Alesis DM10 RealHead Drum Pads

Many people would speculate that electronic drum sets don’t even come close to the real thing. I disagree. First of all the Alesis DM10 features RealHead technology that gives the user the same feel as an acoustic drum set. Using real mylar drum heads that are tension adjustable with a standard drum key lets you customise the feel. If you wear them out then you can replace the drum heads with ones from different manufactures.

With the Alesis DM10 you get four RealHead 8 inch toms and a RealHead 10 inch snare, all of these have the dual-zone feature. This dual-zone feature allows the player to perform rimshots and rim clicks. Both the toms and snare can mount on 10.5mm standard L-rods with low-slip, knurled mounting surfaces. Also with the studio set you get the RealHead kick pad, this triggered pad can be attached to virtually any single or double bass drum pedal. Optionally you can split the Alesis DM10′s kick input with a Y splitter cable and connect a second kick pad. Also, the RealHead Kick pads integrated stand has adjustable spikes helps maintain its position on an even surface.

Alesis DM10 Cymbals

The Alesis DM10 studio set comprises of four cymbals. It has two 12 inch crash cymbals, a 14 inch ride cymbal and a 12 inch hit-hat. All these cymbals have a rubber playing surface which reduces the stick on pad sound and subsequently the feel of the cymbal making it feel more natural. The one crash and the ride cymbal feature large choke triggers on the undersides for a more realistic cymbal control. The ride cymbal also features triple zone triggering on the bell,face and edge. The hi-hat cymbal and RealHat pedal gives you the ability to continuously vary the control from wide open to tightly closed.

Alesis DM10 Drum Module

With all the great features that come with the Alesis DM10 the DM10 module is probably the best part of the kit. First thing you will notice is the outstanding sound quality. There are over a thousand uncompressed samples of classic studio drums and prized cymbals on the drum module enough to kept you going for a long time. But in the event you do want new sounds, the Alesis DM10 module is the first drum sound module to allow the user to load new sounds by USB from your PC or Mac.

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Dynamic Articulation which is exclusive to Alesis is a great feature adding more realism to when you play. The sound is made up of a series of dynamic-level samples and articulations so if you play harder or softer the drum or cymbals change its timbre not just the volume. So with the RealHead technology giving you the feel of an acoustic drum set, we now have the sound of an acoustic drum set using Dynamic Articulation.

As the drummer you can choose if you want to play with or without reverb giving you different room sounds. Also enjoy a wide variety of rim clicks, rimshots and different stick placement sounds on the cymbals. As an example, a hi-hats sound depends on a number of different factors: how open or closed the pedal is, how hard the hi-hat is struck and a number of other variables. This results in 40 different sounds, plus foot chick and heel splash.

The DM10 sound module has 12 trigger inputs, 10 of them can be split giving you up to 22 single zone pads into the DM10. You get MIDI in and out for working with traditional gear and also comes with the USB jack, which will send MIDI to your PC or MAC. This enables you to use the trigger to midi interface allowing you to use software drum modules on your computer. For easy managing there is a top-panel mixer, which allows you to change the levels in real-time without having to dig through menus.

It is possible to play along to your favourite music with the DM10 module, using the stereo auxiliary input you can connect an iPod or MP3 player. There is also a headphone output so you can drum away to yourself without disturbing other people which also has its own volume knob.

Alesis DM10 Stage Rack

When rocking out on the Alesis DM10 Studio Kit you want to assured that its not going to fall apart. Alesis do a good job about that by supplying the DM10 Kit with the StageRack. The StageRack made from aluminium consists of four sturdy posts that are the industry standard at 1 ½ inch tubing all the other tubing is also 1 ½ inches and compatible with most manufactures rack hardware. There is a stabilization bar in the middle to help with the sturdiness. All the StageRacks mounts, clamps and integrated boom cymbal arms are fully adjustable. Two small issues that have come up with the StageRack are that even if you do have the options to fully adjust the drums and cymbals you are limited to the length of the cables, which is quite short. Also the other issue is that the clamps are made of plastic and are easily broken so do take care when adjusting these.

Where can I find the best price?

As always we want our readers to get the best deal and after a extensive research we found that Amazon was the place to buy. Currently at the moment they have the Alesis DM10 Studio Kit with up to 30% off the RRP. Not only are they the cheapest on the Internet they also provide free shipping. Check out this deal here.

The Roland TD-4 V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit brings you drumming at its best with unique features like the centre-mounted TD-4 sound module, complete with new sounds and precise sensing, the patented mesh head for the snare, velocity sensitive toms and cymbals with choke capacity, a newly designed, compact, light drum stand and a cable harness and DB-25 connector for quicker and neater cable connection. It is also compatible with optional VH-11 V-Hi-Hat to mount on conventional hi-hat stands.

Equipped with mind boggling drum kits and percussion instruments, the Roland TD-4 has significantly higher wave memory, improved sound quality and Mix in functions, Coach Mode and Quick Recording. These drum kits can also be personalised with tuning and muffling for the kick, snare, and toms accessible from the front panel.

In depth review coming soon.

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If you’re a beginning drummer, or just need a set to practice on that won’t break the bank, then you’ll want to check out the Alesis DM6 Electronic Drum set! Electronic drum sets are a great way to get your practice time in without annoying your neighbors, and this compact kit has everything an aspiring rock star needs. I looked around online to get the facts on this cool drum kit so I could share them with you, the drummer, for help in making your purchasing decision.

Great variety of drum sounds to choose from

Are you into rock? Then the Alesis DM6 has loads of pre-set drum kits to choose from. Jazz? Hip hop? Rap? No problem, this kit has you covered! Another great feature is being able to assign different sounds to each pad and cymbal so you can build your own custom drum set. The user is free to come up with any configuration he or she likes, you can even set the bass drum pad as a cymbal if you so desire!

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Realistic playing surfaces play like traditional drums

If you’re new to electronic drumsets and wonder whether you’ll get the same experience as on an acoustic set, then fear not, because it plays practically the same. The pads give off the same bounce and rebound as traditional acoustic drum heads, so you can practice your rolls just like with a traditional set. This is great for beginners who need to learn the basic strokes.

Alesis DM6 features

• 5 piece set with bass kick pedal and the DM6 sound module
• The sound module features 108 preset drum kits that fit a variety of styles including rock, jazz, hip hop, and rap
• Mix and match drum, cymbal, and effects sounds to create up to 15 of your own custom drum kits
• Snare pad has dual zones so you can play rimshots just like with a real snare drum
• For added functionality, the kit has an integrated USB-MIDI output for support with drum module programs
• Easy to set up rack, compatible with clamps from other brands

What do real drummers have to say?

The best testimonials for a product come from the users themselves, so I looked around and found reviews from actual drummers who have tried out the Alesis DM6 for themselves and shared their own experiences with the kit. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“At 49 I decided I wanted to learn to play drums – this is a great set to learn on, not only can I practice at night without keeping the family up, but it has a “real feel.””

“if you are and experienced drummer on a tight budget you will not be disappointed”

“The pedals are very responsive and the adjustments for the pads are great. I was up and running very quickly”

Read more reviews

Conclusion

I found over 50 reviews of the DM6 online, and on average, users rated it an impressive 4 out of 5 stars, which means they were quite happy with the purchase. Great sound, great feel, great quality, and all this comes at a very affordable price. Try the Alesis DM6 out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed! Click here to see the cheapest price.

Alesis DM5

The Alesis DM5 Pro Drum Kit is a unique package that features the DM5 module, complete with all pads, hardware and cables, a sturdy Kick Drum Pedal, Drum Throne, a pair of 5A Nylon Tip Drum Sticks and Headphones. A stellar performer both at live gigs and at recordings, the Alesis DM5 Pro Drum Kitincludes other noteworthy features:

• Snare, kick, 3 toms, with ride, crash and HiHat cymbal pads
• Module containing 540 sounds
• 21 programmable drum sets recorded in 48kHz, with ambient effects
• Single rack space module
• A Dynamic Articulation feature that allows drum sounds to change volume corresponding to how hard they’re hit.
• Ultra-fast trigger-to-MIDI converter with 12 trigger inputs, 5 programmable parameters for each trigger
• Natural movement motion cymbals and HiHat controller pedal for realistic open/close control

The new Yamaha DTX550K Electronic Drum Kit is a unique mid-priced model that sports Yamaha’s award-winning DTX-PAD “Textured Cellular Silicone Head” technology. The kit comes with the following specifications:

• Textured Cellular Silicone Heads
• 10″ DTX-PAD Snare Drum with 3 Zones on the Skin and 2 on the Rim
• 3x Natural Rebound Tom Heads (TP65)
• Compact 7.5 Inch Pads
• 13″ and 15″ 3-Zone Cymbal pads
• In-built Suspension Dampening System
• DTX500 Module
• Acoustic Kits: Oak Custom, Maple Custom, Beech Custom and Recording Custom
• Over 400 Professional Quality Sounds
• 44 Built-in Songs
• Integrated Digital Recorder
• AUX Input

The Yamaha DTX550K also has a suspension dampening system installed, which absorbs the energy from the hands and wrist, which in turn maximizes playing comfort. The Hi-Tech Snare Drum pad brings highly flexible 3 zone playability. The DTX-PAD also comes equipped with a vital controller knob which can be used to adjust and operate many of the functions of the DTX500 Sound Module for instance pitch, voices, digital effects, subtle real time adjustments etc.

Claimed to be the world’s first drum-sound module that offers this unique feature, the Alesis DM10 Pro drum kit also brings you a host of other features that include:

• DM10 drum module with 12 trigger inputs and mixer
• RealHead acoustic-feel 8″ and 10″ dual-zone drum pads with real heads
• SURGE Cymbals
• Ergonomically curved, chrome-plated ErgoRack
• Premium instrument library sampled from real drums and cymbals
• Superb recording facility
• Mix input for practicing with CD and MP3 players

• Realistic Cymbals and Durable Kick Pads
• Customization Enables You to Create Your Ideal Drum Sound
• Versatile Trigger Features
• Rich Training Features for Improving Your Performance Skills
• Can Be Connected to PCs and Other Devices

Complete with new learning tools and percussion sound-housing brain, the Yamaha DTXpress IV is a real treat and will give you an experience like no other!

Yamaha DTXpress IV specifications:

• Tone Generator – AWM2 Maximum Polyphony 32
• Voices – 427 Drum, Percussion Voices, 22 Keyboard Voices
• Drum Kits – Preset 50, User 20
• Effects – Reverb x 19 types, Master EQ
• Trigger – Setups Preset 7, User 4
• Sequencer – Note Capacity Approx. 16,000 notes
• Recording – Type Real Time Replace Track 1
• Songs – 3 Demo Songs, 41 Practice Songs, 19 Pad Songs, 20 User Songs
• Metronome – Tempo 30-300 beats/minute, Tap Tempo function Beat 1-9
• Training Functions – Measure Break, Groove Check, Rhythm Gate
• Connectors – Trigger inputs 1, 5, 6, 7 (stereo phone jack L trigger input , R rim switch)

Its solid built and fabulous quality also adds up to its splendour. While it is much easier to use, its newly designed kick beater, cushioned tom pads, and snare head make it implausibly noise free too.

The HD-1 also comes with an external input to help you connect CD-players and iPods, so you can play to songs of your personal choice, and you can use the headphones and amplifier to create a perfect blend of music and live drumming!

With its stylish design and easy set up and operation, the Roland HD-1 V-Drum kit easily becomes a fun treat for the family.

Roland HD-1 V Package Deal Contents

• HD-1V Lite Digital Drum Kit
• 2 x Pairs of 2B Wood Tip Drum Sticks
• Drum Stool
• HP-170 Stereo Headphones