(Part 2) Best electronic drums according to redditors
We found 126 Reddit comments discussing the best electronic drums. We ranked the 59 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
You know, the thing is, this isn't a musical instrument, it's a toy. It's kind of like one of those teddy bears, where you pull a string, and it says "Hello". He would probably be amused by it, and would think that you were very thoughtful, but I don't see him actually seeing it as a musical instrument.
If you decide that you'd rather want a real musical instrument, there are some options:
If your price range tops out at the ~$60 the roll up drum mat would cost, then you can maybe get a cheap cajon, something like this. It won't be professional grade, but it will be a reasonably versatile instrument. This is probably something like the drum equivalent of the acoustic guitar one would play next to a campfire. If he's the tinkerer / DIY-er type, maybe a "make your own cajon kit" is an option too.
If you are willing to stretch the budget to a bit over $100, then you could obviously afford a much better cajon, but also some sample pads start to come into the picture. The KAT KTMP-1 is reasonably well regarded, and pretty cheap. It can be extended with a kcik pedal, and a hi-hat controller, so it can somewhat feel like playing a drumset. There are some other options, like this one from Alesis but those are starting to get expensive. Some drummers actually use sample pads as part of their acoustic setup for additional effects, so something like this is not necessarily just a temporary thing until he gets a kit, but maybe something that would see some use even in conjunction with a kit.
I use that same set and can tell you at least one upgraded pad (start with snare for sure) would be such a good present. Looks like she's using PDX-6 pads, check out PDX-100's
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007DS8E1O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_oYgywbWCCBTTX
I haven't personally used it, but the Behringer XD80USB looks pretty good.
I know it's probably a long shot, but this kit from DDrum is only 2 ft x 1ft.
Looks like this, the KAT Percussion KT-KP1. Comes with a special beater and a kick pad.
Haha, yep that's me! Really into Melee, and I'm studying Audio at OU.
SO there's a whole lot you can do with a $1.5-2k budget. Most of my recommendations are going to focus on microphones, but if you're not trying to do that much recording, you can discard that advice and spend more budget on keys and synthesizers—however, making your own samples and working with them can be pretty cool, fun, and very professional-sounding. I'm speaking from already deep into this rabbit hole, so note my bias. BUT! For that budget you can basically get a near-professional quality mini-studio's worth of gear, if you so choose.
In my opinion, if you're just starting out, Piracy can save you a lot of cash that you can better put towards your gear. If your budget is ~1.5k, I would say pirate Logic Pro if you have a Mac machine, or Ableton/Adobe Audition if you have a Windows machine (PM me if you'd like ;) ). You don't really need all of NI Komplete when you're starting out, especially if you get Logic Pro, because they have a LOT of built in instruments. Also, NI packages can be piratable too. This is all assuming, of course that you're comfortable with pirating software, I understand if you're not, but it can save some cash, and you don't really need a license until you start making real good stuff that you plan on selling/making a business out of.
As far as gear is concerned, if you're serious about recording you might outgrow your Scarlett pretty fast, since it only has 2 mic preamps. You might want to consider a TASCAM 16x08 or a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20. These will let you handle 8 microphones at the same time, which means you can also get a mic kit for your drums. This will get you the absolute best sound out of your drums (provided you learn to use them properly, of course). Learning how to mic drums is a really cool process and there's a lot of room for really making it your own and experimenting with different techniques.
As far as drum mics go, you have cheapest quality at Pyle Pro Mic Kit, Medium Quality at CAD Audio Mic Kit, High Quality at AKG Mic Kit, and professional quality with an Audix DP7 Mic Kit. Even with these, you're still going to want something versatile too.
If you want to also sample some stuff IRL or record other instruments, then get one or two good Dynamic Mics to handle Vocals, Guitar cabs, or wind instruments. You're spot on with the Shure SM57, that thing is a swiss army knife of a microphone and is nearly indestructible. You probably can't go wrong with a matching pair, but you could also go for a SM57 and a Sennheiser e609 to cover all your bases, as the e609 will probably sound better on a guitar cab if you're looking to record guitars.
Okay, now MIDI! The Akai Pro MPK Mini II is a good bet and will definitely do all that you need it to, but if you find yourself needing more keys, there are some good midi controllers out there for just about the same price, for example an M-Audio Controller. It doesn't have as many programmable knobs, but that shouldn't matter unless you're using it to control a software synthesizer, and you need to utilize cutoff, attack, resonance, etc. on the fly. If you're really set on electronic music, then the Akai may be right up your alley, since these knobs will give you more control over your tone.
Aside from that, if you have these tools you can do nearly anything. Check out YouTube tutorials, learn how to use a sampler, learn what the different knobs on a synth do, and get some basic production background and get started! Experimenting in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is really fun, so I think the best thing you can do when you're starting of is mess around and see what you can do. Best of luck, let me know if you have any questions.
It's like buying it, but instead of buying it all up front, you make small payments over a long course of time.
also, thanks for the suggestion!
edit:
i looked that up on amazon and it came up with 2 very similar looking things, one of which is at 500, and the other of which is a number 1 best seller and is on sale for 300 down from 400.
500 drum: https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Forge-Kit-Eight-Piece-User-Loaded/dp/B01BDMKH2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506315568&sr=8-1&keywords=Alesis+Forge+kit
300 drum: https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Kit-Electronic-Cymbals/dp/B0187KO8X4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506315568&sr=8-2&keywords=Alesis+Forge+kit
Found something. http://www.amazon.com/Rockpals-Electric-Roll-Built-Speaker/dp/B015CRK456/ref=sr_1_5?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1462930217&sr=1-5
There are these too. I haven't used one, but supposedly they work well.
http://www.amazon.com/power-cable-Volca-Beats-Digital/dp/B015CZVF2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451329721&sr=8-1&keywords=volca+usb
The Alesis DM10 with mesh pads is just over a grand, and has a solid number of drums on top of very good reviews. I have heard the roland is price inflated due to brand name, but I could be wrong on that. Subjectively I've never liked how the yamaha's look. Overall, E-drums are harshly going to be that you get out what you put in price wise.
Also depending on your definition of 'relatively cheap', you can get the same set with mylar heads for 850
Most likely, the reason you are loosing your place and struggling with rhythm is that you haven't practiced to the point that you have internalized the skills you are using. As a result, you are having to consciously think about everything you are doing - which takes a lot of effort.
If it only rhythm that you are struggling with, I would recommend practicing rhythm by itself without the guitar. You can do this by using rhythm syllables, clapping or using a pair of drumsticks. There are even inexpensive electronic drums.
If you've got the money and space buying a midi drum kit will help loads. You get to learn the drums and use a great midi controller at the same time. 👌
This is probably the cheapest mesh kit available (I've heard the rubber ones aren't worth buying)
Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HYTRL7D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_r2-xDbJRP6KK4
Alesis Nitro Mesh kit, holmes.
https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Electronic-Sticks-Headphones-Interconnect/dp/B07FCXQHQX
$300 for the Nitro. $943 for the upgrades. So $1243 when Alesis sells the DM10 for $1099 and you get the fourth cymbal.
https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-DM10-MKII-Studio-Kit/dp/B06XP2XB4X/ref=sr_1_15?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1495308531&sr=1-15&keywords=alesis+electronic+drum+kit
so i found this and this... am i headed in the right direction?
I think I used this in a clamp, and have the MPA clipped to the top (or it was velcroed to the front at one point): https://www.amazon.com/Pintech-Percussion-UM1-Universal-Module/dp/B00Q2T3DHU
https://www.amazon.ca/Alesis-Dual-Cymbal-Hi-Hat-Controller-DM10/dp/B00IOQE2U6/ref=asc_df_B00IOQE2U6/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292974533490&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15272218503529545110&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001332&hvtargid=pla-300095683631&psc=1 that guy along with a stand, little costly but maybe something to save for.
Try a Yamaha. This maybe? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D3L447S/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1407171378&sr=1-3 it's a little more expensive, with less pieces, but it's NOT shit quality. Honestly with the equipment you use I would just say get some muffling for your drums and fuck edrums. It will be useful just to keep it so that you have something decent to gig with. I've had my e drums fantasy as well, and I'll tell you acoustic is much better.
https://www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-DTX-400K-Electronic-Drum-Kit/dp/B008RWHKJ2
this is around 500 and you don't have to worry about noise.