Trying to select the most veratile kit...Pointers?

[captainobvious]

Thanks for the reply's. I'll certainly let you know what I end up going with.
I'd like to try out the Pintech pads, but noone around here has them. From what I understand, their very similar to the Rolands, so thats good by me.
If I pick up a Pintech set, I'll just have to look for a good module to go along with it. (TD9/TD10/TD12)

[Picksorsticks]

Welcome Captain,

Not to sound like a secret plant of the Pintech Corportion but....Give their stuff a look. I started with a TD-3, gradually replaced the pads with mesh( which made the TD-3 much nicer in my opinion). I then got a new rack, cymbals and a TD-12. I think I put together a nice kit ( now to learn to play it ) and saved some $$$.

There are a LOT of ways to go. You're smart to try things out, do your homework before you plunk down a lot of $$$. Buying anything new, you take a hit when you end up selling off something that you don't like. You will finds fans of other manufacturers as well, Hart, Yamaha, Kit Toys, etc.

Pick all our brains and try LOTS of stuff so you can make the best choice for you and your budget. I found this site after I bought my TD-3. There are a lot of sharp people here to help you out. Welcome to the group!

Let us know what you end up getting please.

[gostviper]

the td-9sx has all mesh dual trigger pads and a 3 way triggering ride. if you can afford it, go for it. you won't regret it that's for sure.

[saku]

The cable for the td-9 does have the advantage that it is more vibration resistant than the standard inputs, which occassionally needed to be push back in...its main disadvantage is if you later upgrade to a 12 or a 20, you will need to buy new cables...

I upgraded from a 6 to a 9 and am very happy with it....

edit: having a mesh snare is great, personally, I am not bothered by the rubber toms of the cheaper kits....

[captainobvious]

Well Im on the hunt for my first drum kit (im new to the drums) and I've really been trying to decide which combination to go with for my first setup. I've been to GC and Sam Ash to check out the Roland, Alesis, and Yamaha ekits.
We can start by scratching off the Alesis DM5 kit because it was just a turd in my opinion.

I'll start off by talling you what I liked/disliked about each kit I tried and what my goals are, and then maybe you all can steer me in the right direction with what the best options I have are.

First was the Roland TD3 kit (about $1000),
What I liked: the sensitvity of the cymbals, the mesh snare and the low price. The TD3 module seemed to have pretty good sounds.
What I didnt like: Only 1 mesh pad, the other pads were single trigger, there isnt a whole lot of room to upgrade (adding cymbals/pads) and the rack is a bit less sturdy,cheaper plastic.

Next I tried the Yamaha DTXpress IV Special kit (about $1500).
What I liked: the feel of the drum pads, but not as much as the mesh ones. The module had lots of sounds, more digitized off the wall sounds than the Roland TD3, but less realistic sounding "real" kits. Also, this one had tracks to play along with for learning which I liked, albeit not as good as the ones in the TD9 module. I also liked that this set came with 3 cymbals and the hihat (2 3zone cymbals ride/crash and 3 zone hihat). Comes with a hi hat stand and more hardware than most others.
What I didnt like: Cymbals felt very 'heavy' when hit, and didnt seem to have nearly the sensitivity of the Roland cymbals. Kit sounds weren't as true sounding as the TD3 or TD9 modules.

After that I tried out the Roland TD9 kit.
What I liked: The TD9 module is a big upgrade over the TD3, and a significant upgrade over the Yamaha module as well. The sounds were very good, the song play along was robust and had good sounding tunes. The adjustability of all of the sounds and custom kits was a big plus.
What I didnt like: Module has a proprietary cable bundle instead of standard inputs ?


I'd love to have a module with 3 zone trigger capabilities for cymbals. I like the dual trigger functionality on the drum pads as well, but its not mandatory. Should be on the snare and floor tom though.

I've also been looking at Pintech kits online. Seem to be a good value as well...

How about the TD10 modules? What are the differences between them and say a TD9 ?

Ultimately, the set I get will be used to learn on and maybe do some jamming with buddies. I like the built in songs to play along with and the learning tools built in.

Thanks