Hi, it’s Ben here for Drum-Circle-Gear Check episode 2. We drum circle facilitators are always very dependent on the instruments we use being as practical as possible. Sure, sound is important, but we have to transport a lot, the instruments have to be easy to handle, easy to clean, they should be light (if possible), not take up too much take up space and also sound good. Remo has thought about this and developed the VERSA series to meet these needs.
The Versa series essentially consists of three drum models: the Versa Tubano, the bass drum of this series, the Versa Timbau, which is equivalent to a Brazilian Timba, and there is the Versa Djembe. The special thing about Versa is that the system is incredibly modular. Firstly, the instruments are very light; the Acousticon shell is very thin and therefore easy to transport. This is really cool if you have to transport a large amount of drums all at once. Each of these variants are available in three sizes. There is one 13 inch model, one 11 inch model and one 9 inch model. You can see it here, for example, in this Tubano set: here is a 13", 11" and 9” Tubano. The cool thing is that these three drums nest into each other. So in one hand you have three instruments and therefore even more space in the boot of the car. You can also see it here on the Timbau. This is also shrunk, which means the 11" and the 9" version are both also a little smaller. The next special feature is the heads.
These are pre-tuned so I can easily take them off. When I hold a Versa head in my hand, this time I’m taking the djembe head, I have a frame drum. So if I need a lot of frame drums, I can just use my Versa heads. The heads are in three tunings. There is the high-tuned head, the middle-tuned head and the deep-tuned head.
They are also delivered accordingly with the drums; the high head with the djembe, the middle with the Timbau and the low with the Tubano. But the skins are completely interchangeable. So if you want to try out how the tubano shell sounds with a high head, then you just swap the skins over. Now I’m just going to just take the heads off because I sat them loosely on the drums before. They tighten up a little by playing. You can solve that with this little tool. There is an eyelet here in the shell; the tool locks into that and you pry up the head. This Versa set of three different instruments can also very practically be stacked together. Then you have a high tower that can easily be packed, for example… … in the matching Versa Duffle Bag. The duffle bag is designed to fit any Versa set. It has a strap and a handle for comfortable carrying. In addition, the Versa sets are also available in the CST version, with Comfort Sound Technology. These are these fabric-covered skins, with these very gentle overtones. If you are interested in finding out more about Comfort Sound Technology, then please have a look at the corresponding episode of the Drum Circle Gear Check.
So that means: four different tunings, four different sounds. About three types of drums and about three sizes each. If we multiply that and find the square root… you realise that the Versa series has a lot of sounds, really low weight, a really good price, and they’re really sturdy. The shell is made out of Acousticon, as always from Remo, and so it strangely has some wood-like sound properties. It is very sturdy and is moisture resistant, so there’s no problem if you have to drum in the rain. If you're drumming in clinics and need to get the drums really clean, you can just wash them with soap and water.
Nothing happens to them. One last thing: often, one is faced with the problem that beginner drummers don’t yet know how to tilt a drum properly so that it sounds good. That's no problem with the Tubano, which has feet and air holes. The djembe does not have that. You have to tip it to play properly. But if you work with beginners or with people who simply cannot do that then there is the Versa Pyramid Stand. All sorts of other drums fit on top and also all other djembes fit on it. Highly recommendable. You just put the drum on it. And there you go – you have your air holes. Of course that works for the Timbau too. This is the Versa series. We recommend it. Grab all you can from it; after all, you will easily be able carry the light drums. So, goodbye and see you again for the next Gear Check episode. That was Ben. Take care!