Hails to all of you readers of Sick Drummer Magazine. In the next issue of Sick Drummer Magazine you'll find the first of many articles I'll be producing under the banner "Playing Smart." The title I chose is strategically fitting for this column's agenda. My goal is to make the average drummer aware of the vast amount of tools available to him or her and arm them with the know how to take advantage of them.
My name is Dross (aka Jerry Foltz) and I'm the drummer of Sothis, a Symphonic Black Metal band from Los Angeles signed to Candlelight Records. I've been playing drums for about twenty-two years now and one of the things that makes me very unique is the fact that I've been playing extreme Metal on Electronic Drums, exclusively for the last twelve years. I play a custom nine piece V-Drum kit with Roland TD10 Expanded and Roland TD20 sound modules. I also use sixteen ECymbals made by Hart Dynamic, Classic Black Axis Longboard bass drum pedals, and Ahead Drumsticks. I'm also a Producer, Songwriter and Audio Engineer holding a degree in the latter from Los Angeles Recording Workshop.
You likely know all about various types of acoustic drums, hardware and cymbals. 
However this column will seek to both explore and explain how to use things like Triggers & Sound Modules, Soft-Synths, Samples & Samplers, MIDI & MIDI Editing software, various DAWs and plugins useful to drummers, In-Ear Monitors as well as Microphones and Microphone Technique amongst many other topics. We'll also tackle age-old subjects like "are triggers cheating?" and how much editing is too much editing? It is my belief that as you read this article, issue after issue, you'll be able to pick out things that you think you can take advantage of. I sincerely believe that incorporating the things you'll learn here will expand your musical perspective, empower you and garner you the respect you both want and deserve.
Your questions, suggestions, accolades and hate mail can be sent to:
Dross[at]SickDrummerMagazine.com
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