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The Best Djembes For Beginners and What To Look For

Updated: May 29, 2022 By Annette Boyd Leave a Comment

Djembes are an easy instrument to learn, and they’re incredibly fun to play. Depending on where you live, you may find dozens of options to choose from, and picking the best one may be a confusing task.

This guide will act as an aid in buying your first djembe. As a beginner, you’re not going to need all the bells and whistles that top-quality djembes have, but you are going to need a solid instrument that will last.

What to Look for When Buying a Djembe

Size

Djembe drums come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re measured by the diameter of their surface combined with their depth. The diameter of a djembe is the easiest way to measure how it will sound since the depth will naturally be related to that. 

Smaller djembes have higher-pitched sounds, while larger ones have deeper and more resonant ones. Smaller djembes also have tighter surfaces to play on.

As a beginner, you should aim for a standard djembe size, which is between 12” and 15”. Those sizes fall under the larger category, while smaller djembes are used for children or traveling purposes. 

Price

Pricing is the other factor to consider when checking out djembes. There’s no need to buy the most expensive drum when you’re just starting out, but the cheapest one available won’t sound great. 

Reputable percussion brands make djembes that fall under the entry-level category, and those are the ones you should be checking out. Take note that rope-tuned drums are typically more affordable than mechanically tuned ones. 

Overall, you can expect to pay between $50 and $250 for a good djembe. 

Best Djembes for Beginners

Meinl Percussion Rope Tuned Headliner Series Wood Djembe

(Best Overall Large Djembe)

Meinl Percussion has a few top-quality options in their Headliner Series. If you want one of the top large djembes, which is relatively affordable, the 12” Headliner is a good option to consider. While 12” djembes aren’t the largest you can get, anything bigger might be a bit too expensive. 

This djembe has an excellent bass tone, yet you still get a fantastic crack when you hit the edge with your fingers. It’s also responsive enough to play delicate notes and have everything heard. The size and tonal range make it great for beginners as you can work on developing techniques to play both high and low tones.

With a 24” depth, it’s comfortable enough to fit between your legs while sitting, and you can play for extended periods. 

The only downside is that this is the most expensive option on this list. 

Pros 

  • Large djembe with an affordable price tag
  • Fantastic deep bass tones
  • Highly responsive to touch

Cons

  • Costs more than the other options on this list 

Latin Percussion World Collection Circle Djembe

(Best Small and Affordable Djembe)

The LP World Collection Circle djembe has a much smaller diameter size of 7”. The smaller size gives it a much higher tone. The skin is also very tight, allowing you to play mostly with your fingers. It’s a fantastic djembe for several reasons. 

Firstly, it will help you develop great technique with your fingers. The slightest touch of a finger will bring out a full tone, giving you a platform to strengthen your fingers while playing the djembe. Even though the diameter is quite small, the depth is 16”, which makes the djembe comfortably fit between your legs when playing. 

The smaller size also makes this djembe a great option for smaller children to learn. Full-sized djembes may be a bit big and intimidating. 

Pros 

  • Tight surface is great for developing finger technique 
  • Most affordable option
  • Ideal djembe for children to learn on

Cons 

  • The surface head isn’t as durable as ones from higher-priced djembes

Meinl Alpine Series Djembe

(Best Mechanically Tuned Djembe) 

Mechanically tuned djembes are often seen as less intimidating options for beginners, considering that they’re easier to tune. The Meinl Alpine Series djembe is an excellent option in this category. It’s one of the most affordable mechanically tuned drums, making it a good choice to consider.

This djembe has a large 20” depth, giving it a strong bass sound that sharply fades away after the head is struck. The edge sound is quite similar to the sound that comes from a cajon, giving you a wide contrast between the center and edge tones. 

There are a few eye-catching finishes available, giving you a unique sense of personality with the one you choose. Overall, it’s a great option if you’re not too keen on learning how to tune djembes with ropes. 

Pros 

  • Easier to tune than djembes with ropes 
  • Vibrant finish options
  • Deep bass tone with impactful edge sound
  • One of the most affordable mechanically tuned djembes

Cons

  • 20” depth will potentially make the djembe feel uncomfortable for small children to hold 

Meinl Travel Series Djembe

(Best Djembe for Travel)

The Meinl Travel Series djembe is an amazing option if you plan on taking your djembe out on the road. It’s made of a synthetic material that decreases its weight compared to similar djembes. This makes it a lot easier to carry around. The diameter is 12”, and the depth is 24”, making it even more surprising that this drum is so light. 

The drumhead is also made from synthetic material as opposed to animal skin. You get a fairly deep bass tone with slightly less resonance than the previous djembes. The edge sound is cutting, giving you very crispy slapping tones.

Pros 

  • Very lightweight 
  • Great bass and slapping tones
  • Ideal for traveling

Cons

  • Some people may not like the synthetic shell compared to traditional wood

Conclusion

If you choose to get one of the djembes above, you’ll undoubtedly be very happy with your purchase. They’re all fantastic options for beginner players as they lend quite well to learning new skills. 

Your main deciding factors will be the size you’re looking for and whether the djembe has ropes or a mechanical tuning system. Once you’ve made your decision, picking an option above should be relatively simple. 

Make sure to check out some of our other articles such as the Best Drum Mics for Live Sound for more tips on how to get the best sound from your new Djembe. Happy playing!

Filed Under: Blog

The Best Bass Guitar for the Money at Three Price Points

Updated: April 10, 2022 By Annette Boyd Leave a Comment

The Best Bass Guitars for the Money Reviewed

Purchasing a new bass guitar has become a challenging endeavor because of the wide variety of options available. Guitar companies build their bass guitars with seemingly countless materials and features, all of which play significant roles in their tone and ease of play. Moreover, many bass guitars are designed especially for various genres, variations in play style, and improvisation. Unfortunately, these options don’t make the selection process any easier, especially if you’re just getting started.

[Read more…] about The Best Bass Guitar for the Money at Three Price Points

Filed Under: Blog, Instruments

SENNHEISER E935 VS E945 IN 2023

Updated: December 23, 2021 By Annette Boyd Leave a Comment

Sennheiser has been in the industry since the end of the Second World War. I can only imagine that in a slowly recovering world from a terrible loss of life and property, a little sprinkle of entertainment is much appreciated. The small business boomed into the market giant that is Sennheiser today. With more people making their content rather than waiting for their favorite television shows, there is a need for excellent and honest microphone reviews. For this review, I’ll be reviewing two of their best models with a side of a lesson on how microphones work.

Pros and Cons

The pros of the E935 are:

  1. Mostly glowing reviews online.
  2. Inclusion of a clamp in the purchase.

The cons are:

  1. I found some complaints about customer service.
  2. Other complaints include the sound being omnidirectional instead of unidirectional, which wouldn’t jive in a live setting.

1 Sennheiser E945 Supercardioid Dynamic Handheld Mic

See more reviews
Sennheiser E945 Supercardioid Dynamic Handheld Mic Review
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Pros and Cons

The pros of E945 are:

  1. More reviews to base my decision on
  2. Lack of 1-star reviews
  3. Inclusion of clamp on the purchase

The cons, on the other hand, are:

  1. Complaints about a stronger tendency to create feedback
  2. Not recommended for use on live stages, as compared to the E935

Common Features

Both microphones are made by Sennheiser, a leading brand based in Germany. Aside from microphones, Sennheiser also produces headphones and soundbars.  

The microphone’s metal is rugged and reliable, with a shock-mounted capsule for low sensitivity and noise handling. Its coil reduces electrical interference. It is made from a neodymium ferrous magnet with boron to keep it stable regardless of environment and weather conditions. They also have a standard frequency range of 40 to 18000 Hz. Each microphone has a typical impedance of 350 ohms and a minimum terminal impedance of 1000 ohms. 

The microphone has a rigid blue-black wire mesh atop a smooth black body tapering from the head. The Sennheiser logo and the product number are stamped near the bottom in white. The connector is XLR-3. Sennheiser offers a warranty for their products for two years from the date of purchase. 

An ideal microphone for film, television, and stage use is a cardioid or unidirectional microphone. Cardioid is one of the three classifications of microphones according to polar response, which is how a microphone picks up sound. 

Omnidirectional picks up sounds from all around the microphone. Bidirectional microphones are sensitive at the front and the back. The unidirectional or cardioid microphones pick up sound from one direction and reverberate it at the end. Cardioid is further divided into four classifications, namely cardioid, hyper-cardioid, super-cardioid, and shotgun. In this review, we will be reviewing cardioid and super-cardioid microphones.

Cardioid vs. Supercardioid

To understand what these words meant, I looked at this blog named My New Microphone. To my comprehension, sounds coming from one direction travel through the microphone system and make the sound compact. To achieve this, there should be a null point where the sound is canceled out, making it more concentrated. I found it hard to understand, but I tried, and that is how I understood it.

Now, cardioid and super-cardioid are different because they have another image when it comes to diagrams. Cardioid looks like an elongated and round heart, while super-cardioid has more of a rounded mushroom shape. These diagrams show the null points of each type. Cardioid microphones have one null point at 180 degrees without any lobes. Supercardioid, on the other hand, has two weak points at 109.5 and 250.5 degrees.

This sounds like nonsense, but it is crucial to choose microphones when it comes to studio use. Logically, it makes sense since you’d want a fair and concentrated sound when you are recording in a soundproof room instead of open areas such as film or television sets. According to the blog, super-cardioid microphones are better in the latter situation rather than the former, and with good reason. Acoustics play a big part in studio recordings. There isn’t much noise to be canceled out; hence the null points of a super-cardioid microphone aren’t needed much in that situation.

Conclusion

This is a hard one to compare since they are so similar. I’m also someone who doesn’t know anything about microphones except how to use them. However, I have to make a decision, and I would have to choose E935.

In my opinion, it is only practical to choose a cardioid over a super-cardioid, especially if it isn’t for public use. Feedback is an issue for me since I have sensitive ears. I don’t like the sound of feedback, and I don’t think anyone does, for that matter. So for this review, I am picking E935 over E945.

FAQ: Frequent questions

? Which is the best?

Sennheiser E935 vs E945 Mics

? How did we test them?

We tested 2 products, researched 12 sources, evaluated 63 reviews and spent 9+ hours on our guide.

? What should you look at before buying?

When choosing it's best to make a decision based on the price/quality, functionality and compatibility with other devices/technologies.

Filed Under: Accessories, Blog

ROCKVILLE AMPLIFIER REVIEWS IN January 2023

Updated: May 11, 2021 By Annette Boyd Leave a Comment

When I found the perfect car for me, I immediately thought of what perfect accessories I could put inside it. The one that I never hesitated buying is my Rockville db15 car audio amplifier. I have been a patron customer of Rockville products for the last ten years. Their products are believably durable and worth every penny. 

Now, I want to share how my experience was with this car audio amplifier and how pleased I am with its performance. 

Rockville dB15 6000 watts Car Amplifier Review

A monstrous sound comes in a bit of will package\u002d\u002d this is the best description for the Rockville dB15 car audio amplifier. It weighs 12.93 pounds and has dimensions of 9 inches by 2.4 inches by 17.8 inches. I think that this car amplifier is perfect for any vehicle. When you receive your box, you will see the amplifier, the remote bass control, the mounting screws, the warranty, the manual, and the birth sheet with tested power. 

This amplifier is CEA compliant and RMS power compliant. It has a peak of 6,000 watts x 1 channel during the loudest part of a song.

It has a high-speed MOSFET power supply, and it also brags an optical coupler class “D” technology. These amplifiers are equally good with other higher classes because they are low in cost, but the sound that it makes is not compromised. You can also notice that there is a fully adjustable 12dB octave crossover with differential circuitry. Crossovers help improve the sound quality of the car audio. 

The controls of the Rockville dB15 amplifier are impressive. There is a phase control switch, a remote dashboard subwoofer control, an adjustable bass equalizer, and a mute start system. These switches are essential so that the sound produced is perfect. You are sure that this product lasts for a long time because an entire IC-controlled circuit protects it. 

Lastly, anyone worldwide can use this amplifier because its circuitry has 10 volts under-voltage protection and 16 volts over-voltage protection. 

Rockville Amplifiers

I have always been a fan of Rockville products because of the quality of life with its name. So, when I came across this car amplifier, I never hesitated to purchase one. I had bought mine straight from their website to get the free shipping, and I also had it half its original price.

I like taking long drives, so I need good amplifiers in my car, and I believe that the Rockville dB15 is the best company for a long drive. The car amplifier has clean and raw sounds. Also, the amplifier indeed has good bass sounds. I had used an amplifier from another brand, and it got broken after a long drive, and it sounded awful already. 

Pros and Cons

  • Packaging

Rockville makes sure that your orders come to you in good hands. I remember seeing my package in a suitable box for protection, and everything was complete inside the box.

  • Value of your Money

As mentioned above, I had bought mine for half the price from its website. I think it is a great deal and not to say, I’ve got free delivery. I am so glad that I have saved a lot of money for the item and the delivery. At least I got to use the extra cash for more accessories for my car.

  • Customer Servicer 

One reason why I always choose Rockville is its customer service. They make sure that their clients are happy. I had received my Rockville dB15 free of delivery charge. I was even informed that if I weren’t delighted with my amplifier’s performance, I can return it and get a refund within 90 days. I am so amazed because they show value to their clients.

  • Performance

The amplifier itself is a great performer. It produces good sound and does not get busted even if you use it for more than two hours. I have heard of a lot of amplifiers that cannot sustain over two hours of continuous usage. I am glad that I bought this car audio amplifier because it is meant to compete with other leading brands.

  • Features

Rockville made this car amplifier to be CEA and RMS compatible. Rockville understands the language of its clients and its competitors. Everything is professionally made; that’s why the quality of the sound is always the best.

Conclusion

I am giving the Rockville dB15 car audio amplifier a 5 out of 5 scores for its overall performance of having clear and clean sounds. Also, the features of the amplifier are highly commendable. You are getting more than what you have paid for. 

I am truly hoping that other car and speaker enthusiasts will also purchase this amplifier to experience an out-of-this-world car concert with the help of the Rockville dB15.  

FAQ: Frequent questions

? Which is the best?

Rockville dB15 Amplifier

? How did we test them?

We tested 13 products, researched 7 sources, evaluated 122 reviews and spent 14+ hours on our guide.

? What should you look at before buying?

When choosing it's best to make a decision based on the price/quality, functionality and compatibility with other devices/technologies.

Filed Under: Accessories, Blog

ROCKVILLE SPEAKERS REVIEW IN January 2023

Updated: May 11, 2021 By Annette Boyd Leave a Comment

When I decided to open up a mini restaurant, I decided to have additional attractions to draw more clients. What more can be perfect than loud music? This is why I bought speakers from Rockville audio to make sure that my customers can get the best musical experience while dining.

Today, I would like to share my utmost experience and satisfaction with this product to share my entire experience and satisfaction with this product personally. I hope to encourage others to buy Rockville instead of other brands.

Pair Rockville RPG Speakers Review

The Pair Rockville RPG 15” is one of Rockville audio products, a company specializing in speakers, home theater, car speakers, and home speakers. A trusted brand in the industry for quite some time. Both speakers weigh 136.8 pounds. It has a leg diameter of 1.37 inches, a tube diameter of 1.5 inches, and a base spread of 40 inches. It is measured 15.67 inches by 15.57 inches by 26.93 inches. You indeed have a lot for a reasonably small price. It has an adjustable height with a maximum height of 78 inches. Upon unboxing the package I received, I saw a travel bag, 2-foot XLR female to XLR male caves. I asked for a different color, but I was informed that only the black color is available.

The Pair Rockville RPG 15” powers its DJ and PA systems with 1,000 watts. It has a 15” low frequency or bass speaker. The woofer’s power comes from its three inches aluminum high-quality, high-frequency sound.

Both RCA and XLR inputs have separate gain adjustments. Moreover, if you wish to add more speakers, the XLR has additional links. I find this feature good because I was able to use this when my restaurant opened.

With one look at the speakers, I have seen beauty in them. They can be positioned differently due to their trapezoidal enclosure. They can also be mounted, or they can just stand because a 35-mm pole socket is made available for use. If you wish to have the speakers mounted, brackets are already available for your help. There is a travel bag provided, and the bag ensures that the speakers are fine while they are inside. When I brought the speakers once at home, I thought that scratches would be noted while I put them inside. But so far, they were scratch-free. The speakers were designed in a way where carrying them is not difficult. I honestly did not have a hard time taking my speakers. You can use the speakers with both 110 or 220 volts for the power supply.

Rockville RPG Speakers Review

I am impressed with my purchase of the Rockville RPG 15 because it is made by a reputable company that has been in the business producing quality speakers. They know their craft and so fat they have brought out impressive results. I purchased the item from their website, and I had it for less. Instead of over $800, I only paid over $400 for my speakers. That’s an astonishing 50% off. Not to mention that they have a free consultation before you purchase, so I was guided by buying them with buying these speakers.

A notable feature that I am glad of is at the back of my speakers, and there is a switchable button for the volts. I think that this is good to give other people around the world the chance to use these speakers. 

The speakers have rubber feet edges which make them usable in different setups. The usage of these Rockville speakers is not limited to concerts or recordings; you can also do a seminar with these. The sound is so precise. Speaking of which, at the back of each speaker has a two-band EQ, which allows you to make your voice or the music more bass or not.

Another highlight of these speakers is the idea of having them attached to other devices. I mentioned that I could connect to different speakers to make them sound better and more attractive. I did not have to set up another set separately because I attached them to my RPG speakers.

Pros and Cons

  • Price

I bought the speakers when they were in the sale, so I had good value for my money. They ship for free, so I didn’t have to pay extra money for the delivery. However, I have not searched if they ship for free around the world, so if you are from the other side of the world and you plan to make a purchase, make sure that you check the delivery options.

  • Services

On their website, I was able to call their hotline, where I got a piece of free advice about which product to buy. I think this is helpful, especially for people like me who are not very knowledgeable about speakers. 

  • Options

Rockville RPG comes in different sizes, but I bought the biggest one, which is 15 inches. Rockville RPG comes in smaller sizes but has the same powerful sound performance. Having options is good since clients have to consider their budget and their usage. 

  • Warranty

Rockville offers a full one-year warranty for parts and services. 

  • Sound and Performance

The sound that the speaker produces is very clear. The high notes were pretty good, and the low notes were not bad at all. The position of the speaker also matters, but I think the sounds are superb.

  • Usage

Setting up the device is very easy. It can be set up by anyone, even those who are not familiar with speakers. You can mount them if you want. You can even put them on the ground. It all depends on your setup. The buttons at the back are very clear, especially the master knob, which controls the volume. 

Conclusion

If you are looking for speakers, I highly recommend the Rockville RPG 15” because you get the value for your money. They produce good sounds, and they are perfect for whatever occasion you have, whether they are for live concerts or simple family gatherings. I am giving this product a score of 5 out of 5. 

FAQ: Frequent questions

? Which is the best?

Rockville RPG15 Powered PA/DJ Speakers

? How did we test them?

We tested 12 products, researched 9 sources, evaluated 122 reviews and spent 16+ hours on our guide.

? What should you look at before buying?

When choosing it's best to make a decision based on the price/quality, functionality and compatibility with other devices/technologies.

Filed Under: Accessories, Blog

RODE NT5 REVIEW IN January 2023

Updated: May 11, 2021 By Annette Boyd Leave a Comment

This pandemic has made me go back to my passion for music. Due to my busy schedules, I have never touched my instruments. Somehow, the Covid-19 virus let me bring out my tools and start recording once more. I have equipped my room with different devices, and the most current machine that I bought is a condenser microphone from the company Rode.

Here is my honest review of the Rode Nt5-MP Compact cardioid Condenser microphones. I am pleased to share this to encourage others to make the same purchase as I did. 

Rode NT5-MP Compact Cardioid Condenser Microphones Review

According to my research, the microphone is small, and Rode company refers to it as a pencil microphone. The microphone’s capsule is only half an inch which makes it handy. Also, each microphone only weighs 101 grams. Upon unboxing, I saw two NT5 microphones, a padded zip pouch, a windshield, and a microphone clip. Everything was packed nicely, and everything seemed to be durable.

Talking about the sound they produce, the microphone has a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Each microphone has an output level of 13.9 mV.

I always look at the brand before purchasing, and the Rode company has never failed to please me. The company started in 1990 and has begun making products a decade after. I chose to buy from Rode because they are specializing in microphones and condensers. It seems that they know what is perfect for each client. Also, I think that experience is the key that made this company an expert in its craft.

The size of the Rode NT5-MP is very convenient for me. It is small, and I could take it whenever I had to record something outside the home. Also, the best part of this microphone condenser is its performance when recording. I was thrilled when I recorded a friend’s guitar cover of a song. The sound was so precise and clean.

I thought that it would stop there. However, I also used both microphones when I did a voice recording and an outdoor-themed acoustic video. I couldn’t believe what I heard, and I had to remove my earphones twice to validate the sound. My next plan is to do a live performance or a group performance because I heard that this microphone pair is the best choice for such undertakings. It is an understatement if I say it is an average microphone because, in reality, it is an excellent quality microphone, and it is worth your money. 

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Price

The price is affordable, and you have an option to buy only a microphone or both of them. If you want to save a good amount of money, then you have to purchase both microphones.

  • Usability 

Recording with these microphones is as easy as one, two, three. You just need to prepare the equipment for recording, press the button, and start recording. Even those who are not so into technology can use them with ease.

  • Sound

The sound quality that it records is incredible. It has a crisp, smooth, and clean sound, making it ideal for recording acoustic and live performances. Moreover, it also performs well with other kinds of recording. The sounds were just very natural, just like listening to something live.

However, there were instances that I accidentally cranked up the microphone, and it made an unpleasant sound. I guess it is susceptible to loud noises. You just need to be extra careful with adjusting sounds.

  • Aesthetic

Both microphones come in pretty nickel. They looked shiny and fantastic. But nickel gets scratched very easily. I was a little disappointed to see a few scratches. I think they got scratched as I pulled them out of their container. Probably Rode can improve this point by putting both microphones in padded cases. 

  • Warranty

Rode has up to ten years of warranty for the services of repairs for their products, so this is really a great deal for owners. However, Rode does not shoulder the price of the parts and the shipping fee. I personally think the advantage is limited to those who are staying in Australia or those who are near their service centers. 

Conclusion

For microphones that are affordable but perform just like very high brands, I highly encourage people to purchase these microphones. Recording with the use of these microphones is easy. Moreover, it is not a big steal in your pockets. I am giving this product a two-thumbs-up, and I really plan to work with this microphone condenser for a long time because of its killer performance and sound. 

FAQ: Frequent questions

? Which is the best?

Rode NT5-MP Compact Cardioid Condenser Microphones

? How did we test them?

We tested 9 products, researched 8 sources, evaluated 122 reviews and spent 15+ hours on our guide.

? What should you look at before buying?

When choosing it's best to make a decision based on the price/quality, functionality and compatibility with other devices/technologies.

Filed Under: Accessories, Blog

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