Eluveitie
About
Website
www.alainackermann.ch
„As a Swiss drummer, Paiste has always been part of my DNA. I grew up playing Alpha cymbals, with a Joey Jordison poster hanging next to my kit. The clear, precise sound - combined with tradition and the passionate people behind the brand, makes Paiste truly special to me. I especially fell in love with the Formula 602 Modern Essentials. My 24" Ride has become my absolute favorite, and I honestly couldn’t be happier.“
Setup
Cymbals listed from left to right
20" 2002 Novo China
17" Signature Traditionals Thin Crash (as hi-hat top)
17" 2002 Crash (as hi-hat bottom)
16" 900 Series China (as stack top)
16" PST X Swiss Hats Bottom (as stack bottom)
20" Formula 602 Modern Essentials Crash
24" Formula 602 Modern Essentials Ride
22" Formula 602 Modern Essentials Crash
18" 900 Series China (as stack top)
18" PST X Swiss Thin Crash (as stack bottom)
18" PST X Swiss Thin Crash
22" Formula 602 Modern Essentials China
Videos & Pics
Biography
Alain Ackermann (*1994) is one of Switzerland’s most versatile drummers, best known for his work as a member of the folk-metal band Eluveitie. Despite his young age, Alain has already performed with a wide array of artists across genres and continents: At 17, he shared the stage with Jamaican singer Terry Lynn in Helsinki and Berlin. At 18, he performed with the Swiss pop group TinkaBelle in Germany and Switzerland. At 20, he performed as a solo artist at the Drum Festival Switzerland, alongside world-class drummers like Thomas Lang (A), Mylious Johnson (USA), and Gergo Borlai (UKR). At 21, he joined Eluveitie as a session drummer, playing on some of Europe’s biggest festival stages, including the main stage at Wacken Open Air 2016 in front of 75,000 people. Since 2017, Alain has been a permanent member of Eluveitie. In 2019 alone, the band performed 117 shows across 32 countries. At 31, Alain played his very first Drum Clinic Tour with Mapex Drums, where he shared his passion and skills with drummers in China, Indonesia, and Australia. Alain began drumming at the age of eight, starting at his local music school before continuing his studies at the Drum School Basel. His natural talent was evident early on—by age ten, he was performing live, and by fifteen, he was already teaching others. After finishing school, Alain committed to pursuing his passion professionally: He completed a preparatory program at the WIAM JazzRockPop Academy in Winterthur. He then studied at the Agostini Drum School (Olten/Paris), where he earned his Diplôme Supérieur (DAE) in just 2.5 years, completing the four-year program by age 19. During this period, Alain also studied at the renowned Drum Department Stuttgart and took lessons with Stefan Schütz and Daniel Messina. Between 2019 and 2023, he further honed his skills with Moeller Master Claus Hessler in Sommerkahl, Germany. Alain is a three-time Swiss drum champion, having won the national title three years in a row by the age of 17. In 2015, he was awarded the Music Promotion Award from the Kuratorium of the Canton of Solothurn.
Setup Cymbals
Only standard models appear in this section.
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Details
Sizes: 20", 22", 24"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Full, rich, warm, strong, deep, silvery. Wide range, complex mix. Responsive, even feel. Warm sparkling stick sound over a wide, deep wash. Fairly quick, strong crash sound. Extremely dynamic and lively ride cymbal, suitable for numerous musical styles.
- Sounds
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Details
Sizes: 16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Full, warm, brilliant, shimmering, deep. Fairly wide range, complex mix. Quick response, fairly soft feel. Rich, strong crash sound with open low end and shimmering highs. Very versatile, responsive crash cymbal suitable for numerous musical styles.
- Sounds
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Details
Sizes: 18", 22"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Dark, warm, strong, exotic, sizzling, earthy. Wide range, slightly complex and dense mix. Fairly soft, responsive feel. Great for explosive, strong, dark accents. Complex, washy ride sound. A modern China cymbal with a wide spectrum for various musical applications. “The China is nearly smooth”, states Vinnie Colaiuta.
- Sounds
