E-Kit Comparison (Roland, Yamaha, Alesis and more!)

Electronic drum kits (or "ekits") have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many drummers and music producers opting for their ease of use, versatility, and quietness compared to acoustic drum kits. There are now a wide range of electronic drum kits available from various manufacturers, each with their own features, advantages, and disadvantages. In this comparison, we will take a look at some of the best electronic drum kits on the market, including professional and expensive models from brands such as Roland, Yamaha, and Alesis, as well as budget models from the same brands.

Advantages of Electronic Drum Kits One of the biggest advantages of electronic drum kits is their quietness. Unlike acoustic drums, which can be extremely loud, electronic drums can be played with headphones or at a low volume, making them ideal for use in apartments or shared living spaces. Additionally, electronic drum kits offer a wider range of sounds and drum kit configurations compared to acoustic drums, allowing for more creative expression and versatility in music production. They also typically take up less space than acoustic drum kits, making them ideal for home studios and practice spaces.

Disadvantages of Electronic Drum Kits One of the main disadvantages of electronic drum kits is that they can feel less natural to play than acoustic drum kits. The rebound and feel of the drumheads on electronic drum kits can feel different than the bounce and response of traditional drumheads, which can make it more difficult to play certain techniques or styles of music. Additionally, while electronic drum kits offer a wider range of sounds and kit configurations, some drummers may prefer the sound and feel of an acoustic drum kit for certain types of music.

Noise Control

As mentioned earlier, one of the key advantages of electronic drum kits is their quietness. However, it's important to note that some electronic drum kits are still louder than others, depending on the type of pads used and the volume settings. Mesh drumheads tend to be quieter than rubber drumheads, for example, and electronic drum kits with high-quality sound modules may be able to produce realistic drum sounds at a lower volume. If you live in an apartment or shared living space and are concerned about noise, it's important to look for an electronic drum kit with a reputation for being quiet.

Sound Options

One of the main advantages of electronic drum kits is their versatility in terms of sound options. Most electronic drum kits come with a wide range of drum and percussion sounds built into the sound module, and some even allow you to upload your own sounds or use samples from a computer or external device. It's important to look for an electronic drum kit with a sound module that offers a wide range of sounds and the ability to customize and program your own drum kits.

Professional / Expensive Models

Roland TD-50KVX Electronic Drum Set The Roland TD-50KVX is a top-of-the-line electronic drum kit that offers professional-level performance and features. It features a TD-50 sound module with Prismatic Sound Modeling technology, which provides a wide range of realistic drum and percussion sounds. The kit also comes with high-quality mesh drumheads that provide a natural feel and response, and a VH-13 hi-hat that offers realistic foot control and response. The TD-50KVX also includes a full range of cymbals and a drum rack with adjustable tom and cymbal arms. This kit is an excellent choice for professional drummers or music producers who demand the highest level of performance and sound quality. It is, however, quite expensive, with a price point of around $8,000. You can purchase the Roland TD-50KVX on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Roland-TD-50KVX-Electronic-Drum/dp/B07BZW5YVW

Yamaha DTX920K Electronic Drum Set T

he Yamaha DTX920K is another professional-level electronic drum kit that offers exceptional performance and features. It features a DTX900M sound module that includes over 1,000 high-quality drum and percussion sounds, as well as the ability to import custom samples. The kit comes with TCS (Textured Cellular Silicone) drumheads that provide a natural feel and response, as well as a real hi-hat stand and three-zone cymbals. The DTX920K also includes a sturdy drum rack with adjustable tom and cymbal arms. While not quite as expensive as the Roland TD-50KVX, the Yamaha DTX920K still comes with a hefty price tag of around $6,000. You can purchase the Yamaha DTX920K on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DTX920K-Electronic-Drum-Set/dp/B00YD7AVS4

Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition

The Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition is a professional-level electronic drum kit that offers exceptional value for its price. It features an all-mesh drumhead configuration, which provides a natural feel and response, as well as a Strike performance module with over 1,600 built-in sounds and the ability to import custom samples. The kit also includes a full range of cymbals, a real hi-hat stand, and a sturdy drum rack with adjustable tom and cymbal arms. While not quite as feature-rich as the Roland or Yamaha kits, the Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition is an excellent choice for professional drummers or music producers who demand high-quality performance at a more affordable price point. It typically retails for around $2,000. You can purchase the Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Strike-Special-Electronic-Cymbals/dp/B08Y7VZK61

Budget Models

Roland TD-1DMK Electronic Drum Set

The Roland TD-1DMK is a great entry-level electronic drum kit for beginners or anyone on a budget. It features a TD-1 sound module with 15 built-in drum kits and the ability to connect to a computer or smartphone for access to additional sounds and training apps. The kit comes with rubber drumheads that provide a quiet playing experience and a stable, lightweight drum rack that can be easily adjusted to fit any playing style. The TD-1DMK is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get started with electronic drums without breaking the bank, as it typically retails for around $700. You can purchase the Roland TD-1DMK on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Roland-TD-1DMK-Electronic-Drum-Set/dp/B07LGFY7NC

Yamaha DTX402K Electronic Drum Set

The Yamaha DTX402K is another great budget-friendly electronic drum kit that is perfect for beginners or anyone on a budget. It features a DTX402 sound module with 10 built-in drum kits and the ability to connect to a computer or smartphone for access to additional sounds and training apps. The kit comes with rubber drumheads that provide a quiet playing experience, as well as a sturdy, lightweight drum rack that can be easily adjusted to fit any playing style. The DTX402K typically retails for around $500, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to get started with electronic drums at a low price point. You can purchase the Yamaha DTX402K on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DTX402K-Electronic-Drum-Set/dp/B07B3K3PT3

Alesis Nitro 

The Alesis Nitro is another budget-friendly electronic drum kit that offers good value for its price. It features an all-mesh drumhead configuration that provides a more natural feel and response than rubber drumheads, as well as a Nitro drum module with over 385 built-in sounds and the ability to connect to a computer or smartphone for additional sounds and training apps. The kit comes with a full range of cymbals, a real hi-hat pedal, and a lightweight drum rack that can be easily adjusted to fit any playing style. The Alesis Nitro typically retails for around $380, making it an excellent choice for beginners or anyone looking for a low-cost electronic drum kit. You can purchase the Alesis Nitro on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Alesis-Nitro-Electronic-Cymbals-Expanded/dp/B07BW1XJGP

Comparison of Professional Models

When comparing the professional-level electronic drum kits from Roland, Yamaha, and Alesis, there are a few key differences to consider. First and foremost is the sound quality and variety of sounds available on each kit. While all three brands offer high-quality sounds, the Roland TD-50KVX stands out for its advanced modeling technology and ability to reproduce the most subtle nuances of acoustic drumming. The Yamaha DTX920K is also known for its high-quality sounds and the ability to import custom samples, which is a big advantage for music producers and drummers who want to create their own unique sound. The Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition offers a large number of built-in sounds and the ability to import custom samples, but it may not offer quite as much sound quality as the Roland or Yamaha kits.

Feel & Response

Another important factor to consider when comparing professional-level electronic drum kits is the feel and response of the drumheads and cymbals. The Roland TD-50KVX stands out for its highly responsive and realistic mesh drumheads and three-zone cymbals, which provide a very natural playing experience. The Yamaha DTX920K also offers highly responsive TCS drumheads and three-zone cymbals, as well as a real hi-hat stand. The Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition features all-mesh drumheads, which provide a more natural feel than rubber drumheads, but may not offer quite as much responsiveness as the Roland or Yamaha kits.

Finally, the overall build quality and durability of the drum kits is an important factor to consider. All three brands offer high-quality drum racks and hardware, but the Roland TD-50KVX and Yamaha DTX920K stand out for their sturdiness and overall durability. The Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition is also built to a high standard, but may not be quite as durable as the Roland or Yamaha kits.

Comparison of Budget Models

When comparing the budget-friendly electronic drum kits from Roland, Yamaha, and Alesis, there are a few key differences to consider. First and foremost is the sound quality and variety of sounds available on each kit. While all three brands offer a good variety of sounds, the Roland TD-1DMK and Yamaha DTX402K may offer slightly better sound quality and more options for customization than the Alesis Nitro.

Another important factor to consider when comparing budget-friendly electronic drum kits is the feel and response of the drumheads and cymbals. The Roland TD-1DMK and Yamaha DTX402K both feature rubber drumheads, which provide a quieter playing experience but may not feel quite as natural as the mesh drumheads on the Alesis Nitro.

Finally, the overall build quality and durability of the drum kits is an important factor to consider. All three brands offer well-built drum racks and hardware, but the Roland TD-1DMK and Yamaha DTX402K may be slightly more durable than the Alesis Nitro.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Drum Kits

Electronic drum kits offer a number of advantages over acoustic drum kits. One of the biggest advantages is the ability to play quietly with headphones, which is ideal for drummers who live in apartments or shared spaces. Electronic drum kits also offer a wider range of sounds and the ability to customize and save drum kits, which can be a big advantage for music producers and drummers who want to create their own unique sound. Additionally, electronic drum kits are typically easier to transport and set up than acoustic drum kits, which can be a big advantage for gigging drummers.

However, electronic drum kits also have a few disadvantages to consider. One of the biggest disadvantages is that they may not feel as natural to play as acoustic drum kits, particularly at the budget end of the market where rubber drumheads are more common. Additionally, electronic drum kits require power and a sound system to be heard, which can be a disadvantage if you don't have access to electricity or if you're playing in a small space. Finally, electronic drum kits can be more expensive than acoustic drum kits, particularly at the professional level.

Noise Control for Electronic Drum Kits

One of the biggest advantages of electronic drum kits is their ability to be played quietly with headphones. However, even when playing with headphones, electronic drum kits can still produce some noise that may be heard by others in the same room or adjacent rooms. To reduce the noise produced by electronic drum kits, there are a few strategies you can use:

1. Use sound isolation pads: Sound isolation pads are designed to reduce the amount of vibration produced by electronic drum kits, which can help to reduce the noise heard by others.

2. Play with mesh drumheads: Mesh drumheads are typically quieter than rubber drumheads, which can help to reduce the overall volume of the drum kit.

3. Use a low-volume setting: Most electronic drum kits have a volume control that allows you to adjust the overall volume of the kit. Setting the volume to a lower level can help to reduce the noise produced by the drum kit.

4. Play during non-quiet hours: If you live in an apartment or shared space, it's important to be considerate of your neighbors. If possible, try to play during non-quiet hours, when other people in the building are less likely to be disturbed.

Conclusion

Overall, electronic drum kits offer a range of advantages and disadvantages compared to acoustic drum kits. They can be played quietly with headphones, offer a wide range of sounds and customization options, and are typically easier to transport and set up than acoustic drum kits. However, they may not feel as natural to play as acoustic drum kits, require power and a sound system to be heard, and can be more expensive than acoustic drum kits, particularly at the professional level.

When choosing an electronic drum kit, it's important to consider your budget, playing style, and individual preferences for sound and feel. Whether you're a beginner looking for an affordable drum kit to practice on or a professional drummer looking for the most realistic and responsive electronic drum kit, there are plenty of options available from top brands like Roland, Yamaha, and Alesis. By weighing the pros and cons of each kit and considering your own needs and preferences, you can find the perfect electronic drum kit to suit your playing style and musical goals.