The best Drums & Percussion: Reddit reviews

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phrog

We have a souvenir from a Caribbean cruise we took a few years ago. It is a carved wooden frog with a ridge down its back. It has a wooden baton just like that that it holds in its mouth. You remove the baton from its mouth and draw it down the ridges on its back and it is supposed to sound like the chirping sound the frog makes. We bought it from a street vendor in Roatan, Honduras.

Very much like this: little wood frog rasp around 4" long from thailand factory https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NP80XMO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_zh7EFb7VPAS1V

link

and for those interested, pay attention to the amazon warehouse deals for this. this is their most popular e-kit, so a lot of them show up as used, with various issues, but mostly cosmetic ones.

the kit I ordered was $240 and listed as 'good' condition. they claimed the kit would have multiple minor blemishes, but outside of the box having a few dents, the kit appeared to be in pristine condition. (but ymmv)

it may seem like a good jump from the roughly $140 you'd pay for the stock kit with cymbals, but you end up getting a fully customizable kit you can setup in whatever way you want, and you have something that is actually build to be beat on.

also remember you'll need to buy the madcatz midi pro adapter (~$25) to get this working, and xbox users need to get the upcoming pdp adapter to get it to work with rb4. ($30) since I saved $60 on the set like I mentioned above, this sort of made the adapters free.

EDIT: amazon has a musical instrument promotion right now. MISAVE10 gets you 10% off this kit. not sure how long it'll last.

https://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-Medium-Wood-Frog-Guiro/dp/B00NP80XMO/ref=asc_df_B00NP80XMO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312244102476&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=254369833804154882&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007428&hvtargid=pla-493395806045&psc=1

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That's the exact one I have :)

Amazon is also selling it for the same price:

https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Kit-Electronic-Cymbals/dp/B0187KO8X4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513570927&sr=8-1&keywords=alesis+nitro

Mesh heads are the way to go, Roland has one of the best sound modules but the low level TD-K1 is not as good as some of the others listed here. If I were you I would search on Ebay or your local Fb Market place for a used (like new) option. I picked up an Alesis Surge kit for under $300, it is on Amazon for $599 and is far superior to all listed here. https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Surge-Mesh-Kit-Connectivity/dp/B078S7PFMJ?th=1 The Nitro version is listed at $380 and has the same module but the Surge has much better hardware. FYI I have had a Roland V series 10 and upgraded to TD-20 Kit but the Alesis surge is great for gigging and best value for money! I have done my research over the last 8 months, tried out all the models and ended up with the Surge. Good luck.

There's this, too:https://www.amazon.com/Goedrum-Prewired-Double-Adhesive-Circle/dp/B01G8X1VX2/

but you can probably get a single cheap piezo, too. 8" mesh heads are also available on ebay and amazon, just try finding a similar looking one. I tried Roland for my snare and they had a much wider rim. Simple Remo or Evans (black) heads are also sold in music stores. You might want to add a kick drum patch for extra protection and make sure not to use a felt beater.

I bought my replacement piezo triggers on Amazon! They’re GoEdrum triggers and they work (in my opinion) much better than the stock. I put the link but I think they are out of stock on Amazon.

Im no expert but I think any brand of piezo will work. It probably comes down to quality when choosing.

GoEdrum Piezo triggers

Ok, so this kit, plus this adapter, and a midi cable and I'm good to go?

This kit is solid @379 Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit - Electric Drum Set with USB MIDI Connectivity, Mesh Drum Pads, Kick Pedal and Rubber Kick Drum, 40 Kits and 385 Sounds https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BW1XJGP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XPXWVZ106AKZGAWP713Q?psc=1

I went with the alesis command but it was open box for 500.

I've got one of these for minis paint. Had it for a number of years, never had an issue.

Don't yell. I co-teach in a room with 50 kids. The other teacher yells frequently. I don't. I can control the room and she can't. She nearly has an anxiety attack daily because of it.

You have to come up with your own system of rewards and consequences that the students actually care about individually. I take my 8th graders outside once per week to just play sports or do whatever they want on the track. They know that when I ring my high pitched chime, they have three seconds to stop talking. If they don't, I write down the names of the offenders and they don't go out at the end of the week. You should get some kind of high pitched noise because everyone hears it regardless of volume. If you try to use your voice, you have to be louder than the entire class and it's hard to do that without yelling. I use this one

The trick is to not let anyone know who is on the list until right before you go outside. Otherwise kids who are on the list will just say fuck it and torture you all week. They won't remember talking at an inappropriate time, so I make sure to write down "Jeremias -- talking to Alyssa after chime," in case they accuse me of lying.

Also, and this is where I disagree with the top comment--do not use blanket punishments. If 20 kids are doing great and the same 5 kids fuck it up for everyone, not only is it not fair to punish the 20 kids, but they will stop caring because they'll know there is a high chance that they're going to lose their privilege anyway through no fault of their own.

I have the Alesis Nitro kit. It works good still but it's over 5 years old.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0187KO8X4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Would this be a decent upgrade?

Roll Limitless Drums Adapter ($70) https://rolllimitless.com/roll-limitless/

Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh ($379.00) https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Electronic-Snare-Cymbals/dp/B07BW1XJGP

IIRC, you need a DualShock 4 controller to use with the Roll Limitless Adapter. (DualSense won't work).

One thing that has really helped me understand the unique sound and structure of hip-hop is fooling around with a hardware sampler. I think the limited grid helps you understand the basic structure of a beat (okay, I’ve got four quarter notes, place a kick on the 1 and snare or clap on the 2 and 4). Sampling helps you understand how you build a beat from little pieces of sound.

This sampler is a hundred bucks — less if you get it used:

https://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Engineering-Pocket-Operator-PO-33/dp/B079M56Z4G

Get a 3.5 mm stereo cable and you can plug your phone or laptop into the input and sample snippets from songs on YouTube. (Or you can play synth or drum apps, which are very cheap.) If you sample a drum break, you can slice it into individual hits — kick, snare, hats, percussion. Or you can sample melodic loops and pitch them up or down. Use your wits and some experimentation to place your samples on the grid, and you’re off to the races. Instant beats. It’s really satisfying. (And when you’re feeling adventurous, there are effects buttons for stutter, roll, and reverse effects, so you can live-improvise variations on your beat.)

There are more sophisticated versions of the same thing — like the new SP-404 — but the PO is affordable and you can take it anywhere.

(Obviously most modern hip-hop is made on the computer, and the recommendations to learn a DAW and an instrument are right on, too. But I think sampling on hardware helps you connect to the way people originally developed this kind of music. Plus it’s incredibly fun!)

The Teensy 2.x and 3.x are excellent for this, already have MIDI code for them, and have been used in many MIDI controllers. The larger versions have plenty of input pins, both analog and digital, to cover what you want to do.

But signals loose definition and gain noise over long wire runs. Even the length of an arm might be enough to disrupt analog signals. Something like a 328P, or an even smaller ATTiny, on each hand could communicate to the Teensy in the middle.

If you decide to try simple first, use shielded cables. Both CAT 5e and CAT 6 come in shielded versions, but they're a little expensive. If you know someone in IT, see if they have some scraps you can use. If you only need one pair of wires, shielded microphone cable is much cheaper.

For drum-type sensors, everyone uses piezo disks. Even pro drum sensors use them, and they're cheap! You can just glue them to your shirt and they'll work. Some kind of solid base that holds it still and allows the piezo disk to 'flex' will increase sensitivity and give you better repeatability . A solid wood/plastic ring or a stiff rubber base would work well. It only needs to flex microscopically to generate a good signal.

When you get it running, post and let us know how it worked out.

yea it's the alesis surge but you'll need a madcatz adapter I have a tutorial on how to set it up. the module itself is pretty good but if you want a more professional drum sound with it you'll want to connect it to a computer and use it as a midi kit to play sounds from a vst like ezdrummer or superior drummer. I don't have an Amp if I'm not playing rockband on a bluetooth speaker with other people I have headphones in

The more thoughtful conferences all tend to use one of these instead of mic tapping. For $11, I'm starting to think I might have to get one for the gig bag.

This one for 379$?

https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Electronic-Snare-Cymbals/dp/B07BW1XJGP/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Alesis+Nitro&qid=1631748539&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_72%3A1248939011&rnid=1248937011&rps=1&s=musical-instr...

Weird, try this link

Alesis Drums Surge Mesh Kit - Eight-Piece Mesh Electric Drum Set with 385 Electronic / Acoustic Drum Kit Sounds and 60 Play Along Tracks https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078S7PFMJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_05JGEYQ68P4QW7JHHM0P

I was gonna saw the wood frog rasp things + reverb but hell the comb’ll.

This is what I’m referring too: Deluxe Large 4" Wood Frog Guiro Rasp - Percussion Musical Instrument Tone Block - by World Percussion USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NP80XMO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YV76YN474DW6MKF99PAP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yeah electric is pretty much the only way to go unless you can fully sound proof a room.

I'd say the 'industry standard' for e-drums are the Roland V-drums series but they cost a hell of a lot, especially for the full size kits.

I've taken a look on amazon and this looks like a Pretty good deal (I'm from the uk so apologies if you have to find it on your own amazon). It's a much better than the majority of kits at that price range because it's much closer to a full size acoustic kit layout wise than many of the other options. If you drop any lower than that price mark you'll start getting into kits that are not representative of real drum placements so you may find it harder to play on an acoustic kit if you ever get the chance because your muscle memory will be significantly different.

If you're not bothered about any of that and just want something to play for cheap that is not as accurate go ahead! Personally I find fills much harder when playing on one of the smaller scale kits (Probably due to the muscle memory thing I mentioned). You'll still have something to hit, play and get the basics down on and fi you decide you want a better model you can always sell and upgrade.

Hope that's helped but if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

Wow yeah don't pick these up, not a proper e drum kit and looks really bad...as others have said, stick to the well known brands.

I picked up my first e drums a month ago, which was the Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit. It's super cheap (basically the same price as the one u posted) and VERY good value for money. Also has mesh heads, which feel great to play on.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alesis-Electronic-Super-Solid-Play-Along-Connection/dp/B07BW1XJGP/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=alesis+nitro+mesh+kit&qid=1613509276&quartzVehicle=29-410&replacementKeywords=alesis+mesh+kit&sr=8-5

Alesis Nitro if you want a super cheap Edrum kit.

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https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Kit-Electronic-Cymbals/dp/B0187KO8X4

Is this the kit?

Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit | Eight Piece All Mesh Electronic Drum Kit With Super Solid Aluminum Rack, 385 Sounds, 60 Play Along Tracks, Connection Cables, Drum Sticks & Drum Key Included https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BW1XJGP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_O6sWFbPENSQCS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yep I ended up replacing the piezo with this:

Goedrum Pack of 5 Prewired 35mm Piezo Disc and Double Sided Adhesive Foam Circle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G8X1VX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XAtSFbB18V1MP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It was super easy but requires some soldering (and new solder).

Solved all my kick drum problems and now it works great.

this right?won’t be able to get a second pedal at the moment because I don’t really have a source of money besides mowing the lawn (it’s winter). Would I get to accustomed to using a single pedal to the switch to two?

I bought the adapter and this set:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078S7PFMJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

we’ll the thing is with the one you linked,there’s not a real bass drum pedal with it,its fake just like the hihat,which you’d want a real one just because there adjustable and just overall feel better so i’d recommend this one,hope this helps :)

Alesis Nitro Mesh is one of the more popular budget eKits. You've still got budget for some high quality headphones and/or keyboard amplifier.