Once you decide it’s time to buy an electronic drum kit, there are key factors to consider that are important to all drummers, such as:
- Playability
- Type of head and pad feel (mesh, rubber)
- Configuration (how many pads, how many zones)
- Module flexibility
- Included kits
- Ability to load in samples
- Number of trigger inputs and audio outputs
- Ability to edit sounds (adding effects or DSP)
While the playing feel is important, a critical consideration when purchasing an electronic drum kit is, “How does it sound?” What you really want to do is sit down and listen to the drum module, right? Well, that’s what we did. We took drum loops and fed the MIDI to each module then scrolled through all the presets looking for the best and coolest sounds.
If you don’t understand the basics of electronic drums, then check out this article: “Choose the Best Electronic Drum Set for You.”
Our Top-of-the-line Electronic Drum Choices
We considered all the electronic drum kits we carry and decided to listen to these three.
Roland V-Drums TD-50KV2
Using the Roland TD-50X sound module, this premium kit includes:
- 70 premium kits
- 900 instrument sounds
- 8-sensor PD-140DS snare and 5-sensor CY-18DR ride cymbal
- 38 onboard effects assignable to individual drums and cymbals
- 16 trigger inputs
- 8 + 2 + 2 outputs (direct + 1/4-inch main + XLR main)
Yamaha DTX10K-XRW
The DTX-PROX module is the centerpiece of this amazing kit that features:
- 40 studio-captured kits
- 400 custom user kits
- Textured Cellular Silicon dual-zone drum pads
- 3-zone cymbal design
- 11 trigger inputs
- 2 outputs (main out)
Alesis Strike Pro
The Strike Pro module is the sonic heart of this awesome kit that comes with:
- 136 kits
- 1,800 drum/percussion instruments
- 45,000 sample sounds
- Dual-zone mesh-head snare and toms plus cymbals and 3-zone ride cymbal
- 12 trigger inputs
- 8 + 2 outputs (direct + main)
Let’s Listen
Nick D’Virgilio, Sweetwater content specialist and drummer in residence, programmed rock and jazz grooves so we could hear what these modules sound like. We sent the same MIDI data to each module so you can compare how they sound. The results are fascinating — hearing the differences between the kits. We couldn’t compare hundreds of kits, but we picked some of our favorites — some that we thought sounded great and others that seemed unique. Let’s listen.
Roland – Rock Groove
Yamaha – Rock Groove
Alesis – Rock Groove
Roland – Jazz Groove
Yamaha – Jazz Groove
Alesis – Jazz Groove
What Do You Think?
We loved listening to the variety of all the kits, seeing which ones sounded the best and inspired ideas for patterns or songs. Which kit sparked ideas for you?
Hopefully these samples helped you decide which kit is the right fit for you. Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 and order your electronic drum kit today.