Electronic Drum Kit - just wondering...
Discussion
My son has been playing the drums for a little while. Grade 3 going for grade 4.
Would he benefit from a kit upgrade? If so what? I'll ask his drum teacher as well but I'm interested to hear other opinions. I don't want to spend the cash unless there is a real benefit.
Current kit is an Alesis DM6.
The kit has to be electronic unfortunately. Conventional drums are not an option.
Thoughts?
Would he benefit from a kit upgrade? If so what? I'll ask his drum teacher as well but I'm interested to hear other opinions. I don't want to spend the cash unless there is a real benefit.
Current kit is an Alesis DM6.
The kit has to be electronic unfortunately. Conventional drums are not an option.
Thoughts?
Sheetmaself said:
What is your budget?
I have a Roland 11KV and it really is a fairly impressive piece of kit. May be able to puck a good secondhand kit as superceeded by the 15kv now.
Of you anywhere midlands way your welcome to come and let him have a go if you can’t find a shop with one still.
That's very good of you but I'm on the Sunny (?) South Coast. Thanks anyway.I have a Roland 11KV and it really is a fairly impressive piece of kit. May be able to puck a good secondhand kit as superceeded by the 15kv now.
Of you anywhere midlands way your welcome to come and let him have a go if you can’t find a shop with one still.
I don't really have a budget yet - I'm just trying to work what I need to spend to get a reasonable upgrade. I'm not a drummer and I'm wondering if the Alesis DM6 kit is in anyway restrictive for someone at his stage? Or is it fine for another year or two?
If I get a second hand kit in mind I can keep an eye out for a 2nd hand bargain in the usual places. The Roland kits do seem to get very good reports so they are already on the search list.
Just going to chime in here as I have had a few leccy kits in the past!
I would say at Grade 3/4 your lad is probably at the stage where a decent uplift in kit quality would be beneficial. If he has got to that stage he'll hopefully keep at it for the foreseeable!
The biggest (and least sexy) aspect of any electric kit is going to be the actual brain, and this is where the higher spec kits come in to their own. Basic kits tend to have limited functionality in this regard, will only have a few basic kit sounds with little ability for anything further. No/little prospect for any expansion and are really for the most casual of drummers. Not only will the more expensive kits have more features such as - downloading additional drum sounds, samples, aux inputs, midi/line outs, some can go straight into a recording desk or you can even record demos to a USB hard drive.
The higher end kits will likely also have mesh as opposed to rubber drum pads which are a lot nicer to play on and personally I feel they are a lot kinder on the wrists too if playing for extended periods of time. As you go up the tiers one other benefit is that the mounting racks get a lot better with space for expansion - extra drum pads and cymbals so if your lad later on feels like he has outgrown the kit you can expand it that way rather than purchase an entire new set.
I think the sweet spot would be in the intermediate to pro level, second hand is the way to go. The latest roland offerings like the TD15(kv) or TD25(KV) would definitely be a worthwhile investment if you don't mind outlaying the capital. Just bear in mind that on lower end kits the kick and hi-hat pedals will be integrated into the overall design of the kit, whereas as you go more high end you may require a dedicated hi-hat stand and kick pedal. Its both a benefit and a drawback because on one side its extra expense, but on another you can choose what brand/model of stand and pedal you want. Your lad might want to play a double kick pedal for example.
Just looking around on ebay at the moment and a TD15kv is around the £800 mark, a TD25kv is £1500 ish or more. Either would be a decent upgrade, there are more features and maybe further future proofing with the TD25kv but its a heftier initial outlay.
I recently purchased a second hand Roland TD12 (an older professional grade series), have expanded it with a couple of extra cymbal pads, and some new hardware and its great. I think I spent around £1750 in total for all of this.
Cheers,
Ant
I would say at Grade 3/4 your lad is probably at the stage where a decent uplift in kit quality would be beneficial. If he has got to that stage he'll hopefully keep at it for the foreseeable!
The biggest (and least sexy) aspect of any electric kit is going to be the actual brain, and this is where the higher spec kits come in to their own. Basic kits tend to have limited functionality in this regard, will only have a few basic kit sounds with little ability for anything further. No/little prospect for any expansion and are really for the most casual of drummers. Not only will the more expensive kits have more features such as - downloading additional drum sounds, samples, aux inputs, midi/line outs, some can go straight into a recording desk or you can even record demos to a USB hard drive.
The higher end kits will likely also have mesh as opposed to rubber drum pads which are a lot nicer to play on and personally I feel they are a lot kinder on the wrists too if playing for extended periods of time. As you go up the tiers one other benefit is that the mounting racks get a lot better with space for expansion - extra drum pads and cymbals so if your lad later on feels like he has outgrown the kit you can expand it that way rather than purchase an entire new set.
I think the sweet spot would be in the intermediate to pro level, second hand is the way to go. The latest roland offerings like the TD15(kv) or TD25(KV) would definitely be a worthwhile investment if you don't mind outlaying the capital. Just bear in mind that on lower end kits the kick and hi-hat pedals will be integrated into the overall design of the kit, whereas as you go more high end you may require a dedicated hi-hat stand and kick pedal. Its both a benefit and a drawback because on one side its extra expense, but on another you can choose what brand/model of stand and pedal you want. Your lad might want to play a double kick pedal for example.
Just looking around on ebay at the moment and a TD15kv is around the £800 mark, a TD25kv is £1500 ish or more. Either would be a decent upgrade, there are more features and maybe further future proofing with the TD25kv but its a heftier initial outlay.
I recently purchased a second hand Roland TD12 (an older professional grade series), have expanded it with a couple of extra cymbal pads, and some new hardware and its great. I think I spent around £1750 in total for all of this.
Cheers,
Ant
Jediworrier said:
What about a conventional kit with practise pads? Reason I ask is I have an old kit , Kick, 3 toms, hi hat and ride with stands going free. Am also on the sunny South coast.
Thanks for the offer but unfortunately it is electronic only. If we had a proper kit with pads the pads would never be used and the neighbours would hate us forever! 
Spantney said:
Just going to chime in here as I have had a few leccy kits in the past!
I would say at Grade 3/4 your lad is probably at the stage where a decent uplift in kit quality would be beneficial. If he has got to that stage he'll hopefully keep at it for the foreseeable!
The biggest (and least sexy) aspect of any electric kit is going to be the actual brain, and this is where the higher spec kits come in to their own. Basic kits tend to have limited functionality in this regard, will only have a few basic kit sounds with little ability for anything further. No/little prospect for any expansion and are really for the most casual of drummers. Not only will the more expensive kits have more features such as - downloading additional drum sounds, samples, aux inputs, midi/line outs, some can go straight into a recording desk or you can even record demos to a USB hard drive.
The higher end kits will likely also have mesh as opposed to rubber drum pads which are a lot nicer to play on and personally I feel they are a lot kinder on the wrists too if playing for extended periods of time. As you go up the tiers one other benefit is that the mounting racks get a lot better with space for expansion - extra drum pads and cymbals so if your lad later on feels like he has outgrown the kit you can expand it that way rather than purchase an entire new set.
I think the sweet spot would be in the intermediate to pro level, second hand is the way to go. The latest roland offerings like the TD15(kv) or TD25(KV) would definitely be a worthwhile investment if you don't mind outlaying the capital. Just bear in mind that on lower end kits the kick and hi-hat pedals will be integrated into the overall design of the kit, whereas as you go more high end you may require a dedicated hi-hat stand and kick pedal. Its both a benefit and a drawback because on one side its extra expense, but on another you can choose what brand/model of stand and pedal you want. Your lad might want to play a double kick pedal for example.
Just looking around on ebay at the moment and a TD15kv is around the £800 mark, a TD25kv is £1500 ish or more. Either would be a decent upgrade, there are more features and maybe further future proofing with the TD25kv but its a heftier initial outlay.
I recently purchased a second hand Roland TD12 (an older professional grade series), have expanded it with a couple of extra cymbal pads, and some new hardware and its great. I think I spent around £1750 in total for all of this.
Cheers,
Ant
Thanks for the info. My son would love a kit like that! Roland kits do tend to get very good reviews from what I have seen. I've spoken to his Drum Teacher now who has shared similar thoughts.I would say at Grade 3/4 your lad is probably at the stage where a decent uplift in kit quality would be beneficial. If he has got to that stage he'll hopefully keep at it for the foreseeable!
The biggest (and least sexy) aspect of any electric kit is going to be the actual brain, and this is where the higher spec kits come in to their own. Basic kits tend to have limited functionality in this regard, will only have a few basic kit sounds with little ability for anything further. No/little prospect for any expansion and are really for the most casual of drummers. Not only will the more expensive kits have more features such as - downloading additional drum sounds, samples, aux inputs, midi/line outs, some can go straight into a recording desk or you can even record demos to a USB hard drive.
The higher end kits will likely also have mesh as opposed to rubber drum pads which are a lot nicer to play on and personally I feel they are a lot kinder on the wrists too if playing for extended periods of time. As you go up the tiers one other benefit is that the mounting racks get a lot better with space for expansion - extra drum pads and cymbals so if your lad later on feels like he has outgrown the kit you can expand it that way rather than purchase an entire new set.
I think the sweet spot would be in the intermediate to pro level, second hand is the way to go. The latest roland offerings like the TD15(kv) or TD25(KV) would definitely be a worthwhile investment if you don't mind outlaying the capital. Just bear in mind that on lower end kits the kick and hi-hat pedals will be integrated into the overall design of the kit, whereas as you go more high end you may require a dedicated hi-hat stand and kick pedal. Its both a benefit and a drawback because on one side its extra expense, but on another you can choose what brand/model of stand and pedal you want. Your lad might want to play a double kick pedal for example.
Just looking around on ebay at the moment and a TD15kv is around the £800 mark, a TD25kv is £1500 ish or more. Either would be a decent upgrade, there are more features and maybe further future proofing with the TD25kv but its a heftier initial outlay.
I recently purchased a second hand Roland TD12 (an older professional grade series), have expanded it with a couple of extra cymbal pads, and some new hardware and its great. I think I spent around £1750 in total for all of this.
Cheers,
Ant
The bank balance won't stretch to it quite yet but at least I can keep any eye out for any bargains. It does seem like mesh heads is the next sensible step up but at a cost.
My son is loving the drums and I going to make sure we encourage it!
Kinda' left field, but get him a keyboard. All the best drummers I've worked with have had harmonic knowledge as well as rhythmical ability.
Also, get him to listen to rhythmically complex music (Salsa etc). Western music is generally so thuddingly dull it won't open his ears to 'fluid' rhythms.
If this makes no sense, check out how the Brits clap along at a gig... then listen to what the Latinos do! It's night and day.
ETA: this is the drummer I use - he is sight reading... Worth knowing the benefit of that skill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y9JHUyap5g
Also, get him to listen to rhythmically complex music (Salsa etc). Western music is generally so thuddingly dull it won't open his ears to 'fluid' rhythms.
If this makes no sense, check out how the Brits clap along at a gig... then listen to what the Latinos do! It's night and day.
ETA: this is the drummer I use - he is sight reading... Worth knowing the benefit of that skill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y9JHUyap5g
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 20th December 16:32
breamster said:
Thanks for the info. My son would love a kit like that! Roland kits do tend to get very good reviews from what I have seen. I've spoken to his Drum Teacher now who has shared similar thoughts.
The bank balance won't stretch to it quite yet but at least I can keep any eye out for any bargains. It does seem like mesh heads is the next sensible step up but at a cost.
My son is loving the drums and I going to make sure we encourage it!
Hello. If you're still around then I would also recommend getting a drum shield for your son's kit. I guess the drum teacher already told about it and if not, well, I would tell myself, but it’s better described here in this article on Simplydrum about those. In short, it might save both sound quality and lots of nerves.The bank balance won't stretch to it quite yet but at least I can keep any eye out for any bargains. It does seem like mesh heads is the next sensible step up but at a cost.
My son is loving the drums and I going to make sure we encourage it!
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