The best Electronic Drums: Reddit reviews

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Thanks a lot for the answer, I saw some on amazon for around $300 example I'm really interested in learning but I know my work schedule will force me to practice late at night, which is why I'm going the electronic route

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.

Is this the same drum set that works with the wii adapter/the link you gave me? I found it at a cheaper price if it is

https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Mesh-Turbo-Backpack-Kit/dp/B07HYTRL7D/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?adgrpid=67768023029&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwvK-5tLq-AIV9f3jBx3yogkTEAAYASAAEgI_P_D_BwE&hvadid=339577832120&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9016808&hvnetw=g&amp...

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

For some reason it did seem hard to find, but I found it. $60 now. po-24 Office is still available for $50. Not sure if they fluctuate. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W40PCES/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KES6G17H9F437QAMDCK6

You'll need either a PS3 MIDI Pro Adapter or a Roll Limitless Adapter. I'd recommend the Roll Limitless adapter over the official one since it is cheaper and corrects a few things. https://rolllimitless.com/roll-limitless/

Only downside is that you may be waiting a few weeks before they ship out since they're made to order. Took a while to get mine, but totally worth it! Regarding drum sets, I personally have the Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit. I'd recommend checking Facebook Marketplace, often times you'd find them fairly cheap.

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.

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

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

Seems just right for me considering the Sub is $60 now

https://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Engineering-TE010AS014-Synthesizer-Sequencer/dp/B00W40PCES/ref=sr\_1\_1?dchild=1&keywords=po+sub&qid=1630414094&sr=8-1

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

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.

I have the Alesis Command Mesh but this is one step down. It also depends on what you define as breaking the bank.

https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Surge-Mesh-Kit-Connectivity/dp/B078S7PFMJ/ref=sr_1_44?dchild=1&keywords=acoustic+drum+set&qid=1598881762&sr=8-44

I purchased the Command Mesh for $750 on Amazon but spread the payments out over 5 Months so it was $150 a month which was manageable for me. Below is a link to a cover I did so you can hear what the drums sound like just through the brain, I don't have anything running on the back end of the computer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suhvYzZRHRc

Thanks for the advice! I hadn't thought to try amazon chat. If for some reason they don't want it back I imagine that something like this ddrum ddti would probably work great with the Donner pads and cymbals.

I'm looking for local used Roland kits. From what I've read Alesis doesn't seem to be worth it, even their "pro" gear seems prone to early failure. The Simmons SD1200 looks really good but there just isn't a lot of info about its durability and it seems earlier simmons models apparently weren't great in that department.

I think I've learned the lesson as to why everybody says "save and buy Roland".

I primarily plan to use a midi vst so an older roland kit should work great for me as long as I can find one with good pads. Used TD-11KV seems like a sweet spot for price (looks like $700-900ish) with good pads and cymbals.

I found this in the Amazon questions and answers section.

Q: Can i run this, via midi 5 pin > usb into my mac to drive steven slate in logic pro x? A: Alesis support here! Technically, you can use the 5-pin to connect to a USB adapter, but the USB port on the back of the Nitro Mesh Kit is also a MIDI connection so you can use just one USB cable to connect it right up to your computer without the need of an adapter. If you have any other questions, please feel free to call or email us using the contact information on alesis.com/support. By Mike V. on April 23, 2019

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BW1XJGP?

Sorry, $89 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Engineering-Pocket-Operator-PO-33/dp/B079M56Z4G/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=pocket+operator+33&qid=1576104111&sr=8-1

Lots of Alesis Nitro Mesh users around here. Here’s a link:

https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Electronic-Snare-Cymbals/dp/B07BW1XJGP

I will say that in the electronic drum world, “good” and “cheap” are rarely seen holding hands.

In that case, save up a few bucks and buy a nitro mesh kit. A million times better than a rb kit, if you even find one.

Then you just need the midi adapter and a midi cable

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BW1XJGP

Xbox 360 Rock Band 3 Midi PRO-Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00409SOD2