Electronic Drum kit (beginner)

T

TubThumping

Junior Member
Hi.

Okay, so I didn't renew my gym membership which means I have some extra cash to finally buy an electronic drum kit (after one month of air playing).
I need to get one rather than just letting the weeks slip by.

I want to order one within the next 24 hours if possible. $450 max budget. Need delivery in Europe (Spain). I.e. - not from the USA.

So, what's the best on offer for that price (or less)? Are there any makes that are better than others? Any good deals? I hear Roland are the best (but is that affordable?).

I'm a complete beginner and will be using this to practice at home - not for gig use.

I know it's a a bit of an open question . . but I'm clueless. I've read a few reviews - but as always you always get some negative ones that kind of put you off. Anyway shoot away.

Thanks.
 
For that budget you'll have to look at used if you want anything decent to get started on. You can buy the "toy" drum kits with limitations of all types, but you'll just end up hating it really fast.
 
Dr_Watso said:
For that budget you'll have to look at used if you want anything decent to get started on. You can buy the "toy" drum kits with limitations of all types, but you'll just end up hating it really fast.
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Hi. I've been talked out of buying used - especially for electronic. Possible problems with wiring etc. and wouldn't be covered if anything broke.

Only thing I have to go on so far is someone recommended aforementioned Roland make (TD-1KV).
Someone else said if it's just for practice I may as well get a cheap Alesis kit (around $300).

Seriously - I just want to get one. I could end up saving up more but I feel like I'm just wasting more and more time. I'd fed up of bashing my practice pad and a pillow.
 
In the EU, there are a couple of APAC imports that I always wanted to take a look at. First and foremost, I wanted to see if the all-mesh DD-530 was legit.

You see kits like these from time to time. Cheap all-mesh with a rebranded Alesis module for ~500

FWIW, I own a DTX-532
 
KamaK said:
In the EU, there are a couple of APAC imports that I always wanted to take a look at. First and foremost, I wanted to see if the all-mesh DD-530 was legit.

You see kits like these from time to time. Cheap all-mesh with a rebranded Alesis module for ~500

FWIW, I own a DTX-532
Click to expand...

That's kind of on the edge of my price range. But I could just about get that - (though I'd have to give up a summer music festival).
Though I do have to factor in a decent pair of headphones and also a drum stool/seat.

What does all-mesh mean?
 
60's Drummer said:
The solid surface drum pads transmit shock through the stick to the hand and up the arm that is not desirable. A mesh heads is a softer surface with a better feel to the rebound. Worth considering for long term satisfaction.
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So this 'shock' could eventually become a 'health issue'? Especially if you plan on practising pretty much every day?
 
60's Drummer said:
The solid surface drum pads transmit shock through the stick to the hand and up the arm that is not desirable. A mesh heads is a softer surface with a better feel to the rebound. Worth considering for long term satisfaction.
Click to expand...

Always find this funny. Some people complain they don't like rubber e-hi-hats because they're not "real" and they want them to be hard like an acoustic cymbal. Then complain that their rubber snare pad is not soft enough. So they want their right hand to be hitting 16ths on something totally hard, but the left hand had to be hitting something soft. Curious, that's all. :)

Anyways, Yamaha silicon pads are what you need and don't feel like a trampoline. Unfortunately, it's unlikely you'll get a kit with those in your budget :( so mesh is cool, but rubber's fine (I've been hitting rubber for 30+ years and my wrists are perfectly OK.)
 
TubThumping said:
So this 'shock' could eventually become a 'health issue'? Especially if you plan on practising pretty much every day?
Click to expand...

I agree with electrodrummer. No long term issues from my experience - just a stark jolting difference between mesh and pad.

My experience is only with my original td-10's from the '90's which i maxed out with 5 mesh and 6 hard rubber surfaces (7 counting the kik) - not the 'cymbalish' pads of today. I still have them set-up for electro fun and quiet time banging.

They are a completely different instrument from acoustics and the solid pads are completely different from the mesh in feel. Can not be compared to acoustics at all.
 
TubThumping said:
Is there any reason i shouldn't just get this?
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Users averaged a 4 of 5 stars rating. Thomann has great customer relations. You are a beginner and this is a beginner's kit!

That kick pedal setup is the *only* part that set off a red flag for me. My original kik with the td-10 was setup like that and is the only piece I changed. But i had been used to acoustic kits for over 30 years when i got mine.

Everything in life is a chance to learn. Roll the dice if you are a player.
 
TubThumping said:
Hi. I've been talked out of buying used - especially for electronic. Possible problems with wiring etc. and wouldn't be covered if anything broke.

Only thing I have to go on so far is someone recommended aforementioned Roland make (TD-1KV).
Someone else said if it's just for practice I may as well get a cheap Alesis kit (around $300).

Seriously - I just want to get one. I could end up saving up more but I feel like I'm just wasting more and more time. I'd fed up of bashing my practice pad and a pillow.
Click to expand...

The TD-1 is pretty much a toy and will not be much like playing the drums. You can have some fun with it but it won't likely be your inspiration to continue playing. The more expensive alesis kits are alright, the cheaper ones are a bit frustrating once you get past a certain ability level but you won't know the difference until you start doing more up-tempo or 16th note type work.

I would really recommend that you put together something decent and ask around on a site like "vdrums" since they deal much more in electronics than us around here.

Good luck!
 
TubThumping said:
What does all-mesh mean?
Click to expand...

eDrums come in (roughly) three flavors. Hard-Bouncy-Ouchy-Rubber, Yamaha-Silicone-Flubber, and Roland Mesh Stretchy-Poly-Fabric.

If you do get some eDrums, I would recommend at least one non-HBOR surface to play on. While I do not hold either YSF or RMSPF in high regard, at least you won't be hurting yourself.
 
TubThumping said:
Found a Millenium HD-50 E budget set for 200e with drum throne and headphones thrown in. I'm tempted. Is there any reason i shouldn't just get this? I'd still have 250e in the bank too for when/if I decided on a future upgrade somewhere down the line (or I could also get that years gym membership and 'have my cake and eat it').

https://www.thomann.de/es/millenium_hd_50_e_drum_set_bundle.htm?glp=1&gclid=CJ-XkMX5wdMCFROeGwodan0C6Q
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I don't like the look of that setup, spend just a little more money on this: https://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_mps_150_e_drum_set.htm which looks more like a "regular" e-kit with a real kick drum pad. Thomann's in-house brands have surprised me in a positive way several times, so I'd take a chance on it. For €250, what's the worst that can happen?

Regarding ergonomics, I played an all-rubber Yamaha DTXpress kit as my home practice and midi recording kit for years and I wouldn't say they're likely to hurt you any more than an acoustic kit, probably less considering you're likely to play softer on an E-kit... Playing drums isn't exactly a natural activity for the human body anyway!

I would also not buy used unless in pristine condition. Piezo pads get gradually "numb" over the years in my experience.
 
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Thanks for the replies guys.

Yeah, you're right - the set-up on the 200e kit I posted does look a bit dodgy doesn't it. It also appears that you can't move the toms or the kick drum and 'hi-hat' pedals. I might end up getting the 250e one. . as what could go wrong?
If I get a years worth of playing out of it It'll all be good and depending on how I go it's unlikely I'll be looking to upgrade in any way before then.

The deal-breaker however will probably be if it's possible to actually plug in an mp3/4 player or other music device and be able to listen and play along with songs of my choice at the same time. As I'll obviously want to do that at some stage very soon.
I see from the photo that the kit has an 'Aux in 3.5mm jack' and also some way of connecting via usb (though I'll probably need a cable for this).
Does that mean that generally I'll be able to do this?
 
TubThumping said:
I see from the photo that the kit has an 'Aux in 3.5mm jack' and also some way of connecting via usb (though I'll probably need a cable for this).
Does that mean that generally I'll be able to do this?
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Analog audio in, definitely. The usb port is for midi out (and possibly in). Which is a whole other can of worms for you to explore :)
 
Let me just say that I tried Roland mesh and Yamaha silicon and found both very acceptable. Since buying a Yamaha DTX562 recently, I really love the feel and think that it is adding to my finesse. Less physically stressful than a-drums. If you plan to ever play on a-drums there will be a transition period from either mesh or silicon.
 
I have bought a few used kits and pads in my life.. They are pretty durable. Plus you can always replace a single pad or find a few used ones on ebay to replace em.


Just get a cheap used roland rubber kit with a mesh snare. I picked up a TD-11 for about $600 Canadian a few years ago. That's almost nothing in any other currency. haha It's lasted no problem. I had a used TD-20 before that. I still regret selling it.
 
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