Drum Sets

Pyle – US based company is a leading manufacturer of high quality advanced woofers. In addition to this, they also specialize in the area of car stereo set, home needs and electrical musical instruments. Amongst the product lines, Pyle Pro’s objective is to cater the needs of professional to amateurs. Pyle-Pro PED04 is the electric drum set which falls in the affordable, compact yet usable electronic drum set.

Overview

Pyle-ProPED04 is a compact electronic drum set containing the essence of nearly acoustic drum set feel. The notable attraction is the natural force drum head. It consists of 128 velocity sensors. In addition to this, the pre-set drum has up to 11 variations. The built-in metronome and the MIDI capabilities are yet another attraction considering the price. Moreover, owing to the compact nature the drum rack is completely adjustable. It comes with five drum pads and 2 drum sticks, bass drum pedal and the Hi-hat pedal.

Design

Rather than the semi-circular or elliptical electronic drum set structure, Pyle-ProPED04 Drum Kit resembles like a rack fitted with soft plates. The unique structure gives better edge to the user while playing on it. The unit has five parts, viz, TOM1, TOM2, Hi-hat, Snare, crash, Hi-hat pedal; kick pedal and the control box. The assembling time differs depending on the expertise level, and the user-manual briefs it anyway. The positioning of the control box receives mixed review. Usually it is placed somewhat in close proximity to the user’s eyes, whereas it is placed below the eye-level, reading the display would be an issue for some. The control box is actually clipped on the supporting bars. Though it looks feeble, it can withstand the playing effects.

Prior to assembling the electronic drum set, the bolts and the connectors must be attached precisely. Once the main connector is ready, the supporting bars to hold the components can be quickly fastened. Once the back bone is assembled, it is essential to adjust the T-shape connector in such a manner that the lower shape connector ought to match the knee length. Once it is assembled, the other components have to be attached. While attaching the pads to the connector, care has to be taken that the depressed side of the connector is attached to the protruding side of the pad. This is followed by the assembly of the snare pads, Hi-Hat and the crash.

Control Panel

The control panel is once again filled with buttons and the visibility is an issue. There are direct controls to the Hi-hat, snare, bass crash and the Tom. Besides this, it has slots that can be connected to speakers, headphones, adaptors and MIDI-In and out. The console is split as, percussion sound module and metronome and the other side as drum voice list. The percussion style module can be operated using the four-way button; consisting of the reverb, patch, style and the click.

Features

Natural Response Drum head
The Pyle Pro-PED04 consists of drum heads with 128 level velocity sensors. This attributes to the sound quality generated when electric signal is passed to the sensor. It produces the sound nearly equivalent to that of acoustic drum head.

Built-in Metronome
The built-in metronome can be turned on and off respectively. The beat and the tempo can be changed using the console and the four-way navigational control. The tempo adjustment can improve the knowledge of playing drums.

MIDI Capabilities
The Pyle-ProPED04 contains MIDI in and out. However, in order to use the MIDI, one needs to purchase a midi interface and transfer the data from the system to the drum-set. Devoid of the Midi interface, we hear delay in the sound which is attributed to the interface and not the drum set itself.

Performance

Pyle Pro PED04 Electronic Drum Kit is responsive and the pads produce good sound. The frame structure is strong and though compact can take up strong beats. Moreover, the food pedals respond to the touch and does not require pressurized press. The integrated drum sounds are good and renders impressive effect when listened through the headphone. Depending on the headphone quality, the sound heard would vary. Once again, the PC speakers are not so good to re-produce the same sound effect. While playing the drum set it is advisable to place rubber feet underneath as they tend to slip away while playing too hard.

Verdict

Pyle Pro PED04 is a compact and affordable drum set packed with essential features which can improve the learning skills of an amateur drummer. The instrument usability is further extended by adding features like MIDI capabilities, built-in metronome, and the 10 drum styles can be chosen to play with. It produces decently good sound and can be practiced without any disturbance.

Pyle-Pro PED04 Drum Kit – Technical Specification Table

XM electronic drum kit has a popular market in Asian market and now gaining good momentum in France, UK and Germany. XM is skilled drum designer and manufacturer. The specialty of XM drum set is that it offers a wide range of varieties which sounds almost similar to that of acoustic drum, but at the same time it is made affordable. The pricing makes it very attractive. Moreover, XM has considered to incorporate ideas such as placing the bass drum mounted on the rack, so it remains intact no matter how hard the hit is, thereby rendering a good playing experience.

Overview

First and foremost, the XM drum pads can be attuned with other drum modules. The XMT-5SR electronic drum Set offers good customisation. To name a few, the user can alter the tension created on the mesh head so as to suit the drummer’s style and convenience. It can afford a maximum expansion of 14 pads. Regarding the set-up it is constructed using unique wood drum shell, wherein the crash consists of both the choke and the edge function. In addition to this, it also hoists five preset drum tones and 70 voices. The display interface is made very approachable and can be used at ease. As a final note, it comprises of features worth mentioning for a low priced drum set.

Design

The highlight portion of the XMT-5SR Electronic Drum Kit is the user friendly graphic display set-up. The set is accompanied with module box and can be connected to the module rack. The cross point screw driver can be used for this purpose. The XM 5SR electronic drumset look phenomenal. It is made by using the wooden drum shells thereby giving a classic acoustic feel to it. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the tension of the drum head. The process involves either tightening or loosening the drum scrum which is located on the drum rim. The drum key can be used for this purpose. The trick is it has to be turned clocked wise for the tightening adjustment and the anti-clock wise for the loosening adjustment. However care must be taken in the fine tuning process. The revolution involved in each screw must not cross the half circle. In addition to this, it must be in the diagonal locking condition. It is essential to understand that the tension adjustment no way improve or depreciate the sound quality. It is done to get the user accustomed to the beat. In other words, tighter the drum head better would be the sensitivity.

The graphic display consists of all the controls to play the drum efficiently. The power switch, display screen, the volume switch, is all accommodated on the front region. The rear side hosts the connection for input and output interface for stereo. The LCD display consists of tempo, beat, volume and direct access to control each of the drum or the snare sound. This usability makes the drum set easy to operate and return for the value of money. The operating procedure is also simple. It has the areas in the display that flashes off when the drum kit itself is in the tone switch mode.

Features

Drum and Cymbal
The most unique feature of the XMT-5SR MIDI in/out Drum Set as a whole is that the tone can be adjusted fro each and every individual drum, cymbal and the hoops likewise. The adjustment part is simple. It is all accessed using the display, amongst the various menus; one would choose the respective adjustment by pressing the mode button present adjacent to the display. The so-called function flashes to start the adjustment. Simultaneously, a beat should be created by hitting on the drum which needs to be tuned. It is done so that the module can detect the one that has to be adjusted. Likewise, the volume, sensitivity and the tone adjustment ought to be carried out by pressing the function button till the particular button flashes. Unlike certain electronic musical instruments that deletes the settings and adjustments once it is turned off, this one registers the latest value of the adjustments and will continue to maintain the same, unless if some other adjustment is made.

Metronome
The XMT-5SR drum set has in-built five tones that can be selected from the display and played. The metronome adjustment can be made with the help of the mode button. The downside is that the metronome must be activated with the plus or minus button. It is because, the plus and minus button is normally used to control the volume level and when it is employed as start or stop function, it can lead to some familiarity issues in the beginning. The metronome’s speed beat and volume can be adjusted effectively in the same manner.

Expansion Slot
The drum kit expansion makes it more flexible. Within the drum set, the AUX and CHN is the expansion rail. It can be extended by pulling it from the rim up to the single drum. The same can be configured and adjusted once the set-up is complete.

MIDI
MIDI In and out slots are located on the upper side of the interface. The MIDI can be activated in the same procedure that is adopted using the display screen and the mode button.

Package

The package content is inclusive of drum module, electronic drum and bass, cymbal, hi-hat, rack stand, pedal and cable unit.

Warranty

The product comes with one year warranty.

Verdict

Considering the competition amongst the big giants such as the Alesis, Roland and Yamaha the XM though new to the European market has come packed with exciting features. Firstly, the extension capability offered for a drum set model at an affordable price is quite attractive. Secondly, the product quality is also not compromised which is very important overall. Moreover the customisation can attract the crowd. The tension of the mesh head can be altered and the drum set can be expanded depending on the player’s expertise. Hence, we could say that XM-5SR pose a better potential in the UK market for its simplicity and quality.

Check all Latest Drum Sets in this website.

XMT-5SR Electronic Drum Kit – Technical Specification Table

Yamaha DTX550K centres on the fundamentals and also increases the customisation of adding additional set-ups. The compact configuration of the Yamaha DTX550K is something impressive. Yamaha’s DTX range is well acknowledged and this product is positioned in between the DTXpress and the DTX900 range. Needless to say, the word DTX has brought tremendous expectation to the crowd. The credit completely goes to the award winning “DTX PAD” technology, which is used in this product too. The pads are based on the cellular silicone face. The particles control the extent of rebound when struck and produce a great drumming effect. Owing to this, Yamaha DTX550K with the DTX pads is priced in the mid-range and a bit expensive than Roland.

Overview

Yamaha DTX550K Drum Set is a comprehensive mix of quality and precision. As stated earlier, the DTX pads offer great drumming experience. The Snare pad ‘XP100SD’ is developed by getting the inputs from top musicians. The textured cellular silicone head not only produces an acoustic drum effect but encourages the player to continue to play. The design set-up is compact and the tunings can be done at ease. Another highlight feature is the hi-hat RHH135, is of moving type. It also contains around 427 sounds, chosen precisely to cover all the genres. With in an in-built practice sessions of 63 varieties, the user indeed grows along with the instrument.

Design

The Yamaha DTX 550K Electronic Drum Kit rocks with a simple yet sophisticated look. Once the assembling is done, the drum set looks appealing and as it contains a two stand leg-stand, the design is still more compact and can be kept quietly in the corner of the room. The rack RS85A is made of metal and powder coated which prevents the rust formation. The rack as such is not heavy and is readily portable. The drum set with the moderate sized tubes forms a sturdy skeleton. The clamps assert a great grip and offers solid positioning. As such the design is compact, but once fitted with the pads and snare, the area and reach to deliver a hit is slightly hindered. Especially, it would be greatly realised by users accustomed with broad acoustic drum set. On the other hand, if it is aimed with the correct technique the issue is far less pronounced. The drum trigger module does not sync well with the rest of the sophistication as it sports an outdated look. Despite the simple appearance with eight buttons and double line LCD display, the device is rather spontaneous.

Set-up

The Yamaha DTX550K drum set is dismantled and packaged in to four sections, the electronic drum rack, pad set, trigger module and the three zone drum pad. The first step is the assembling of the electronic drum module. Primarily, the position of the pipe is fixed in the counterclockwise direction from the curved pipe. The knobs are tightly fastened in that angle. The pipes are to be moved and fitted in the counterclockwise direction and if it is done the opposite, the pipes are sensitive to collision and could bend. While inserting the rubber foot on the end of the pipe, the pipe is slid outwardly up to 7cm to the farthest and then the knobs are tightened. The intersection area of the rack is handled the same way with the pipes rotated in either clockwise or counterclockwise. Finally, the cymbal holder and the trigger module attachment are attached to the rack mount. The only area of concern in the rack set-up is the pipes must be aligned and fitted in the correct direction as demonstrated in the manual. Otherwise it could bend, and moreover the advisable approach in the set-up is when handling each area, the knobs are to the loosened first. The rack set-up might take some time depending on the expertise level, however once it is completed the user ought to the check the stability by shaking the upper area of the vertical pipe. In case of unstable finish, the knobs need to be fastened even more. The next step is simple and it involves the mounting of the pads and the trigger module.  The cymbal pads are placed on the holder by removing the wing nut and the washer from the holder. Once it is secured tightly, the wind nut can be bolted on to it. The user must be cautious not to replace the cymbal pad with Real hi-hat pad as the two of the pads strikes a close resemblance. The kick pad assembly comes in four parts viz, the base, body, wing nut and the washer. The base is set on the body and attached using the nut and the washer. Followed by the kick pad assembly, the Hi-hat and the trigger module are installed. Once, the pads are positioned it can be connected via the 9 channel snake cable to the rear side of the trigger module. The assembling part takes up some time and must ensure that the small wing nuts and washers are not misplaced.

Sound Effects

The Yamaha DTX550K Digital Drum Set equipped with the RHH135 hi-hat gives the better splash and bounce. The drumming is all the more great as it has a two zone construction enabling the drummer to play in a variety of styles. The snare pad benefits from the durable and floating structure that gives the great feel. On the other hand, the snare pad can be readily tuned and adjusted using the conveniently located control system. Though the sounds generated from the snare pads and the toms give a metallic effect, they are more or less in the right place.

Highlight Features

The highlight feature of the drum set is the in-built 427 sounds. The 50 preset sounds cover a wide spectrum of genre. Additionally it can store even up to twenty drum kits. It also offers a neat training program that uniquely blends the perfect 63 internal practice sessions. The user interface is also increased by functions such as mute drum part that gives a live on stage feeling. The drum set can be connected to music player to be practiced along with the preferable tune.

Package

Yamaha DTX550K is packed with electronic drum rack, pad set, three zone drum pad, and the trigger module.

Warranty

The product comes with one year warranty.

Verdict

Yamaha and Roland always goes for a neck to neck competition as both supply drum set in the mid price range. Yamaha DTX550K, though is bit expensive than Roland, the Yamaha beat and the feel would render a great drumming experience for the money invested.

Yamaha DTX550K Drum Set – Technical Specification Table

Music learners hop from one stage to another with so much fervor and hence take gradual steps. A must requirement during this transition phase is the apt selection of accompaniment that can further mold their playing skills. With the advent of electronic instruments that are slowly replacing the conventional models, demand for good features are always on the rise. So any piece designed by the manufacturer and labeled as excellent is not a very good marketing trick these days. Staying in tune with customer demands is something highly crucial while designing such intricate musical instruments. Alesis, in fact never misses a beat to deliver variety of products to different market segments. Alesis DM7 USB Electronic Drum Kit is one such product exclusively designed for those who are in the changeover of becoming serious drummer from an amateur one. The instrument claims to be very supportive in bringing out the best in the user.

Overview:

With an undoubted majestic look, the DM7 Drum Set from Alesis serves a shimmering beat produced by eight drums and cymbal pads. It has safely slipped inside 400 additional sounds to enthrall the user. The product truly offers an excellent partnership with iPod, and using the USB it rapidly connects to the Mac and PC and is almost compatible with commonly used music software’s. The sound can be stopped abruptly in between with the help of crash with choke feature. The assembling part is somewhat made easier as it is pre-assembled and consumes less time for the initial setup.

Design:

Alesis DM7 consist of drum rack and three cymbal pads inclusive of Hi-Hat, Crash and ride. Drum pads includes snare, Tom 1, Tom 2 and Tom 3 along with the kick pad. The kick pad is firmly supported with screws. The kick pedal must be purchased separately. Once the initial set-up is completed, the drumset surely knocks off a majestic impression. The triple zone snare pads takes up a distinguished look and produces quality cross sticks sounds, rimshot and triggering head. The connection and set-up part is quite easy as each cable can be readily identified with the respective name of the pad on it. The drum set control lies on the display panel situated at the side of the cymbal pad. Using the display panel the user can maneuver all the features. The buttons are arranged in a semi circle fashion with the display screen in the middle. The screen size is considerable enough to support the user, however we highly doubt as whether the buttons would be clearly visible while playing at very low light setting. Something like an LED glowing would enhance the view. The rear side of the panel supports the power switch, USB jack and the headphone jack. The rubber pads are flexible enough to withstand heavy hits and do not annoy the surrounding environment. Another characteristic feature in DM7 is the “choke” operation. It renders an immediate halt just by gripping the pad using the hand, which is considered as a unique feature blended in to an electronic drum. The hi-hat pedal consists of three different sectors and each produces a different sound when hit at various positions. Adjusting the additional zone setting is not possible in the control menu. Changes made from the advanced menu screen gets automatically saved even if the user exits the operation. There is a minimal time period of 5 seconds for the drumset to get in to the reset mode. This is a nominal waiting period. Overall the DM7 adorns a serious and professional look and gains momentum when started to play on it.

User Friendly Setup:

The initial set-up time required for Alesis DM7 Electronic Drum Set is very minimal and can be done by just fastening some screws to it. Before plunging in to the dismantling and assembling part, the user must decide a permanent place for the drumset inside the house. As the set consists of several parts, moving it from one place to another is cumbersome unlike the mobility of compact designs. The set comes off with four-post preassembled racks and the user needs to just connect the basic settings. The 1 1/12 inch tubing is strong enough and meets up with the compatibility with wide range of components. The wingnuts must be loosened initially so as to adjust the positions. It must be later re-tightened once the set-up is finished. The left and the right legs must be inserted in to their clamps and the height should be adjusted accordingly. The user can verify as whether they are in same level. The clamps on the rack are moved to the respective location as applicable to the user and the wingnuts must be fastened tightly. The L-rods is neatly secured by rotating the same towards the respective position and can be tightly screwed. Finally the cymbal arms are inserted in to their respective clamps and later secured tightly. The wing nuts must be carefully tightened and it takes up less time than assumed. Not to mention, the flexibility is excellent in positioning the cymbal arms as it has mini-boom tilter feature. The kick pad is assisted with retractable spur so as to position it in place Once this set-up is completed the cymbals, drum pads, kick pads and drum modules are fastened. In all the afore-said arrangement, aligning the parts against its respective rods and appropriate positioning is required. Hence the assembling part would be less complicated if there is some assistance.

Features:

Stereo Sounds:

Alesis DM7 5-piece Drum Kit is integrated with 418 sounds, and each one is characteristic of its own. The sound varies from drum beat to cymbal and percussion instruments. It also permits the user to employ 50 preset kits with good sonic flexibility. The user can also create 30 sounds based on their creativity. The songs are classified in to two types viz 52 demo songs that can be used for playback and practise and 10 user songs for self recording purpose. The user can fine tune the speed of the song just by pressing the TEMPO button and the data dial is rotated till it is in the required speed. We liked the toggle feature that can be of good assistance while playing, as it is possible to filter the drum beat separately from the song. The availability of count feature will guide the user the rate at which they can strike the pads. The pad’s sensitivity can be altered in this case. This feature is advantageous for enthusiastic learners.
External Device Connection

Alesis DM7 USB Drum Set permits the user to transmit MIDI data to the computer using the USB connection. It is also possible to connect iPod with the help of ¼” line input and can play along with the song. The operating system supported includes Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X. The drivers are automatically installed and the module appears as audio device in the computer. The ¼” stereo headphones can be connected through headphone jack. Availability of line-in jack enables the user to connect audio device through the ¼” inch cable. The device sound gets mixed up with the drum module and thus rendering to play along with a CD player. The volume can be adjusted for the speakers though the main screen.

Metronome:

The metronome function offers the user to maintain a constant playing speed. The metronome’s activation is acknowledged through a counting sound adjacent to the tempo. The display gives an excellent metronome options. The volume and the metronome sound can be tuned to the user’s preference and it can be even saved in the device. The next time it automatically pops up when the metronome is activated. The metronome stores several languages inclusive of English and Chinese. The adjustments must be done by pressing the button twice, which can be avoided in the upcoming models.

Cross-Talk:

It is inevitable to design drum set with zero crosstalk. However, Alesis has aimed to deliver DM7 with negligible disturbance. Crosstalk happens due to the sensitivity of the pad over the hit of another pad. The pads can detect even the smallest vibration produced in the rack due to the hit of other pads. Alesis has embedded module crosstalk feature that is targeted to reduce as much crosstalk as possible. The procedure is simple as the user needs to choose the pad that gives the maximum effect either by pressing the display function or by striking the pad and then activating the same in the display. The dial function is turned to reduce the value from 0 to 100, the least the value the lesser would be the effect. Nevertheless, the calibration must be executed with care so as to avoid the assigning of least value to the pad. It can even hinder the basic sound generated by the pad. It is only possible to validate each pad at a time and simultaneous process is not permitted.

Performance:

The performance is more than expected from DM7. Specific features enhance the usability range of the drum set. Notable one is the Hi-Hat pedal setting. As stated earlier, it consists of 3 different zones and each setting offers different sound. When the pedal’s position is upheld, it produces an open hi-hat sound as defined by the open threshold. Whereas the closed hi-hat sound depends on the extent of pressure applied to press the pedal downwards and is determined by the closed threshold limit. Customisation of the open and the closed thresholds are possible by tuning the hi-hat pedal sensitivity. Similar to that of an acoustic drum, Alesis has blended in several points like the lowest of the numbers to generate the open hi-hat and the highest of the pedal point so as to create the closed hi-hat. In addition to the afore-said classification, the user can feel the pedal threshold that is set to the lowest value as against the closed threshold. Various factors clubbed together promote a good overall sound from the drum set. Characteristic features such as the equalizer; accompaniment & percussion volume and count sensitivity propagates a good playing experience. The equalizer is of 8 types ranging from bass boost, bass mid, bright mid and high and many more. It can adjust the global drum tone. The accompaniment setting further determines the volume of the accompaniment the user hears while playing a song.  The volume of the drums can be adjusted aptly through the percussion control. The pitch can be adjusted in either direction though the count sensitivity mode, though a much lesser sensitivity is highly recommended than the regular one. All these parameters when applied appropriately give out a quality performance. Besides, certain restriction such as the non-availability of adjusting the rim and edges within one setting option limits the usability to some degree. The user needs to exit the function and perform the tuning in the edit mode of the display. The sensitivity can be tuned to a range of 001-127, besides a higher level might produce re-triggering effect. Alesis DM7 gives an upper edge to the user’s limits as it contains the trigger curve feature. A curve can be selected from the preset list and the user can strike a balance between the force applied and the sound produced on hitting the pad. The curve can be altered till the desirable response is felt. Such options bang DM7 to an astonishing entertainment value.

Package Contents:

The drum contents consists of DM Rack Drum Rack, Kick Pad, Cymbal Pad, Drum Pad, Hi-Hat Control Pad, DM7 Drum Module, Module Mount, Drum Key, Screw driver, Software Coupon, Assembly Guide, Manual.

Warranty:

Alesis DM5 Pro Kit comes with one year warranty for parts and labour.

Verdict:

The best part of purchasing the DM7 is the extent of customisation it permits the user. Especially, the crash with choke feature gives a sudden halt when the user needs to stop abruptly in between the play. There are varieties of options that can enable a good control between the instrument and the player. This is a very important aspect in the case of electronic music instruments. Each striker has a different style and the instrument must be robust enough to offer the flexibility. DM7 is designed to grow along with the user. Embedded with many tuning and adjustment facilities, the user can get a good grip while playing the drum set. From budding learners to professional, the DM7 makes a good bond with the player, which is the most sought after requirement in any electronic drum set.

Read other Alesis Drum Sets Reviews in this website.

Alesis DM7 Electronic 5-piece Drum Set – Product Specification Table

The way drum set produce different sound at different beat draws the crowd. A lively, energetic and vibrant feel often generated by an acoustic drum cannot be reproduced by an electronic drum. A mild hit on an acoustic cymbal produces a soft sound and it keeps triggering to the impact of the beat. Unlike acoustic drums, Electronic drum has limited sound modulation. Despite the hitch, many are attracted in purchasing electronic drum set. The knock out factor of electronic drum set is the volume control. Consequently, the key market player’s are in relentless hunt to design the best. Alesis is one such major player and their electronic drum set performs fairly well.

Overview:

Anxiety in purchasing an electronic drum especially by the beginner’s is incredible. Some common concerns are, ease of handling, extend of learning opportunities to harness their interest, practice hours the instrument can withstand, the quality of sound and many more. In that case, most of your uncertainty is answered through the Alesis DM6 USB Drum Kit. It is a scaled down kit from Alesis. The first noticeable feature of the drum set is the compactness it offers. When compared to the previous DM series, it is made of different composite material and hence it is lighter. Even though, it is light weighted, it is sturdy enough to handle the beat. The natural rubber drum head rebound with good sound frequency.

Design:

With a reasonable price, Alesis has packed almost everything in the drum set inclusive a pair of drumsticks. Heavy duty aluminum rack with standard 1-1/12 inch tubing supports the DM6 Kit.  The aluminum rails provide the lightness to the instrument. Subsequent addition of Alesis and other brand clamps and mount is possible to the DM6 kit. Taking into account the value for money, Alesis provides a bass drum pedal. Notably, the kick pad is well-suited with single or double brass drum pedal. The snare is a twin-zone pad, one at the center and the other at the rim for rim clicks. The dual snare pad provides two sound compatibility. The snare sound could be customized (rim shot or cowbell). It is a dual pad snare, and the pad’s edge is slightly elevated and makes an unusual sound. To bring about compactness, the cymbals are somewhat closely packed and, the pads are readily susceptible to activation even while using the hit-hit. The rack system is of good quality and can withstand a good lot of pressure. DM6 employs trademark rubber pads, targeted to give nearest feel of using natural drum head, as it is velocity sensitive. The rubber pads are extremely advisable for beginners and youngsters. But the sound quality could have been better with Mylar pads. DM6 is designed by stripping certain control features from the DM5 such as cross talk, sensitivity, velocity curve and decay and so on. It is not highly beneficial, if one would like to carry the drum set for concert purposes. However, it still contains a UL frame and solenoid. The connecting cables are bit short of length. The pedals are receptive and could be adjusted quickly. Although, the pedal is not connected to the cymbal, an effect of being connected is brought about.

User Friendly Setup:

Alesis DM6 Electronic Drum Set is a complete package with mounting hardware and cables. It is quite easy to   fasten the clamps and is fitted without tool support. Pre-snaked and labeled cables with multi pin connector that can be attached to the drum’s rear side. The drum set parts can be fitted easily with the booklet guide. The arrangement can be customized as per the user’s hand familiarity. The most important factor is the throne adjustment; it must make a 90º degree angle with the feet to the ground. Ergonomically, it must not cause back ache once practiced for long hours. The drum kit support rim shots and hence, the snare must be placed above the thigh level, so as to produce the expected snare drum sound. It is possible to upgrade the trigger pads, by replacing with new hybrid cymbals that produces realistic outputs such as choke stops. The drum set looks compact and neat once the set up is completed. The pedals have Velcro strip underneath, which prevents the pedals from moving around. The set up can be customized for the right-handed drummer and the left-handed drummer respectively.

Sound Effect:

The most distinguishing feature of DM6 USB Drum Kit is that it has all in it at a reasonable price. Alesis has not compensated the quality with respect to sound effect, even if it is sold as the reasonable price category. The characteristic feature of DM6 is the sound amplification it produces. The in-built Dynamic Articulation pushes to a nearly acoustic drum set effect. It is because each sound simply does not get louder but it change character at each hit. An in-built dynamic sample provides various sequences to the drum or cymbal and not just mere volume change. Dynamic Articulation is an Alesis exclusive drum centric technology. The volume adjustability is good. A wide variety of rim shots, rim clicks and various stick placement sounds can be created on the cymbal. The hi-hat sound can be varied by adjusting the pedal, the force at which it is struck, and various other variables. Area of concern while playing faster beat is the improper sound registration of hi-hat and snare. It puts the DM6 unusable for heavier forms of rocks, metal, hardcore and punt, the issue could have been resolved if “Cross talk” settings had been added. The cymbals nearly appear and sound like metal cymbal. It is made up of rubber coated material with good trigger cymbals. The sensor detects the signals required to activate or stop the sound. Typically acoustic cymbals produce majority of three different sounds, depending on the place of hit and the force. When hit on the edge, crash noise is produced, a bell type sound is generated on hitting the cymbal at the bell section of the cymbal, and the crash can be created when the cymbal is hit anywhere but with the tip of the stick. In the DM6, the cymbal needs proper amount of force as soft hits are sometimes unrecognized, due to the sensitivity of the trigger in the cymbal. On the other hand, the cymbal when it is hit hard produces bell-like sound. Hence, it is up to the user to set a trend or practice to get the right hit and produce the right sound, as it can be easily controlled.

MIDI capabilities:

Alesis DM6 USB Kit is originally designed as standalone unit with all in-built sounds. However, it consists of an USB and MIDI externals. The connectivity with PC containing the MIDI compatible software is easy. MIDI communicates information such as notes, volume, dynamics, length of patterns, can be sent between the devices. MIDI widens the capability of making music with drums. DM6 can be used controller in the presence of Toontrack, BFD etc…Real-time audio recording is possible, and the information can be studied later. It is the best feature especially suited for aspiring musicians.

Highlight Feature:

It is the most effective and cheap priced drum set that contains 108 lively drum and percussion modules, besides the cymbal effect. The cymbal surface is selected for their low vibration feedback. DM6 is velocity responsive and creates a natural response. It can be connected to iPod through the USB connector to the computer. It enables the user to play along with the live music. The DM6 model has an in-built metronome and with 40 preset music tracks. The metronome makes the practice sessions quite useful and brings perfection to the drumming experience. Featuring 10 presets and 5 custom slots, the user can edit, save drum kits for custom sound.

Package:

The DM6 Kit has three in numbers of tom pads accompanied with hi-hat, upright kick drum, ride cymbal and inclusive of Alesis hi-hat and bass drum pedals and drumsticks.

Cost effective:

The Alesis DM6 is the cost-effective kit available in the market and consists of almost everything a drummer needs at a reasonable price.

Warranty:

Alesis DM5 Pro Kit comes with one year warranty for parts and labor.

Verdict:

Availability of electronic drum set exclusively for budding drummers is very few. If at all present, either the drum set is expensive or many features are slashed down to make it reasonable. Truly speaking, Alesis has plainly committed to encourage the drumming interest in children’s and teenagers by giving DM6 with top-notch features and all basic parts necessary to reinforce their interest. However, overcoming few recurring issues with respect to snare beat registration is vital. The issue can be sorted by downloading and installing the firmware patch. Alesis can bring about clarity in updating the firmware and solving the issue. Besides the trivial concerns, the DM6, a light weighted drum and perfectly fits in any corner.

Alesis DM6 USB Electronic Drum Kit – Technical Specification Table