I Want to Use Direct Outs to Track Through My Td-30
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An electronic drum set can help you practice drums quietly, or expand your tonal palette to include more interesting sounds. It's generally a large expense—one you won't want to regret later.
Whether you are an experienced drummer or a parent shopping for your child, you need to have all the best information before making a purchase. After spending countless hours researching ten different electronic kits, I've chosen one that stands out in design,
There's no one electronic kit that fits everyone, but you should find a great match here. Also, I just updated the article (June, 2021) with a few more great options.
Table of Contents
- The Best Electronic Drum Sets of 2021
- So, What's the Best Overall E Kit?
- The Best Electronic Drums for Beginners Under $500
- 1) Alesis Turbo Mesh
- 2) Alesis Nitro Mesh
- 3) Roland TD-1K
- The Best Electronic Drum Kits Under $1000
- 4) Alesis Command Mesh
- 5) Alesis DM10 Studio Kit MKII
- The Best Mid and High-End Electronic Drum Kits
- 6) Roland TD-17KVX
- 7) Roland TD-27KV
- 8) Alesis Strike Pro SE
- 9) Roland TD-50KV2
- 10) Pearl e/Merge
- What Makes for the Best Electronic Drum Set?
- What Comes With Most E-Drum Kits?
- Determining Your E-Kit Needs
- My Experiences Purchasing Electronic Drum Sets
- Are You Concerned with Having the Best Sounding Drums?
- Do You Plan on Playing Live Gigs?
- Where to Buy a Used Electronic Drum Set?
The Best Electronic Drum Sets of 2021
My preferred retailer for buying drums and percussion:
You get fast, free shipping, unparalleled support provided by real musicians, additional warranties, and free candies with each order!
So, What's the Best Overall E Kit?
New from Roland is the Roland TD-50K2. It's extremely expensive, unfortunately, but no kit on the market comes close in terms of feel, size, sounds, and performance. The Roland TD-50KVX is by far the best electronic drum set on the market.
The BEST Electronic Drum Set
- Newest V-drums from Roland
- 14″ PD-140DS digital snare drum
- 18″ CY-18 digital ride
Where to Order an Electronic Drum Set?
Like you, the reader, I was also searching online for an electronic kit. Unfortunately, I spent my money a little too early and settled with the Alesis Strike. I now currently own a TD-50 kit, though it doesn't feature the bigger shells. Read my full review of the TD-50K here.
I was able to find this kit used at Music Go Round locally, but I normally always order from Sweetwater, the best instrument retailer I've had the pleasure of working with. For the past ten years I've ordered with them and have never once had an issue.
Sweetwater offers a free 2-year warranty on nearly every product they sell. I highly suggest working with them if you're planning on picking up an electronic drum set in the near future. No matter which brand you pick, parts can malfunction or break.
Being that these instruments are expensive, it's a nice feeling knowing they have our backs.
Why is the Roland TD-50KVX the best?
I find that the TD-50KVX has the makeup of an ideal kit:
- V-Drums name recognition
- Incredible feel and sound
- Bigger pads
- Incredible snare pad
The kit features Roland's newest digital technology. Both the ride and snare utilize digital inputs and respond far better than anything on the market. The snare uses the static electricity in your hands to differentiate rim clicks and cross sticks. The ride does as well, allowing you to mute the cymbal just by placing your hand on the bow of the cymbal. It's pretty amazing tech when you try it out.
That being said, the TD-50KVX is an extremely expensive option and it may not be the best kit for you.
Read on to hear my thoughts on the other nine drum sets listed.
The Best Electronic Drums for Beginners Under $500
These are my best picks for 2021, ranging from cheap to very expensive. Each manufacturer has different strengths and weaknesses with their products.
It's up to you to decide which one of these e-drum kits suit your current demands.
Starting off the list, we are going to feature three options that are morebudget-friendly.
If your kid's interested or you're looking to start learning drums, it's best to begin here before dropping big money on a fancy kit.
1) Alesis Turbo Mesh
Best Electronic Drum Set for Kids
The Turbo Mesh is by far the most affordable entry with decent pads — perfect for the first time, young drummer.
Pros
- Very affordable kit
- Mesh heads
- Great name brand
Cons
- No kick tower
- Cheap sounds
- No custom samples
New this year from Turbo Mesh — by far the most affordable kit with mesh heads. The Alesis Turbo Mesh is mainly an electronic drum set for kids.
Thenext-generation mesh heads are similar to that of other Alesis kits.
The Turbo Mesh includes four drum pads, three cymbal pads, the drum module, two pedals, and a solid aluminum rack.
The module includes 100+ sounds and 30 play-along songs.
I need to stress — this e kit issuper basicbut extremely affordable.
Included as well are 40 free drum lessons from Melodics for newer players.
I like that Alesis is making the push to have of their kits outfitted with mesh drum heads. It's the new standard — rubber pads were so last century.
The pads themselves are even tunable, just like the higher-end models from Alesis.
The Turbo Mesh isn't just for beginners only. Producers working in apartments can benefit if wanting toplay drumsinstead of writing them in by hand.
The USB port on the module connects to either a Mac or PC for use with music software.
My conclusion — The Turbo Mesh is by far the best electronic drum set for kids. If you're a parent shopping for your young child and are worried they may not stick with drums, pick the Turbo Mesh. It's not too terribly expensive either.
Read our full review: Alesis Turbo Mesh
2) Alesis Nitro Mesh
Best Electronic Drum Set for Beginners
The Nitro Mesh is an excellent choice for beginner drummers or parents of drummers who are looking for an affordable and quiet option.
Pros
- Great price
- Mesh heads
- Great name brand
Cons
- Mounted hi-hat
- Not the greatest sounds
- No custom samples
Alesis has produced an insane amount of excellent products for us as drummers.
For starters, this is an e-drum set under $500. A quick glance at the Alesis Nitro reveals some marvelous features and impressive specs.
It includes 385 sounds, 60 play-along songs, and a straightforward drum module. To me, this electronic drum set is much better than the Alesis DM6 for beginners.
The Alesis Nitro electric drum kit is one of the best selling kits online. It provides extraordinary value at such an affordable price.
The Nitro is an 8-piece e-drum kit featuring tom pads, a dual-zone snare pad, cymbals (both chokable and non-chokable), a mounting rack, and a powerful drum module.
Alesis has moved away from the regular Nitro kit (which featured rubber pads), and seems to be focusing on selling the mesh version of the kit.
I think it's better overall regardless.
Build quality of the Alesis Nitro
To say that the Alesis Nitro is a brand new product would be a bald-faced lie.
By turning the drum module over to the back see, we can see this is a reconfiguration of a DM7X. Alesis simply re-branded this product and it became the Nitro kit.
The "new" DM7X (aka Nitro) features an 8″ dual-zone snare pad, three single tom pads, dual-zone 10″ crash cymbal pad, two additional single cymbal pads, a hi-hat controller, and a drum rack with four posts.
Included, as well, is the Alesis DMPAD kick pad, which features a strong steel housing, grounding spikes, and a single zone pad.
The e-drum kit comes bundled with its own kick pedal. It's pretty poorly made, so I suggest upgrading this one piece of hardware to something like the DW3000 Kick Pedal for a better experience.
You also get an assembly key as well as a set of drumsticks.
The Nitro's drum module does have expansion features with two inputs in the back and buttons for each expanded pad on the front of the module.
Using the Alesis Nitro in practice
The stick response is decent. It feels like a rubber practice pad when playing. You aren't going to get the feeling of the Roland V-Drums, that's for sure.
However, even though the feel isn't on par with a $4,000 e-drum kit, the Alesis Nitro still plays great!
Unfortunately, the snare drum pad is the only one that features a dual-zone. This is something we usually only see at the higher end of the spectrum.
A dual-zone pad allows for different sounds, whether on the rim, or the main pad. The other pads can only produce one sound at a time.
The drum module of the Alesis Nitro – No custom samples!
The drum module provided with the Alesis Nitro is very basic. Don't expect world class sampling and FX.
Using the drum module, you can create your own drum kit setup with the available 385 sounds or just use a preset. The drum module is very intuitive and easy to learn your way around it.
If you own a laptop, you can use the USB MIDI connection to connect to your laptop or desktop computer.
This is useful if you plan on recording your performance into a Digital Audio Workstation, such as Logic or Pro Tools.
From here, you can either use the included sounds from your Alesis Nitro, or you can use virtual instruments, such as EZ Drummer or Addictive Drums, to playback what you recorded.
This is a great way to record band demos.
There is no way to load custom samples into the Alesis Nitro. For most beginner players, this should be a non-issue.
With the Alesis Nitro being so affordable , it's no wonder why it's one of the top-selling electronic drum sets online.
This kit is perfect for a beginning young child or for an experienced drummer looking for a cheap way to practice on the quiet.
Overall sound of the Alesis Nitro
Being that this an electronic drum kit that costs next to nothing, I didn't expect the sound to blow me away. And it didn't.
Unfortunately, the Nitro's biggest issue for me is sound. This electronic drum kit sounds like early 90s MIDI drums.
Okay, maybe not that bad, but the Nitro sounds very rigid with no dynamics to my ears.
This is pure speculation, but I believe that both the Nitro and the Forge do not have different samples for each velocity level.
For example, tapping the snare drum quietly should produce a different recorded sample than just a quieter version of a snare hit.
This would allow for a greater dynamic range and would make the electronic kit sound more realistic.
Do you kind of get what I am hinting at? This could have been one way to keep the price tag down on these electronic drum kits.
While this might not make a huge difference for "electronic-style" kits, acoustic drums with one velocity layer tend to sound pretty bad.
The verdict: The Nitro is an excellent choice for beginners. If you're buying this for your son or daughter, it will make a fantastic gift.
Read our full review: Alesis Nitro Mesh
3) Roland TD-1K
The TD-1K is a superb option for first-time drummers. Roland has set the bar high bringing similar sound quality and expressiveness from the top-of-the-line V-drums.
Pros
- Roland name brand
- Compact rack
- Quiet kick pedal
Cons
- Steep price for what you get
- Rubber pads
- No kick tower
I'm happy that Roland does cater to newer drummers, but the TD-1K isn't precisely anything unusual.
While it is a great introductory kit for beginners, it clearly lacks the features of the high-end drums from Roland (like a kick pad, for instance); albeit the samples do sound rather excellent.
Overview of the TD-1K
If this is your barrier to entry, say, if your child is interested in playing the drums, this may be an acceptable option.
The TD-1K comes included with four drum pads and three cymbal pads.
Here are some of the major features:
5-piece introductory electronic drum set
There's no kick pad, just a small pedal that functions as your bass drum. It's not thebest option for developing foot technique.
15 built-in drum sound patches
Not as many as I'd like, but this isn't the TD-50 we're talking about here.
"Acclaimed V-Drums sound"
I can't say that it actually sounds like its high-end counterparts at all, but this is a good selling feature.
Onboard coaching function, metronome, and recorder
This feature is great for learning and internalizing time, as well as hearing yourself back to see where you can improve.
Auxiliary input for playing along with your own tunes
There's not much to say, but this is definitely a great feature. I highly recommend new drummers play along with songs they enjoy to keep them engaged when learning.
Pre-Recorded songs to play along to
These are great for challenging a new drummer to create their own parts to instrumental songs.
If you are first learning the drums, take advantage of the drumless tracks included with your drum module!
Beater-less kick pedal
Although, not the greatest for learning and development, it keeps the kit quiet.
This is a deal-breaker for me, but this is the budget section of e kits, unfortunately.
USB-MIDI
The USB-MIDI functionality is great if you want to connect your electronic drum kit to a computer to record externally.
Apps like Melodics also offer a way to learn how to play drums by connecting your kit to your computer, so be sure to give that a shot if you're a new player.
The Bad
Now, for what you get with this kit, it's a little bit too expensive, if you ask me. Compared to the Alesis options, you may be better off going in that direction.
Kits like this Roland somewhat remind me of the Yahama DTX450K, which in my eyes, is a little too overpriced for what you get.
I think my main gripe is that we're at the top of the price threshold, paying for a kit that doesn't even have a kick pad. Still, Roland makes great products , so you can't really go wrong.
The verdict: No matter which way you put it, Roland makes killer products, especially drums. The TD-1K makes a great entry-level kit for the beginning drummer.
See the price and other reviews of the TD-1K at Sweetwater.
The Best Electronic Drum Kits Under $1000
Moving onward to the next pricing threshold, we have some kits that are great for intermediate drummers.
If you're looking for a kit to keep the noise down while practicing at night, but still use an acoustic kit normally , I'd suggest staying in this range.
4) Alesis Command Mesh
The Alesis Command Mesh is a perfect option for intermediate drummers who may already have an acoustic drum set and need to practice quietly.
Pros
- Load you own drum samples
- 54 preset kits, 671 total sounds
- Great name brand
Again, like the Alesis Nitro, the Alesis Command Mesh suffers from the same sonic issues that kit did. While this might not be an issue for beginners, it surely was for me.
Being a traditional player of acoustic drums, I'd like my e drums to sound as real as possible.
The Alesis Command Mesh module includes 600+ instruments including snares, world percussion, electronics, effects, and unlike the Alesis Nitro, you can import your own custom sounds to this drum module.
Build quality of the Command Mesh
The cymbals could use a major overhaul.
The Command Mesh offers a 10″ dual-zone snare drum pad, three dual-zone drum pads, three cymbals, two pedals, a bass drum pad, and a drum module.
Alesis has a unique electronic cymbal design, in that, the trigger area doesn't include the entire circumference.
A little bit more than half of the cymbal is playable. I'm not huge on this design.
Another unfortunate issue with the cymbal pads is the lack of a bell. There are two sensors on these pads, only offering the ability to play on the edge and the bow of the cymbal.
You can, however, choke the cymbal if you grab the area marked with depressed dots.
The hardware frame
The metal frame on this electronic drum set is much better than I've seen in the past.
Other kits like the Yamaha DTX (at least the older models) featured an all
Even though the kit is made of metal, it is very lightweight. You should be able to pick this kit off the ground with no issues if you're young and able-bodied.
The drum module of the Command Mesh
The drum module provided with the Command kit strikes me immediately as much better than the Nitro.
For starters, you get 54 preset drum kits with over 600 sounds. In addition to a large sample library, you get 60 play-along tracks to practice your drumming to.
A nice feature that the Nitro does not offer is the ability to load your own samples. I have been screaming for this feature since day one!
Finally, an electronic drum kit that doesn't require the combined use of a laptop while playing!
It's as simple as using a USB stick to load custom .WAV sounds from whatever drum libraries you may already own.
Overall sound of the Command Mesh
Like I said previously, this kit is not very impressive to the ears. This might serve the needs of a beginner, but definitely won't be used at a professional level for touring or recording in a studio.
The verdict: another great beginner electric kit! I don't see much benefit in choosing this one over the Nitro as a beginner, however.
See the price and other reviews of the Command Mesh at Sweetwater.
5) Alesis DM10 Studio Kit MKII
Best Electronic Drum Kit for Apartment
The DM10 is a perfect option for veteran drummers looking to try electronic drums. The kit includes 54 preset kits and 671 instrument sounds.
Pros
- Load custom drum sounds
- Mesh heads
- Great name brand
Cons
- Same module as Command Mesh
- Rack-mounted snare
Alesis sells a lot of electronic kits, don't they? This one, in particular, has been around for quite some time.
There have been seven different versions of this kit produced. For the purposes here, we will only be discussing the most recent iteration, the studio kit.
With this kit, you're getting a lot more options for drums.
If you decide to get the larger version of the DM10, expect a better drum module, an additional cymbal, and an additional floor tom.
The snare drum is also no longer attached to the rack with the Pro version.
Here are some of the notable features:
- Mesh drum pads
- A chrome hardware rack
- Drum module that is similar to the Alesis Command
- 54 preset drum kits (20 customizable user kits)
- 671 instrument sounds
- Dual-zone pads and a triple-zone ride cymbal
- 3.5mm auxiliary input for playing to your favorite songs
- Five drum pads and four cymbal pads
Alesis does offer this kit in a version with mylar drum heads, but I really don't like the feel of these and they're pretty loud when played.
You will need to grab a drum throne and a kick pedal with the DM10, as they are not included.
As with many electronic kits, the kick pad tends to slide forward. This one is no different. All drum kits usually require a drum rug, so I'd advise picking up a cheap rug from your local big box store to go underneath your drums.
If that still isn't working, you may have to come up with a DIY solution. Most companies who create products to fix this issue only make them for acoustic bass drums.
It's definitely not a bad kit, but if you're willing to fork out this much, I'd move up a step.
The Best Mid and High-End Electronic Drum Kits
The kits listed below are going to be only for super serious drummers, both beginner and professional .
I'd advise only picking one of these if you know you're in it for the long haul and truly love playing the drums.
6) Roland TD-17KVX
Best Electronic Drum Set For Churches
Roland doesn't mess around when it comes to crafting great electronic drums. The TD-17KVX is perfect for the advanced drummer looking to keep the noise down.
Pros
- Stream songs with Bluetooth
- Sounds inherited from the TD-50 module
- Roland name brand
Cons
- Tom pads a little small for the price
With Alesis out of the way (for now), let's take a look at a Roland kit. The TD-17KVX is the first "expert" electronic drum set we have seen thus far.
This kit is intended for intermediate and advanced players, as it has many more features that lower end e drum kits do not have.
You're going to notice a significant improvement
With the Roland TD-17KVX, you get dual-zone mesh drum pads, V-cymbals, the TD-17 drum module, a kick pad, and a custom hardware stand explicitly made for compact V-drums.
Build quality of the Roland TD-17KVX
The TD-17KV-S features dual-zone drum pads!
At more than double the price of the Alesis Forge, the Roland e-drum kit immediately decimates the performance and build quality of the previous two kits.
Right of the bat, you get dual-zone mesh drum pads on both the snare and toms.
Like mentioned earlier, Dual-zone pads allow for rim clicks, rim shots, and customization of multiple sounds on any drum pad you desire.
The V-cymbal ride has three trigger points, allowing for playing on the bell, edge, and bow of each cymbal.
While this is much nicer than the two previous kits, it's still not that realistic.
If you're looking for more realism, Zildjian introduced a line of acoustic-electric cymbals that feel much more accurate than traditional electronic cymbal pads.
The kick pad you get with this set is big enough for using a double kick pedal.
The hardware frame – Roland TD-17KVX — Not good or bad
The hardware frame on this e drum kit didn't exactly impress us. It does look nice in all black but didn't seem to be built much better than either of the Alesis e-drum kits.
The TD-17 drum sound module
While the shape is a little funny looking, the TD-17 does pack a lot of features into an affordable drum module. Included are 50 preset drum kits and 100 instruments with many built-in effects.
You can easily switch through presets using the rotary knob located in the middle of the drum module.
I found that these drum samples sounded much better than either Alesis drum modules and had a much greater dynamic control when playing.
The TD-17 drum module has Prismatic Sound modeling
This marketing slang is just a simple way to say that this drum module sounds and feels better than other electronic drum sets available.
I have to agree.
This drum module takes a lot from its big brother, the TD-50, providing a more precise and faster response when playing.
The Roland V-drum pads feel much nicer, though could be a little bit larger like we see on the more expensive Roland V-drum models.
I/O on the TD-17 drum module
On the side of the drum module, you can plug in headphones, output sounds left and right to a PA system or speaker, plug in an aux to play along with music, add two additional pads, and send MIDI data out of the unit.
The back of the TD-17 offers a USB connection for integration with your laptop or desktop as well as a USB memory input for playing back audio files.
I don't really see much use for the USB memory, as I just like to plug in my phone or tablet and just jam with Spotify.
Another giant upgrade from its predecessor, the drum module also features Bluetooth connectivity for connecting your phone to play along to your favorite tunes.
Overall sound of the Roland TD-17KVX
At this price point, this is one of the best electronic drum kits you can buy. It's going to give you the most authentic-sounding drum kits with the best feel.
The Roland TD-17KV-S is available at Sweetwater.
7) Roland TD-27KV
Best Electronic Drum Set For Recording MIDI
The TD-27KV dominates every kit on this list for the price. There's a reason Roland is king when it comes to electronic drums.
Pros
- New from NAMM 2020
- 14″ PD-140DS digital snare drum
- 18″ CY-18 digital ride
The Roland TD-27KV is one of the most impressive entries from the e-kit giant — I just wish the pads were bigger.
The TD-27KV is a mid-to-high-level electronic kit, featuring a 14″ digital snare pad, three 10″ PDX tom pads, a 12″ crash, 13″ crash, an 18″ digital ride, 12″ hats, a KD-10 kick pad, and the TD-27 module.
The sound quality output from the TD-27 brain is similar to that of the top-of-the-line V-Drums.
If you have the money saved and genuinely want to get somethingquality, go with Roland.The TD-17 and up will not disappoint.
Quick note — the TD-27KVdoes notcome with either the hi-hat stand, snare stand, or the kick pedals.
Read our full review: Roland TD-27KV
8) Alesis Strike Pro SE
Best Overall Electronic Drum Kit for the Money
While it does have its quirks, the Strike Pro SE is a fantastic option for professional drummers looking for an alternative to Roland's high-end kits.
Pros
- Great sounds and module
- Mesh heads
- Alesis name brand
Cons
- Hi-hat is a little wonky
- Not excited about the black rim look
Rounding out our list is Alesis once again. The Strike Pro SE is a high-end kit that deserves quite a bit of praise. I own the regular Strike kit and have somewhat mixed feelings about it. The SE is the newest version of the Strike.
The Strike SE may have improved on the hi-hat issues, but I have no firsthand experience with this drum set.
I do love playing my Strike, but it has a few quirks, unfortunately.
The Strike kit has much larger shell sizes, which are great when transitioning from a standard kit to electronic.
Of course, being a six-piece kit with actual wooden shells, there's bound to be a downside: price .
Now, the Alesis kit isn't going to hurt as much as a high-end Roland kit, but you're still going to shell out a considerable amount.
If you're more visual, I've linked my unboxing video and review of the kit here.
Overview of the Strike Pro
For starters, you get six drums, made from real wooden shells. Five cymbals come with the Strike Pro!
Sizes are as follows:
- 14″ kick pad (1)
- 14″ dual-zone snare pad (1)
- 8″ dual-zone tom pad (1)
- 10″ dual-zone tom pad (1)
- 12″ dual-zone tom pad (1)
- 14″ dual-zone tom pad (1)
- 14″ crash cymbals (3)
- 16″ ride cymbal (1)
- 12″ hi-hat cymbal (1)
The pads
All of the pads on this kit are dual-zone , meaning you can trigger different samples based on whether or not you hit the rim or the mesh head.
Speaking of the mesh heads, they feel great. They are adjustable to your liking.
The drums act just like acoustic drums, as you can tune them higher or lower for feel.
I caught myself getting a little too used to it, as they are a bit bouncier when compared to actual drums. But that's what a mesh head is!
The cymbals
As you can see from images and videos online, the cymbals are actually hammered , if you want to call it that. They're basically little indents that make the pads look more like real cymbals .
I'm not really buying the whole "enhances stick response" idea from Alesis, but they still feel great. The 16″ ride feels especially great.
The ride features a three-zoned design, offering distinct edge, bell, and bow sounds.
It would be nice if all the cymbals had this feature , but this is where the budget may have been cut.
The drum module
The Alesis Strike Sound Module is fantastic when considering their other kits. This module is in another league.
Here are some of its best features:
100 complete kits
The drums that come pre-loaded are incredible sounding and not disappointing by any sense.
The lower-end models have always disappointed me, due to the fact that they often sound robotic with no sample changes with differing velocities.
1,760 multi-sampled instruments
There's a lot of value packed into the kit and you can see how you may end up getting lost just finding something to add to your kit with so many options.
4.3″ color backlit LCD screen
Easy for working in low-light environments, like being on stage. The display looks amazing and is easy to navigate.
Full mixer for levels of each drum and cymbal
This is definitely a nice feature, though it wouldn't have been a deal-breaker for me without it. The plastic knobs and faders are just okay — I wish they were a little more robust feeling.
Navigating the user interface is a little tricky, but with some practice, you'll get used to it.
Dedicated transport bar
This controls the function of recording and playback. Most drum modules have a transport bar, so nothing new here really.
Onboard sampler
The onboard sampler gives you the ability to sample any sound in real-time on the way in and route to any trigger you like.
Eight direct outs for recording or live use
Want to capture all your drums separately for mixing? You can with eight outputs.
Most low-end drum modules only offer the ability to get a stereo output of a recording directly from the module. A nice feature.
MIDI and USB connections
A must-have for me, as I use a ton of virtual instruments with my recording setup.
Alesis, along with many other kits, offers the Strike Software Editor for importing sounds to your module. Roland was behind the curve on this and Alesis wins here.
Unfortunately, if you own a drum module like the TD-20, you won't be able to import your own sounds, despite the high price tag of these modules.
Of course, Roland has new modules out, but the price tag on these is far from affordable.
The drum module itself is a little tricky to get used to if you haven't used one before. All technology these days requires a little bit of getting used to.
One small thing to note: switching patches on the Strike Pro takes about two to three seconds of load time, so keep that in mind if you plan to use this kit live.
Some not as important last features include:
- An included drum rack and double-braced snare drum stand
- Cables, cable wrap, and a drum key are also included
Issues with the Strike Pro
I personally own the Strike and have only experienced the poorly triggering hi-hat.
Mesh pads failing
Unfortunately, it seems Alesis is not without problems. Many users of the Strike Pro have reported the mesh pads failing after just months of use.
The error could possibly lie in the user as many new drummers will often abuse drums when they are learning, but there was a manufacturing defect present with the Strike Pro.
The plate that the piezo sits under has a tendency to crack due to the vibration of playing.
Experienced users of the Strike recommend taking shipping tape and applying four pieces forming a plus sign on the plastic to prevent the plate from breaking.
With the new generation of Strike and Strike SE kits shipping, these problems have been eliminated by the team at Alesis. If you have any problems, be sure to reach out to their support, and they will help.
Hi-hat trouble
Another common issue lies in the Strike Pro's hi-hat. Many users reported that the edge sample will not respond in some cases when playing.
The firmware update 1.4 is supposed to have fixed this issue, but I haven't tried updating yet.
Update: the new firmware has not completely fixed the issue, but it is better. The hi-hat edge still gives me quite a bit of problems.
The new Strike SE eliminates the bottom hat and features changes to the clutch mechanism. From my understanding, it plays much nicer than my kit does—though I have no direct experience playing the SE.
Overall thoughts
The Alesis Strike Pro is a great competitor to Roland's high-end kits (at about 1/3 of the price).
It feels and plays like an acoustic kit (to a certain extent), sounds great, and the hardware is of great quality.
Keep in mind that you will need to spend some time tweaking and adjusting settings to fit your playing style.
It's a huge bonus that the shells are made from wood. If I was a super serious drummer in your shoes, this would be the kit for me.
Read our full review: Alesis Strike Pro
9) Roland TD-50KV2
Best Professional Electronic Drum Set
Roland needs no introduction with the TD50KV2. This is their flagship drum set and would be any drummer's dream to own.
Pros
- A drummer's dream
- Mesh heads
- Roland's flagship electric set
Cons
- No cons, aside from the big price tag
Not much needs to be said about the TD50KV2, as it is, no doubt, the best and most expensive electronic drum set available. Of course, we have to list it!
That being said, this kit is for a select group of professional drummers who can both afford it and justify spending this much money on an electronic kit. I'd expect this kit to be used live on an arena tour!
It's by far the most realistic of the bunch and resembles an acoustic kit the most. I don't own this kit, but I hope to one day!
Here are some of the features:
Prismatic sound modeling
The crazy marketing jargon aside, this basically means that the drum pads and their respective samples will sound insanely good, will have nuance and realism, and have what is known asvirtual microphone placement.
Extremely realistic 14″ snare drum
This drum has eight sensors across the head and rim to accurately model a real snare drum.
18″ ride cymbal
This is the only kit on the list with a ride cymbal bigger than 16″ in diameter.
This was true, until the TD-27KV came around.
Ability to import custom libraries to the TD-50
Who doesn't want to have more sample libraries inside their module? This feature is huge and a must-have for me.
Extremely flexible I/O
If you have this kit, make sure you use a plastic bass drum beater, as felt tends to eat away at the head . This is common on a lot of Roland kits.
It's as good as it gets.
The Roland TD-50KV2 is available at Sweetwater.
10) Pearl e/Merge
The e/Merge is the newest entry from Pearl to the e kit market. More are expected to arrive at Sweetwater soon. The kits sound incredible.
Pros
- Incredible sounding drum samples
- Big shells and mesh heads
- Great name brand
For those looking for an alternative to Roland, Pearl is coming out swinging.
The Pearl e/Merge e/Hybrid electronic drum set is a five-piece kit engineered and designed by Pearl and Korg.
Remember theKorg Wave Drum? Pearl partially borrowed the design for the pads on the e/Merge kit. You can evenuse your hands to play if you'd like.
First off, despite the module looking outdated, the samples included soundphenomenal. The ambiance slider is a massive feature for me.
While there are only a few pads on the module, think of them as genre buttons. Within each pad lies several preset kits to choose.
The slider isn't adding artificial reverb, rather the amount of room sound in the mix from the actual sessions.
Pearl's e/Merge comes with a 14″ snare, 18″ full-size bass drum, 10″, 12″, and 14″ toms, 14″ hats, 15″ crash, and an 18″ ride.
The shells are Poplar, despite the non-necessity for wooden shells. Still, they look fantastic.
The hardware features an awesome Icon e-Rack, as well as Uni-Lock tom and cymbal holders.
What Makes for the Best Electronic Drum Set?
An electronic drum kit should be compared to an acoustic kit like a grand piano is to a MIDI controller.
They have similar functions and use, but feel is completely different.
There are three primary reasons for buying an e drum kit: practicing, performing live, and recording.
Now we've covered a lot of ground talking about different kits offered. You may still be unsure as to which features you need and which you don't.
We're all in agreement that saving money is a good thing, right?
What Comes With Most E-Drum Kits?
It's important to know exactly what you're getting when you make your purchase, as I'm sure you'll want to be setting this thing up and playing on day one, right?
I still have yet to see any e-drum kit that sells the mounting hardware, rack system, or the drum pads separately.
That being said, there are a couple of additional purchases you will likely have to make.
Most kits do not include the bass drum pedal, drum throne, sticks, or even headphones.
If you don't have a set of drumming headphones / in-ear monitors, you'll need to buy an amplifier to actually hear the sounds made from your kit.
Personally, I use in-ear monitors since I am trying to keep the noise down, but it's really up to your preference.
Using an electronic kit enables you to practice all out, even if you live in an apartment.
Often times when buying online, you can check down underneath the product listing to see if the manufacturer or supplier sells a bundle deal with commonly purchased products.
This is a great way to save a ton of money on a new product instead of buying used.
Determining Your E-Kit Needs
I would like to make it abundantly clear that I don't believe you need the most expensive kit available.
In fact, you can purchase the cheapest option, the Alesis Nitro, and be just fine if your needs are practicing and recording.
If you plan to play performances out in public, this may not be the best option.
Practicing quietly is no problem and recording with MIDI is very easy now that we have USB connections.
For the vast majority of drummers just looking to practice, it is just fine.
I say this because in all my time touring and playing, I have yet to encounter a drummer who exclusively plays an electronic drum set on stage at a professional level.
Sorry if I just called you out!
Practicing Drums Quietly
Acoustic drums are very loud. If you rent an apartment or own a condo, there's a good chance that having an acoustic drum set is almost impossible.
These types of drums drastically reduce the volume produced by practicing drums.
If practicing is your only concern, I again suggest a lower range budget electronic drum kit like the Alesis Forge.
The most obvious and practical reason for purchasing an electronic drum set is to lower the noise your drums make when practicing.
While the noise of the pads is still audible while playing, the sound will be dramatically lower in volume when compared to a real drum set.
This really isn't an end all be all solution.In fact, when I lived in an apartment in college, I had a neighbor who could actually hear the sound of the pads being played on my electronic drum kit.
She came over and told me to knock it off and only practice at a certain time during the day. This is something you may have to deal with, as certain walls in buildings can be thin.
Recording an Electronic Drum Set
E drums can unleash a ton of creativity when writing music, drum parts, and producing music.
So how do you record one of these kits, anyway? It's more simple than you may actually think. There's a couple of ways to do it.
Directly into the drum module
Depending on which kit you own, your drum module may allow you to record to a USB stick or right to its memory.
While this may seem like the easiest way, it will ultimately get you the worst quality when recording, as you won't be able to go back and mix individual instruments later on.
You're stuck with what you get from the start.
Stereo line out to an audio interface
This is basically the same technique as described above and will likely yield the same results.
This option is for you if your module doesn't have a recording function built it. I advise staying away from this method as well.
USB MIDI to your computer for use with virtual instruments
This is the best way to record an electronic drum kit and by far the easiest.
The only prerequisite is having a computer with a digital audio workstation, like Ableton, Pro Tools, Cubase, or Logic.
Most modules have a USB output on the back, allowing you to connect to your computer easily.
In addition, most DAWs come included with drum samples and instruments.
While I won't get into the nitty-gritty of MIDI recording, it's very powerful and can generate great results with a low budget.
While you can use your own drum sounds from your module, I guarantee if you use a professional sample library with MIDI, you'll achieve way better results than any drum module on the market (even the TD-50).
You aren't just limited to traditional acoustic drum sounds. You have the ability to choose from acoustic drum sounds, electronic drum kits, and even synthesized samples.
Capturing MIDI Data from Electronic Drums
MIDI? Digital audio workstations? What does it all mean?
Now just above we were talking about the ways to record your kit. The third point I made was about using the USB MIDI output to send recorded data to your computer.
While it may seem the most complicated, it's fairly simple once you get the hang of it.
MIDI stands forMusical Instrument Digital Interface, and while the acronym and full name don't necessarily matter, the technology behind it does.
We've been using this technology since the 80s, and for a good reason.
Your drum module that comes with your kit will have one or both of the ports shown in the graphic below. We will be using these ports to get to your computer.
If your electronic drum set module has the 5-pin MIDI port and no USB, you will need to get a MIDI to USB adapter.
They're fairly cheap and get the job done at the expense of one extra cable. It's well worth it to go this route rather than buying a whole new drum module that has USB.
If you see a USB type B port (the more square-looking one), all you need to get is a standard USB cable (If one didn't ship with your kit, I've used ones that have come with printers before that I had laying around the house).
Upon loading up a digital audio workstation, like Logic, you'll find that most computers that utilize this technology today are Plug and Play.
You shouldn't have to install any additional drivers and you should be good to go with recording right away.
MIDI devices play well with each other. If you plan to utilize, for example, a Roland SPD-SX, a TD-30 drum module, and a MIDI keyboard, you can connect them all together and hit the computer with only one USB cable.
Your digital audio workstation will be able to see these instruments all on different MIDI channels depending on how they are configured at the hardware level.
Choosing an E-Drum Kit Specifically for Recording
When it comes to choosing a kit to record with this setup, any will do just fine. All the electronic drum kits listed here have a MIDI output available, so you'll be able to connect to your digital audio workstation fairly easily.
Once the MIDI is into the computer, it's likely to be edited further, so there's really no point in spending a fortune if all your using is MIDI data.
The drum sound module will not matter at all, as you should already have your own drum VST plugins or acoustic drum sample libraries.
If budget is a concern, go with the Alesis Surge Mesh.
More and more recording studios and producers are using "programmed drums" on modern records via MIDI, as we were speaking above.
With an electronic drum kit, you can produce drums for recorded music very easily without ever having to record a real drum set.
While I am usually completely against this practice, using programmed drums is an excellent tool for writing music without a drummer.
They are perfect for capturing MIDI, rather than writing it in with a mouse on a piano roll.
You can use the built-in drum samples your module provides or use a drum plugin software like Addictive Drums.
If you have no idea what any of the above means, don't worry, it won't apply unless you are recording and producing music.
Drum pads VS electronic drum kits
Electronic drums are designed to simulate acoustic drum sets. They usually have either rubber or mesh pads that you play on with an electronic drum module mounted to the rack that gives the pads their sounds.
Electronic drum kits are different than electronic drum pads, such as the Roland SPD-SX.
Also known as sample pads, they are more intended to provide an acoustic drum set with occasional electronic sounds and samples.
They are useful for drummers who use a click and backing tracks when playing live. For more information, I wrote a roundup post recently on the best electronic drum pads available.
The difference between mesh pads and rubber pads
If you buy a kit with mesh pads, you will enjoy your drum set far more.
Mesh pads do feel more realistic but will hurt your wallet much more. The difference in price between a rubber pad kit and a mesh pad kit can be upwards of a thousand dollars.
Kits like the Alesis Surge Mesh have mesh drum pads.
That being said, these types of heads can also give you a false sense of rebound.
Upon returning to a regular acoustic set, you may not be used to the way real drum heads respond.
My Experiences Purchasing Electronic Drum Sets
When I first began looking for my first electronic drum kit, I was completely overwhelmed by the number of choices available.
I finally settled on a Yamaha DT-Xpress IV kit, which is old by today's standards. Honestly, the thing sucked and it was impossible to assemble and disassemble.
Despite its poor quality and features, I was able to have a lot of fun with it and get some great practicing in.
The drum module had an auxiliary input on the back, so I was able to connect my iPod to it and play along with my favorite tunes.
That's why I think the quality of your kitisn't necessarily that important.
The more important thing is that you play the thing. Electronic drum sets are more intended for practicing if you ask me.
The Alesis Strike
My current electronic kit is the Alesis Strike. I picked it up after debating the slew of negative opinions I've read online.
I had to see for myself.
The features and specs are fantastic. I am blown away by how awesome it looks, as well.
The biggest downside to the Strike? The kit is tough to set up to feel natural. The hi-hat is very tricky and a bit tough to configure.
Many forum users complain about the plastic plates cracking within the drum pads themselves, as well.
Fortunately, I bought my Strike in 2019. It's a newer generation model, and my pads don't suffer from the piezo plate cracking issue the first gen kits did.
While there are quirks, I still believe the Alesis Strike Pro is the best value kit for the features, looks, pad sizes, and feel, despite the tricky hi-hat issue.
I'm hoping for a 1.5 update that will better address the problem. Hey Alesis, you reading?
Local stores don't have many options anymore
Visiting my local music shop provided me with lots of trials and testing, but even a brick and mortar store doesn't always have the best options anymore.
You can try your best if you wanna try some options out before buying, but I'm afraid you won't find much to play around on.
In fact, I visited my local big box music store the other week to ask about the brand new product from Pearl, the
The guy working being the desk hadno idea what the product even was and didn't really care to investigate whether they would have a display model in the future.
Local "chain" music stores are failing, unfortunately. J
With this bad news, hopefully, Guitar Center can turn themselves around, hire more knowledgeable workers, and do a better job serving the music industry at large.
I do like their stores and frequent them often when at home and on tour.
Buying online is the way to go
While it is nice to actually play on the kit you're going to buy, sometimes you won't be able to try it before you buy it. I find that you can actually find a better deal online most of the time.
While I can't recommend that you do this, many retailers offer wonderful financing options on expensive items, like musical instruments.
I've gotten 0% interest for 48 months before with Sweetwater, my favorite instrument retailer.
This is one way to make that expensive piece of gear more affordable.
If you don't like what you buy, retailers like Amazon offer a simple way to return items.
Buying an electronic drum kit is an investment. Some of these instruments are not cheap and require considerable thought and planning prior to purchasing.
If you're lost and don't know which kit is right for you, ask yourself these questions:
Are You Concerned with Having the Best Sounding Drums?
If you answered no, I would suggest you stick with something a little more affordable, like the Alesis Forge.
Sure, the kit won't sound like the most amazing studio recording, but if you're still having fun, it shouldn't matter.
If you aren't putting out a recording for other people to listen to, then it really doesn't matter.
Even if you are recording your drum kit, I doubt you would want to use stock sounds from even a high-end Roland electronic drum kit.
Anyone who uses MIDI drums on an actual recording is going to use a sample library, from the likes of That Sound or GetGood Drums.
Do You Plan on Playing Live Gigs?
If you play music with a live band and want to switch to an electronic drum kit, I would steer clear of the Alesis Nitro or Forge.
They aren't bad kits, but for a live show, I would strive for a higher quality drum sound, both to satisfy me as a player and the audience.
Transportation and Protection
The kit needs to be easily transportable. Some hardware designs are almost impossible to pack up and won't last being shoved in the back of cars, trucks, and trailers.
To protect your pads, I suggest looking into a hard plastic solution, like Pelican case alternatives. They're affordable and won't leave a hole in your wallet.
I suggest at least going for the Roland TD-11KV-S to play live shows.
As a reminder, these are expensive instruments. If you plan on playing gigs or touring, be sure to take good care of your instrument.
Find a way to keep the cables in order. Get yourself some drum cases (hard are best) and come up with a system for assembling the kit every night in record time.
Pro Tip: If your drum pad cables do not come as a sub-snake (one cable with a connector on the ends), you may want to consider making what's known as a 'loom.'
Looms are hand-made "snakes" that keep your cables that reach the same destination together. You can use electrical tape or gaff tape to make your looms.
Where to Buy a Used Electronic Drum Set?
Buying used is a great way to get into playing without having to fork out your entire paycheck. I love buying used gear, but you must be careful.
As with anything used, you'll need to be aware of the potential problems a used instrument will have.
For example, the MIDI output may be broken, the instrument may not power on, the USB jack is faulty, etc…
Many sellers on platforms like eBay will not honor returns, so it's wise to avoid these types of sellers. Here are some great places to find used gear.
Ebay
This is the most obvious marketplace for used products, but it needs to be mentioned. You'll generally have the most success here as tons of items are listed daily.
Be sure to watch out for sellers who do not offer a return policy. While they can be reported to eBay for malpractice, it's not something you want to be dealing with and no one wants to be scammed.
Amazon
Not surprisingly, Amazon does have a used marketplace. It can be tricky to find, however. When you're on a product listing page, if you look near the bottom, you should see "Used from $x.xx."
Since I haven't purchased much on Amazon that is used, I cannot speak for the level of quality control here. However, if it's like anything else Amazon, it's fantastic.
Music Go Round
If you live in the United States, there may be a chance that you live near a Music Go Round. They are a chain of retailers that deal exclusively with used musical instruments.
I have two locations within an hour and a half of my house. I tend to find tons of great deals on used equipment and the best caveat is being able to try before you buy.
They also offer a nice return policy on used equipment, which is a plus in my book. If you don't live close to one, be sure to check their online inventory, as they do offer to ship.
Reverb
Another competitor for the used market is Reverb. I think they offer more professional listings, dealing with more vintage gear and expensive items that are more suited to pros.
There's definitely a great selection here and is worth your time to check out.
Are you a drummer looking to add a few electronic samples to your acoustic kit?
I wouldn't even consider buying an electronic drum kit in this scenario. What you need is a sampling pad.
You can mount one of these units next to your kit and play electronic drums only when called for.
These instruments also contain MIDI outputs, so if recording was your plan, you can get away with it on these, as well (though, not as intuitively).
Do you have an electronic drum kit? Which one do you use? If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to leave a comment down below. Thanks for reading!
Images courtsey of Alesis.com
I Want to Use Direct Outs to Track Through My Td-30
Source: https://drummingreview.com/best-electronic-drum-set/
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