BeatIt test: Gewa G5 electronic drum kit

We have already had the opportunity to thoroughly test a Gewa G3 electronic drum kit (see HERE). This instrument received the highest marks from our editorial team and we were very curious whether the other models of this German manufacturer would be up to standard. We were not disappointed. The GEWA G5 Club model is a drum set for demanding players, featuring an even more advanced module and, above all, deep Club shells.

1. Test

We conducted our test in our new Luta Recording studio. We used two Neve 511 preamps and RME UFX+ cards to record the sound directly from the module. The soundtrack mix was subjected to a volume limit of +4 db.

We tested the GEWA G5 electronic drums for the number of available presets, their consistency and sound quality. We checked the functionality of the pads (snare, toms, kick and cymbals). We checked the hi-hat calibration function, the possibilities offered by the Bluetooth and USB connectivity, recording and playback. We took a closer look at the built-in metronome and explored other options of creating sounds using equalizers, compressors, reverbs and other effects available.

2. Basic product specs:

a. G5 module

901 instrument sounds
40 preset kits + 128 user presets
OLED display (black and white, 128 x 64 pixels)
Same sound & trigger engine as in GEWA G9
Up to 1000 samples per instrument (incl. rim sounds + sustain samples)
High-resolution multilayer samples recorded in the Funkhaus Studio in Berlin (up to 100 layers and 5 Robin Sound chokes per layer)
3D sonic image for samples of highest resolution
Bluetooth audio and MIDI
Up to 128 WAV samples can be imported (max. length 70 minutes mono, 35 minutes stereo)
Compressor and 3-band, fully parametric EQ for each pad
Compressor and 4-band EQ for each output
4 independent effect banks (Ambient, Instrument Reverb, Room Reverb, Multi-effects)
12 types of room reverb
9 different multi-effects
Realtime .WAV recorder (44,1 kHz, 16 bit)
IN / OUT:
Twelve 6.3 mm jack trigger outputs (fully compatible with pads from other producers)
Two 6.3 mm jack master outputs
Four 6.3 mm jack direct outputs
6.3 mm jack headphone output
6.3 mm mix input
MIDI (IN, OUT/THROUGH)
USB Midi (eg. for use with VST plug-ins) + USB Audio (2 IN/6 OUT – fully compatible, additional drivers???? not necessary)
Foot switch: 1x jack (2 channels)

b. Gewa Club drum kit

Black Sparkle deep shells
10 x 7″ rack tom
12 x 8″ rack tom
14 x 12″ floor tom
18 x 14″ kick drum
14 x 5″ Snare Drum
Two 14″ crash pads (3 zones, 360° playing surface, choke function)
18″ ride pad (3 zones, 360° playing surface, choke function)
14″ hi-hat pad (3 zones, 360° playing surface, choke function)
GEWA Electronics Stand Pack
Includes hi-hat and snare stands
Full set of cables

3. Product and sound

The GEWA G5 module is very similar in its functionality to the G3 module, but there are a few subtle differences. Before we list them, please read our G3 module test summary below:

“The GEWA G3 drum module has 40 drum kit presets and we realized that this is no joke from the first moment we hit the drums. We have over 900 samples of top-quality drum sounds at our disposal. Many of them were recorded especially for this purpose at the iconic Funkhaus Studios recording studio. in Berlin! The sets are sonically consistent and ready for playing, recording or even post-production. Add to this the possibility of virtually unlimited interference with the sounds using the built-in three-band equalizer, compressor, reverbs and four effect banks, and we get a serious tool for creating sound. Of course, we also have the option of importing our own sampled sounds, up to 100 .WAV files (maximum length 70 minutes mono, 35 minutes stereo). The manufacturer deserves to be praised for such possibilities. In this regard, most competitors offer presets which, unfortunately, need to be replaced if we want to obtain satisfactory sonic results. In our video test, we present short fragments of all the sounds programmed in the module and several possibilities of creating them using the built-in functions. Operating the module is quite intuitive, perhaps a little too detailed, but in return we get access to very extensive module functions. We have a lot of knobs and buttons, sometimes we would even get lost on a path to achieving a specific goal. All those who have already dealt with other modules from well-known manufacturers will easily become familiar with the product after about fifteen minutes of using the product, and we do not consider this a disadvantage of this device. Another advantage of the module is its so-called “open system”. This means that the manufacturer can update the module’s system during its operation, the way it is with smartphones or computers, for example. This means GEWA can make adjustments and respond very quickly to user comments, improving the device system on an ongoing basis. The competition offers closed systems that do not enable such operations. A big plus for GEWA for this opportunity from our editorial team!”

Differences between the G3 and G5 modules:

DISPLAY SIZE

GEWA G3: 243 mm (W) x 215 mm (D) x 91 mm (H); 128 x 64px OLED

GEWA G5: 340 mm (W) x 215 mm (D) x 91 mm (H); 128 x 64px OLED

AUDIO OUTPUTS

GEWA G3: 2 (L/R)

GEWA G5: 6 (2 L/4 I 4 DIRECT)

FOOTSWITCH CONTROL

GEWA G3: NO

GEWA G5: YES, TWO CHANNELS

SETLIST

GEWA G3: NO

GEWA G5: YES

PREVIEW

GEWA G3: NO

GEWA G5: YES

ROUTING

GEWA G3: NO

GEWA G5: YES

MIX GROUPING

GEWA G3: NO

GEWA G5: YES

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PADS/TRIGGERS

GEWA G3: 11

GEWA G5: 12

Let us focus on the instrument itself. First of all, we are dealing here with traditional shells of standard sizes, which make the instrument look, even up close, like an acoustic drum kit. Secondly, the shell depths and diameters make the kit feel natural when playing, very similar to playing a traditional acoustic instrument. In fact, there is no difference between the GEWA G5 Club and any other drum set equipped with similarly sized dampening heads on. The entire hardware is also made with utmost care. Similarly to the GEWA G3, there is a special cover to hide the cable bundle. Here, the cables are permanently marked, which will certainly allow you to connect the drums without having to find which pad or input it is.

The crash, ride and hi-hat pads cannot be overlooked either. The pads have three zones that provide damping (edge, bow, bell). They are very well balanced to best reflect the natural contact between the stick and the instrument. We know perfectly well that imitating the sound and feel of drum cymbals is usually the weak side of electronic drum kits. Unfortunately, a lot of them are far from perfect, but GEWA is different from the competition in this respect. The advantage is that we have three zones, good feel and natural pad sizes: a 14″ hi-hat, two 16″ crashes and and an 18″ ride.

As with all other GEWA electronic drum models, the manufacturer provides technical support after purchasing the equipment. Every customer can get professional help when using the device. In the case of Poland, Mariusz Mocarski, who is well known to drum fans, shares his knowledge and support with users. It is also worth adding that all components, parts and accessories can be purchased in Europe, specifically in Germany. This means that in the event of a failure, we can count on swift repair or replacement of components. This is another advantage compared to similar instruments produced in the Far East.

At the end of our test, we need to evaluate the price. GEWA does not differ in price from similar instruments from competing companies. Unfortunately, solutions such as traditional shells and life-size sizes generate a high final price. There’s no way around it.

Here’s the score achieved by the GEWA G5 electronic drum kit:

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