Djembe and digital percussion: my instruments
An LED djembe you can spot from across the room, two Roland digital instruments that handle any genre and, with the Full Set, real congas and bongos.
Acoustic and digital, matched to your event
I play live djembe and digital percussion. Which instruments I bring depends on the package, the music and the venue.
I bring everything myself: instruments, stands, in-ear monitoring, wireless microphones, receivers and cables. The organiser only provides power. Here is what each instrument does and when it works best.
What I bring
Four instruments, each with its own job on the dance floor.
LED djembe
A real djembe with blue LED lighting and a shoulder strap. A warm, organic sound and a real eye-catcher. I play it on the move among the guests or from one spot next to the DJ.
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Roland HandSonic
Digital hand percussion: congas, bongos, cajón and hundreds of other sounds, played by hand. With a harness I can walk around with it too.
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Roland SPD-SX Pro
A drum pad with timbales, drums and effects, played with light-up sticks. Ideal for punchy accents and build-ups in house and party classics.
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Real congas and bongos
Full Set only: acoustic congas and bongos alongside the digital instruments and an extra PA, set up and run by a technician.
DiscoverThe LED djembe, where it all began
The djembe is a West African hand drum with a goatskin head tuned with rope. You will also see it spelt jembe, and some people simply call it a tom-tom. It sounds deep in the centre and sharp at the edge, which is why it cuts so well through a house beat.
My djembe is fitted with blue LEDs and amplified wirelessly. In a dark room you see it straight away, and it stands out in every photo and video. It works best with afro house, latin house and retro house. An hour of non-stop djembe is too much for player and crowd alike, so I play it in short sets at the peak moments.
Digital percussion: any genre, any volume
On the Roland HandSonic I play congas, bongos and other hand percussion digitally. The Roland SPD-SX Pro adds timbales, drums and effects. Both run through the DJ's mixer, so they sit in the same mix and within the same sound budget. That is a real advantage in venues with a sound limiter.
The digital instruments fit any style, from pop and party anthems to deep house. They are also handy in small rooms or when the party has to stay under a strict noise limit.
Which instrument in which package?
Each package builds on the one before. Prices are in your personal proposal.
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01
Solo
60 minutes on site
Short sets matched to the DJ, roaming among guests or from one spot.
Djembe or digital instrument with harness
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02
Duo Percussion
90 minutes on site
Switching between the organic djembe and digital hand percussion.
Djembe and digital conga and bongo instrument
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03
Triple Beats
120 minutes on site
The full palette for a long night of dancing.
Djembe, digital congas/bongos, drum pad with timbales and drums
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04
Full Set
120 minutes on site
The biggest setup, built and run by a technician.
Real congas and bongos, digital instruments and extra PA
How to choose
- Afro house, latin house, Ibiza vibes: the djembe takes centre stage.
- Mixed playlist with chart hits: the digital instruments, or a package with both.
- Venue with a sound limiter: digital percussion through the DJ mixer gives the most control.
- Large hall, stage or festival: Triple Beats or the Full Set.
Not sure? Djembe or digital percussion compares the two side by side. Or leave it to me: I look at your music, the venue and the running order, and suggest the best mix. See the technical rider for what the venue needs to provide.
Questions about the instruments
Question not listed? Send me a message.
Is a djembe the same as a tom-tom?
In everyday speech, more or less. Tom-tom is a loose name for hand drums; the djembe is a specific goblet-shaped West African drum with a rope-tuned skin.
Why do you play the djembe in short sets?
An hour of non-stop djembe is too much for the player and the audience. Short sets at the right moments hit much harder. In between I can switch to the digital instruments.
Can guests join in?
Yes. When the mood is right I hand the djembe to a guest for a moment. Photographers and videographers love it.
Does the DJ need to connect anything for the digital percussion?
The digital instruments go into a free channel on the DJ mixer. I agree this with the DJ beforehand, and the rider is sent automatically.
Which setup suits your event?
Tell me about your music, your venue and your guests. I will suggest the right instruments.