Percussion Ordnance: New Tech for The Modern Drummer

I met Gabriel Martínez, Mechanical Engineer and founder of Percussion Ordnance at the 2019 NAMM Convention this past January, where I got to see, for myself the innovative product he invented for the modern drummer. But, before I go too far, a little background.

I had heard of Percussion Ordnance through social media, and with some interest as a drummer, I checked out the companies Kickstarter and did a little background investigation. Gabriel, whom is himself a drummer and avid music enthusiast had spent a great deal of his life playing and enjoying music, and with life being as it is, he did what he could to make ends meet, working in his field of expertise and doing the 9 to 5. It was after some time and some life events, he decided to put his intellect and dreams into the same arena.

In talking with him, I was amazed how much he had been through in his life, as well as his personal trials in his past and what brought him here today.

“In freshman year of High School I received my first drum set and immediately became obsessed. I played with devotion for 13 years. In my senior of engineering school I sold my kit in order to pay for my last year of college. I graduated from LSU in civil engineering. I took a job straight out of college as a mechanical engineer at a company called Versabar Inc. based in Houston, Texas.

For 3 years I worked in off-shore oil & gas, designing weldments and hydraulic systems for large oil riser pull in systems which comprised of chain jacks, winches and the sorts. After much engineering experience, I found myself on the island of Puerto Rico helping rebuild post-hurricane Maria. Inspired by the island that I fell in love with, I decided to pursue my passion of playing the drums once again. This time, I decided to design my drums from the ground up.

I combined my love for playing the drums and my engineering knowledge to design drum parts using precise tolerances, the finest materials and the best manufacturing processes. I decided to start with the drum hoops for a 14″ 10 lug snare and a drum tuning key to swap out the hoops.  My goals are to design the best drums and hardware ever made based on the highest standards of mechanical design with uncompromised utility, sonic quality, reliability and aesthetics. I am humbled by the opportunity to contribute to a community that I love so much.”

When I finally got to meet Gabriel Martínez in person at NAMM, we sat and talked about his design, I personally held and checked it out, and it was everything he claimed, lightweight and beautifully designed, it was, well amazing. But Gabriel then said he spent almost his last bit of resources to get to NAMM and was not quite at the point of being able to make his goal on Kickstarted. He was not disappointed, but concerned, would he make it, would he get the backing, and if so, how would he get support?

For Gabriel, NAMM was a godsend!

Gabriel took his get things done attitude and walked the NAMM convention, meeting drummers, percussion company execs and more, doing one on one demos, making contacts, walking the convention center halls the whole 4 days, and making every minute count. During the convention we spoke frequently, and on Sunday, I got to hear the great news, Gabriel’s Kickstarter got fully funded! Not only that, he made some great contacts and was even offered some very lucrative deals, but he told me he was not going to sell his interests in Percussion Ordnance, he would maintain the company and do what he set out to do, innovate the Drumming world.

So, here we are, 3 months later, so why now do I write this article, why now tell you about this?

Because I am very proud to say the Percussion Ordnance is now one of the most talked about products for drummers, and here is why-

The Percussion Ordnance Product Line, designated as “Weapons of Sonic Destruction, the Patent-Pending True Resonance General Issue 14″ Snare Drum Hoop set utilizes Aircraft Grade Aluminum and Tolerances and is the most Elegant Engineering Solutions for Refined Tone and Unmatched Reliability.

Tech Specs:

• Proprietary Rim Shot Flange is conically angled to provide more contact area between the drumstick and the hoop, thus resulting in an enhanced rim shot & cross stick sound.
• The high-quality material & design dampens unwanted overtones and resonances. Existing overtones greatly harmonize with the tone of the shell.
• Drastically enhances the sound of the shell by providing more attack, punch, and articulation of the shell’s tone.
• Proprietary reinforcing gussets around each tension rod boss mitigate NVH so the drum stays in tune longer.
• Unique individual serial numbers, so no 2 hoop sets are alike.
• Proprietary Rim Shot Flange is conically angled to provide more contact area between the drumstick and the hoop, thus resulting in an enhanced rim shot & cross stick sound.
• The high-quality material & design dampens unwanted overtones and resonances. Existing overtones greatly harmonize with the tone of the shell.
• Drastically enhances the sound of the shell by providing more attack, punch, and articulation of the shell’s tone.
• Proprietary reinforcing gussets around each tension rod boss mitigate NVH so the drum stays in tune longer.
• Unique individual serial numbers, so no 2 hoop sets are alike.

Drummer’s Benefits:

• True Resonance from your Snare Drum
• Professional & Proven Results
• Proprietary Rim Shot Flange
• Stick Saver
• Less Wrist Strain
• Greater Punch, Attack, & Sensitivity
• LIFETIME WARRANTY

The Hoop design accommodates it’s own sound, imagine if the hoop itself was to generate a sound effect –

Drummers have for ages wanted a hoop design that frees their limitations, to make every part of the drum a possible sound generating instrument, yet, until now, any innovations have fallen short or do not last, and will often fail at the worst possible moment.

Through intelligent design and modern technology, Gabriel Martínez has created a musical accessory that itself is an instrument of performance, it is no wonder why every drummer and industry professional at The NAMM Show wanted to see, feel and hear the hoop in action. Endorsed by Ricardo Santana, the drummer for Nutopia and sought after by new drummers daily, don’t be surprised if the Percussion Ordnance line expands and becomes an integral part of modern percussion foundation.

Find and Follow Gabriel Martínez and Percussion Ordnance online.

https://www.percussionordnance.com/

http://www.facebook.com/PercussionOrdnance/

http://www.instagram.com/PERCUSSIONORDNANCE/

http://twitter.com/PercussionOrdnc