Aquarian In-Head and On-Head Review

[csnow]

I think I might be the first person to actually own both the Acquarian in-head and on-head triggers, so I thought I would write a concise review.

The in-head are a standard mylar head with 3 layers with the FSR built into one of the drum head layers. They trigger nice but they are LOUD. Even with a mesh reso head and the drum filled with stuffing it has a loud thwack. This is not for quite practice or apartment/townhouse dwellers. I would not recommend these to anyone unless they are gigging live and are looking for a very precise drum trigger. These would be excellent in an environment where the band is loud. If it is a restaurant or small venue forget it. The drum would easily be heard in the crowd. Feel wise they are identical to an acoustic head. Sensitivity is better than any electronic drum head that I have played on. I have owned Roland mesh, Yamaha rubber, Yamaha silicon, and Pearl Tru-Tracs. There is zero x-talk, hot spots, or double triggering.  There was a YouTube video that stated the lifespan of the in-head was 40 hours.  They stated that 40 hour lifetime was for metal drummers who were using them on tour. I don't know how often touring metal drummers change their heads, but I don't think that is beyond the reasonable life of mylar head. For a home user, the head may last for years. I really haven't ever worn out heads because I am not a heavy hitter. I change them ever couple of years at most.

The on-head are a foam/silicon type pad that sits on your standard drum head. The pad sits about an inch above the rim. These pads are pretty much silent - a lot quieter than standard rubber or mesh heads. They feel great. It is my opinion they are a cross between the Yamaha silicon and a soft rubber practice pad. It has a very nice rebound without the "wet spongy" feel that some use to describe the Yamaha pad or the trampoline bounce that the mesh produces. Definitely easier on the wrist than rubber.  To me, these trigger better than the in-head with improved sensitivity and zero x-talk and double triggering. They also are more rigid so I assume they will last longer than the in-head heads. I thought the pad sitting above the rim would be quirky but I didn't notice it a bit when playing. I simply lowered my drum to compensate and went about the groove.  As far as longevity, these should last for years or decades.  There isn’t any flex like the in-head so I assume these will be very long lasting.

In summary, the Aquarian on-head pads are the best e-drum surface that I have ever played. I give them a 5 star rating. The in-head are excellent triggers too but due to noise I give them a 3 star rating. If you are gigging in a large venue, I would give them a 5 star rating. However, you can put a neoprene drum mute on top of the in-head and it makes it very quite and still triggers great.  If you are a heaver hitter, you may need to plan on replacement in-heads but I think you will be fine with the on-head.

Chris

[digitalDrummer]

Nice write-up and thanks for sharing. Out of interest, which module/modules did you test with and how much trigger setting tweaking was required. And did the same settings work for both the inHead and onHead?
Allan

[csnow]

Hey Allan,

I have used the in-head with the Yamaha DTX900 and the 2box.  The on-heads just became available so I have only tried them on the 2box.  I have the on-heads set as "kick1" normal with a gain of 1 or 2 and the threshold set at 20 I believe.  The in-head requires a bit more juice on the gain.  I think that is mainly due to the audible noise of the head.  I have to make it louder so I don't hear the thwack thwack through my headphones.  I was blown away when I first got the in-head.  I bought the on-heads simply because the in-heads are only available in 14" right now and I was hating the Pearl Tru-Tracs.  Simply put it was necessity.  I wasn't fond of the idea of having the pad sitting above the rim.  However, I am glad I bought them.  I definitely like the on-head over the in-head.  The feel of it is perfect to me and it is really, really quite.  I am going to sell my in-head and replace it with another on-head.  Are you planning on a review of these in digital drummer?

[digitalDrummer]

Hi CS,
I have been planning a review for over two years! I got a bit of a run-around from Aquarian which was going send out some trial heads via the Australian distributor, then direct, then via some third party - then ... silence.
However, I am hoping to meet with them at NAMM next week and get this sorted. I know Mario is keen to see this happening and I keep getting readers asking when they'll be able to read a review.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
Allan

[Renegator]

Yeah, thanks. Having something quieter than a Roland mesh head would be great, at least in my house...

[Talk Show Host]

Is it possible to use the onHead without the inBox?  The drumit 5 allows adjustment of the pad's gain, doesn't it?

[hemiboy]

this on head looks cool. Maybe a perfect fit for my a 2 e side snare project that has been rolling around in my cranium

[fulrmr]

Is it possible to use the onHead without the inBox?  The drumit 5 allows adjustment of the pad's gain, doesn't it?

nope..from what I understand....the inbox provides the correct power that the FSR needs to function

[Devious123]

Hi there I'm leaning towards getting a 2box module, and most likely one of the inhead or onhead. They have a onhead package that should be available 2 purchase like early February. http://www.fullcompass.com/product/442777.html

In this kit they have a kick drum, was wondering If any one has any idea how this kick drum pad would stay in place. My drummer also wonders if the thickness of the kickpad would be a problem with his kick drum is set up. It seems you would have to make alot of adjustments to your kick drum in order to get this to work, so that it wouldn't messup your technique. Anyone got any good guesses on how well this kickdrum trigger might work?

[csnow]

I can't comment on the kick pad.  I am using the Pearl Tru-Trac on the base drum and it triggers and feels nice.  You might want to consider that as an option.

[cymbalism]

This is great to hear a full review from someone that's actually using the In-Head. We're going to be adding that product to the site soon and feed back was needed.

Scott

[Devious123]

I got a in head for the snare to test out the tech. I must say the accuracy is rather nice compared to the old tech of piezo, that my drummer couldn't stand. The piezo was horrible, at miss triggering. I didn't have a 2 box module yet, so we hooked it up the old crappy sounding dm5, that hasn't been used much in years. It triggered amazing with that old dm5, but ofcourse the samples still were not so great. In fact my drummer buddy didn't even mess with any of the settings in the dm5 at all, cause it just worked with what ever settings he previously had for the ddrum triggers. The next day he went down, and messed with the various settings in the dm5 and actually made it worse, so i believe he went back to what was set when he first tried in the dm5, pre adjustments.

I'm curious to know why you can't recommend the kick drum, and why this pearl true track is that much better in your opinion. I've read that according to the reasons aquarian didn't make a in head was that it was two accurate, but that was only becuase most drummers are lazy, and accidentally hit the head to much accidentally. It seems to me that if this was the case it could make you a better drummer so you can work on not being sloppy with your play. My drummer says he is not a lazy kick drummer anymore, but will see.

[csnow]

I am glad my review was helpful and you pulled the trigger on the in-head.  Words don't do these Aquarian heads justice until they are played and compared to the "old school" technology like piezo.  They track perfectly with no hotspots or mis-triggering.  They are essentially flawless in my opinion.  Sorry you are having issues with the module, but once you get a better module connected I am sure your drummer will be smiling ear to ear.  I have them sounding perfect on my 2box module now after I did a a factory reset on the module.  As far as the kick, I have never tried the Aquarian kick.  I am happy with my Pearl but I didn't mean to say or imply that it was better than the Aquarian kick. 

[Devious123]

Well he didn't have any problems till he started tweaking, but yeah I got a 2box and some on head for 4 toms, kick, and snare coming along with 4 2box ride/cymbals. I'll also be getting three single or two zones cymbals for the toms rims inputs. So it should be interesting to find out how the kick on head pad works out. I hope it tracks great, but I'm not so sure how its going to work on the kick drum. I got a picture of a the onhead kick and it has a slot in it. Am i right in thinking this slot goes on the side that faces you? https://lh5.ggpht.com/HNIRuCkwTzBoI3Qd8MpwUzAr9rKxx_Z5MC_C18-vbkoS1j9RXfkv0Z-NkhPVHXn6s1e_=s108

[csnow]

I dunno how it mounts but it appears to me that raised surface is where the beater heads would strike.  Let me know how you like it.  I am anxiously awaiting your review.