Some people think of Jimmy Bralower as the enemy. Why? Because the man makes his living programming drum machines for records. This is the guy who’s putting drummers out of work. Or is he? Jeff Porcaro once remarked that he looked forward to the day when, instead of hauling a drumkit around from studio to studio, he could have all of his sounds in a briefcase, which would be much easier to carry. Bralower is already doing that. Some drummers use Gretsch and Zildjian; others use Yamaha and Paiste; Bralower uses Linn and Simmons. Is there really a difference? Opinion is divided. Many feel that the relationship between drum computers and acoustic drums is comparable to the relationship between synthesizers and acoustic pianos. Others feel that drum computers represent machines taking over from humans, and if civilization is to survive, the machines must be destroyed before they destroy us. At […]