Electronic Drum kit (beginner)

Dr_Watso said:

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!

Click to expand...

Hi. Just wondering why you consider the TD-1 a toy. Is it because it doesn't have a 'proper kick pedal'?

Also I couldn't register on that vdrums site as I couldn't answer the not so random random question of

"What are the first two letters in most Roland drum modules?"

TubThumping said:

....TD-1...

Also I couldn't register on that vdrums site as I couldn't answer the not so random random question of

"What are the first two letters in most Roland drum modules?"

Click to expand...

I think you may find a clue in the first two letters of the kit you are looking at

TubThumping said:

Hi. Just wondering why you consider the TD-1 a toy. Is it because it doesn't have a 'proper kick pedal?

Click to expand...

I've played around with the TD-1 a lot and yes, the main problem is the kick pedal which feels more like pressing a 'switch' rather than a playing a real bass drum. The kit is good fun, but I feel the Thomann kit I linked would probably give you a lot more for your money (if you're willing to wait three weeks

VitalTransformation said:

I've played around with the TD-1 a lot and yes, the main problem is the kick pedal which feels more like pressing a 'switch' rather than a playing a real bass drum. The kit is good fun, but I feel the Thomann kit I linked would probably give you a lot more for your money (if you're willing to wait three weeks

Click to expand...

It should be noted that although these drawbacks are real, the sounds, materials and build quality of the TD-1 are almost certainly higher. It has a very narrow target audience but isn't the most horrible thing in the world.

The linked cheapo kit looks way too close to the DD-502, so much that I think it's just another (yes another) re-brand of the same crappy system with the cheap triggers that drop 16th notes at surprisingly low tempos and play very unrealistically compared to any of the main typical selections.

TubThumping said:

Hi. Just wondering why you consider the TD-1 a toy. Is it because it doesn't have a 'proper kick pedal'?

Also I couldn't register on that vdrums site as I couldn't answer the not so random random question of

"What are the first two letters in most Roland drum modules?"

Click to expand...

Well, because that's really what it compares to. It doesn't look, feel, or play like a real kit. Yes, you hit it and it makes sounds, but so do the table-top yamaha "electronic drum kits" and they are pretty much in the same camp as far as tiny triggers that you can't re-position much and horrible foot-triggers that aren't even in the same ball-park along with (as I understand) the same inability to swap parts or upgrade. I think the main "good" point about the newer TD-1's at least is that the snare is more decent than a lot of entry or toy e-kits. I believe it's a decent dual-zone mesh snare, while the other drums are actually kind of oddities that only exist on that one "kit".

Dr_Watso said:

It should be noted that although these drawbacks are real, the sounds, materials and build quality of the TD-1 are almost certainly higher. It has a very narrow target audience but isn't the most horrible thing in the world.

The linked cheapo kit looks way too close to the DD-502, so much that I think it's just another (yes another) re-brand of the same crappy system with the cheap triggers that drop 16th notes at surprisingly low tempos and play very unrealistically compared to any of the main typical selections.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't know about the DD-502, and honestly I would be hesitant to recommend any e-kit cheaper than the Roland TD-11 to anyone with real drumming experience needing a home practice kit or someone wanting to get serious with midi recording.

But the OP strikes me as a non-drummer who just got a little extra cash and wants to have a bit of fun trying out playing drums. So 'considering the price' I don't really see how bad this kit could be (the user reviews seem to be mostly positive). The "toy" TD-1 is twice the price!

I stand by my advice about avoiding used e-drums as I've been working in schools and come across so many beaten down, unresponsive e-kits.

BTW, Thomann is great about returns, so if you don't like the kit (within the first 30 days I think), they'll come pick it up on your doorstep!