Dato's second instrument after the beloved DUO synthesizer, the DRUM trades synthesis for rhythm and brings the same philosophy of accessible, collaborative music-making to beat-making. The company spent considerable time watching musicians and non-musicians of all ages interact with prototypes, which shaped every aspect of the final design.
The DRUM is a four-voice sample-based drum machine with a distinctive octagonal body and circular control layout that encourages group play from any angle. Each of the four drum voices gets its own eight-step sequencer with colorful LED indicators that move around the face in a circular pattern, making it intuitive to follow the rhythm whether you're five or fifty-five. The pressure-sensitive pads respond to how hard you hit them, and you can pitch-shift each voice independently using dedicated sliders, letting you dial in anything from subtle tuning adjustments to dramatic melodic variations. The sequencer includes swing and retrigger functions for adding groove and rhythmic complexity, while a built-in speaker means you can start making music immediately without extra gear.
Since its Kickstarter launch in late 2024, the DRUM has resonated with both educators and casual players who appreciate its lack of menus and overwhelming options. The circular design genuinely works as advertised for collaborative sessions, and the ability to swap samples via a web-based tool keeps things fresh without requiring deep technical knowledge. It connects to other gear through MIDI in and out, clock sync, and standard audio I/O, making it a natural companion to modular systems, Volcas, or your existing setup. The whole thing weighs just 800 grams and runs on USB-C power, so it's equally at home on a bedroom desk or passed around a living room.
