Electric Drums Recommendations :)

scaza

scaza

scaza

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Joined
8 Jun 2008
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651
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Stoke-On-Trent
Hey all,

To put it simply, i had a go of my mates drums the other day and now i want some. Unfortunately being a student and still living with my parents i don't have the room or convenience of sound proofing for conventional drums.

My friend suggested i get myself some electric drums to start practicing with, but he didn't have any recommendations, so instead of jumping straight in i decided to try and ask some of you guys who (Hopefully ;)) Know what your on about.

Thanks in advance Lads
 
If you don't mind going second hand, you can pick up a nice Roland kit from the bay - I picked up a TD-3KW for £560 over the summer and it's fantastic, far better than the Yamaha.
 
I would recommend the Alesis kit than Neoni has posted. It's a fair price and has membrane heads as opposed to rubber pads (as far as I can tell) and they're so so great to play.
 
I have a Roland TD6-KX so I'll give you my experiences.

Hmm, I would look for a kit that:

a) has a metronome (very useful)
b) can record what you play and so you can listen and correct (very important when learning)
c) do you want to upload new kits (MIDI IN required)
d) do you want to use the kit as a instrument with a music program (MIDI OUT/THRU required) (will also plug into the drum controller of Guitar Hero World Tour!)
e) check if the kit comes with a throne (seat) and a bass pedal in the cost. If not you'll need to factor that it - beg/borrow or look on the bay.
f) you'll need a pair of sticks normally
g) audio jack in and out. This allows you to attach your ipod and headphones. The sound you hear is the ipod tune and your drum playing together.

Of the Roland range:

HD1 - not expandable very basic with 6 kits and you can't change them or plug in with MIDI. More of a toy.. no 'gnome or record.

TD3 - good for beginner, missing cymbal mute and will do for your requirements. Don't expect great gigging with it!

TD4 - brand new model released this year replaces the 3.

TD6 - good kit, will do the majority if what you ask. There are two controllers TD6 which is blue is the older, TD6V is black and has an updated display etc. Has 99 kits, MIDI IN/THRU, cymbal mute, expandable.
You may be able to source a controller and basic set of pads from the bay for your budget. Worth having a look.

TD9 - brand new model released this year and replaces the 6.

Note that Roland TD3 & TD6 kit comes in two flavours - the rubber pad and the all mesh (KX) variants. Same controller and you could upgrade the pads later one by one.
 
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I had a TD6 kit very similar to what Nick mentions and I had a lot of fun with it and it was excellent for practicing inside with as you can plug headphones in the control box and make hardly any noise.

I sold it last year due to storage issues as I had two kits. I now have the one which is a Ludwig kit. I will always prefer acoustic over electronic but there are some excellent second hand kits out there of the latter.
 
NickK said:
I have a Roland TD6-KX so I'll give you my experiences.

Hmm, I would look for a kit that:

a) has a metronome (very useful)
b) can record what you play and so you can listen and correct (very important when learning)
c) do you want to upload new kits (MIDI IN required)
d) do you want to use the kit as a instrument with a music program (MIDI OUT/THRU required) (will also plug into the drum controller of Guitar Hero World Tour!)
e) check if the kit comes with a throne (seat) and a bass pedal in the cost. If not you'll need to factor that it - beg/borrow or look on the bay.
f) you'll need a pair of sticks normally
g) audio jack in and out. This allows you to attach your ipod and headphones. The sound you hear is the ipod tune and your drum playing together.

Of the Roland range:

HD1 - not expandable very basic with 6 kits and you can't change them or plug in with MIDI. More of a toy.. no 'gnome or record.

TD3 - good for beginner, missing cymbal mute and will do for your requirements. Don't expect great gigging with it!

TD4 - brand new model released this year replaces the 3.

TD6 - good kit, will do the majority if what you ask. There are two controllers TD6 which is blue is the older, TD6V is black and has an updated display etc. Has 99 kits, MIDI IN/THRU, cymbal mute, expandable.
You may be able to source a controller and basic set of pads from the bay for your budget. Worth having a look.

TD9 - brand new model released this year and replaces the 6.

Note that Roland TD3 & TD6 kit comes in two flavours - the rubber pad and the all mesh (KX) variants. Same controller and you could upgrade the pads later one by one.
Click to expand...

Lets not forget the TD-20 ;)
 
NickK said:
Hmm, when I tried standard TD3 as part of demoing the HD,TD3,TD6 and Yamaha equivalents it was one of the things that stood out it didn't have. *shug*
Click to expand...

Maybe I've got a special limited edition one-off only that has it?!?!?!
 
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