Help me choose an electronic drum kit!

[Knikkey]

So, I was like 100% sold on the Alesis DM10 mesh kit (2014), but it doesn't ship to the US (where my family lives) or Japan (where I live) so I regrettably gave up on it. This launched me into searching for the next best thing. The criteria I'm looking for in my kit is:

Mesh heads: This is probably the #1 thing I'm looking for. I want my set to feel as real as possible. I can't make a lot of noise where I live so a realistic electronic set is me trying to get as close to an acoustic set as possible without getting a fine for noise pollution.

Dual/Triple zone: As I mentioned before, I want the kit to feel as real as possible.

Price: I'm looking to keep it at around the $1000 range. $1500 is the absolute highest I am willing to go.



These are the kits that I found. If you have your own suggestions, please let me know:

1. Alesis DM10 X mesh kit ($1500)
This is the closest thing to the 2014 kit that I could find. The price is holding me back though.


2. Alesis DM10 mesh kit ($1200)
This is a good deal cheaper than the DM10 X listed above. I'm unsure if the DM10 X is worth paying the extra $250 for.


3. Simmons SD1500 ($1100)
This kit just seems flat out amazing. What's holding me back is that the heads are pads and not mesh. This leads me to a question: Can mesh heads be put on any kit? Can I just buy mesh heads and slap them on this kit if I decide to buy it? I don't know much about the electronic kit world so I'm not sure how this kind of stuff works. I researched it and it seems like only certain kits are compatible with mesh head conversions but I hope that's wrong.


4. Traps E500 ($750)
For the price, this set seems amazing. What's holding me back from this is the possibility that the other 3 options might be the better choice.


Thank you for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate it. I've wanted my own set for 23 years and I'm so close to finally getting one.

[FlyByNight]

Try looking at the Roland TD-11KVs.

[Knikkey]

Try looking at the Roland TD-11KVs.

Thanks, this kit looks pretty awesome. Do you have any first hand experience with it?

[FlyByNight]

Thanks, this kit looks pretty awesome. Do you have any first hand experience with it?

No I play acoustic, but I've never heard any complaints about roland. The mesh heads are great because they have a real drum head feel. You can use any pedal (single or double) and the hi hat pad is great.

[EyePea]

Brand spanking new product from Roland. To be released shortly. Not all mesh heads but...

http://youtu.be/3jVzbqy_o9c

[FlyByNight]

Brand spanking new product from Roland. To be released shortly. Not all mesh heads but...

They look nice.. But they seem like they wouldn't be able to take a beating.

[EyePea]

They look nice.. But they seem like they wouldn't be able to take a beating.

What 'seems' and what 'is' are two different things. My HD-1's are very similar to these and they do take a beating.

[FlyByNight]

What 'seems' and what 'is' are two different things. My HD-1's are very similar to these and they do take a beating.

You're right. I've played the HD-1 and it's great!

[longgun]

Brand spanking new product from Roland. To be released shortly. Not all mesh heads but...

They remind me of a "Guitar Hero" drum kit....................probably great to start out on.

[NewTricks]

Build your own?

I loved the e drums but never got comfortable with the tiny targets.

Get a cheap used generic kit, under $100

Install mesh heads ($20-$30 ea) and triggers ($20-$30 ea)

Find a used cheap rubber pad kit ($200-$900) and use the module, cables, cymbals and racking.

[G-man]

Some mesh heads can be like trampolines and have an unnaturally strong rebound. Some of the newer, softer rubber pads are pretty good - don't overlook those.

[jgziegler]

I'd have a look at the Yamahas, the special rubber heads the have on their higher end (in my pic below, it's the white one) sets. Personally, I think the mesh heads are cool, but they seem to have a bit too much rebound, almost like playing on a trampoline. Granted, my kit is on the opposite extreme, so i guess it comes down to preference.

Have you tried each type? Also, read online reviews. I went with the yamaha dtx 500 (which was actually over my initial budget by about 20%) based on the reviews. For example, the Yamaha has this nifty mode which tells you if you're playing in beat or not. That to me is worth more than more realistic heads.

Given your budget, you have a lot of options, I would do some research, find a few models you like, go to a store and check them out (I was in the US when I tested the Yamaha, came back to Europe and bought it here, you might be in a similar situation).

[jgziegler]

That Roland looks awesome, especially if you live in a city and don't have a car, you could easily take that around with you. Great sound too!

My major issue is that it doesn't have a screen interface. I'm sure you can make custom kits on it, but I don't want to have to pull out the manual every time I do.

Anyone know the price?

[Knikkey]

Anyone know the price?

It's about $1000.


About the mesh heads feeling like trampolines: You can adjust the tightness on them to get the exact rebound you want right? Or can not all mesh heads be adjusted like that?

[Stuzz]

I only recently got my Legacy DD506 kit (also called Session Pro/Medeli amongst others). I'd been set on the Roland TD11 for some time, and then the 2box Drumit5 after that. After much procrastinating I just looked on Ebay to see what was available and the DD506 showed up and I bought it for only AU$200.

I always figured these 'cheapos' (even though it's RRP is ~$800) ranked only slightly above toys but now that I have it I'm very happy with it.

Rather than continuing to wait until I could get what (I thought) I wanted, I came to the conclusion that the gap in my satisfaction between having nothing and anything was vast, and the satisfaction gap between what I now have and what I previously wanted is comparatively minute.

[Bierp]

I'd have a look at the Yamahas, the special rubber heads the have on their higher end (in my pic below, it's the white one) sets. Personally, I think the mesh heads are cool, but they seem to have a bit too much rebound, almost like playing on a trampoline. Granted, my kit is on the opposite extreme, so i guess it comes down to preference.

I was going to say about the same thing. Mesh is way too bouncy for me. The Yamaha DTX Heads are silicone (not rubber) and have a more natural feel than just about any other electronic option (in my opinion, of course.)

I'd definitely give these a look before you locked into mesh.

The DTX562k has DTX heads all around, a working hat (instead of a pad unlinked to a pedal) and lists for $1800. Before you say that that's out of your budget, know that there's easily 15% of wiggle room in there for retailers.

I got a 790k, listed at $3600 for $3k without even trying that hard.

At least try DTX before you go mesh. If you don't like it, no loss.


Whatever you get, enjoy your new rig!

[Knikkey]

Thanks for all the input guys! The Yamaha was a little too pricey for me so I ended up going with the Roland TD-11K-S. It'll arrive in a couple of days.

Again, thank you guys so much!

[longgun]

Thanks for all the input guys! The Yamaha was a little too pricey for me so I ended up going with the Roland TD-11K-S. It'll arrive in a couple of days.

Again, thank you guys so much!

let's see the pics when you get it.

[Bierp]

Thanks for all the input guys! The Yamaha was a little too pricey for me so I ended up going with the Roland TD-11K-S. It'll arrive in a couple of days.

Again, thank you guys so much!

Awesome! Hope you enjoy them! Post pics.

[tkdrum]

Thanks for all the input guys! The Yamaha was a little too pricey for me so I ended up going with the Roland TD-11K-S. It'll arrive in a couple of days.

Again, thank you guys so much!

good choice! I've had alesis dm10X all converted to mesh heads for about 2 years, but recently I sold my module and switched to TD-11, some people say its down grade but I like it way better specially with the hi-hat. Also look for APEX sound pack, gives you additional 30 kits, it's 30$ but worth it.

[MDK]

Cannot believe no one mentioned these.. Cannot get any quieter that's for sure.

[jgziegler]

I was thinking last week how awesome it would be if I could have a portable kit with me. My solution is a bit next gen, not a computer but google glass, but same idea.