I love the sound and feel of real percussion and I’d never suggest that an electronic version could compete or substitute. However, you get a whole array of new sound possibilities with synthesizers and virtual instruments.

Take this concept electronic drum. Not only can it be used to trigger new sounds but it’s also visually appealing. Firstly, it’s lovely and curvy and is crying out to be touched. When you do, it’ll form a multicoloured impression of you hand on its surface.

Yes, it’s just a concept and I can’t really imagine one of the major instrument brands – Yamaha, Korg, Roland – making this, but perhaps some independent company might be able to work something out from it. If it could be hooked up via MIDI or OSC to a sequencer or alternative sound sources, or even to a huge lighting rig, I’d be sold on it.

More pictures at the link.