Hi all,

Excuse my ignorance in asking this question. I've listened to literally hundreds of Prince live shows, and attended 2 dozen. My question is, how much of the drums are from a drum machine?

I've seen Bobby Z, Sheila, et al banging away, but it sounds like it's just a drum machine. Is there a hybrid between live and drum machine? Are the drummers "lip syncing" the drums?

This has bewildered me for years, but i never thought to ask, because really, it doesn't matter who or what is playing the drums, theyz funky!

Thanks!

Chas

A lot of times I believe, for example in the case of The Revolution era, they would have a drum kit that had electronic components to it that when hit, would trigger a sample of the Linn Drum sound attached to it.

bobby z had electric kit triggering samples.

Sheila had a mix

Michael B normal kit.

John B normal kit with electric pads.

.

[Edited 5/25/18 18:53pm]

I can see that. It just seems like a during the revolution days, Bobby was playing along to a track.

In particular, I was listening to the 1984 birthday show, and it even sounded like they were cycling through the different drum patterns.

It probably also depends on the song.