I am considering between Alesis Surge and Roland td-1dmk ... and more

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eplegrand

Member
I am an absolute beginner (Will have next week my first lesson). I am considering the Alesis Surge or the roland td-1dmk. I don't mind too much all the options in the module such as drum sets (a few drum sets is enough). I am mainly looking for good sound, similar feel to acoustic, and durability.

Advantages of Roland td-1dmk
- double mesh (might be better than the mesh of Alesis)
- Roland is probably more durable
- Double trigger cymbal

Alesis:
- 10" snare
- Double zone toms
- Cheaper
- Better output (looks like there are 2 speaker outputs 1/4 inch, instead of 3.5mm that is only option in Roland)

On audio, when using headphones, I think it is ok, but when having speakers, I think 2 speakers would be better as I tried, and it sounds very strange if the speaker is on the other side of the drum kit from where you hit a tom or cymbal.

Which one would you suggest for a beginner?

One more consideration. The Alesis Command. Though, I have the feeling the only difference is the module. So based on my criteria, I believe that is not a option.

Finally, where I live, they basically don't have any reasonable electronic drum kits in shops to try.
 
I’ve never owned an Alesis kit, so I can’t comment on those. But I did have a Roland 1DMK and there’s nothing really negative I can say about it…it’s a solid entry level kit and I never had one failure with it even with routine hard playing. The limited outputs were not an issue for me,

About 8 months ago, I retired the 1DMK and upgraded to a Roland TD27KV gen 2 and it’s absolutely phenomenal….but it’s stupid expensive
 
Thanks for the feedback. Do you play with headphones or speakers (or you have both setups)? I plan to have both (I have a audio dynamics which I love). If with speakers, how is your setup, or do you have any setup suggestions?

Roland TD27KV gen 2, then I have to become very very good first ;-)
 
I primarily played with headphones. But on occasion, I did run an out from the module to my mixer IN and would use my PA speakers and subwoofer for sound and it worked fine, it’s definitely capable of doing that.
 
Ok, sounds good. Will first get some lessons, but I can imagine that I will rather quick order a kit as just getting lessons without practice anything at home isn't the way to go.
One more thing. I live about 1 hour drive out of the city in the mountains. In the city I have an extension in the family home where I could put the electronic drum set.
So initially, I would put the kit at my home out of the city. Once I am a little further, and I like it, I plan to move it to the city and get an acoustic in mountains.
The reason for the electronic kit is that it has better learning options.

What do you think of this and any suggestions related to this?
 
Hiya :)

I would always suggest you try - even if you have to visit the homes of people selling 2nd user gear. It's a PITA trying to return stuff you don't like the feel of, or think sounds rubbish. As a beginner you don't want to be put off playing it!

I don't know your budget - you didn't mention - but always look to buy your second kit first - get a higher model kit 2nd hand if necessary. Buying an entry kit can be limiting and again you don't want to put off or hit those limits too soon,

As for listening - always use headphones. If you really want speakers - get a PA. (these can be had for very little) See my regular "what speaker" post here for details.

[opinion bit for the brave]
Neither of those two kits for me:
Evil proprietary cable snakes ;)
Alesis/Medeli-derived kits can be fragile.
Roland a bit of a dead-end kit and uses modelled/synthesized and not sampled sounds. Roland also has inflexible rack mounted kick pad.

Add Yamaha gear to your list - multilayered sampled sounds, no cable snakes, bulletproof, supports 3-zone snares and cymbals - not just one!
 
electrodrummer said:
Hiya :)

I would always suggest you try - even if you have to visit the homes of people selling 2nd user gear. It's a PITA trying to return stuff you don't like the feel of, or think sounds rubbish. As a beginner you don't want to be put off playing it!

I don't know your budget - you didn't mention - but always look to buy your second kit first - get a higher model kit 2nd hand if necessary. Buying an entry kit can be limiting and again you don't want to put off or hit those limits too soon,

As for listening - always use headphones. If you really want speakers - get a PA. (these can be had for very little) See my regular "what speaker" post here for details.

[opinion bit for the brave]
Neither of those two kits for me:
Evil proprietary cable snakes ;)
Alesis/Medeli-derived kits can be fragile.
Roland a bit of a dead-end kit and uses modelled/synthesized and not sampled sounds. Roland also has inflexible rack mounted kick pad.

Add Yamaha gear to your list - multilayered sampled sounds, no cable snakes, bulletproof, supports 3-zone snares and cymbals - not just one!
Click to expand...
Trouble is, I live in the mountains in Thailand. Closest city is Chiang Mai which is an hour drive (with 1 million people). There they don't have much to try. They have some chinese brands like NU X. I can order the kits I mentioned. The budget is about 800 USD I think. For that I can get those kits I mentioned.

When you mentioned that I should get second kit first, What I actually have in mind is to get first a electronic kit. If I like it, I move this to a small place I have in the city that is 1 hour drive and get an acoustic set in my regular place. The idea for an electronic kit is that it has some nicer learning options.

I did have a look at the Yamaha DTX452K, but that doesn't have mesh in that price range.
 
eplegrand said:
Trouble is, I live in the mountains in Thailand. Closest city is Chiang Mai which is an hour drive (with 1 million people). There they don't have much to try. They have some chinese brands like NU X. I can order the kits I mentioned. The budget is about 800 USD I think. For that I can get those kits I mentioned.

When you mentioned that I should get second kit first, What I actually have in mind is to get first a electronic kit. If I like it, I move this to a small place I have in the city that is 1 hour drive and get an acoustic set in my regular place. The idea for an electronic kit is that it has some nicer learning options.

I did have a look at the Yamaha DTX452K, but that doesn't have mesh in that price range.
Click to expand...

[more scary opinions - only the brave read on, etc]

1. Mesh isn't the be-all-and end all. Mesh can suffer from bad hot-spots (loud in the centre, very quiet away from the centre), is very bouncy and not quiet (can sound like hitting Tupperware). Don't base a decision on "mesh" without hitting a lot of things, especially as a new drummer.

2. 800USD will get you - for example - a kit from the DTX502 range 2nd user - far more flexible, with silicone 3-zone snare (no hotspots and closest to Mylar in feel) + 3-zone cymbals, sampled sounds, many more features than everything you mentioned, as well as up to 12 pads, and no evil cable snake. And everything is easily upgraded as you need. A quick look on eBay in the UK I can get a DTX50x2 kit off eBay from only £300 up ($367 USD).

Obviously this all depends on the new and second-hand markets where you live and what can be delivered to you/ you can collect

Up to you :)

Good luck,
 
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Checked a little the second hand market but as expected, not much going on. Even saw that people actually don't know what they are selling. An Roland Yamaha. Didn't know that there is a cooperation between the 2 ;-)
 
eplegrand said:
Ok, sounds good. Will first get some lessons, but I can imagine that I will rather quick order a kit as just getting lessons without practice anything at home isn't the way to go.
One more thing. I live about 1 hour drive out of the city in the mountains. In the city I have an extension in the family home where I could put the electronic drum set.
So initially, I would put the kit at my home out of the city. Once I am a little further, and I like it, I plan to move it to the city and get an acoustic in mountains.
The reason for the electronic kit is that it has better learning options.

What do you think of this and any suggestions related to this?
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me. I can’t imagine not having both an acoustic and electronic kit. The electronic kit for times you can’t make much noise…and the acoustics because they are the REAL thing. No substitute
 
I'd choose Roland. I have a Surge and for me it's great, but I made a lot of upgrades to it. Adding dual zone cymbals, ride bell etc. would require a big jump in module, but if you have the Roland, just adding bigger pads is easy. You can then think about finding a better Roland module like TD11 or TD17 etc. and keep using what you have with some nicer pads. There's also Lemon and Goedrum who make cheap pads, cymbals, controllers that would work with you Roland kit (ship from China/Taiwan). Do you really have no used markets there like ebay? Or music store chains selling used gear? How about these guys: https://www.bangkokdrum.com/
 
rungeflash said:
Sounds good to me. I can’t imagine not having both an acoustic and electronic kit. The electronic kit for times you can’t make much noise…and the acoustics because they are the REAL thing. No substitute
Click to expand...
Totally different instrument :) Don't limit your use of an electronic to only emulating an acoustic. You don't buy a Korg synth and only use the "piano" preset.
 
electrodrummer said:
Totally different instrument :) Don't limit your use of an electronic to only emulating an acoustic. You don't buy a Korg synth and only use the "piano" preset.
Click to expand...

Oh I‘m not trying to insult electronic “only” owners….I love my TD27. The digital snare, hats, ride….I added an extra floor tom…I enjoy the hell out of it. Many many hours of fun. Then I head over to the acoustic lol
 
I thought both the Surge and the 1dmk would be great options but, in Thailand they are both not available. For Roland the option would be 07dmk but is getting too expensive. and for Alesis, I could see and wait if the Surge Special Edition is coming but not sure. Alternatives are 3 brands that come in that price range.
- Carlsbro
- NUX
- Hampback

The specs of all are good. But not sure about quality. And I can't see any of them as the shops in the city I live have none of them in stock.

Any suggestions?
 
I don't want to spend that much like for a roland. I am a beginner and if I like it I would like to move the electronic to my place in the city and get an acoustic for my regular home.
 
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