Electronic Drum Kits and Hybrid Solutions For First Time Buyers

Buying your first electronic drum kit can be as exciting as it is daunting. If you don’t know where to start, you might turn to Google in the hopes of finding an answer.

But, if you Google “ideal first electronic drum kit”, Google will return 131 million results! Talk about information overload!

Sifting through all those results is likely to confuse you more than help you. With more electronic drum kit options now on the market than ever before, how can you be certain to find the perfect kit?

This is a question we get asked often, so we decided to round up three of our most popular and reliable electronic drum kits, which would be suitable as your first electronic drum kit.

Regardless of whether you’ve been playing an acoustic kit for years, and want to venture into the realm of electronic drumming, or if you’re an absolute beginner drummer, we have an ideal option for you.

Roland TD-1DMK Electronic Drum Kit

The TD-1DMK provides a fulfilling drumming experience in a compact kit. The simple, yet powerful module includes a variety of expressive drum kits, connected to Roland’s renowned dual-mesh pads for snare and toms which match the feel of playing on acoustic drums but without the noise associated with acoustic drum kits.

If you haven’t played the drums before, you might think that learning on an electronic kit is complicated. But the TD-1DMK is a hassle-free drum kit that’s easy to set up and intuitive to use.

Just connect the power, switch it on and connect either your headphones or monitor speakers, and you’re ready to start playing. The TD-1DMK module has an authentic-sounding collection of drums, with a choice of 15 preset kits, for a realistic and engaging drumming experience.

Roland TD-17 Electronic Drum Kit

The ideal for acoustic drummers looking for their first electronic kit.

When you’re serious about drumming, you need a kit to match your ambition. The V-Drums TD-17 series lets your technique shine through, backed up with training tools to push you further.

Combining a TD-50-class sound engine with newly developed pads results in an affordable electronic drum kit that’s authentically close to playing acoustic drums – accurately mirroring the physical movement, stick coordination and hand/foot control that every drummer needs. 

Meanwhile, an array of built-in coaching functions will track your technique, measure your progress and increase your motivation. Becoming a better drummer is still hard work, but the TD-17 can help you get there.

Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit

The Alesis Nitro Mesh is a complete 8-piece electronic drum kit centered around next-generation Alesis Mesh head drum technology. Mesh heads are the overwhelming preference of drummers when they play electronic kits because of their natural feel and ultra-quiet response.

The Alesis Nitro Mesh features an 8″ dual-zone mesh snare drum and (3) 8″ mesh toms. It includes everything else you need to make a complete drum kit; (3) 10″ cymbals, custom-designed Alesis hi-hat pedal and kick pedal, and a durable 4-post aluminum rack. 

We also include all the cabling, power supply and drum key for easy setup. All of this connects to the powerful Nitro electronic drum module with hundreds of percussion sounds, 40 different kits and 60 built-in play-along tracks.

Hybrid Drumming

Since electronic drums first hit the market, the debate over which is better, and why, has continued to rage. Purists or the technologically shy have said that they would never part with their acoustic kits, whereas early adopters and people who love the ease and tone of electronic drum kits can’t understand why people would choose anything else.

But, like with most dichotomies, there is a middle-ground: Hybrid Drumming. If you want the feel and response of your acoustic kit, but the tonal variety of an electronic drum kit, then hybrid drumming is your ideal solution. 

Roland RT-MicS

With the Roland RT-MicS, you can convert your Toms or snare drum into a hybrid drumming rig. And the best part is that it requires no technical skills to set up the compact module.

To get up and running, all you need to do is attach the module to your snare drum or one of your toms, and you’re ready to start playing. Nothing could be simpler.

Do you wish that your snare drum had more body? Is it missing something that you can’t seem to figure out, even with new skins and a good old fashioned tuning?

Before, you would need to replace your snare drum, but with the RT-MicS, you can layer new sounds over your existing rig. When you hit your drum, you will trigger the RT at the same time. The two sounds, layered on top of each other, will add more body and give your snare a more vibrant tone. For every hit, you will create a sampled tone and an acoustic one.

Roland RT Triggers

If you’re looking for more control or tonal variation from your hybrid drumming rig, then you can opt to use the Roland RT Triggers connected to one of the Roland TM trigger modules. 

With the RT range, you can add hybrid functionality to all of your drums. The RT-30 range is compatible with the TM-2 Module,  TD-series V-Drums sound modules, and SPD-series percussion pads, making it the most versatile trigger in Roland’s arsenal. 

RT-30HR Dual Trigger

Ideal for use on snare drums, the RT-30HR supports independent head and rim triggering for playing two different sounds from the same drum. A newly developed self-guided mount automatically sets the sensor in the optimum position against the drumhead, with no fussy mechanical adjustment needed after mounting.

RT-30K Kick Trigger

Developed specifically for use on bass drum, the RT-30K provides fast and accurate triggering in a robust unit that’s simple to install. The newly developed self-guided mount automatically sets the sensor in the optimum position against the drumhead, with no fussy mechanical adjustment needed after mounting.

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