Electronic drum kit questions

Spectacle · 18th April 2008

Hello everyone.

I'm thinking of buying an electronic drum kit. I'm moving out of a single-family home and into a condo/townhouse, so noise issues are going to make it impossible for me to play my acoustic kit at home.

So I have a couple of questions:

1) First of all, I have looked everywhere, and I can't seem to find the answer to this. I own an Alesis Control Pad, and I want to know if I get a full electronic drum kit if I will be able to plug the MIDI out from the kit's brain/module into the Control Pad MIDI in, and then run everything (Control Pad pads and drum kit pads) through the USB connection on the Control Pad into my laptop. I'll be triggering DKFH Custom & Vintage, EZDrummer, & Superior 2.0 (when it comes out). The Control Pad has a MIDI out, as well. But USB ports on my Mac are at a premium.

2) Secondly, what kit would you suggest? My price range is generally $1000 or less. I want something that will enable me to practice to my heart's content whenever I want, allowing me to trigger DKFH Custom & Vintage, EZDrummer, & Superior 2.0 (my DAW is Logic Studio), both for inputting MIDI and just plain practicing. So the quality of the module sounds is no big deal. But I like to think that I'm a pretty accomplished drummer, so I want something where the pads and cymbals are going to allow me to be very expressive.

Some options I have seen:
Alesis DM5 Pro kit ($599)
Alesis DM5 Pro kit w/Surge cymbals ($799)
Roland V-Drums TD-3SW ($999)
Hart Virtuoso TE3.2 ($799 + sound module)
Yamaha DTXplorer ($699)
Yamaha DTXpress IV ($999)
The various Simmons options appear to fall apart quickly, and struggle with 16th notes, from all reports.

Any suggestions for the best quality within this range? Personal experience?

Thanks in advance!

pauly · 18th April 2008

I had a set of the V drums in the stage model. They were okish at best. Even with the mesh pads and "drum set" like configuration. I moved to a Roland SPD-S, way cool. Just ad a hi-hat and kick trigger and you are set. A lot more configurable for my application.

Spectacle · 18th April 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauly

I had a set of the V drums in the stage model. They were okish at best. Even with the mesh pads and "drum set" like configuration. I moved to a Roland SPD-S, way cool. Just ad a hi-hat and kick trigger and you are set. A lot more configurable for my application.

Thanks, but that's exactly what the Alesis Control Pad is. A sampling pad:

Alesis Control Pad | Sweetwater.com

It's great for inputting MIDI parts, etc. I really like it, and as I indicated above, I want to keep it incorporated into my setup. But it will do very little for helping me keep up my full playing chops.

I'm still going to need to be able to go wild, so I'll need something that feels a lot more like actually playing -- not necessarily in the way in which the sticks bounce off the pads (rubber, etc. might very well be fine). But in the way in which I move and experience what I'm doing. The Custom & Vintage, EZDrummer, & Superior 2.0 sounds should keep me feeling good on the way it SOUNDS, but I'll need an actual kit in order to be at least reasonably good with the way it FEELS.

Any suggestions?

Spectacle · 20th April 2008

Anyone?

Control Pad (or MIDI through) experience?

e-drum suggestions ($1000 or below)?

djbrough · 21st April 2008

Th DTxpress IV looks to be a very versitle kit. Yamaha is know for having good triggers (They're not rolands, but still good). If you could swing another $500 for the specials, I think you'd have what's arguably the best budget kit out there.

LAVLAB · 1st May 2008

I just picked up the DM5 Pro kit and I am very impressed. Great feel, good sound, looks good too. Also looked at the DTXplorrer, but went with the DM5 Pro for it's real drum heads and the possiblity for expansion(4 xtra trigger ins).

Hazer · 1st May 2008

Make your own pads -- it's really easy. Just get a Remo practice pad kit, put homemade triggers (just Google DIY edrums for how to do it) in the foam, trigger some practice cymbals, and you're good to go. You may need a MIDI converter as well, I believe Roland and Alesis make them.

18th April 2008	#1
Spectacle Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: NY/CA Posts: 573 Thread Starter	Electronic drum kit questions Hello everyone. I'm thinking of buying an electronic drum kit. I'm moving out of a single-family home and into a condo/townhouse, so noise issues are going to make it impossible for me to play my acoustic kit at home. So I have a couple of questions: 1) First of all, I have looked everywhere, and I can't seem to find the answer to this. I own an Alesis Control Pad, and I want to know if I get a full electronic drum kit if I will be able to plug the MIDI out from the kit's brain/module into the Control Pad MIDI in, and then run everything (Control Pad pads and drum kit pads) through the USB connection on the Control Pad into my laptop. I'll be triggering DKFH Custom & Vintage, EZDrummer, & Superior 2.0 (when it comes out). The Control Pad has a MIDI out, as well. But USB ports on my Mac are at a premium. 2) Secondly, what kit would you suggest? My price range is generally $1000 or less. I want something that will enable me to practice to my heart's content whenever I want, allowing me to trigger DKFH Custom & Vintage, EZDrummer, & Superior 2.0 (my DAW is Logic Studio), both for inputting MIDI and just plain practicing. So the quality of the module sounds is no big deal. But I like to think that I'm a pretty accomplished drummer, so I want something where the pads and cymbals are going to allow me to be very expressive. Some options I have seen: Alesis DM5 Pro kit ($599) Alesis DM5 Pro kit w/Surge cymbals ($799) Roland V-Drums TD-3SW ($999) Hart Virtuoso TE3.2 ($799 + sound module) Yamaha DTXplorer ($699) Yamaha DTXpress IV ($999) The various Simmons options appear to fall apart quickly, and struggle with 16th notes, from all reports. Any suggestions for the best quality within this range? Personal experience? Thanks in advance! __________________ 2.33 GHz MBP C2D Logic & Reason, with as much divine inspiration as I can muster. "A melody is like a pretty girl. Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world? It's all about the way that it unfurls..." -MF

1st May 2008	#6
LAVLAB Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 155	I just picked up the DM5 Pro kit and I am very impressed. Great feel, good sound, looks good too. Also looked at the DTXplorrer, but went with the DM5 Pro for it's real drum heads and the possiblity for expansion(4 xtra trigger ins). __________________ LAVLAB IS HERE! www.soundclick.com/LavLab www.youtube.com/HostileSlothRecords www.HostileSlothRecords.blogspot.com

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18th April 2008	#2
pauly Gear Head Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 34	I had a set of the V drums in the stage model. They were okish at best. Even with the mesh pads and "drum set" like configuration. I moved to a Roland SPD-S, way cool. Just ad a hi-hat and kick trigger and you are set. A lot more configurable for my application.

20th April 2008	#4
Spectacle Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: NY/CA Posts: 573 Thread Starter	Anyone? Control Pad (or MIDI through) experience? e-drum suggestions ($1000 or below)?

21st April 2008	#5
djbrough Gear addict Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 398	Th DTxpress IV looks to be a very versitle kit. Yamaha is know for having good triggers (They're not rolands, but still good). If you could swing another $500 for the specials, I think you'd have what's arguably the best budget kit out there.

1st May 2008	#7
Hazer Gear Head Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 62	Make your own pads -- it's really easy. Just get a Remo practice pad kit, put homemade triggers (just Google DIY edrums for how to do it) in the foam, trigger some practice cymbals, and you're good to go. You may need a MIDI converter as well, I believe Roland and Alesis make them.