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Zildjian ALCHEM-E Gold EX Electronic Drum Set

5-piece Maple Electronic Drum Set with 10" and 12" Toms, 14" Floor Tom, 20" Bass Drum, 14" Snare, 14" Hi-hats, 16" Crash, 18" Crash/Ride, 20" Ride, E-VAULT Module, and 3 Cymbal Boom Stands
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Item ID: ZAGEX
Zildjian ALCHEM-E Gold EX Electronic Drum Set
Price:$5,999 and 99 cents
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Zildjian ALCHEM-E Gold EX Electronic Drum Set
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400 Years of Sound in One Masterpiece

In a quest to uncover the most immersive electronic drumming experience possible, the percussion gurus at Zildjian have masterminded the incredible ALCHEM-E series. Devised with real wood drum shells, perforated metal cymbals, and the ultra-advanced Zildjian Trigger System stationed throughout, players now have access to amazingly realistic and impressively responsive multi-zone playability across all pieces of their chosen configuration. This 5-piece ALCHEM-E Gold EX is a full-dimensioned rendition that’s perfect for enjoying the limitless creative possibilities of electronic drums with the larger stage presence of an acoustic kit. With its revolutionary E-VAULT sound module leading the charge, the ALCHEM-E Gold EX provides a diverse palette of remarkably detailed drum, cymbal, and world percussion samples, boasting a 5-inch touchscreen and a library of nearly every one of Zildjian’s cymbal offerings throughout history, including those yet to come! Zildjian also sets you up with three cymbal stands, tom mounting hardware, and a suite of other essentials to get you up and running with speed. Whether you’re jamming, rehearsing, tracking, or performing, the Zildjian ALCHEM-E Gold EX from Sweetwater is primed to prevail.

Unprecedented E-VAULT module

Aptly named, the E-VAULT sound module stores a treasure trove of percussive samples to capture the essence of your dream kit. A wealth of drums, cymbals, effects, and world percussion instruments comprises an expansive selection to choose from. Moreover, each sound has been acquired using Zildjian’s premier sampling protocol, capturing every detail of each instrument to ensure maximum authenticity for a sound that you’re proud to play. The module itself is incredibly comprehensive to use as well, supplying a 5-inch touchscreen color display with an ergonomic feel and easy-to-manage inputs on the rear panel. Plus, its gold dials offer a neat touch that pays tribute to Zildjian’s heritage.

You’ll also be excited to discover the E-VAULT’s thorough collection of Zildjian cymbal samples. These vividly captured sounds span the company’s historical and contemporary lineups of brass and bronze to give drummers an incomparable selection of cymbal sounds that will suit virtually any drummer’s taste. And, you’ll even find samples of Zildjian’s yet-to-be-released cymbals so that you can always keep your bronze layout up-to-date. If capturing 400 years of musical perfection isn’t the pinnacle of cymbal sampling, then we don’t know what is!

Meet the Zildjian Trigger System

Maintaining that coveted acoustic feel and response across your cymbals and shells is a necessity for contemporary, high-caliber electronic drum kits — and the ALCHEM-E Gold EX delivers! This kit comes engineered with proprietary Zildjian Trigger System technology built into each piece of the percussive equation, equipping every component with lifelike sensitivity and accuracy to play just like the real deal. For all shells and cymbals, that means exceptional tri-zone playability, with full 360-degree choking capabilities for each cymbal. From the subtlest patterning and percussive nuances to the defined dimensionality of harder playing, the Zildjian Trigger System is perfectly armed to deliver ultra-realism in spades.

Real wood shells and metal cymbals

While the ALCHEM-E Gold EX’s state-of-the-art triggering system promotes tremendously realistic playability and sonic response, so does its physical build. With real 7-ply North American maple shells topped with mesh heads, this kit’s drums not only feel tremendous beneath the sticks, but they also look the part with equal appeal. The ALCHEM-E Gold EX provides that full-size 5-piece feel, coming complete with a 5-inch x 14-inch snare, 7-inch x 10-inch and 7-inch x 12-inch rack toms, a 12-inch x 14-inch floor tom, and a 14-inch x 20-inch bass drum. It's a perfect fit for a variety of performance spaces, from spacious stages to the confines of the studio. Each drum offers head, rimshot, and rim zones to work with, making it effortless to achieve that natural kit response.

Just when you thought the ALCHEM-E Gold EX couldn’t get any more realistic, Zildjian outfitted the kit with real metal cymbals! Perforated for extremely quiet patterning at all intensities, these cymbals maintain the feel of an acoustic kit while integrating all the magic of Zildjian’s high-tech electronic triggering. The ALCHEM-E Gold EX comes loaded up with a 16-inch crash, an 18-inch crash/ride, a 20-inch ride, and a pair of 14-inch hi-hats to provide you with plenty of patterning space for accommodating a wide variety of musical genres.

Snare stand, hi-hat stand, and kick pedal not included
Snare stand, hi-hat stand, and kick pedal not included

Extra appointments included

Zildjian tossed in an additional bundle of gear to help make setting up the ALCHEM-E Gold EX a total breeze. Tom mounting hardware and a trio of double-braced and tiltable boom cymbal stands provide total adjustment freedom for the majority of your components, while the dedicated double-braced E-VAULT sound module stand with mounting screws keeps all your kits conveniently on hand. On the electronics side, you’ll receive all necessary cables for reliable operation, plus an AC power adapter and a 32GB USB flash drive. Zildjian also included a microfiber polishing cloth, a pair of ALCHEM-E drumsticks, and bass drum accessories like a pair of patches, a dampening pillow, and a rubber protector for the hoop. Just bring your seat of choice and stands for the snare and hi-hats, and you’re ready to count in!

Why the ALCHEM-E series?

In one word? Immersion. Zildjian’s ALCHEM-E series drops players right into the realm of acoustic drumming in sight, sound, and feel. Choosing an electronic drum kit shouldn’t mean compromise — in fact, the ALCHEM-E delivers greater sonic potential than an acoustic-only kit ever could. Its superb sonics make it a superstar in the studio, allowing drummers to track with ease and create perfectly realistic drum parts for original pieces and cover projects alike with helpful MIDI options. It’s excellent for honing your chops, too, effortlessly fitting into rehearsal spaces, basements, garages, and home studios.

When it’s time to take the stage, the ALCHEM-E is ready for the spotlight! Left and Right stereo main outputs plus eight multi-output connections let you plug in and play in venues of any size, from small clubs and pavilions to larger stages. Plus, you’ll benefit from electronic versatility with the at-home feel of an acoustic kit. The ALCHEM-E series truly represents the pinnacle of electronic drumming — order your kit from Sweetwater today!

Snare stand, hi-hat stand, and kick pedal not included

Zildjian ALCHEM-E Gold EX Features:

  • 400 years of sonic craftsmanship packed into an impressively immersive and exciting electronic drumming package
  • An exceptional choice for studio tracking, jamming, and performing
  • E-VAULT drum module delivers a vast selection of drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments to work with
  • Expansive Zildjian cymbal sample catalog spanning historic, modern, and future lineups
  • Effortless outputting with L/R and 8 multi-output connections
  • MIDI connections allow for easy control in the studio
  • Comprehensive UI offers an ergonomic and easy-to-understand flow
  • Integrated Zildjian Triggering System provides lifelike sensitivity and accuracy, offering 3-zone playing and 360° cymbal choking
  • Real 7-ply North American maple shells with mesh heads and perforated metal cymbals enhance the realistic feel of this electronic drum kit
  • Includes a 5-in. x 14-in. snare, 7-in. x 10-in. and 7-in. x 12-in. rack toms, a 12-in. x 14-in. floor tom, a 14-in. x 20-in. bass drum, a 16-in. crash, an 18-in. crash/ride, a 20-in. ride, and 14-in. hi-hats
  • Kit also comes with tom mounting hardware, 3 boom cymbal stands, a sound module stand, all cables, an AC adapter, a 32GB USB flash drive, a microfiber cloth, ALCHEM-E drumsticks, bass drum patches, a dampening pillow, and a rubber hoop protector

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Tech Specs

  • Total Number of Pads: 5 x Drum Shells, 4 x Cymbals
  • Included Cymbal Pads: 14" Hi-hat, 16" Crash, 18" Crash/Ride, 20" Ride
  • Hybrid Acoustic/Electric: Yes
  • Shells Included: 5" x 14" Snare, 7" x 10" Toms, 7" x 12" Tom, 12" x 14" Tom, 14" x 20" Kick
  • Included Drum Module: Zildjian E-VAULT (ZEV1) Module
  • Effects: Ambience
  • Module Trigger Inputs: 6 x 1/4" TRS (kick, snare, 4 x toms), 1 x 1/4" (kick), 1 x 1/4" (snare), 6 x RJ45 (ride, hi-hat, 4 x cymbals)
  • Module Analog Inputs: 1 x 1/8" TRS (aux)
  • Module Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS (main), 8 x 1/4" TRS (multi-out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4" TRS
  • Module MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • Other I/O: Bluetooth
  • USB: 1 x USB-C (MIDI, 10-channel out), 1 x Type A (memory)
  • Storage: 32GB Flash Drive
  • Features: 5" Touchscreen, Black Gold Foundry Shimmer
  • Included Hardware: 2 x Cymbal Stands, 2 x Tom Mounts, 3 x Floor Tom Legs, 1 x Module Stand
  • Manufacturer Part Number: ZAGEX

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Reviews

Outstanding Drum Kit
I have been searching two years for a flagship electronic kit to replace my seven year old Roland TD-30KV V Pro kit. I played several top of the line electronic kits the past two years. Many of the kits drum sounds were OK, but all of the cymbals felt fake like my Roland kit.

I played a Zildjian Alchem-E Gold EX kit during the Music City Drum Show the weekend of July 21st and 22nd. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Mike Weber with Zildjian. Mike was gracious with his time, demonstrated the kit, and answered all of my questions. Out of all of the best electronic drum kits I played and listened to at the drum show, this drum kit had the best sound and feel.

I purchased a Zildjian Alchem-E Gold EX kit. When I got home, I setup the kit and updated the firmware to the latest version. I setup the module and assigned Yamaha Recording Custom sounds to the toms and kick drum. A Ludwig Black Beauty for a Snare drum. I also created a Pearl Reference kit inside the module. Cymbals as Zildjian K Sweet and ride as a Zildjian Concept Sizzle Ride. I switch back and forth to Z Custom cymbals. The K Sweet and Z Custom cymbals sound so good. My friends and family say that the kit sounds amazing. The sound of the drums are fantastic. The cymbals sound, articulation, and feel are just like real cymbals, because they are real cymbals. I love this kit.
Quality Kit; Cymbals are Rad; Module is Underwhelming
These are just my initial impressions because I only got the kit set up yesterday:
- The drum shells and mesh heads are very high quality and feel great.
- Same with the cymbals. Having actual metal cymbals to play on feels worlds better than the rubber cymbals you get on the comparable Roland kit.
- The drum module is underwhelming so far. While it's physically heavy, I feel like they skimped on the quality of the knobs and buttons, which are plastic and feel cheap. I would have much preferred heavy-duty metal knobs on the Zildjian module. By contrast, the Roland TD-50 module is more pleasant to use.
- The Zildjian module has a slight delay in loading new sounds when you switch kits. It's a long enough delay to be rather maddening, and I did not experience the same type of delay with the Roland module.

I'll add further thoughts here after I've had a chance to play the kit some more.
Music background: Hobbyist
Great Kit
Just got this kit recently and its been pretty great. Still getting triggering issue occasionally but the kit feels amazing overall
Multiple issues during only 5 hours of play
I played one of these units with the full size drums for two holiday church gigs. Most seriously, twice during that time I had a moment where the module stuttered and played multiple sounds delayed. Only a momentary problem but I've never experienced a module screwing up like that on any other ekit I've ever played, and it happened more than once. That's unacceptable for any drum module.

Loading times are very poor and customization is nowhere near Roland modules which I'm used to - I can at least rebind tom rims to effects cymbals and stuff but the touchscreen UI is slow on top of the loading times. There are 2 splash cymbals and 1 tambourine sample, as an example of some of the variety on offer.

Sampling quality seems inconsistent as well. I settled on the Black Beauty which was perfectly fine but several other snares had awful machine gunning sound problems all over their dynamic ranges.

Triggering on the drums was fine, but triggering on the cymbals had problems. Hihat dynamics on bow and edge were very hard to dial in and the unit has difficulty telling between bow and edge on all cymbals even after adjusting the "edge sensitivity" option. Ride cymbal was also a problem, especially the bell, which I only got to an "acceptable" place by setting bell sensitivity to 100 and jacking up the velocity curve; and had to give up on edge triggering altogether.

Plus if you're trying to do quiet cymbal swells during any music with the clanky clonky cymbals, you'll get a lot of clanking and clonking from the up close sound. Overall, this set would have made a negative impression on me even if it were $1-2000 but it is far more than that.

Ask any drummer at Sweetwater, and chances are, we'll tell you that Zildjian represents the gold - or rather bronze - standard in cymbal making. Seriously, Avedis Zildjian may have been trying to make gold, but he did even better when he formulated what's arguably the best cymbal material on the planet. We've played virtually every type of Zildjian cymbal out there, and you won't find anyone at Sweetwater who wouldn't happily recommend their instruments to you, plus their sticks and other accessories are also pretty sweet. Whether you're grabbing your first S or Planet Z pack or have saved up for the A or K series cymbals you've always wanted, Sweetwater is your source for all things Zildjian.