Drummers in the driving seat

Pop music could become more groovy as a result of technology that allows human drummers to set the pace of pre-programmed material.

Many modern recordings incorporate computer-made music with a constant rhythm, which drummers have to follow.

Both in the studio and on stage, a human drummer will have to play along with a “click track” to keep in time. The result is music that lacks spontaneity and “feel”.

The new software enables drummers to vary the tempo of pre-recorded music so that it follows the speed of their sticks.

Called B-Keeper, it allows a drummer to speed up or slow down by up to five per cent while the pre-programmed music remains in time. Andrew Robertson, from Queen Mary, University of London, who designed the programme, said: “Usually, the drummer follows the click track, but with B-Keeper, the click track follows the drummer.

“The software follows the beat of the kick and snare drum and uses that information to make sure everything stays synchronised by changing the replay speed of the pre-programmed parts.”

A keen guitarist, Dr Robertson tested B-Keeper with his own “space rock” band, Higamos Hogamos.

“We’ve used B-Keeper at gigs in the UK, Belgium, and Lux-embourg and it makes a noticeable difference in terms of helping to create a better atmosphere and letting the band feed off and bond with the crowd,” he said.

“Our studio work is also bene-fiting from the flexibility B-Keeper gives us when we’re recording our material.”

B-Keeper works by taking microphoned sound from the kick and snare drum and using it to adjust the tempo of any pre-programmed music.

Part of the software ensures that the speed of the pre-programmed music can be altered without affecting pitch.