Electric drum kit recommendations?

I've been thinking about getting one of these, mostly so I can make more natural sounding drum parts rather than just clicking around the piano roll in FL Studio. I don't have a lot of experience with these, they all seem pretty much the same to me. Does anybody have any recommendations or tips as far as what kinds are better than others for this sort of thing?

Do you play the drums or do you want to learn? If not, these won't make the drum line any more natural sounding. If yes

ADGHALSDGH

just read in another post you play the drums

I don't know anything about electric drum sets. My friend has one. I'll go ask him what he thinks of it.

I've got some VDrums, they're not too bad, but then again I don't play drums. I've heard good things about the mor expensive sets though.

I'll need a little more information before I can help much. What's your budget? Are you looking for something with a great module and onboard samples (or the ability to sample directly to the module), or just something to trigger midi on your computer?

Just to give you some basic stuff to look at to get you started; I like Yamaha's DTXPress IV kits for modules, and the pads are pretty good too. They're made of softer rubber than they used to be so they're easier on the hands and joints. They run about $1200 typically. Also, if you just want something to trigger midi, you may want to look at their DXPL kit. It's about $700 which is nice if budget is an issue, but you get a lot more out of the higher end modules in my opinion, so keep what you want to use these for in mind.

Roland has some comparable kits with their TD3 and TD6 kits. I have an older TD6 and love it, but when I was pricing up electronic kits a few years ago, the rolands were usually more expensive for about the same feature list because of the mesh headed pads. If I hadn't gotten my Roland set used and at a very good price, I would have gone with Yamaha in a heart beat. I think you get just as much from their kits for less. The only reason I could see going with Roland is if you absolutely must have the mesh headed pads.

I would recommend that you try all of the samplefusion drumkits on FL Studio's FPC, they're free and while they're nothing special you might be able to find some samples you can use, just open up FPC and click the find drumkit thing, or download or whatever it is. Also, you might be able to find some random drum kits floating around on the samplefusion website, FL users have an account that gives them certain samples for free. If you've already done this then I don't have too many other recommendations though.

EDIT: whoops, guess I should really pay a little more attention, kindly disregard this post.

What's your budget?

Under $1000 pretty much, maybe a bit over.

Are you looking for something with a great module and onboard samples (or the ability to sample directly to the module), or just something to trigger midi on your computer?

Both, I suppose. Midi is probably the most important if it comes down to it since I already have an acoustic kit.

Just to give you some basic stuff to look at to get you started; I like Yamaha's DTXPress IV kits for modules, and the pads are pretty good too. They're made of softer rubber than they used to be so they're easier on the hands and joints. They run about $1200 typically. Also, if you just want something to trigger midi, you may want to look at their DXPL kit. It's about $700 which is nice if budget is an issue, but you get a lot more out of the higher end modules in my opinion, so keep what you want to use these for in mind.

Roland has some comparable kits with their TD3 and TD6 kits. I have an older TD6 and love it, but when I was pricing up electronic kits a few years ago, the rolands were usually more expensive for about the same feature list because of the mesh headed pads. If I hadn't gotten my Roland set used and at a very good price, I would have gone with Yamaha in a heart beat. I think you get just as much from their kits for less. The only reason I could see going with Roland is if you absolutely must have the mesh headed pads.

What is the advantage of mesh headed pads? I don't necessarily care about the realistic feel of the pads so much as their responsiveness (for example, a snare picking up ghost notes, buzz rolls, etc.).

Under $1000 pretty much, maybe a bit over.

In that price range, the DXPL is probably your best bet if you want something new, but since you say you'd like something with some good samples and more than just midi capabilities you should probably go with something higher end. A better idea may be to either buy a kit used on Ebay, or piece one together. I've taken a quick look right now and there are some good deals on full electronic kits, and components on there. Here are some links to a few auctions for full kits and components just to give you some ideas of prices:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-DXPIV-Electronic-Drum-Kit-New-Boxed_W0QQitemZ180203784021QQihZ008QQcategoryZ38069QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-DTXpress-III-Electronic-Drums_W0QQitemZ190187483022QQihZ009QQcategoryZ64383QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Roland-V-Drums-TD-6-V-complete-working-set-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ330202136621QQihZ014QQcategoryZ64382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-Drum-machine-DTXpress-III_W0QQitemZ280189405606QQihZ018QQcategoryZ64383QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-TP65-Electronic-Percussion-Drum-Trigger_W0QQitemZ230209852489QQihZ013QQcategoryZ64383QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-PCY65-Electronic-Percussion-Cymbal-Trigger_W0QQitemZ230210653015QQihZ013QQcategoryZ64383QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DRUM-MODULE-ROLAND-TD-6V-MINT-ORIGINAL-BOX-AND-DOC_W0QQitemZ330201173905QQihZ014QQcategoryZ64382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Roland-TD-6-Percussion-Sound-Module-for-V-Drums_W0QQitemZ270200448987QQihZ017QQcategoryZ64382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Roland-KD-7-Kick-Trigger-Unit_W0QQitemZ280188803761QQihZ018QQcategoryZ64382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Roland-V-Drums-8-5-PD-6-Single-Trigger-Pad_W0QQitemZ270200493827QQihZ017QQcategoryZ64382QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are some good deals out there if you're patient, and I think it would be worth taking the time to piece something together. It may take longer, but it should let you spring for a good module and then get everything else pretty cheap. Keep in mind that pads are pretty standard so it doesn't matter if they're Roland, Yamaha, or something else; they should work with any module you get. And the most important part is a good module; if you get something good now, you can always get some cheap pads and simply upgrade them later, but no matter how good the pads a low end module will limit your options when recording and playing live.

What is the advantage of mesh headed pads? I don't necessarily care about the realistic feel of the pads so much as their responsiveness (for example, a snare picking up ghost notes, buzz rolls, etc.).

A lot of people seem to like mesh headed pads because of the feel and adjustable tension. In my experience they seem a little more responsive than rubber pads and have more rebound, but I've never really had a problem with response on rubber pads. Ghost notes, buzz rolls, etc. all seem to be triggered just fine on my electronic kit. The rubber pads take some getting used to since they don't really feel like real drums, but if you've ever practiced on a practice pad it's not all that different. It's mainly a feel thing, but I could never get used to mesh heads; it always felt like I wasn't really hitting anything. Where you say your budget is about $1,000 though, I'd say stay away from mesh heads for now. Even on Ebay, it'll be tough to get them cheap. Get out to a music store if you can sometime and try the various pads yourself, but for now, you're better off going with cheaper rubber pads and upgrading later if you choose.

Check this out!

http://members.cox.net/ampage/triggers.htm

I like the idea of these for toms, maybe, unless you're gonna be triggering different samples for different positions on the toms.

Check this out!

http://members.cox.net/ampage/triggers.htm

I like the idea of these for toms, maybe, unless you're gonna be triggering different samples for different positions on the toms.

Great find Sixto. This may be another great way to save a few bucks and get an electronic kit, while having some fun in the process. I may have to try this myself for fun in the future.

Check this out!

http://members.cox.net/ampage/triggers.htm

I like the idea of these for toms, maybe, unless you're gonna be triggering different samples for different positions on the toms.

That's pretty cool, I might try that sometime

And thanks, Vivi, that was really helpful.

Happy to help. If you have any other questions feel free to ask me and I'd be glad to try and help, or at least point you to where you can get some answers.