[Tyler G]

So, I just bought one of these from Musician's Friend for $428. Five drum pads, three cymbal pads, nicely done rack, Decent bass and hi hat pedal.

I have it set up like I'd have my acoustic kit set up. One up, one down toms. The "Tom 2" pad is my ride. "Ride" pad is my china. Everything else is pretty standard.



First off.. I didn't expect much. Not many people on here support Alesis and it's said to be for good reason. But I took a chance.

The module itself is definitely easy to use and does have a good amount of features.

All of the pads function very well. Whereas most of the reviews that I read before hand had said that the pads had problems until you installed an update from the Alesis website. I did not have to do this. All of the pads are velocity sensitive which I really wasn't expecting for such a low price (Even though it's on clearance.). All of the toms and snare (Which has a triggered rim" pose an 8inch diameter I believe. The cymbals are non choke-able which I don't have a problem with.

The only problem I have with the pads is that they're still pretty loud somehow. Especially the bass pad (I have it covered to reduce noise.

The rack is definitely pretty high quality. When it's all set up it feels really sturdy and weighs a little more than my bass drum (Maybe.).

My favorite feature... It fits a double bass pedal very easily and the trigger actually picks everything up.

This is just a short review. If anyone has any questions/requests at all about this kit or how it plays just let me know. I'll add it.

[Matt Shank]

 Tyler G, on Nov 25 2010, 11:08 PM, said:

The only problem I have with the pads is that they're still pretty loud somehow. Especially the bass pad (I have it covered to reduce noise.

You can get mesh heads on eBay if you want to quiet down the drum pads.

Mesh heads link

[warboy]

Did you deal well with the hi hat pedal? I couldn't deal well with the differences between my stand and the electronic pedal.

[Poco Askew]

 warboy, on Nov 25 2010, 09:28 PM, said:

Did you deal well with the hi hat pedal? I couldn't deal well with the differences between my stand and the electronic pedal.

He doesn't play hi hats.

[warboy]

 Poco Askew, on Nov 26 2010, 09:11 AM, said:

He doesn't play hi hats.

well, nevermind then.

[Tyler G]

 Matt Shank, on Nov 25 2010, 09:35 PM, said:

You can get mesh heads on eBay if you want to quiet down the drum pads.

Thank you! This looks like it would be perfect.

Mesh heads link

 Poco Askew, on Nov 26 2010, 07:11 AM, said:

He doesn't play hi hats.

I love how you know that. Hahaha.

The hi hat pedal is definitely weird compared to the one I used to use way back when. Doesn't take too too much getting used to.

[warboy]

 Tyler G, on Nov 26 2010, 10:58 PM, said:

I love how you know that. Hahaha.

The hi hat pedal is definitely weird compared to the one I used to use way back when. Doesn't take too too much getting used to.

I was looking at getting one of these at one point but I think constantly switching back and forth from Ekit to Acoustic would be too much because of the hats. Unfortunately, to get a realistic hi hat unit you need to shell out for top of the line ekits. I really wish some company would make a bread and butter kit without all the funky features that a lot of players looking to practice don't need but still have the necessities to have an accurate feel across the kit.

[Poco Askew]

 warboy, on Nov 26 2010, 10:56 PM, said:

I was looking at getting one of these at one point but I think constantly switching back and forth from Ekit to Acoustic would be too much because of the hats. Unfortunately, to get a realistic hi hat unit you need to shell out for top of the line ekits. I really wish some company would make a bread and butter kit without all the funky features that a lot of players looking to practice don't need but still have the necessities to have an accurate feel across the kit.

You can take any hi hat stand and make your own controller for about $20. It isn't identical to acoustic, but it is much closer than the usual E-kit pedal and it is cheap. I have no problem going back and forth. The E-kit is more difficult which just means playing hi hats on an acoustic kit is easier. The DM6 is just $299 right now and has the freebies if you want to Rock Band with it.

[EwanCee]

 Tyler G, on 25 November 2010 - 08:08 PM, said:

So, I just bought one of these from Musician's Friend for $428. Five drum pads, three cymbal pads, nicely done rack, Decent bass and hi hat pedal.

I have it set up like I'd have my acoustic kit set up. One up, one down toms. The "Tom 2" pad is my ride. "Ride" pad is my china. Everything else is pretty standard.



First off.. I didn't expect much. Not many people on here support Alesis and it's said to be for good reason. But I took a chance.

The module itself is definitely easy to use and does have a good amount of features.

All of the pads function very well. Whereas most of the reviews that I read before hand had said that the pads had problems until you installed an update from the Alesis website. I did not have to do this. All of the pads are velocity sensitive which I really wasn't expecting for such a low price (Even though it's on clearance.). All of the toms and snare (Which has a triggered rim" pose an 8inch diameter I believe. The cymbals are non choke-able which I don't have a problem with.

The only problem I have with the pads is that they're still pretty loud somehow. Especially the bass pad (I have it covered to reduce noise.

The rack is definitely pretty high quality. When it's all set up it feels really sturdy and weighs a little more than my bass drum (Maybe.).

My favorite feature... It fits a double bass pedal very easily and the trigger actually picks everything up.

This is just a short review. If anyone has any questions/requests at all about this kit or how it plays just let me know. I'll add it.

What are the dimensions of the kit, Length, Width, Height?

[Jimbo]

Yeah I bought one of these under a different brand, badged as a DD506, identical in every way, just a different brain. I bought it because i didnt know if I would take to drumming as I had never held a drum stick before, plus it was all I could afford, so it was a low risk thing incase I didnt take to it. I bought mine off E Bay from someone about 10 miles away for not a lot of money.

Yes they are cheap, but the interesting thing is that they hardly drop in value, you can hammer it to pieces and sell it on for not much less that you bought it for. Also spares are cheap and easy to come across as well.

My thoughts were that if I took to drumming then it would be a while before I outgrew it and I could upgrade to a roland kit or something at a later date. But ive become quite attached to it. Velocity sensitive, crash and ride are dual trigger with choke as well, rim shots, nice big bass pad should I decide to get a double bass, also all the pads are a good size, and on the subject of the hi-hat pedal, it is 3 position, but not all the voices take advantage of it, midi in and out as well. The brain has the usual built in kits plus ones you can configure yourself, you can change the sensitivity of the pads, the mix, reverb, crosstalk etc.

What I will say is that I decided to link it up to a laptop running Addictive Drums, mainly because the sounds you get out of it is astonishing, and my brain also has a built in midi usb connector, if you havent played with Addictive Drums I recomend having a look, it definatly adds a whole new dimension and feel, seems to bring the kit to life.

On the subject of noise, yeah, they arent so quiet, you can get the mesh heads from ebay, but I dont know how much quieter they make it, the reviews ive seen on them are comparing them to the plastic heads not the rubber ones, but if you give it a try, let me know how it sounds. With the kit upstairs its quite loud downstairs through the floor, my parents thought i was getting an electronic kit as not to disturb them! lol

They do get slated by the V-Drums people, but for the money they are really good value.

[EwanCee]

 Jimbo, on 24 November 2011 - 05:53 PM, said:

Yeah I bought one of these under a different brand, badged as a DD506, identical in every way, just a different brain. I bought it because i didnt know if I would take to drumming as I had never held a drum stick before, plus it was all I could afford, so it was a low risk thing incase I didnt take to it. I bought mine off E Bay from someone about 10 miles away for not a lot of money.

Yes they are cheap, but the interesting thing is that they hardly drop in value, you can hammer it to pieces and sell it on for not much less that you bought it for. Also spares are cheap and easy to come across as well.

My thoughts were that if I took to drumming then it would be a while before I outgrew it and I could upgrade to a roland kit or something at a later date. But ive become quite attached to it. Velocity sensitive, crash and ride are dual trigger with choke as well, rim shots, nice big bass pad should I decide to get a double bass, also all the pads are a good size, and on the subject of the hi-hat pedal, it is 3 position, but not all the voices take advantage of it, midi in and out as well. The brain has the usual built in kits plus ones you can configure yourself, you can change the sensitivity of the pads, the mix, reverb, crosstalk etc.

What I will say is that I decided to link it up to a laptop running Addictive Drums, mainly because the sounds you get out of it is astonishing, and my brain also has a built in midi usb connector, if you havent played with Addictive Drums I recomend having a look, it definatly adds a whole new dimension and feel, seems to bring the kit to life.

On the subject of noise, yeah, they arent so quiet, you can get the mesh heads from ebay, but I dont know how much quieter they make it, the reviews ive seen on them are comparing them to the plastic heads not the rubber ones, but if you give it a try, let me know how it sounds. With the kit upstairs its quite loud downstairs through the floor, my parents thought i was getting an electronic kit as not to disturb them! lol

They do get slated by the V-Drums people, but for the money they are really good value.

What are the dimensions of this kit, mainly how wide it is?

[Jimbo]

 EwanCee, on 25 November 2011 - 01:32 PM, said:

What are the dimensions of this kit, mainly how wide it is?

Well the way I have mine set up is 4 foot wide, 26 inches deep but you could quite easily squash it down to 3 foot wide if you needed to. If you need any other information let me know

[EwanCee]

 Jimbo, on 27 November 2011 - 02:52 AM, said:

Well the way I have mine set up is 4 foot wide, 26 inches deep but you could quite easily squash it down to 3 foot wide if you needed to. If you need any other information let me know

Thanks alot man that's perfect. Couldn't find the dimensions anywhere, I can now fit it in my room.

[einarabelc5]

The first thing you have to do is go to dmdrummer.com

There you will find everything you need to know to improve your pad sound, etc.

@Matt Shank.

Simply changing the mesh head WON'T improve the sound significantly. You have to move the internals, basically moving the trigger plate below some foam the improve the sound.

[einarabelc5]

 Poco Askew, on 27 November 2010 - 05:04 AM, said:

You can take any hi hat stand and make your own controller for about $20. It isn't identical to acoustic, but it is much closer than the usual E-kit pedal and it is cheap. I have no problem going back and forth. The E-kit is more difficult which just means playing hi hats on an acoustic kit is easier. The DM6 is just $299 right now and has the freebies if you want to Rock Band with it.

totally agree you have to have clock work precision to do some hihat pedal work at higher bpms. I would love for you to link some examples on how to do that mod as I hate my e-kit hi hat pedal...

I know it will only make me better.

[Poco Askew]

 einarabelc5, on 28 November 2011 - 12:33 PM, said:

I would love for you to link some examples on how to do that mod as I hate my e-kit hi hat pedal...

Full DIY Link from the beginning
Hi Hat Controller Link #1
Hi Hat Controller (improved) Link #2

BTW, I'm still using the "new and improved" controller from link #2. It is similar to Roland's VH-12 (but cost me about $20 to make).

[seplophobia0]

Tyler G, on 25 November 2010 - 08:08 PM, said:

So, I just bought one of these from Musician's Friend for $428. Five drum pads, three cymbal pads, nicely done rack, Decent bass and hi hat pedal.

I have it set up like I'd have my acoustic kit set up. One up, one down toms. The "Tom 2" pad is my ride. "Ride" pad is my china. Everything else is pretty standard.



First off.. I didn't expect much. Not many people on here support Alesis and it's said to be for good reason. But I took a chance.

The module itself is definitely easy to use and does have a good amount of features.

All of the pads function very well. Whereas most of the reviews that I read before hand had said that the pads had problems until you installed an update from the Alesis website. I did not have to do this. All of the pads are velocity sensitive which I really wasn't expecting for such a low price (Even though it's on clearance.). All of the toms and snare (Which has a triggered rim" pose an 8inch diameter I believe. The cymbals are non choke-able which I don't have a problem with.

The only problem I have with the pads is that they're still pretty loud somehow. Especially the bass pad (I have it covered to reduce noise.

The rack is definitely pretty high quality. When it's all set up it feels really sturdy and weighs a little more than my bass drum (Maybe.).

My favorite feature... It fits a double bass pedal very easily and the trigger actually picks everything up.

This is just a short review. If anyone has any questions/requests at all about this kit or how it plays just let me know. I'll add it.

hey man im thinking of getting the same kit from musicians friend as well. i have heard a number of complaints about the double pedals either not working, or it will only register the left pedal and only sometime the right will trigger the pad. personally have you had any troubles with the double pedals other than the volume level of the pads themselves ??

[Jimbo]

Just an update on this kit now i have had it a few months, Im not sure how old my kit is since it was bought second hand. As I said previously its not the exact same kit but a rebadged one as a session pro dd506, but I think the only difference is the controller/brain.

Anyway, i have managed to pretty much destroy the hi hat, the plastic screw threads on the trigger cover all snapped. My Hi Hat pad is different to the crash and ride pads I dont know if this is another difference to the DM6, the crash and ride are way better built, they are bigger, dual zone with chokes and the bells are rubber and the triggering is better, where the hi hat is single zone, with a plastic bell. The Hi Hat has disintegrated iteslf, not a big drama, nothing no nails glue couldnt sort out! They are cheap to replace though looking on ebay.

The screws on the Hi Hat do loosen though and constantly need tightening, something I hadnt bothered to do, so the extra vibrations from the loose screws probabily caused the plastic screw threads to snap, so probabily a good idea to keep an eye on that.

Just incase this is a difference between the DM6 and the DD506 this is my hi-hat stuck back together with no nails :



And this is my ride and crash which is much better built and hasnt had any problems :



So i am going to replace the hi hat with something else at some point, might borrow a roland CY-5 from a friend and see how that triggers since they are fairly cheap.

But I would really like to have a play with some surge cymbals as a possible replacement since I am at a learning point now where I am experimenting with bounce on the cymbals and rubber pads arent quite the same.


I dont want to put anyone off the kit, for the price ive got a lot of fun out of it and also learned to play from scratch, so its been a great bargain really, its just something to look out for.

[Poco Askew]

Jimbo, on 18 February 2012 - 04:46 AM, said:

But I would really like to have a play with some surge cymbals as a possible replacement since I am at a learning point now where I am experimenting with bounce on the cymbals and rubber pads arent quite the same.

FWIW: If it matters, the Surge cymbals are quite a bit louder than the rubber-type cymbals. They also have not proven to be extremely reliable.

[einarabelc5]

For all your alesis doubts, visit dmdrummer.com ask them there it's a whole forum based off aleis.