First, there was Guitar Hero and Rockband that turned us all into professional guitarists and band members. 

Now, we have Senstroke, the first connected system for drummers of all skill levels that can reproduce movements, creating identical experiences of a drummer’s footwork and drumsticks. Redison, the French startup behind Senstroke, introduced the technology into France three years ago, and according to its CEO and Founder, Jerome Dron, it’s been an amazing success. 

Back in March, at the height of COVID-19, Redison introduced Senstroke to the United States, with an enhanced version of the mobile app which offers more drum kit options as well as the unique ability to take interactive lessons to quickly improve skill.

After coming across this technology and holding myself out as a music instrument illiterate, I had to know more, as this could be a nice addition to my 8-year-old guitar which I picked up to avoid studying for law school exams my first year. FYI, I still can’t play the guitar. But hopefully, I’ll be picking up the drums very soon.

So, I reached out to Redison and spoke with Dron about the US launch. Dron, a French drummer, shared with us that he was no stranger to the challenges musicians faced, including those with whom they share living space with.

“Playing the drums is something that gets in your blood,” Dron describes, adding that “you want to play every free moment you have, which unless you have a sound-proof room in your home is not usually welcome by others.”

Luxe Beat: So how did the concept of Senstroke come about?

Jerome Dron: Drums are also not an instrument that can be easily transported if you’re on the go. So, I decided to address these issues related to the size and noise of the instrument by proposing connected products.  

LBM: How did you implement ‘connectivity’ into these products?

JD: I tested the idea and my prototypes in my home environment, around family, friends, and my local community in order to collect an honest reaction and live feedback. We gradually introduced Senstroke to the world at international trade shows (including the latest Namm show and CES 2020 in Las Vegas).

LBM: Why was France a perfect market to begin implementing this music-tech?

JD: Like any new technology there has been an evolution to the experience and by introducing it softly into the US in early 2020, we were able to collect more data to improve the product to the current version.

France has been a validator of the product, and a springboard to launching the Senstroke to the rest of the world. 

LBM: In its first 3 years, how would you describe the impact Senstroke technology has had on the French market, specifically its user demographic?

JD: Our goal is to democratize the practice of music, in particular the drums. Our innovation was welcomed in France, among both seasoned musicians as well as beginners. When we first developed the concept, our intention was to target avid drummers but we soon realized the value of the product as an educational tool for beginners as well. 

Three years later, we are sharing our love of music, the instrument, and creating new drummers around the world every day just by making the tools and the opportunity more accessible.

LBM: Why now, did you decide to expand into the U.S. market, right smack in the middle of COVID-19, where mass-adoption, sales, and integration all seem to be an uphill battle?

JD: We are living in a period full of changes. Our habits are being disrupted. Since COVID, the world has accelerated its mutation. People are looking for more authenticity, simplicity, and less superfluity. Teleworking has become the norm, and travel is more limited. We believe that music and its practice allow people to blossom despite limits in space and mobility. 

LBM: Let’s talk branding. Explain the origins behind the name ‘Senstroke’ and the design of the product. 

JD: Senstroke is the combination of two words: ‘Sense’ and ’Stroke’. It was important for us that the name transcribes the feeling of the drums. When you play drums, you can feel the rhythms in your hands, your arms, and your heart. That’s an experience that resonates and we wanted the name to capture that.

The design was challenging but we took the time and got it right. 

We needed the design to be simple and lightweight, yet durable – as we want people to play with heart and passion. So we opted for a pure design where every millimeter has been optimized, which won distinguished design awards in Europe.

LBM: What were some of the challenges you came across with initial branding and implementing the tech? How did you overcome it?

JD: Our main challenge was to offer a high-performance product with realistic sensations (rebound management, hitting intensity) so that drummers will enjoy using it and new users will be able to transfer what they learn with Senstroke to a real drum set, all while being affordable.

This was an ambitious goal and an extremely involved undertaking.

It took us two years of R&D, with the help of experts in the field. Today we are still the only ones in the world to offer this technology which is patented. This is our trademark – offering useful, high-performance, and affordable products. 

LBM: On that note, describe how COVID-19 has affected Senstroke’s adoption and use since its U.S. introduction.

JD: COVID-19 has had several impacts for us in the U.S. market. This is a product we want people to be able to see, touch, and experience as part of the buying process. COVID required many retail locations to shut down, some temporarily and others permanently which has limited the customer experience. 

We have, however, been able to develop the business through e-commerce partners like Amazon.com which launched the product page at the beginning of the year and has been very well received.

LBM: For our readers, can you walk us through how to use the mobile app?

JD: In a nutshell, the user slides sensors into a standard set of drumsticks. The sensors work through a Bluetooth connection to most smartphones or tablets and the FREE Senstroke App.

Through the app, the user is able to select a skill level, build their virtual drum kit, and play music of their choice by hitting any surface around them with the sticks. Senstroke’s technology allows playing drums on any surface from digital practice pads to real drums, cushions, books or tables…whatever is available. 

Once the playing zone is defined, the sensors are connected to the application, each touch is transformed into a MIDI note and real drums’ sounds are created instantly through the smartphone or tablet and any computer-based music software.

There is also an instructional option that operates much like a game, where users can get familiar with beats, tempos, and get accustomed to the feel of the drums along with basic play.

For more information on Senstroke, please visit their website.