German digital drum manufacturer Gewa has recently announced the launch of their G3 series kit, which incorporates the drum sounds and playability of its higher-end G9 and G5 kits into a more affordable package. Below, we dissect the announcement, looking at what makes the Gewa G3 special and how it compares to its rivals at a similar price range.
What is the Gewa G3?
The Gewa G3 electronic drum kit brings the sounds and playability of the higher-end G5 and G9 kits to a lower price point. It does this by limiting the number of trigger inputs and audio outputs, as well as dropping the acoustic-style aesthetic of the drum shells of the G9 and G5 Pro, adopting “traditional” eDrum pads instead.
Pros and Cons of the Gewa G3
Pros
- High-quality sampled drum sounds from the flagship G9 module
- Large cymbals including 14″ triple-zone hi-hat
Cons
- Rim protectors do not cover the entire rim of each drum
- Acoustic-style shells from higher-end Gewa kits are dropped
When does the Gewa G3 launch and what’s the price?
The G3 will become available in stores from mid-November 2022. A price has been provided in Euros only, coming in at €1,899.
How does the Gewa G3 compare to the G5 and G9?
The G3 uses an identical sound engine to the G5 and G9 modules and promises to deliver the same playability as the two higher-end kits. That means the kit features the same 40 drum kit presets, made up of 901 different sounds based on up to 1,000 real sound samples per instrument.
To achieve a lower cost, the module is cut down in a couple of key ways. Compared to the G5 module, the number of trigger inputs is cut down from 12 to 11, and the 4x direct outputs are dropped, leaving a 2x 1/4“ stereo TRS output only. Meanwhile, the G9 features 14 trigger inputs, adds a SPDIF 48 kHz out, and doubles the direct-outs to 8.
How many trigger inputs does the Gewa G3 have?
The G3 module features 11 trigger inputs, meaning there’s only room for one additional instrument beyond what you get in the package. This puts it in a similar ballpark to the Roland TD-17, but with fewer inputs than more expensive alternatives like the TD-27 module.
What are the main features of the Gewa G3?
The G3 kit comes with the following drum and cymbal pads:
- 3x 10″ Tom Pads
- 12″ Snare Pad
- 10″ Kick Pad
- GEWA Studio Rack
- 18″ Ride cymbal pad (3 zones)
- 14″ Crash cymbal pad (3 zones)
- 14″ Hi-Hat cymbal pad (3 zones) incl. controller
- Hi-Hat stand
There are a few features that set this kit apart from its rivals.
First, the large cymbal pads, measuring 14 to 18 inches, which are larger than the 12-13 inch pads found on the comparably priced Roland TD-17KVX. Gewa says their cymbal pads are based on the dimensions and weight of the pro-level Paiste 2002 cymbal line, but unlike their acoustic counterparts, feature a unique pattern on the top which some may like but others may find too “futuristic”.
Another unique feature is that the Hi-Hat has three zones and a chokable edge. These are the only Hi-Hats with a playable bell area, which feels especially useful as something that I typically make use of when playing my acoustic kit.
Finally, a Hi-Hat stand is included in the package, which is often not the case with eDrums. Remember that you’ll need to buy your own bass drum pedal separately if you don’t already have one.
Does the G3 use sampled drum sounds?
Yes, the G3 sounds are identical to those used on Gewa’s flagship G9 module, using up to 1,000 samples per instrument which were recorded at the renowned Funkhaus Studios in Berlin.
This feature makes the G3 module sound more realistic than others in the same price range, lacking much of the “machine-gunning” effect of other modules when playing a single pad repeatedly.
The kits in general have a “produced” sound that’s a bit closer to what Roland offers rather than a flat or natural sound found on an EFnote module. You can browse a range of sample videos on Gewa’s Youtube Channel.
The G3’s cymbal sounds in particular sound realistic and crisp, while the bass drum and toms sound meaty across many of the presets. For me, the weak point was the snare, which doesn’t sound quite as impressive as the rest of the kits. It feels like this is the one instrument that doesn’t quite sound “real”, compared to the realistic sounds found on many VST drum libraries.
Drum pad rims
The G3 unfortunately features a design choice lifted from the G5 and G9 kits that some drummers may not like. This is the use of drum rim protectors that do not surround the entire rim.
Aside from aesthetics, the downside of this is the risk of chipping your sticks if you accidentally hit the rim. On the snare, while you get two rim protectors that can be moved in position for cross-sticking, the clear downside is you have to play them in the same place each time. And finally, many Gewa reviewers have noted how these rim protectors are made of plastic instead of rubber, so they offer little protection for your sticks in any case.
How does the Gewa G3 compare to other kits at a similar price?
The G3 is unique at this price point when it comes to the trigger inputs, which all use individual sockets instead of a cable snake. This is a good feature for flexibility with your set-up, repairability and expandability. If you lose a cable or if one breaks, you can simply replace that cable alone, instead of having to replace the entire cable snake.
When it comes to setting up and expanding your kit, it means you have more choices where you place each instrument, as you’re not tied to a restrictive cable snake where often cables are at different lengths determined by the designer.
And expandability is simple, as you can just buy another pad with a cable, connect it to one of the two aux inputs, and place it where you want.
What are some alternative electronic drum kits to the Gewa G3?
The launch price of €1,899 puts the kit in a similar ballpark as the following kits:
- Roland TD-17KVX
- Yamaha DTX6K3-X
- ATV EXS 5
- EFnote 3
Is the Gewa G3 a good electronic drum kit?
The G3 looks like a great option for drummers who want the sounds from the flagship G9 in a cheaper package, which to me sounds better than most Roland kits and others in the same price range.
It can also be a cost-effective solution for drummers not bothered by the current trend of electronic drums that look like acoustic drums, who just want a great-sounding electronic kit for practice at home.
The large cymbal pads are also a plus at this price point, while the drum pads are comparable to other kits in this bracket.
The main negative really feels like the cut-down rim protectors, which look a bit odd and don’t actually provide much protection for your sticks.
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