Electronic drum kits

Evil Multifarious

So, of course, playing Rock Band drums has given me a taste for real drums. I always scoffed a little at Guitar Hero players who picked up a guitar, even though I thought it was great to get people interested in instruments, but playing Expert drums has already taught me a few songs and basic beats that I can play on my friend's real kit, and given me the basic limb independence and coordination necessary to start learning.

I was considering picking up the Ion drum kit that will be coming out with Rock Band 2, supposedly after Christmas (unless you pre-order, I'm not clear on the timeline), since you'd get the kit for $300 and a drum brain for $3-400 will turn it into a real drum set, but I'm not sure I trust a game controller to be worth the money as an actual instrument. It's also not fully modular since the four basic pads seem locked in place.

So, having gotten a new job, I am looking to bite the bullet and just buy a real electronic kit. I don't want anything fancy or particularly mindblowing, just a basic kit for cheap that won't break or give me horrible shitty sound, so I can learn to play on it. This also has the benefit of being much easier to store and giving me the option to wear headphones and keep the noise down.

What do you guys recommend? I know these things are expensive as hell but I'd like to spend under $1000, substantially so if possible.

Bartholamue

I'd recommend a Roland TD-3 drumset. I have a TD-6 drumset, but if you just want something basic, either that or a DTX Explorer is good. I'd recommend going to a music shop that sells drums though, because they'll know more than us.

DarkPrimus

Evil Multifarious wrote: »

I was considering picking up the Ion drum kit that will be coming out with Rock Band 2, supposedly after Christmas (unless you pre-order, I'm not clear on the timeline), since you'd get the kit for $300 and a drum brain for $3-400 will turn it into a real drum set, but I'm not sure I trust a game controller to be worth the money as an actual instrument. It's also not fully modular since the four basic pads seem locked in place.

No, the four pads can be adjusted.

http://drumrocker.com/

Let the video play and then select the middle video to see the guy adjusting everything.

EggyToast

Brains are pretty universal, too, so you could start out with the Ion kit and then "move up" if you need to, keeping the same brain.

Evil Multifarious

Bartholamue wrote: »

I'd recommend a Roland TD-3 drumset. I have a TD-6 drumset, but if you just want something basic, either that or a DTX Explorer is good. I'd recommend going to a music shop that sells drums though, because they'll know more than us.

For some reason, Roland's site refuses to show me prices on anything. That seems fairly silly.

Their mobile little set, the HD1, looks pretty good as well.

I'm definitely going to a music shop for the chance to try a few kits out.

Bartholamue

I like how when searching for drumsets you have a good selection but not overwhelming like searching for a guitar. Whatever you'll choose will probably be good enough for general playing, as you described you wanted. Just make sure you get a speaker system or headphones, because you'll need them.

If you get the chance, play on a TD-20. That one is amazing, but oh so expensive.

OremLK

I'd grab this for a sub-$1k budget, certainly over the Rock Band 2 deal:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-DTXplorer-Electronic-Drum-Set?sku=490906

Khavall

As a note, in general, while electronic drum sets sound cool in theory, the limitations will be driving you mad within a year.

Electronic drum sets are good for electronic drum sounds, but basically, the best way to think about electronic drum sets is that the difference is similar to electric guitars v. acoustic guitars. If you're looking for a drum set, but are looking at electronics for space and price, you'll probably end up moving to a normal drum set anyways reasonably soon. If you want electronic drums, then they're fine.

theconductor221

I have a Roland Td-3 and love it, very responsive and can hold up against me beating the crap out of it. My only dislike is that the snare pad is a little small for my tastes, and sometimes when I hit the pad, it triggers the rim sound. But other than that, for beginning drummers, its a very good set.

CrystalMethodist

Head over to Guitar Center/comparable music store's drum section and ask for some sticks to play the electronic kits. They'll let you rock the fuck out for as long as you want and it'll give you a good feel for what you like/need in a kit.

OremLK

Khavall wrote: »

As a note, in general, while electronic drum sets sound cool in theory, the limitations will be driving you mad within a year.

Electronic drum sets are good for electronic drum sounds, but basically, the best way to think about electronic drum sets is that the difference is similar to electric guitars v. acoustic guitars. If you're looking for a drum set, but are looking at electronics for space and price, you'll probably end up moving to a normal drum set anyways reasonably soon. If you want electronic drums, then they're fine.

Well, if you're in an apartment, you often don't have much choice, honestly. I know that's why I got rid of my acoustic set and am dying to get an electric set, but they're more expensive to get a decent one it seems to me.

Sharp10r

I just purchased the Roland TD-6 for my church, it's great but discontinued (and our brain is busted so I have to use my warranty). I love the TD-6 brain (aside from mine being broken) so if you can get that, check it out.