Hey everyone what’s up? I was just wondering what you guys thought was the best electronic drum kit on the market right now?

I know that each person will have his own perspective about which one is the “best” but let’s be objective here. I want to spend less than $1000 on this purchase and if need be, I’m willing to probably spend a couple hundred more.

I’m currently looking at products from both Yamaha and Roland and I’ve always enjoyed Yamaha products in the past.

The reason why I’m thinking about getting something like this is that I’m getting really annoyed from using trigger pads and my keyboard for drum sounds. I’d also love to learn the drums and I figured that an electron kit would be the best choice since I wouldn’t have to worry about bugging my roommates.

I would prefer something that would allow me to assign any type of drum sample or custom sample possible. For example, if I could assign the sound of a door slamming as my kick drum or the sound of a train for one of my toms. You know, stuff like that.

I’d also like to use it as a controller from where I could just upload a drum kit in Sonar 7 PE and use my electronic kit to play it all. Well, if you happen to have any more questions then please feel free to let me know.

Thanks!!

maybe this will help........

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=1467022

Do not buy any drum set that you've been told! I was waiting for years for an affordable trigger only drumset geared towards VST's like BFD and DFH. I heard about the R.E.T. drumset, but they are waay out of my price range.

Like you, I didnt want to spend anymore then 1000, well I just found out a couple weeks ago such a kit will be released in a couple weeks. It's called the Alesis USB drum Pro http://alesis.com/usbprodrumkit

IT comes with The Alesis Trigger IO, All pieces are dual zone, the cymbols are chokable. It's made out of actual drum parts(real drumheads, real cymbols, and they are damped) and its only 699!

I am so excited I've been waiting for years for something like this!

Here's a couple demo videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-1qKr5roAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUveZXfhqBc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwVA6DyOJbA

Let me know what you think!

ORIGINAL: The_Kiss

Hey everyone what’s up? I was just wondering what you guys thought was the best electronic drum kit on the market right now?

I know that each person will have his own perspective about which one is the “best” but let’s be objective here. I want to spend less than $1000 on this purchase and if need be, I’m willing to probably spend a couple hundred more.

I’m currently looking at products from both Yamaha and Roland and I’ve always enjoyed Yamaha products in the past.

The reason why I’m thinking about getting something like this is that I’m getting really annoyed from using trigger pads and my keyboard for drum sounds. I’d also love to learn the drums and I figured that an electron kit would be the best choice since I wouldn’t have to worry about bugging my roommates.

I would prefer something that would allow me to assign any type of drum sample or custom sample possible. For example, if I could assign the sound of a door slamming as my kick drum or the sound of a train for one of my toms. You know, stuff like that.

I’d also like to use it as a controller from where I could just upload a drum kit in Sonar 7 PE and use my electronic kit to play it all. Well, if you happen to have any more questions then please feel free to let me know.

Thanks!!

I owned a Roland TD-20 a few years back, because I couldn't play my Gretsch acoustic kit where I lived. Although it didn't compare to the Gretsch, it was unbelievable. The pads felt very life-like, and the control unit ("brain") on the Roland units is incredible. The TD-20 is the top of the line in the Roland stable...at least it was...but it's well worth the price if you can swing it. Maybe you can find one hardly used on ebay? I paid $5200 for mine I think, and sold it 18 months later for about $4700. We moved, and I was once again able to play my Gretsch kit, with all the Zildjian cymbals and other hardware I have.

So I recommend Roland hands down, if you can afford the cost. I know the TD-12 is a nice kit as well--the little brother of the TD-20, at about $1500 less as I recall.

TB

I'm also just looking at getting an electronic kit. Where I am I have to buy all my stuff from Sweetwater as they are about the only company that will ship here - also they have been very good in the past with warranty etc and generally I find them excellent.
However I asked about the Alesis kit (which they have shown on their website) and I was told that they didn't really know when this might become available as Alesis kept putting back the release date.
Have you heard anything about a firm release date?
If the Alesis was not going to be available, I was looking at the Roland V Drums, TD-3SW. Anyone got a view on this kit?
Cheers
Nigel

Pistolpete, I was checking out those videos you linked me to and I actually found another video that deserves attention. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBbnMbIxKiE&feature=related

And their website is this:

http://www.fieldelectronicdrums.com/drums.html

I haven't checked around for their pricing but it looks pretty cool. Let me know what you think and once again thanks to everyone for the great information so far!

UPDATE: Okay nevermid, they're very pricey and I don't want to spend that much for what I'm looking for. Especially after that Alesis product you mentioned. Here's their pricing:

http://www.fieldelectronicdrums.com/purchase.html

try the Hi hat before you buy any elctronic drum kit

Alright so I called Alesis earlier today with some questions I had and here's what the guy told me:

1) Is this kit expandable? For example, can I eventually have it look like the Roland TD-20 with all those extra toms and cymbals?

Yes. And at a mucher lower price point as well.

2) Is it possible to use double bass with this?

Yes. He mentioned just using a double bass pedal but I would much rather have two kick drums instead. I forgot to ask him about the two kick drum thing but I'm sure it's possible since the trigger I/O has several input/output options.

3) Is it possible to put other drum heads from different manufacturers on this kit?

Yes. And if I need to replace any of the heads or cymbals I can also do this through Alesis.

4) Sweetwater.com mentions that this kit uses USB 1.1, if I plug this in through my 2.0 port will there be any problems and will I suffer in sound quality?

No. If you plug in the 1.1 cable through a 2.0 port the port will automatically detect the 1.1 technology and use that instead. (I don't really like this idea but I'm not complaining since I'm sure they'll eventually come out with a 2.O interface.)

5) Can I move the arrangement of the toms and cymbals to better suit my needs? For example, in the pictures I've seen so far the snare drum seems to be too close to the hi-hat. So would I be able to move it more towards the center?

Yes. You can arrange the set-up in any which way you like.

6) Warranty information?

1 year manufacturer's warranty for parts and labor.

Thanks again for the great recommendation Pistolpete, I think we have a winner on our hands!!

Definatly glad I could Help,

This Topic has always been an issue when talking about electronic drumkits interfacing with VST's. Seems like you always had to sacrifice something if you werent willing to thousands of dollars for a td20 or something of that calibre..

But like you said this kit is expandable, everthing in the module is dual zone, chokable, also it has the feel of a real drumset, and real cymbals.

Hey kiss if your serious about ordering this kit, Pm me. I always order from a company and they always give me a discount since I purchase from them. I find sweetwater to never budge on pricing(due to their support) Maybe we can get a discount if we order 2 at the same time.

If anyone else is interested in trying to work out a group deal PM me, we'll see if we can work something out!

ORIGINAL: The_Kiss

Alright so I called Alesis earlier today with some questions I had and here's what the guy told me:

1) Is this kit expandable? For example, can I eventually have it look like the Roland TD-20 with all those extra toms and cymbals?

Yes. And at a mucher lower price point as well.

2) Is it possible to use double bass with this?

Yes. He mentioned just using a double bass pedal but I would much rather have two kick drums instead. I forgot to ask him about the two kick drum thing but I'm sure it's possible since the trigger I/O has several input/output options.

3) Is it possible to put other drum heads from different manufacturers on this kit?

Yes. And if I need to replace any of the heads or cymbals I can also do this through Alesis.

4) Sweetwater.com mentions that this kit uses USB 1.1, if I plug this in through my 2.0 port will there be any problems and will I suffer in sound quality?

No. If you plug in the 1.1 cable through a 2.0 port the port will automatically detect the 1.1 technology and use that instead. (I don't really like this idea but I'm not complaining since I'm sure they'll eventually come out with a 2.O interface.)

5) Can I move the arrangement of the toms and cymbals to better suit my needs? For example, in the pictures I've seen so far the snare drum seems to be too close to the hi-hat. So would I be able to move it more towards the center?

Yes. You can arrange the set-up in any which way you like.

6) Warranty information?

1 year manufacturer's warranty for parts and labor.

Thanks again for the great recommendation Pistolpete, I think we have a winner on our hands!!

Please keep us all posted on this kit if you get one. Would really like do know how it works out for you.

This is exactly what I need....

I am not a drummer, but I want to have this so I can have my drummer buddies come over and lay down tracks. I do not want to spend 3 or 4 K for hart or roland.

Use it to trigger BFD2 - sounds ideal,