V-Club vs. Hart Prodigy

[krisdrum]

Hi all...new here. And new to the electronic world (or soon will be). I want to get a practice kit for my apartment, with a somewhat limited budget and some mandatory requirements. It needs to be as quiet as possible, feel good to play, sound good, and be expandable. I was pretty set to go for a full V-Club, til someone mentioned that mesh headed pads would be quieter. And then suggested Hart. I checked their site and saw the Prodigy kit. Liked what I saw. I was just wondering if anyone out there has actually played one of these? I'm pretty sure I'll stick with the TD-6, no matter which kit I end up with. Any suggestions or real-life experience with a Hart Prodigy? Thanks.

[drumguru]

There's a review of the Prodigy kit posted here:
http://www.acousticdrums.com/members/esp-1qtr02.html

[sepdrums]

Biased.

[Schmunk]

Originally posted by sepdrums:
Biased.

Looks perfectly fair to me.

Schmunk

[Jimmy C]

I am curious, too...why biased?

[krisdrum]

Thanks for the replies guys. Just checked, so haven't read the full review yet, although, it certainly seems "mixed" at first glance. Sep- sent you an email today about this kit and the possible purchase of one from you. Biased? I'd love to hear your reasoning behind it, since you sell these babies, as well as just about every other e-drum brand out there today. Thanks. -K

[sepdrums]

Un oh...flame time I see....

There are underlying reasons.... Hey - guess my reviews would be biased too..BUT...for the folks who claim they have pioneered the invention of a trigger in a Remo pad to do a review on a kit that takes it to the next level is a bit shaky... But flame me if you will... I have my reasons...trust me...I have been on the receiving end.


My biased "dealer" "sales whore" thoughts on the Prodigy..
I think it is slick that Hart developed a mesh head for remo pads...it does make a new toy for the DIY junkies to play with...and makes for an inexpensive kit for the beginner. I stress the word beginner. Most drummers who demand high performance and elaborate hardware are not fit for this kit...no doubt at all.
Hardware on the Prodigy - not road worthy. But it is extremely compact once together. Yea, a pain to put together the first time...ever assemble a Giga-Pro or a DTXTreme?? No friggin marathon there either.

I personally think that the DM5 module/ Prodigy combo is not the best in the world...I am not a DM5 fan... But for affordability, who else offers an electronic kit that inexpensive, with a lifetime warranty, etc....

Parts from Taiwan...well DUH! It is the finished product that counts IMO. The value-added work is what justifies the Made in USA logo. Yea, they could have removed the Made in Taiwan logos...but I think they have every right to claim its US origin....

If I'm wrong, flame me...please....its cold up here in PA!

Erik

[krisdrum]

Valid points Erik, thanks. In your honest opinion, are the pads louder than the V-Club's rubber pads? I'd have to say, that is one of my major concerns. As for the module, I'd want to put a TD-6 on it anyway, I think. What would you think is the best/better module for this kit? I am looking at it and the V-Club for purely practice purposes. I live in a 3rd floor apt. and up until now have been using mesh heads on my acoustics and plastic practice cymbals with neoprene pads. They are pretty quiet, but the aural gratification just isn't there. I'd like something as quiet or quieter than my current "practice set" and the ability to "hear" it as a drumset should sound really appeals to me. Any further thoughts? Thanks.

[sepdrums]

Try a set of ddrum Redshot triggers...or even the Hart ADC's under the mesh heads...best of both worlds...

More info on ddrum triggers at www.ddrum.com and more info on Hart ADC's at www.hartdynamics.com

Think about getting some Pintech TC cymbals in place of your non-triggered versions...
More info at www.edrums.com

Hope this helps!!
Erik

[krisdrum]

Originally posted by sepdrums:
Try a set of ddrum Redshot triggers...or even the Hart ADC's under the mesh heads...best of both worlds...

More info on ddrum triggers at www.ddrum.com and more info on Hart ADC's at www.hartdynamics.com

Think about getting some Pintech TC cymbals in place of your non-triggered versions...
More info at www.edrums.com

Hope this helps!!
Erik

Erik...wow, thanks for the suggestions. Do you think this will be quieter than a more straight forward e-drum set? I never really thought of it. My only problem with your suggestion is the hassle of changing heads in order to play out (I have no desire to use e-drums live). I'm thinking I'd rather have a dedicated practice e-drum kit and have the acoustics ready to roll when needed. And again the volume factor. I've always thought stuff like Spacemuffins were louder than rubber pads or mesh headed pads. I'll certainly give it some thought though. I guess I also never thought to do it the way you suggested, because I've never even touched an e-drum. Is this going to be a more complicated endeavor than going with a dedicated e-drum kit? Thanks.

[krisdrum]

Originally posted by krisdrum:
Erik...wow, thanks for the suggestions. Do you think this will be quieter than a more straight forward e-drum set? I never really thought of it. My only problem with your suggestion is the hassle of changing heads in order to play out (I have no desire to use e-drums live). I'm thinking I'd rather have a dedicated practice e-drum kit and have the acoustics ready to roll when needed. And again the volume factor. I've always thought stuff like Spacemuffins were louder than rubber pads or mesh headed pads. I'll certainly give it some thought though. I guess I also never thought to do it the way you suggested, because I've never even touched an e-drum. Is this going to be a more complicated endeavor than going with a dedicated e-drum kit? Thanks.

I'm taking a look now, and it doesn't look too complicated. Will the Redshots or ADCs definitely trigger using a mesh head? I was looking at the Drumperfect "Groove Guide" (beat bug) and asked their builder if it would trigger effectively off a mesh head, and he said it wouldn't. Oh...wait, Hart doesn't make a 20" mesh head. M acoustics are 10, 15, 20.

[This message has been edited by krisdrum (edited February 28, 2002).]

[krisdrum]

I just did a quick rundown, and with using some Interstate Music prices, I came out with your suggested conversion costing almost as much as their listed price for the full V-Club (about $1300). Which is about $200 more than I estimated I'd pay for the Prodigy w/ a TD-6. At that price, I think I'd rather have a stand-alone and forego the hassle, unless there are specific benefits in the volume department from your suggestion.