5 Ways Electronic Drum Sets are BETTER THAN Acoustic Kits (2023 Version)
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- Опубліковано 21 тра 2024
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5 Ways Electronic Drum Sets are BETTER THAN Acoustic Kits (2023 Version)
Here's the gear I'm playing in this video:
Roland V-Pad VH-14D Digital Hi-hat Controller: imp.i114863.net/gbZy3A
Roland TD-27 KV Electronic Drum Set Gen 1: imp.i114863.net/oeEQrO
Roland TD-27 KV Electronic Drum Set Gen 2 (comes with VH-14D HiHat): imp.i114863.net/0JL04R
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I did a video on electronic drum sets like this one a few years back and it's STILL so popular that I decided it was time for an updated version. Almost every conversation I have with drummers about electronic drum kits have a negative slant to them. Why is that? Sure, 20 years ago, electronic drums SUCKED. That's just not the case any longer though. In many ways, e-kits are far SUPERIOR to acoustic drum sets.
In this video I talk about the 5 reasons why I think electronic drum sets are BETTER than acoustic drum sets.
Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts on e-drum kits!
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Cymbals: Roland imp.i114863.net/0JL04R
Drums: Roland imp.i114863.net/0JL04R
Sticks: Vic Firth 5A sweetwater.sjv.io/QyYOBA
Heads: Roland imp.i114863.net/0JL04R
In Ears: Alclair In Ear Monitors
Lauten Microphones sweetwater.sjv.io/KjBeVx
I have played guitar for over 4 decades. I can do things with my electric guitar that can't with my acoustic. That cannot be argued. I have played drums for 7 years now. I can do things with my e-kit that can't do with my acoustic kit. Stop being close minded about this. Look at the e-drum industry right now it is on fire. DW, Roland, Evans, EFnote, Alesis I can go on and on. Get behind a good e-kit you will like it. Not to mention your family will like you more.
As for flexibility, a few years ago I was percussionist for a performance of Sound of Music. The orchestra leader was stunned when I turned up with every percussion instrument in the score mapped to my kit, including tubular bells and glockenspiel. For cover work, it is great to easily switch between jazz, rock and metal kits.
Been an e-drummer for 20+ years. Started with a Roland TD-7 kit then moved up to a Roland TD-10 kit. Still use it to this day, although I've added an Alesis I/O to it via MIDI to almost double the size of the kit. Tried other modules over the years but nothing was as responsive as the Roland was with its internal sounds. Then when I built an updated computer in my studio, I purchased Superior Drummer 3.0 and that took things to a whole other level. There is zero discernable lag with Windows 10 (I had barely noticeable lag with Windows 7 on the same computer) and I am playing sampled recordings of real drums recorded in a professional studio. So they don't sound LIKE real drums, they are the sound OF real drums. I think a lot of drummer's hangups with ekits come from either (a) playing cheap ones that suck, or (b) not having played them at all and just making assumptions. Oh, and you forgot to mention a very big benefit of ekits - portability. Much lighter and can be transported in a smaller space. Anyway, I understand everyone has their own thoughts on it, but I encourage anyone who hasn't played a decent ekit to give it a try. You might be surprised.
Only problem I had with an e-kit was the lag between when I hit the head and when the sound arrived in my ears. This was probably 15 years ago. I hope it's gotten better.
It's way better now. The latency isn't noticable at all. Maybe there's latency if you're running in through a computer.
@@clearestapricotpencil4125 I have a set with really bad samples in it, and ran into this issue while trying to connect it to a computer and using a plugin. I believe a decent sound card or interface could solve this issue, the driver for the PC might be too slow.
@@bruneti12That's absolutely the issue. You get an interface with a good ASIO or Core Audio (Mac) driver and it'll change your life. Using your kit to trigger something like Addictive Drums with about 4 ms latency will amaze you and will likely blow away any sample based module on the marker.
bruh said 15 years . im dying
There's basically no latency nowadays. My roland feels amazing to play. Tech has come a long way
I am a long time e-kit player, but purely out of necessity reasons (apartment building) and I only get to play my a-kit during band practice. What I love about my e-kit is the ease of recording drums for social media and changing sounds on the fly. What I despise are that I can’t use any dynamics (brush playing, hot-rods, mallets, different subtle snare/hh/ride changes) in my playing, which is a pain point for any advanced drummer.
I agree with edrums not having different stick sounds. I play a acoustic Sonor/Paiste kit tunned the way I like it & I was let down with my TD11 ekit sounds. I brought a 2Box Drumit module and I made multilayered samples of my Sonor kit with sticks & mallets (sampling brush & rods soon). This is a game changer practicing on the ekit now sounds just like my acoustic kit. I know you need a module that can take multilayered samples like the Pearl Mimic pro, 2Box Drumit, Alesis Strike Pro SE or the new Yamaha modules. I hope this helps and you are able to play your own sounds on your ekit inculding mallets, rods & brushes.
Really great video, Stephen! It makes me want to start trying to learn the drums again. I have a Roland TD-12 kit and enjoyed practicing on it even when I had an acoustic kit and didn’t really have to worry about the noise factor.
Got an ekit for the summer and plan on enrolling in your drum school. Thanks for the video!
I live in an appatrtment on 3rd floor and i really appreciate what brings me my e-drums.Adding a sono-carpet let me practice days and night without disturbing anyone.That's pretty cool
I switched to electronic drums years ago after I watched another drummer in the studio using one to produce MIDI info during a session which allowed for mistakes to be easily corrected and the producer to customize the sounds he wanted. When I got mine, I realized I could switch the drum set sounds to match EACH song (we were playing an eclectic mix from rock to jazz to country). My preference for playing live has been the Alternate Mode TrapKAT XL. It provides 24 triggers (plus bass drum and hi-hat inputs) with up to 16 sounds each in one portable unit. Plus, it is even quieter than a conventional E-kit with hard cymbal triggers.
Yeah. I would never ever pay for a single minute for recording my acoustic drum set. I was really flashed when I plugged in my MPS-850 into EZDRUMMER2. Now I am using Superior Drummer 3 and ... woow. It sounds amazing. Together with my buttkicker and in-ears it's like on a huge stage...
I play an acoustic Birch Sonor/Paiste 2002 kit tuned the way I like it & I was let down with my Roland TD11 ekit sounds. 2 years ago I brought a 2Box Drumit module and have made multilayered samples of my Sonor kit with sticks & mallets (sampling brushes & rods soon). This is a game changer when practicing on the ekit now which sounds just like my acoustic kit. I know you need a module that can import multilayered samples like the Pearl Mimic pro, 2Box Drumit, Alesis Strike Pro SE or the new Yamaha modules. Some other drum sounds that are fun to play are free samples of Timpani & Japanese Taiko drums. I hope everyone is able to import & play they own multilayered drum sounds on every ekit in the future including mallets, rods & brushes.
Great video man! I'm 14 and I've got a TD17 for practice in my room and a Mapex Armory double bass kit in our soundproof garage! It's so cool to practice with the eKit. It's less loud and you've got a great sound in your ears so it feels real! 🤘
Hoorah Stephen! At last someone has concisely put forward what I have always preached. The E-Kit is another instrument in itself. As a bonus, the better kits can sound exactly like their acoustic brothers. As for recording, my son-in-law borrowed my TD20 years ago for a recording session, because he thought it sounded better than when the engineer set up his Tama kit. I started with mine when my daughter took away her acoustic kit, and my wife said ‘no more acoustic drums’. That is when I got my TD7. Have grown that kit to a TD30. For my needs, that is fine. The other thing that Acoustic drummers complain about for e-kits, is the sensitivity and dynamics. Spend time adjusting the parameters to suit your playing style. For instance, many complained the the bell on the hi-hat needed to be hit hard. On my TD-20, after tweaking, it was just as sensitive as the bell on acoustic kit that I had to play at some gigs where an acoustic kit was already provided.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who humms when I play! Did know I did it until I got my first acoustic kit after getting an apartment and my girlfriend told me I was humming. I couldn't believe it. Great video and agree on a lot of points you brought up. Nothing replaces an acoustic kit but e-kits are really a lot of fun and ease of recording for demos and such is a beautiful thing.
While being able to change full kits in a matter of seconds is a huge asset, I find that creating that "go-to" kit and using it as a template to create and save various snare options to be a big plus. How many videos have you seen with someone on a sweet acoustic kit surrounded by racks of snares? Great video Stephen...!
I'm a total newb; just bought my first electric kit. Not top of the line, but for a beginner like me, it does the job.
Enjoying your channel. I'm sure I'll pick up lots of great tips
One thing not mentioned that is super cool also, and supported by that ride, hihat and snare (maybe even toms), is that the pitch and timbre changes when hitting it closer to the center vs edge like the acoustic counterparts do. This applies to rim shots also and it adds a lot of immersion
Absolutely. You can also mute the drums and cymbals with your hands. It's pretty incredible what you can do with the newer models
I loved this vid. I’ve got a TD-17 ekit and I can’t get enough of it. However, with certain situations you must assault the senses with a good acoustic set.
I have a Roland TD-15 KV. Loving it without disturbing the neighbors. I still have a Ludwig acoustic kit.
Thanks for the positive energy and perspective
I never had that problem (delay between hitting the drums and hearing the sound) and I have been playing electronic and acoustic kits since 1988
I joined an 80s covers band just before the pandemic and had to practice with my band in between lockdowns in my bedroom with my Roland TD-30. The band loved it so much, we took it on the road. I made a small compromise and play mic'ed acoustic cymbals.
The advantages for us are...
Complete sound control across the entire band, especially useful in very small venues.
A heavily processed "recorded drum sound" rather than a raw acoustic sound that so often competes for 'space' in the room. So very little need to do additional work on the desk to shape the sound.
I used to play an acoustic kit 30 years ago, gave it up when kiddos came along . So i picked up a used td. 6v , it was cool but had rubber pads, which kinda suck,but it was fun, then I saw a review for td 17 years later itsc an amazing kit,i love its perfect for what i need. Converted it to acoustic shells. Comparing e drums acoustic drums are like Comparing acoustic guitars to electric guitars, its a different instrument, with slightly different playing techniques, i would never go back to an acoustic kit, as you can make an e kit sound like literally anything you want. Great video thank you for what u bring to the drum community
30 years ago it wasn't my electric guitar getting the cops called on me every weekend. It was my bro's kit. And I never wanted to spend the money on drums for myself until I could get one for $300 bucks and run midi into my computer. LOVE IT!
I like how you compared E-Kits and Acoustic kits to Electronic instruments and Acoustic instruments (Guitars, Bass, Piano, etc.). What I've always appreciated in E-Kits is the ability to control volume.....say in a Church setting. It's just another arrow in the quiver, as a musician, time and place for everything. Where I think E-kits/drums are really interesting, is in combination with acoustic drums....not an either/or proposition, but instead an AND solution.
E kits are appropriate for many situations and great to have but never replace acoustic kits. I use both for different jobs. The only thing I am not on board with is dropping 3k or more on an e kit that will be outdated in 7-10 yrs and still have certain flaws. At least if I drop that dough on an acoustic kit, I know it’s a forever kit.
Totally agree on these points
Although recently the lower entry e kits are getting better. Hopefully those features on the flagship models will continue to trickle down to the entry kits. The best aspect of e kits is triggering software like Superior Drummer 3, it has become my staple of home sessions.
I am still using my TD12 (bought in 2005) though 😅 still performing quite well actually
Drums are not my main instrument. I got an flagship Alesis and for my uses it's perfect. I looks like real drums and has decent sounds. I just use for learning and practice in my jam room. No gigging or serious recording. I can't imagine becoming outdated until wireless becomes a standard.
@@ElBoyoElectronico well, I’m awful proud of you 👏
I've used EKits for a long time, and they really are a great accommodation for more substantial and suitable playing in a variety of situations. It's been certainly helpful living in a house of 6 haha. Cheers as always.
15 years ago, I would have thrown it in the trash. Now, I'm really impressed and regularly sit down to play it when it's set up. Even editing this video we were blown away with how great it sounds and the sensitivity of sounds
@@StephenTaylorDrums For sure. It's amazing how on par they are nowadays.
While the modules usually are plug and play some like Roland also have aiso drivers available which i definitely recommend downloading and installing as this improves latency by quite a bit
There's only one thing and that's volume control.. that's debatable. Real drums all day. E kits good for rehearsal. Still feel and sound clinical.
E-kits have gotten way better than even 10 years ago. I use one with one of my bands and everybody in the band loves it. One advantage is level control in the studio and live. On my A-kit I can get nuances that I can't on an E-kit, but I imagine if I could afford a top of the line kit, I imagine it could get more of those acoustic nuances. There is an electronic group from Germany that at times will use both with a drummer on each. Some pro drummers like Pat Mastellotto use a hybrid kit. Each type of kit has a place depending on place and genre. Also, you can usually get a brush kit setup on an e-kit. While not exact, it works alright. The tech is advancing by leaps and bounds, so e-kits are getting closer in quality sound with every iteration of equipment, software, sampling and peograming. One last advantage- they are light weight and easier to move if need be. I have played one rock gig with my e-kit and nobody in the band seemed to notice the difference.
Great Video I used to be a marching snare drummer in Drum + Bugle Corps in the 1980's, and never took my older brother's advice to ask my Mom for an accoustic drum set. Now I am 61 years old and just started researching this E-Kit stuff a week ago. I am wondering if there is a Drum Module that I can buy for $500 or less and then add whatever make / model drums + cymbals + Tom's that I wish? I do not want an E-Drum set that comes with a "Rack" necessarily? I would prefer a set that comes with stands like an accoustic set?
I recently bought an acoustic kit to learn on and I'm loving it. However, I should buy a ekit also before my neighbors hate me. Any good suggestions?
Great video
Thanks!
I have two acoustic kits and one e-kit. I’ve been playing drums for over 50 years. The E- kit is a Roland TD11KV. The toms and kick sounds are killer. The snare sounds are pretty good too. The cymbal sounds basically suck! They are quieter and don’t hold the same acoustic sound properties of the real ones. I mostly play the ekit now as I live in a condo. It took me a long to get used to the difference in setup between the two types. Hitting a tom that is 8” wide vs one that is 16” is way different.
Between the kits, my fav are the acoustic. There’s nothing like laying into a snare with a big fat rim shot and they don’t vibrate as much on heavy fast sticking patterns. Pros and cons to each type but that’s my take folks. Cheers!
Awesome video
Just curious Steven, how much does that kit cost as you have it for this video, speakers, cables and all?
I would guess around $3,000.00 plus?
I've had a Roland V10 kit since 2000. I've played live with it and recorded in a studio with it. i used acoustic cymbals of course live. but the quality of the sounds and variety? please. plug it in and the drums for the gig are pro sounding and mixed. done.
Its somewhat like comparing an acoustic concert guitar to an e-guitar. And really whats the problem, use what you enjoy and thats that. It reminds me of the early discussions with digital modelling guitar amps. The killer argument for me is i can play it at home night and day. And i dont go deaf.
Recording side note: You can literally save right off the module. You don't even need that one cable, if just getting it recorded is all you want. Thanks for giving us E-Drummers some love.
I have been saying this for the past 10 years electric and acoustic piano electric and acoustic guitar electric and acoustic drums.. they all have their place and Purpose
Hi Stephen, I'm really glad you are enjoying your Roland Vdrums.
Which kit did you prefer - Alesis or Roland?
And yes, same rules for guitar. Just as idiomatic. Same layout but very different approach and tonalities depending on format.
Roland. I like some of the sound better on the alesis but overall the Roland is much more responsive
@Stephen Taylor sample the alesis and create a patch in the Roland. Best of both then. 😉
@Stephen Taylor sorry, another one. This might interest you, though.
If the Roland kit has 5-pin din standard midi connections, and the Alesis has the same, then you could use the midi out of your Roland kit to the midi in of the Alesis module. That way, in theory you can get Alesis sounds AND Roland sounds while just playing the Roland Kit.
Theoretically you get the pad response and latency of the Roland kit but sounds from both.
I got the entry level mesh Alesis myself. The brand does seem appealing and is certainly cost-effective, but go ahead and try to get some alesis parts if you want a replacement or swap. Roland build quality is also leaps ahead. Alesis kits are re-branded Medeli in a lot of cases and a closed system if you ask me. (different rack mount diameter than standard too for the mesh nitro). If you're going for a cheaper option and you want the mesh (you really do) then Alesis, but for the $1k< kits I'd go Roland.
Electric drum set with silent cymbals?
So you can get still get similar cymbal feel
hey man it's quite alogtime now i haven't see you you final have your mohawk at the end ;p cheers pal
Recently moved to a place I can't play my acoustic set and I've tried E kits and I refuse to buy an E kit for many reasons. I'm here hoping you'll change my mind - boy have you got your work cut out for you!
Great content. If it wasn’t for my electronic kit I wouldn’t be playing and practicing today. And You aren’t as self conscious when you can practice in silence.
There is no way I could learn and play drums without an E-kit. Acoustic kits are just way too loud. It would like having to practice your guitar on a Marshall stack at 11. If I was a gigging pro I would probably own an acoustic kit. I have an E-kit in my jam room for myself and friends and it is the perfect solution. Great sound at reasonable volumes.
Still, how many live bands use ekits vs. acoustic?
As someone who has owned and play the ols Simmons kits, the world has opened up.
I bought a eFnote 3x last January as a splurge as I got a decent bonus. I have and old Yamaha DTXtreeme IIS kit downstairs that my son used to play. I gave my son the eFnote kit for his birthday as he moved to an apartment to go to work and it's far more quiet than the Yam. I'm trying to get something out of the old girl.
The main thing that annoys me with e drum mfrs is, they limit the pad inputs. For me this is a pita. Yes I know you can assign multiple voices to various parts of the kit but just give us enough jacks to be able to run an 8 piece kit without resorting to splitters and such. EFnote have sort of done that with their new pro range but it's at an eye watering price.
I know a bloke in Romania who make custom trigger inputs. He can build you a box with 24 inputs if you want. The problem is, you can't hook them up to a drum module without a load of deep diving to separate channels.
This coming Jan, I'll buy another eFnote 3x but I'll still be limited to the inputs and proprietary cable unless I contact my mate in Romania
I bought a high end but cheap mac pro. I'll just run everything to the mac and use AD or some other programme.
Can u teach us how to play Johnny be good👍 would greatly appreciate it😁
I can think of 2:
Volume control
Unlimited* kit variation
Excellent video! But" Ain't nothin like the real thang" period !
I wish I got an e kit instead of acoustic. It doesn’t have a crash cymbal included and because of how loud it is, it doesn’t give me the motivation to play since it will annoy people. My dad told me to get an acoustic instead because it was the real but I did want an electronic originally.
What kind of drum set are you playing and is that a good drum set for a blind person to learn how to play please reply back
I have said this in multiple places, I have never not been flamed for it.
They've come a long way
@@StephenTaylorDrums people or e-kits?, in seriousness I have had an e-kit in one form or another for a long time now, I consider it to be my instrument that said I have never considered either acoustic or electronic drums superior, both are good. Great content as usual.
Although all these points are certainly valid and things that I do appreciate when it comes to E-kits, to me there is nothing an E-kit can do to give me the same feel I get on my acoustic drums. I’ve owned an Alesia Strike Pro, which was a pretty impressive kit to me, as well as played on Roland’s high end E-kits for multiple church gigs and things like that, and it just doesn’t come close to the feel I get playing real drums.
Thi most adequate opinion l've ever heard! 👍
For me the two reasons edrums are better is that I can actually play them at home. If I had an acoustic set I would have to go out and find a place to practice, which means less practicing. Second reason is the sounds. My Roland kit has 80 different kits so I can switch from rock to metal to EDM to 60's in just a couple of seconds.
I’ve had an electronic kit for years. I don’t really feel like playing it anymore. It feels like hitting pads rather than playing drums to me.
damn i wanna save for an electric kit now
i see it as electric is good for at home practice or studio then acoustic kit is good for live performance
Electronic drums have come a long way for sure. Some of the new kits sound amazing! Great video.
I love acoustical
Im about to watch this but before i do one benefit ive noticed is that without the resonance from the drum it is sometimes easier to hear if you are bang on the beat timing wise on an e kit.
Personally i really dont enjoy playing them, but you cant hide behind a nice full sound that you have on a real kit either, everything sounds smaller so you have to focus on the playing and timing. Quite a different approach
The e-kit camera audio was just as loud as the full audio...
Way better for live gigs
What’s a good amp for an E-kit?
For practice, I would go with the build in head phone amp and in ears like the Moondrop Aria. These sound amazing.
Or if you wanna use a computer with a sample software you can use an extra headphones amp after audio interface.
I have a Yamaha powered mixer that allows for a little more fine tuning after the fact. Effects loop can be used for a digital recorder inline that is very handy. Also, stereo inputs and outputs make for great sound. I have used this setup for numerous live gigs and it is very simple to set up and use.
@classixdrummer But have in mind, that with a setup playing through an amp and speakers, you will generate more latency.
Beg to differ. What do you think happens when an acoustic kit is amplified for the stage? For a small gig, a keyboard amp is quite good as it picks up the highs of the cymbals (lift it off the floor too), or the Bose column style PA, again so that the subtleties of the cymbals and snare carry over the front line to the audience.
As a builder of fine acoustic guitars, I have to say I’m a bit afraid of the day when someone figures out how to make an electronic one.
They never will because the sounds are real, what digital emulations and electronic things tend to get wrong is they leave out the weird or ‘bad’ aspects of the instrument, so everything sounds the same. Acoustic instruments behave differently depending on so many different factors, even the highest quality instruments - whilst sounding more consistent and recording-ready wont sound ‘clinical’ and false like a digital emulation, and i dont think you can ever consistently fake it.
In my opinion, Acoustic instruments keep music real and interesting to the ear which is such a great thing. I might be talking rubbish though, you will know more as a luthier!
@@DanielS10291 The joke is that people have been making electric guitars for quite some time now, lol…l
@@HalcyonGuitars i did think that initially but then I thought you meant an electronic acoustic guitar 🤣
It does raise the question though that why cant we make an ‘electric’ drum kit where the head excites a string and the kit goes into a tube amp that creates a real sound! Maybe 😅🤪
You don't buy a $200 e kit and do the same thing as a $200 acoustic kit. People are like me and looking back at $1000 e kits from 20 years ago and cheap $300 e kits from 5 years ago and the problem is that it's something you have to go all or nothing into. The chep e kits don't have dynamics or do custom samples on board. Also the interface is so horrible on portable equipment. Older recorders by roland are tricky to figure out. Cheap is the only option for a lot of curious folks and there is a learning barrier.
3500 still unattainable for most beginner or even intermediate players. Great for a professional or advanced student though. I'm not sure any of the entry level items are up to the same snuff.
My electric set is best for church services. Acoustic for everything else.
If it wasn't for edrums I couldn't play at all at home
A lot of my online students say the same thing
They are better!
They Never are👍
I disagree, acuastic kits are eternal ☝
What I like about them is that you can turn down the drummer 😂
I think the electronics sets don't sound as the acoustic. E seems dull to my hearing.Again th esets are not colorful living me with little choice
Toy drums....
I can't disagree more.
Having authentic sounds vs. a fake unrealistic tone whether from snare, toms, kick, and especially the cymbals and hi-hats, simply no comparison.
I missed the emotional expression coming from each artist
Electronic doesn’t have the same feel or sound period!
Woow, Stephen those video always trigger me.
Short story: hoppy metal drummer acoustic kit. YAMAHA Stage Custom. UFIP cymbals. Ok. Never thought of using ekits, they suck.
Now, inexpensive pimped Millenium MPS-850, LEMON cymbals, replaced the module by Audiofront eDRUMin10 devices. DIY drum-tec style snare.
And through the possibility to switch from a death metal kit to a bone dry Gospel kit came to other styles. Chromatic percussion instrument.
I am using the Toontrack stuff and I am addicted to their beautiful crafted sound libraries. I dare to say, no, noooo Semi-Pro drummer will get so professional sounds. Lately I grabbed the GGD Benny Greb Signature Kit. Awesome!
And I got a Taiko library. It's so much fun to try different ideas.
You the get the settings right to have the largest dynamic range and trigger response and then... for the most styles... you're fine.
You guys should check the Luke Oswald online sessions on is channel @DrumangleOfficial .
I forgot... I am using in- ears and a butt kicker, tactile transducer, ass shaker, whatever you wanna call it and it's really...it sounds amazing. A hobby or semi pro drummer will never get a better sound. So, you have to use a computer with drum library and booom. These Roland modules and others.... these are.not for me.