In short: Sensory Percussion is a hybrid drum system by Sunhouse that turns acoustic drums into an electronic instrument. Instead of a classic drum module ("brain") with simple triggers, it uses dedicated sensors, an audio interface called the Portal and computer software that recognises where and how you hit a drum. That makes it far more expressive than a traditional trigger setup, but it also works differently: the "module" is software running on your computer.
This guide explains how Sensory Percussion works, what you need, how it compares to conventional e-drum triggers and modules, and who it is (and isn't) a good fit for.
Key takeaways
- Sensory Percussion consists of three parts: drum sensors (plus optional cymbal and hi-hat sensors), the EVANS Sensory Percussion Portal interface, and the Sensory Percussion 2 (SP2) software.
- The Portal accepts up to seven sensors of any type and connects to a computer over USB-C.
- Unlike a standard piezo trigger, the system distinguishes many playing zones and techniques on a single drum, such as centre, edge, rim and cross-stick, and maps each to different sounds.
- It works on acoustic heads at full volume or on low-volume mesh heads for quiet practice.
- You need a computer: Sensory Percussion is not a standalone hardware drum module.
What is Sensory Percussion?
Sensory Percussion is a combination of hardware sensors and software developed by Sunhouse, a New York music technology company founded by drummer brothers Tlacael and Tenoch Esparza. The first version was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2015 and shipped in 2016. The current generation, Sensory Percussion 2, uses hardware made in partnership with EVANS.
The core idea: an acoustic drum produces thousands of subtly different sounds depending on stick position, angle and velocity. Traditional e-drum triggers reduce that to a velocity value and, at best, a head/rim split. Sensory Percussion uses machine learning to analyse the full signal from each drum and follow your playing in real time, so a single snare can trigger different samples, synths or effects depending on how you play it.
How does Sensory Percussion work as an e-drum module?
In a conventional electronic drum kit, triggers send a signal to a hardware module, which converts hits into sounds. Sensory Percussion follows the same chain, but each link is different:
- Sensors (the triggers). The EVANS Hybrid Sensory Percussion Sensor clamps onto the hoop of a snare, tom or kick drum. It uses contactless sensing and connects with a 3.5 mm TRS cable.
- The Portal (the interface). All sensors plug into the Portal, which connects to your computer via USB-C. It replaces the trigger inputs of a traditional module and also works as a full audio interface.
- The software (the module). Sensory Percussion 2 runs on your computer, recognises zones and dynamics, and plays samples, synths and effects. This is where the "brain" lives.
Before you play, you teach the software what each zone of your drum sounds like by playing it a few times. After this short training step, the software can tell the difference between, for example, a centre hit and an edge hit on your specific drum, with your specific tuning.
The hardware in detail
Drum sensors
According to Sunhouse, the drum sensor fits most standard snares and toms with metal or wood hoops, and kick drums with wood hoops. It works with acoustic heads for full-volume playing and with low-volume mesh heads, such as the EVANS dB Zero, for quiet practice. Because the sensor reads the whole drum, you can play heads, rims and shells. Additional drums are added with the Sensory Percussion Expansion Pack (drum sensor), and replacement Sensory Percussion pickup elements are available separately.
Cymbal and hi-hat sensors
Sunhouse also offers multi-zone cymbal and hi-hat sensors: the Sensory Percussion cymbal sensor with 5 zones and the Sensory Percussion hi-hat sensor with 6 zones. These are tuned for EVANS dB One low-volume cymbals and, at the time of writing, are not compatible with other drum modules or systems. They require the Portal and the SP2 software.
The Portal interface
The Portal is the hub of the system. Its main specifications:
- 7 sensor inputs for any combination of drum, cymbal and hi-hat sensors
- 2 combo XLR/line/hi-Z inputs with 48V phantom power, plus 2 line-level inputs
- 16 output channels: main outs, four aux outs, two headphone outs and 8-channel ADAT out
- 5-pin MIDI out
- USB-C connection to your computer
The extra inputs let you route a vocal mic, synth or guitar into the software and process it alongside your drums. The MIDI out means Sensory Percussion can also act as a controller for other gear, including a traditional drum module or hardware synth.
Sensory Percussion vs traditional drum triggers and modules
| Aspect | Traditional triggers + drum module | Sensory Percussion |
|---|---|---|
| Sensing | Piezo trigger, measures hit strength | Sensor + machine learning, recognises position and technique |
| Zones per drum | Usually 1 to 3 (head, rim, sometimes cross-stick) | Many trained zones, including rim, shell and cross-stick |
| Sound engine | Standalone hardware module | Software on a Mac or PC |
| Computer needed | No | Yes |
| Setup time | Low, mostly plug and play | Higher: mounting, training zones, building sounds |
| Latency | Fixed, determined by the module | Depends on your computer and buffer settings |
| Strength | Reliability, simplicity, gigging | Expression, sound design, hybrid and electronic music |
What can you do with it?
Live hybrid performance
Instead of playing to a fixed backing track, you trigger samples, loops and effects directly from your acoustic kit. Because the software responds to the nuances of your playing, the electronic layer stays dynamic and human.
Studio and production
Sensory Percussion can hold hundreds of samples per drum, and lets you stack, cycle and randomise them to avoid the "machine gun" effect of repeating samples. You can multitrack-record in the software itself or route audio to your DAW.
Quiet practice
With mesh heads and low-volume cymbals, you can practise quietly while keeping much of the detail of acoustic playing, something that many standard practice kits lose.
What do you need to get started?
- At least one acoustic drum (snare is the most common starting point)
- The Portal interface and at least one sensor; starter bundles include both, plus the software
- A Mac or Windows computer that meets Sunhouse's current system requirements
- Headphones or monitoring (PA, amp or in-ears)
- Optional: mesh heads and low-volume cymbals for quiet practice
Tip: start with one sensor on your snare. Learning how training, zones and sound mapping work on a single drum makes it much easier to expand to a full kit later.
Which Sensory Percussion setup fits which situation?
Every setup is built around the Portal, so the main question is how many sensors you need now and how you want to grow:
- One drum to begin with: the Sensory Percussion Starter Pack (1 drum sensor) combines the Portal, one sensor and the software. A logical choice if you want to learn the system on your snare first.
- Snare, tom and kick: the Sensory Percussion Sound System (3 sensors) covers the core of a hybrid kit in one go.
- A complete hybrid kit including cymbals: the Sensory Percussion eKit System is aimed at drummers who want to bring drums, cymbals and hi-hat into the software.
- Expanding later: add drums with the drum sensor expansion pack, or cymbals with the cymbal sensor and hi-hat sensor, up to seven sensors in total.
Check the product pages for the exact contents of each bundle, or browse the full Sensory Percussion collection to compare them side by side.
Can you combine Sensory Percussion with an existing e-drum module?
Yes, in several ways. A common hybrid setup uses Sensory Percussion on the acoustic drums while a conventional module handles extra pads or pedal triggers. Because the Portal has a 5-pin MIDI out, Sensory Percussion can also send MIDI to a hardware module or synth. Keep in mind that Sensory Percussion's zone recognition depends on its own sensors: a standard piezo trigger will not give you the same level of detail.
A note on older systems: the first-generation Sensory Percussion sensors connected via XLR and required phantom power from a regular audio interface. The current sensors use the Portal instead, so check compatibility before mixing old and new hardware.
Who is Sensory Percussion for?
A good fit if you:
- play acoustic drums and want to add electronic sounds without switching to rubber or mesh pads
- make electronic, experimental or hybrid music and want expressive control
- enjoy sound design and are comfortable working with a computer
Possibly less suitable if you:
- want a plug-and-play kit without a laptop
- mainly need a quiet practice kit with realistic acoustic kit sounds and minimal setup
- gig in situations where a computer on stage is impractical
Frequently asked questions
Is Sensory Percussion an electronic drum module?
Functionally, yes, but in software form. The sensors and the Portal take the role of triggers and trigger inputs, while the Sensory Percussion 2 software on your computer acts as the sound module.
Does Sensory Percussion work without a computer?
No. The sound generation and zone recognition happen in the software, so a Mac or Windows computer is required.
How many sensors can I use?
The Portal supports up to seven sensors in any combination of drum, cymbal and hi-hat sensors.
Can I use Sensory Percussion with mesh heads?
Yes. The drum sensors work with both acoustic heads and low-volume mesh heads such as the EVANS dB Zero.
Does it fit my bass drum?
The drum sensor is designed for kick drums with wood hoops. Snares and toms can have metal or wood hoops.
What is the difference between Sensory Percussion and a normal drum trigger?
A normal trigger mainly measures how hard you hit. Sensory Percussion also recognises where and how you hit, so one drum can produce many different, independently assignable sounds.
Can Sensory Percussion send MIDI?
Yes. The Portal has a 5-pin MIDI out, and the software can also be controlled via MIDI.
What is the best way to start with Sensory Percussion?
Most drummers start with a single sensor on the snare, for example with a starter pack that includes the Portal and software, and add more sensors once they are familiar with training zones and mapping sounds.
Conclusion
Sensory Percussion is not a replacement for a classic e-drum kit, but a different approach to electronic drumming. Where traditional triggers and modules focus on reliability and simplicity, Sensory Percussion focuses on expression: your acoustic technique directly shapes the electronic sound. If you are comfortable with a computer in your setup and want more control than velocity and a rim zone, it is one of the most capable hybrid drum systems available.
Want to know which Sensory Percussion setup suits your kit, or how to combine it with your current drums? The Vybe Drums team is happy to help, online or in our showroom in Den Bosch.
