Gretsch Catalina Evo: Electronic Drum Kit From Gretsch With Full-Sized Shells
Hardware and drum module included!
Gretsch Catalina Evo: Electronic Drum Kit From Gretsch With Full-Sized Shells · Source: Gretsch
Look, who’s joining Pearl and DW! Famed drum maker Gretsch is releasing their take on electronic drum kits with the Gretsch Catalina EVO series. You get full-size Catalina shells with mesh heads, three-zone cymbal pads, and a drum module loaded with samples from popular Gretsch kits. With this release, Gretsch is taking a serious aim at the throne for upper-midrange electronic drums. Let’s take a look!
Gretsch Catalina EVO: Shell sizes, Colors and Kit Configurations
The new Gretsch Catalina EVO drum kits are available in two color variants: Black Sparkle or Walnut Glaze. Given that these are full-sized shells with mesh heads, you’d barely notice it to be an electronic drum kit from a few yards away. For each drum, the mesh head offers two zones for different articulations.
The cymbal pads include a 14″ hi-hat, a 16″ crash, and an 18″ ride, so you’ve got all you need for most genres. All three cymbal pads are three-zone. Compared to many more affordable electronic drum kits, the hi-hat comes with two actual cymbal pads (instead of just one and a foot controller), which adds to the kit’s realistic feel.
Overall, you get to choose between two colors and then two kit setups:
- J484 (4-piece): 18″ x 12″ bass drum, 10″ x 7″ rack tom, 12″ x 12″ floor tom, 14″ x 5.5″ snare
- F405 (5-piece): 20″ x 14″ bass drum, 10″ x 7″ and 12″ x 8″ rack toms, 14″ x 14″ floor tom, 14″ x 5.5″ snare
You also get the necessary hardware from the Gretsch Explorer series: two cymbal boom stands, a hi-hat machine, a snare stand, and a single chain-drive bass drum pedal.
The Drum Module
Besides the shell and the hardware, each kit includes a drum module that comes factory-loaded with 50 drum kits (500 instruments in total) and 128 user preset slots. If you want to create your own drum kit, you can import up to 128 user samples by simply connecting a USB stick. Each drum comes with multiple velocity layers, round-robin sample playback, and separate room mic recordings. These include snare bottom and subkick.
For every drum pad of the Gretsch Catalina EVO, you get separate EQ and compressor modules to dial in your desired drum sound. In addition, the Catalina EVO offers nine multi-effect algorithms and room and instrument reverbs.
I/O and App Companion
In terms of inputs and outputs, the module features 11 trigger inputs, four individual outputs, a stereo input, and Bluetooth audio (to wirelessly connect your phone for jamming along to your favorite songs). MIDI connectivity is also available via Bluetooth or the USB-C jack. The module also offers audio recording capabilities, letting you record up to eight channels from the Gretsch Catalina EVO in your DAW.
In terms of creating and editing drum kits, Gretsch offers the Gretsch E-Drum Remote app. Which you probably reach for often, as the module’s monochrome 2.7″ display might not always be the easiest to navigate. For drumming and preset switching purposes, it’s more than enough.
Price & Availability
The Gretsch Catalina EVO electronic drum kit series is out now.
At Thomann, the 4-piece costs €1,999 in Black Sparkle and €2,199 in Walnut Glaze, while the 5-piece goes for €2,299 and €2,499.
Buy four kits at Thomann* and check out the series at Sweetwater*.
More on Gretsch Catalina EVO
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
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