How Neil Peart Uses Electronic Drums

[@65Drums]

Unfortunately I am yet another person that accidentally mispronounced his last name, I'm sorry about that. Also It's been pointed out that he's used Simmons and DDrum components on certain sets that I didn't cover. Unfortunately It's harder to find documentation for those exact setups in the 80s. Thanks for watching and the kind comments!

[@BobbysBrane]

And here's the video I created for it :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGG5oJ-EZ9Nno6s

[@BobbysBrane]

Love your videos BTW!

[@StickHits]

I know this is really old now, but you should check out the sound of his simmons setup from the 80's, it sounds incredible. If you search Witch Hunt on my channel listen to the 1984 live version, my favorite e-drum implementation ever.

[@ぐらにゅ-c8f]

R.I.P Neil Peart.

[@RoarOfWolverine]

My favorite Rush song is which ever song is presently playing. Once the next song comes on, then that’s my favorite Rush song.

[@Spooky0910]

30 seconds in and I’m already crying Rest In Peace man

[@jonathanbecker9082]

30 seconds in and I’m saying, “Good God! Would you please say his last name correctly?!!!!!”

[@Nomads_Rowing]

Neil Peart - a humble legend - RIP

[@aMan-or9ij]

Before I can comment with a favorite Rush song, I must first pay respects to Neil Peart, a positive influence to millions, a wonderful lyricist and author, a phenomenal drummer, and of highest note, a beautiful human being who made the world a better place. Though I never met him personally, I feel I've lost a close friend. For what it's worth, of my favorite Rush songs, the most special is Signals' "Losing It". Thank you, Professor. May you RIP.

[@kaycee3211]

Neil Peart is now passed away. He's no longer a living legend. RIP and thankyou, Neil for all the enormous quantity of inspiration and great listening and entertainment!!!!!!

[@JossFromAnarchy]

But, he IS still a legend.

[@HereIsmarcus]

That's insane ! I wonder how he feels about being limited to 360 degrees

[@65Drums]

HE might be limited to 360 degrees, but his playing is off in another dimension

[@SmedleyButlerIII]

maybe the greatest youtube comment ever

[@deadseveredheads]

Hahahaha

[@johncougar526]

360 in 3D!

[@Vigilant_Guardian]

"the garden" the beginning ,the end, and everything in between. its a measure of a life /.of giving, all he has gifted to each of us his ,cells of awareness..

[@j.d.7208]

Yes yes and yes omg what a wonderful swan song and gift the most impactful song ever to me personally

[@Vigilant_Guardian]

@Kal El and which is an illusion../?the long garden road.. life is best when lived..

[@songwriter1492]

Peart is awesome. My favorite Rush song is Subdivisions.

[@Butch0767]

Since the first day I heard "Tom Sawyer" I have been a RUSH fan and admired Neil Peart. I've asked every drummer I have played with to play that song, it was the one I used to judge the drummers drumming skills. And, I still do.

[@onlycheez]

Thanks for taking the time and research to deliver this great video!

[@markgrow2112]

Red Barchetta, He's the reason I picked up sticks at 25 yrs old!

[@someindividualistdude4645]

2112's my favorites. I get goosebumps every time while listening to that. Neil Peart's the reason I got into drumming.

[@prickyX]

R.I.P Professor! YYZ

[@rhawk620]

Great video as usual, Neil is a man waaaaaaay before his time. Also he retired from touring, not writing and making music. I see an album in the next three years, you dont just retire from your craft. Favorite song “ The Garden”.....its a masterpiece.

[@65Drums]

I wouldn't be surprised if he came out with something new in a few years too. Musicians never truly 'Retire' ;)

[@fireyourrocketts]

well you never stop being what you were born to be with that very especial gift that is music but one thing is the soul and another is your body, sometimes your body quits before your soul would ever do, this is the case for Neil with Tendonitis, it sucks but I hear he is still writing music and active some other ways, plus he has enough dough as not to have to work a single day in his life if he so choses, economically he is far from hurt. I kind of quit playing back in 2002 because my fingers, hands and arms would get numb and tingling..both..in the middle of a song and it was very uncomfortable to hold the sticks, not painful, just uncomfortable; to this day I do not know if it is tendonitis, carpal tunnel or pinch nerves in my neck or shoulders; I have seen doctors and conducted tests and each one seems to me they want to make money rather than fix me up so i never took the step to fix anything afraid they will break me even more. The thing is between that, low paying gigs and starting a family, I retired from active playing; I still can play and the technique and feel and all I was before stays the same but the body does not cooperates. That did not prevented me from getting all the gear I would have wanted to have like if I was actively and professional playing, if only to look at it from time to time! funny thing is I can afford to do that now after so many years without playing at all and it is another different profession and set of skills that allows me to pay for it !!

[@j.d.7208]

Yes yes yes my favorite that impacted me more than any what a wonderful swan song a gift he left us

[@JamisonRacin08]

Well I’m from the future and it brings me sadness to say Neil was battling cancer and passed away in 2020 January 7th.

[@My2Drumsticks]

Can't name just one favorite. Most underrated is Power Windows.

[@weiryler1]

Geddy's vocal about a min into Middletown Dreams hits me every time. they are all masters of their own craft!

[@robfish9543]

Mystic Rhythms is even more powerful live than the studio recording...

[@DouglasLippi]

I saw them live on the Power Windows tour. Half the audience was air drumming. He was known at the time for hurling his stick way high in the air during a song, catching it when it came back down, and continuing on. Well he did that and actually dropped it the first few times, but then the next time he caught it and the crowd went nuts!

[@123zboom]

Anything BUT underrated!

[@BADD400]

He started with Simmons eclectic drums which was all the rave in 84. Favorite Rush song is Xanadu

[@drummyme]

Yes! Definitely Xanadu!

[@rickmontgomery3037]

Yep for me that's my favorite too

[@RoarOfWolverine]

He used Simmons drums a lot on Grace Under Pressure, especially heavy in the song Red Sector A, where pretty much all of the toms used are Simmons toms.

[@ankhor9252]

Great video worth a million to this amateur. I love Animate live in Frankfurt then heard album version again and was blown away.

[@jamesdudek6925]

Natural science- it takes me on a journey when I listen to it

[@DrKFC69]

I’ve waited nice and patiently for this video, keep it up man ;)

[@thetimahawk1]

I have many but 3 of my favorite Rush songs are The Necromancer , Fountain of Lameth and No One At The Bridge. All songs from their Caress of Steel album. Honestly though , I am a huge Yes fan. I have seen them over 25 times beginning in 1977 on their Going For The One tour. Their drummer Alan White uses Yamaha DTX silicone pads and a Yamaha sample pad in his set up. Cool video Justin !

[@tylerbailey9329]

Mr Peart is my hero! Oh, and I can't name my favourite Rush song, but my favourite album is Hemispheres.

[@steevidrums]

Tyler Bailey mine too! The first side (as I remember it as a side of an album) is just sublime prog writing.

[@StGeoRUSH619]

Justin, I thought you'd never ask... my favorite song of all time from Rush is off the Hold Your Fire album, "Mission"... to me, the bass parts, the use of wood shells and electronics, the guitar parts, and finally the outro guitar solo... simply perfection. R*I*P* Neil

[@JossFromAnarchy]

"Neil Peart is a living legend. Thank god he's living..." Shouldn't have spoke too soon, Justin.

[@maziu27]

This was from 2017...

[@JossFromAnarchy]

Lil Homo Yeah I know

[@j.d.7208]

Yea he she have used his crystal ball and seen into the future instead wtf are you on dude crack ?

[@beatsdddx]

A favorite instrumental La Villa Strangiato, Neil has retired from drumming 2 years ago, tendonitis forced him to quit.Good job Justine!Can you cover Rick Allen from Def Leppard he had a accident and lost his arm, and uses electronic drums to make up for his 1 armed playing style.

[@robertrinehart976]

What about the 24K gold he had on one of his kits. Had security guards on his kit when set up... I remember when they used the pensacola civic center as a practice venue for a month before one of their major tours.

[@rowinsho]

The first time I saw Neil using electronics was on the "Show of Hands" (circa 1989)concert video. During his solo in MY favorite RUSH song, "YYZ" he not only used the KAT for marimba passages, but triggered several horn hits as he built to his finale.

[@johncrafton8319]

I love the steampunk look of his custom DW shells and hardware.

[@johnconnell1675]

Other than the one comment you shared about the 80’s sounds, I wish you would’ve referenced the Simmons pads he used in the mid-80s. He was a real pioneer at integrating acoustics and electronics. Listen to the Grace Under Pressure album. Even with the dated sounds, the drum tracks are amazing!!

[@ikereed6847]

Favorite song is still "Mission" It's what made me a fan.

[@MetalMaineiac]

My first Rush album was Hold your Fire.... love it

[@GRaven-fj9de]

Great video. I love Neil. Mine's probably spirit of radio.

[@Zacknorris-d5p]

RIP Neil. One of my favourites is Driven, but I have too many...

[@bechara2112]

Time Standard Still is my Top 5 and its a perfect example of using eletronics as elements of diferent sounds In the song. You can please check the 90’s small trigger between the tons and help us tô figure it out what it is and how he fix it on the tons

[@AirborneSubmariner]

Favorite song - Time Stand Still

[@j.d.7208]

Mine too and the garden both are masterpieces

[@bigdaddy812]

Fave Rush song ? It’s like asking which kid I love most...but I’ll play. It’s a 3 way tie between Jacobs Ladder, La Villa and YYZ. Great vid on all mighty Pratt! Single most influential drummer in my life.

[@bernhardwall6876]

In 1981, I was in Grade 6 in my school. Every day during lunch, someone broke out "Moving Pictures," and we would always hear "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight." For that reason, "Limelight" is my favourite Rush song.

[@776bulldog]

Hi from England, Neil Peart set the standard of how drums could be played he is without question a GOD when it comes to drumming, Favourite rush song wow there are loads, Spirit of the Radio, Closer to the Heart, O Baterista (along with drum solo), Time Stand Still, Distant Early Warning to name but a few. I have just started to get into Electronic Drums and i have been a subscriber of yours for a while now, your a talented guy mate Great channel, Great info, credit to yourself keep up the great work. Dave BULLDOG England

[@demonicsweaters]

Very cool video. Lots of stuff in there I didn't know!

[@brianjezuit1258]

Fave Rush tune...Between The Wheels from Grace Under Pressure album. Also, Neil's Anatomy of a Drum Solo has a great explanation of his e-drums by the Master himself!!!

[@deadseveredheads]

Great great video! SO glad I found this channel!!!

[@65Drums]

Hey thanks for watching! :)

[@bobinchainz]

Mystic Rhythms will always be my favorite song. But there are so many more I name as my favorite right there with it . Mystic got me into them when I was a kid though. I love the entire power windows album.

[@markpaycer8440]

I remember hearing that his back at a time was faced to the crowd in early 83 or 84 before the drum riser could turn. I found that interesting.

[@jonboy194]

Always a great video, excellent research.!!

[@johnspencer772]

Yet another great educational video. As an 'oldster', I feel that that these types of videos are great aids to young people. There are many good songs --- but Tom Sawyer is my favorite --- quite a showcase (Rock licks -- Funk licks)....

[@brianmendelsohn2789]

Great J dog. All your videos are super but this is vintage bro! You da man..

[@65Drums]

Thanks Brian!

[@DetVen]

The fact that Neil uses anything Behringer is amazing. I have some Behringer gear that is fantastic.

[@davidjames9460]

Great job, Justin. Interesting vid. I hope you continue this with other pro drummers. I've got to go with Limelight.

[@65Drums]

Thanks David! I'll keep it in mind

[@SmedleyButlerIII]

The Camera Eye! I can finally get all the way through without falling apart

[@Rockin_Ross]

No mention of his Simmons kit from the 80’s? I was SURE that would’ve gotten a shout out as he was one of the first to really put them out there (the video for Mystic Rhythms comes right to mind as the song starts with him playing them). Great video and links just the same, man. Neil is missed by many.

[@onlycheez]

Oh man, that opening statement about him being a living legend was a bummer 😭

[@Dartanbeck]

I was privileged enough to see Neil play live in their Signals tour. Amazing to behold - all of them. Very difficult to pin down a Favorite Rush song. I mean, as much as the songs (IMHO) have improved after Neil came into the band, John Rutsey was part of some amazing songs (the first album: RUSH) with his talents as drummer himself! But if I'm asked to really pick a fave, my initial thoughts begin with the entire 2112 album and then come to rest on the over nine minute long instrumental from the Hemispheres album - the song is called "La Villa Strangiato"... I get shivers just thinking about it. Okay, now I have to go play Hemispheres! ;)

[@miguelsilva02137]

Nowadays my favorite is Subdivisions. But, the really favorite is YYZ. Actually it's a very difficult question. I just subscribed to the channel.

[@RobSwindell]

04:15 where'd you find this photo of Neil playing a stock-looking Roland V-Drum kit? I'd never seen it before (!)

[@francoaranda6499]

fav rush song either 2112, subdivisions, or spirit of radio

[@joekocolowski1804]

Subdivisions is my favorite Rush song!

[@JohnDRobinsonelectronicdrums]

another great video, Justin! you've been busy!

[@jerrymiddleton5541]

my idol.... also the wood for his drumsfrom that tour came from way out in a country mountain tree, high in the mountains. amazing, I wonder how much that cost him.

[@Zeupater]

You covered it pretty well. You even mentioned the Dauz pad! Well done. Now I’ma gripe, cuz I gotta. You mentioned “80's drums" but didn’t use the name Simmons. I liked... scratch that... I like Simmons pads and I like the sounds for what they are, plus they are useful for triggering whatever sounds you wish. My favourite Rush song is either Natural Science or Time Stand Still. My favourite Rush album to put on is probably A Farewell to Kings.

[@cadenceangel]

"Free Will." Awesome vid n info Justin!!

[@company543]

I wish you told us what non electronic cymbals being used in 0:37 I've looked all over for them and can't seem to place where they are from

[@Tranzig100]

I really love the clap trap he used in the 80's

[@66meikou]

All is will my friend, you;re just not as old us as buggers are. I had a Neil PEeart (as he pronounces it weirdly ,poster from zidjian that showed his old kit with the Simmons. I saw Rush play at Wembley Arena back in 88'- 89 and he had that set up. It had the same spin around thing going on. If you listen to Grace Under Pressure and Hold Your Fire you can definitely hear the Simmons sound. I used to air drum to both albums sitting at my sds9 kit as I didn't have stick or cymbals at the time. He did one song called time stands still and it totally messed me up. I can play it left footed on the kick but not right footed which is my normal kick. He was a master of tempo and everything else. I doubt we'll see him again , well at least as I'm still alive. At the end of the day, the bloke was incredibly talented as a musician, composer and a writer and a genuinely nice person who passed before he should have.

[@magick1969]

In a purely engineering/physics sense he's combining the world of analog [acoustic] with all its ambience [noise which gives you the air] and digital [electronic discrete sampling which compresses a signal into binary samples and allows for massive layering w/o an actual orchestra].

[@geographicaloddity2]

Favorite Rush Song: which era? 2112/Tom Sawer/ Spirit of Radio/Cold Fire

[@chezchezchezchez]

It’s PEEERT. Not Pert.

[@tsvtsvtsv]

Jim Cheseborough Are you sure it isn't Pay-ehrt?

[@MetalMaineiac]

oops, accidental thumbs up there. And no, it is not Pay-ehrt.

[@MetalMaineiac]

Yup.

[@MetalMaineiac]

It's Peeert

[@jaytube2112]

Even Geddy Lee said it's pronounced like "Ear" with a P in the front and a T at the end.

[@davidspurlock1111]

The Dauz pad was a part of his kit for the last 30+ years.

[@nedd.8479]

My favourite Rush song is Working Man, which doesn't even have Neil Peart on drums.

[@levig384]

Man you can’t ask what my favorite rush song is

[@krns5886]

"Time Stand Still"

[@66meikou]

That was the one I was on about

[@Rockin_Ross]

No mention of his Simmons kit with the octagonal pads? I'm surprised.

[@matthewpaluch777]

What happened to the Simmons era, and other stuff? Favorite Rush song(s) the Trees/Xanadu Live! Until recently they always played them back2back.

[@AndersEngerJensen]

Someone's probably mentioned this already, but the Roland XV-5080 is only a sound module, not a sampler. It does have expansion slots though, so you can slot in the SRX and JV cards to get more sounds. Just a minor correction. ;) Otherwise dynamite coverage of all these great drummers. WhatI'd like to hear, is examples of them playing the things you mention...but I know the copyright algorithm will strike. :/

[@panther122]

my favorite Rush song has to be subdivisions got to hear it live in 2010 with my ex girlfrind at her first and only rush concert it was a crazy night the last night of leg one of the time machine tour

[@Internetindividual07]

"So, Neil Peart is a living legend. Thank god he's living, because there have been a lot of legends [in music] that have been dying, recently..." (┬┬﹏┬┬) Uh-huh...

[@DavidGreenVideo]

I see you have a USOPC logo shirt on. I'm a drummer and my job is with US Ski and Snowboard building coaching media for sports. I always thought that sport and music are an interesting combo. Mastery of both requires detail to fine_night performance. do you think teaching rhythm could help an athlete focus and clear their head for such things as free throws or rhythmic motion of swimming or skiing?

[@robertcombs9364]

great video. i have so many favorites of early Rush. LOSING IT...

[@fireyourrocketts]

I just got the Sabian Paragon cymbal Set said to be made after what he uses but the set although very nice, comes with 11 cymbals and here in some pictures I can count 13? seems it is not exactly what he uses at all..hmm wonder where are the extra 2 missing cymbals?

[@markfuller2656]

My favorite Rush song to play is the Main Monkey Business but Jacobs ladder or Xanadu has been favorite one to listen to. But then again I've only been playing drums since 1969 so what do I know?

[@kevinfitzpatrick3506]

My favor Rush song is Tom Saywer and my favorite drum solo is YYZ.

[@65Drums]

Love both of those

[@MetalMaineiac]

FWIW the name of the drum solo is The Rhythm Method.

[@proddbyjr2024]

@@65Drums I like Tom Saywer, Limelight, Freewill, A Passage to Bangkok and Working Man, but not YYZ.

[@GermiesCoasterYard]

I don't have a favorite Rush song, per se, but I've always related well to Subdivisions.

[@redentgalea5182]

you lost me when you sad is a living legend i kept saying yes he is until the video ended :) king peart

[@jaenima7686]

The older electronic drums he used were some old simmons drum pads, particularly on the Power windows tour and on from there.

[@paulsf1990]

Any chance of making a video on how Prince's drummer Bobby Z used an electronic kit?

[@BrondrumsMusic]

0:20 R.I.P

[@Brett_Senzer]

I did the math so I either have enough or not enough edrums But for a Neil Peart replica if I use the Alesis sample pad pro and the Alesis nitro(I’m going for the crappier sounds because I just need electro toms) Could I plug them both into the same amp?

[@DrummerDudeRon]

cool. i enjoyed this

[@65Drums]

Glad you liked it :)

[@miscellaneousmusic2149]

Do the shells make a difference in electric drums when you put the pads on. Does it create any different sounds?

[@marvinervin]

Great video! I was wondering if you could do one on cymbal swell and chokes played on an ekit triggering superior drummer. There are some real issues that need to be addressed. Thx!

[@65Drums]

Check out the channel Mike Luke, he's done some great tutorials on how to dial all of those issues in while using an electronic drumset

[@edsalisch4322]

He did use the Simmons and old ROLAND stuff and also the Wavedrum, original and I think the new one too.

[@65Drums]

Yes I missed his older 80s stuff in this video. Simmons and Ddrum should have made an appearance

[@edsalisch4322]

In the 90s Ddrum was the gold standard.

[@docwho10th88]

How many triggers are on the floor? I mean how many foot triggers does he have?

[@littlepharaoh3295]

Can the roland td-1k high-hat work on the acoustic high-hat stand

[@edouarddabest2639]

Hey awesome vid! One question though. Im planning on getting an acoustic-looking electric drum shell pack (that means no roland ;) and I'm deciding between Jobeky and Drum tec. Would you be able to compare those 2 in regards to quality and prices?

[@ryanking4401]

I have been covering a lot of his music lately and, I guess maybe because he recently passed, I have been spending a lot of time thinking about and perfecting a lot of his sounds. Is anyone aware of any library of some of the electronic samples he used per song? I have been spending a lot of time listening to the songs, making a list of the extra non-acoustic sounds I hear, and trying to find the best samples I can online that are similar to. Using a Sample Pad Pro right now with an external alesis snare dual zone trigger. Any help is appreciated!

[@kennygibson8538]

Fav Rush song A passage to Bangkok

[@TheSighphiguy]

for me its impossible to pick a favorite. Red Barchetta natural science jacobs ladder la villa strangiato the camera eye the end the 1st 8 albums essentially.

[@johncrafton8319]

Favorite Rush song? Damn....that's tough. Probably "The Pass", off of Presto.

[@nyinblick6676]

Favourite song and drumsound at the same time. TOM SAWYER!!

[@mediumstudio]

why would you overlook the Simmons kits? jeesh ...

[@mattmarkus4868]

Red Sector A from '83 is a good song that features his electronic kit quite heavily (Simmons pads). kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWixZ6J5YtaJg80 Also, Mystic Rhythms from '85 (Simmons pads): kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4eliYKwp8tsg80