Starter electronic drums - Roland HD-3 or TD-4KP?

[iantr]

Hi there. I'm looking for a decent electronic drum setup for the kids (and me, obviously...). House full of musical instruments which we all play; not had drums before though.

I'd really appreciate some thoughts/comments to help me choose between the Roland HD-3 and the TD-4KP.

As I understand it:

Both are perfectly functional, actually quite good. They cost the same.
The HD-3 has a better snare. It is slightly smaller and quieter. It has a relatively limited range of sounds and features but is v easy to use.
The TD-4KP folds up (I don't really need this). It has more sounds/features but is a step down in terms of the snare pad etc. It may be more upgradeable(?)

What have I missed? What else do I need to consider?

Thanks in advance!

[HOGEPH]

Choose the kit with the more realistic heads.

The sound is less important than the feel.

I have a Roland TD12, which is great, but still much prefer an acoustic kit for playing live.

[Spantney]

HOGEPH said:

Choose the kit with the more realistic heads.

The sound is less important than the feel.

I have a Roland TD12, which is great, but still much prefer an acoustic kit for playing live.

I agree with this. I've got a TD12-KX kit for home practice which at the time was pretty much as close to a real kit as electronic drums could get, but nothing comes close to an acoustic kit!

Just out of interest how do you feel about buying second hand? The TD4 is around the £550 mark brand new which is what you could get a second hand TD9 for. My first e-kit was a TD9-KX which had all mesh heads and it was absolutely brilliant and super upgradeable. With a cheap cable you could also record straight to a laptop aswell, plus it had inbuilt tracks and stuff to play along to, plus an aux in for playing along with an ipod.

Personally I'd try and get a higher spec but used kit rather than a lower spec new one. A lot of roland kit comes with 5 years warranty aswell Also get a kit with mesh heads rather than rubber if you can find one.

Also be aware when you buy an electronic kit, you'll probably have to shell out for a bass drum pedal and drum throne aswell.

Cheers, Ant.

Edited by Spantney on Monday 25th November 16:50