HAMAMATSU, Japan ― Yamaha Corporation announces that its EAD50 Electronic Acoustic Drum Module has received the GRAND AWARD (Prime Minister's Award), the highest distinction at GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2026, organized by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. In addition, Yamaha’s casual wind instrument, Trova™, received a GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD. The GOLD AWARD is the highest award presented in each of the 20 categories, with the GRAND AWARD selected from among the GOLD AWARD winners. Both products were also selected for GOOD DESIGN BEST 100.

Four additional products and series received GOOD DESIGN AWARDS: the URX series audio interfaces, CC1 USB controller, NX-70A wireless HiFi speaker, and WLX333/232 wireless LAN access points. Yamaha received awards for six products/series in total.

Yamaha's GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD for EAD50 marks the company's second such honor, following the award received by its casual wind instrument, Venova™, in 2017. The GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD for Trova™ is Yamaha's first since SILENT Brass received the award in 2013. Yamaha has received GOOD DESIGN AWARD honors for 43 consecutive years since 1984. All these award-winning designs embody the Yamaha design philosophy, sharing its fundamental qualities: designs should have Integrity, should be Innovative, Aesthetic, and Unobtrusive, and should show a commitment to Social Responsibility.

“We are deeply honored to have received the top award in two categories and especially gratified that EAD50 was selected for the GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD,” said Manabu Kawada, senior general manager of Yamaha Design Laboratory. “The EAD50 reflects Yamaha's unique combination of expertise in musical instruments and audio equipment. I believe this recognition affirms Yamaha's unique value as a brand and encourages us to continue pursuing designs that only Yamaha can create.”

The EAD50 is an audio product for drum kits featuring unique Yamaha technology that allows the entire kit to be captured as high-quality stereo sound using a sensor unit attached to the bass drum hoop*1. It integrates the functions of a mixer, effects processor, and drum sound module into a single unit, significantly reducing the hassle of complicated miking and sound checks. In addition to enabling drummers to control sounds and effects in real time, it also supports integration with a variety of apps. From live performances, music production and streaming to home practice and online lessons, the EAD50 enhances drummers’ expressive capabilities and expands the possibilities for their musical activities.

*1 The bass drum hoop is a ring-shaped frame used to secure the drum head

An astonishing and completely new device that makes it possible to capture drum sounds, which previously required complex settings using more than 10 microphones, simply by attaching this single unit. Without overly emphasizing its innovative functions, it features a clean, minimalist design, carefully crafted as a professional audio product. Mixing and effect adjustments can also be performed intuitively by the drummer at their fingertips. Another major value of the product is that it puts sound adjustment, traditionally handled by PA engineers, directly in the hands of performers, giving them greater freedom in their performances. Despite being a device that creates a new playing experience, its highly refined design blends seamlessly with the drum kit, looking so natural when attached that it can be considered part of the instrument itself.

Trova*2 is a pre-trumpet for children that makes it easy and enjoyable to play brass instruments with confidence. It was created from the desire to give children the joy of playing a brass instrument. Yamaha has achieved the authentic tone of a trumpet in a compact design by incorporating a “branched-pipe structure” *3 with branched cylindrical tubing. Lightweight yet highly durable, it is easy to start playing because it does not use the valve system (piston mechanism) used to produce different notes.

*2 The name “Trova” was coined by combining “tromba,” meaning trumpet in Italian, with “nova,” meaning new in Latin.

*3 The “branched-pipe structure” is designed with branched cylindrical tubing. This structure makes it possible to achieve the acoustic characteristics of a conical bore wind instrument while using cylindrical tubes.

While it has the charming presence of a fun toy, it is a legitimate tool for practicing wind instruments. It builds on the mouthpiece exercises used by beginners learning wind instruments, evolving them into a product that closely resembles an actual instrument. With its lightweight and “trumpet-like” appearance, it naturally invites users to pick it up and play, lowering the psychological barrier to taking up a wind instrument. We also highly commend Yamaha for bringing its belief in the value of music in everyday life into this product.

GOOD DESIGN AWARDS Website

Yamaha Design website