussionist or other musical performer, to effect desired sound effects. The configuration is ergonomically and/or ergodynamically advantageous as proximate to performer as each sensor pod is within a natural reach of the performer performing conventionally on associated instruments, if any.

The visual feedback device bridges the gap between what an observer sees and hears, by creating a new kind of MIDI drum kit, one that responds with obvious visual physical feedback to the specific way that the user can play it. Aggressive strikes may result in more aggressive visual feedback from the visual feedback device, and light playing may result in more subtle visual feedback from the visual feedback device giving the listener a truly unique experience.