Best E-Drums for Beginners (Top 8)

There are hundreds or even thousands of electronic drums that you can choose from today.

It’s not surprising for a new drummer to feel overwhelmed.

Wouldn’t it be great if there’s a way to narrow down your options?

Good news! I went shopping, testing and researching and ended up with a list of the best e-drums for beginners.

Enough talk, let’s get right in and help you get a suitable e-drum today.

First up, here’s a summary of my findings:

Best E-Drums for Beginners

	E-Drum	My Thoughts	Sound Quality	Sound Library	Noise Level	Velocity Sensitive?	Advanced Trigger Functions	Playing Experience	Latest Price
	Alesis Nitro Electronic Drumkit	Best e-drum for beginners		40 pre-set drum kits 350+ sounds	Average	Yes	Snare Drum: 2 zones Choke-able Crash Cymbal Hi-hat splash Half-open Hi-Hat
	Yamaha DTX402K Electronic Drums	2nd best e-drum for beginners		10 pre-set drum kits 287 sounds	Average	Yes	Choke-able Crash Cymbal
	Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit	Best e-drum for beginners, on a budget		10 pre-set drum kits 100 sounds	Average	No	Half-open Hi-Hat
	Roland TD-1DMK Electronic Drums	If you want a drum kit that will definitely last, this is it.		15 pre-set drum kits 256 sounds	Quieter	Yes	Snare Drum: 2 zones Dual zone Crash Cymbal & Cymbal Pads Half-open Hi-Hat
	Carlsbro CS D130 Electronic Drum Set	Average edrum kit that is worth considering if you can find it on sale.		20 pre-set drum kits 250 sounds	Quieter	Yes	Snare Drum: 2 zones Choke-able Crash Cymbal Half-open Hi-Hat
	Behringer XD8USB Drums	This drum kit is really awkward. There are better options really, but the size and the quietness are really noteworthy.		10 pre-set drum kits 123 sounds	Quietest	Yes	Snare Drum: 2 zones
	ddrum DD Beta Electronic Drum Kit	If looks is the most important factor then maybe...but I'm sure there are better looking kits out there.		32 pre-set drum kits 168 sounds	Average	Yes	Choke-able Crash Cymbal

(first published in 2018, last updated 5 March 2022)

I’ve also included details and a review for each drum kit below.

You can click on the names in the table above to jump to the drum kit for use this table of contents:

Table of Contents

• Review of the best e-drums for beginners
  • Alesis Nitro electronic drum kit
  • Yamaha DTX402K electronic drum kit
  • Alesis Turbo Mesh electronic drum kit
  • Roland TD-1DMK electronic drum kit
  • Carlsbro CS D130 electronic drum kit
  • Behringer XD8 USB electronic drum kit
  • ddrum DD Beta electronic drum kit
  • ION Audio Redline electronic drum kit (no longer in production)
• Beginner’s guide to choosing an e-drum +(what those e-drum specs and features really mean )

Alesis Nitro E-Drum Kit

The Alesis Nitro electronic drum kit has been heavily covered by many drummers online. You got to agree that it is a steal for an electronic drum kit with its functionality to be offered in the market at its price tag.

However, the Nitro is not perfect either.

I’ve written an in-depth Alesis Nitro Kit review where I share if the Alesis Nitro is really worth its price tag.

But for now, let’s see what you’ll get in the box:

What’s included?

• Alesis Nitro Drum Module
• 1 x 8″ Snare Drum Pad (Rubber pad, 2 zones)
• 3 x 8″ Tom Drum Pads (Rubber pads, single zone)
• 3 x 10″ Cymbal Pads (all single zone, only crash cymbal has choke zone)
• Hi-hat Pedal (open/close/half-open/splash)
• Kick drum pad with Pedal
• Drum key
• Drum Sticks

Additional Features

• 40 pre-set drum kits
• 60 Play-a-long drum music tracks
• 385 percussion sounds
• Metronome Function
• Coaching Function
• Has MIDI input and output
• Has AUX input and output

How did the Alesis Nitro Drum Kit fare?

• Sound Quality

The Alesis Nitro sound quality is rather impressive, here listen to it:

Video by Kraft Music from Youtube

• Noise level

If you compare this with an acoustic drum kit, the Alesis Nitro will be quieter when played at the same strength.

However, do not expect a completely quiet electronic drum kit.

There will be noise generated when your sticks hit the pads, here’s a great comparison of the noise generated on the Alesis Nitro Kit;

Video by Drum On from Youtube

It is comparable to someone hitting hard on their laps.

And, the main noise maker is the rim shot on the rubber pads. Maybe that’s why many entry or beginner level e drums don’t come with that function.

You could set this kit aside in a separate room with some sound muffling aids to reduce the noise if your neighbor complains about it.

• Responsiveness

There are no issues with the response of the pads and pedals. You get instant sound feedback when you hit the corresponding pads.

Click to see what other Alesis Nitro Kit owners say

Pad sensitivity

You can adjust the sensitivity of the pads within the module.

You can even customise the pad crosstalk sensitivity to mimic a sensitive snare drum that vibrates when ever the high toms are played on an acoustic drum kit.

Velocity Sensitivity

The pads are velocity sensitive, you can even set the velocity curve of the pads via the drum module to customize the sensitivity of your drum pads.

Foot Pedal Sensitivity

The foot pedals are pretty sensitive and you can adjust their sensitivity via the drum brain as well.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

The snare drum comes with 2 trigger zones, the middle of the drum and the rim.

The crash cymbal pad comes with the ability to choke as well. Do note that this function is only available on the crash cymbal, the rest of the cymbal pads do not have the choke trigger.

Also note that the cymbal pads are single zone pad, so there’s no bell capabilities.

You can perform a Hi-hat splash with the hi-hat pedal as well.

• Playing Experience

The Alesis Nitro is a full sized electronic drum kit that is comfortable for adults and kids to play.

I’m still trying to figure out how Alesis can pack so much value in at the Nitro’s price point. It’s probably why they included rubber pads instead of mesh pads.

You will however need to note that the rubber pads can be disruptive to room mates.

Potential Dealbreakers

It does require a good amount of space and you might need to get a drum mat or a sound isolating platform if you are using it in an apartment or multi story condo.

Also, do bear in mind that you are really paying for what you get. Although Alesis has been producing very impressive beginner and entry level drums, their products are known to be less durable when compared with brands like Roland and Yamaha.

My Verdict + Why I think the Alesis Nitro suits beginner drummers

Most value for money drum kit for beginners, both the young and old.

You’re getting something close to a full range drum kit down to the design of the cymbal pads and the kick pad.

Plus, extra points for the impressive look on the Alesis Nitro kit 😀

On a more serious note, it’s pretty awesome that you get a kick pedal and pad for the bass drum at this price point.

This will really help beginners who want to work on their bass drum kick technique.

Beginners will find the coaching functions beneficial to their drumming fundamentals.

There are exercises included to help you develop basics in drumming like your timing and sense of rhythm.

Check Alesis Nitro Kit’s latest price here

Yamaha DTX 402K Electronic Drum Kit

The Yamaha DTX 402K is an electronic drum kit that was produced for beginners who want a high quality product at the best price possible.

Yamaha have been making both acoustic drums and electronic drums for decades. And I prefer to go with brands who are experienced with making both types of drums because I can be sure that the sound quality on their electronic modules will be of high quality.

Read our detailed review of its predecessor, the Yamaha DTX400K here

What’s included?

• DTX drum module
• 4 x 7.5” drum pads (single zone rubber pads)
• 1 x 10″ Crash cymbal pad (with choke function)
• 2 x 10” Cymbal Pads (single zone rubber pads)
• Hi-hat pedal
• Kick pedal
• Tuning key

Additional Features

• 10 pre-set drum kits
• 10 play-a-long songs
• 287 percussion sounds
• Metronome
• Coaching Function
• Mobile app that lets you control the DTX module

How did the Yamaha DTK402K fare?

• Sound Quality

This is how it sounds:

• Noise level

The DTX402K has lighter rubber drum pads that may have slightly louder impact noise. They are not the most silent electronic drum sets around, especially if you like to drum hard.

You should be able to drum in the day without much complain but please don’t try drumming in the night while everyone else is asleep.

Yamaha sells their pad-less bass drum pedal as a quieter option. Although, I would think that the impact noise created on the floor would still affect people living below your apartment. It would be safe to assume that you would still need a drum mat or a noise isolation platform for the Yamaha DTX402K.

• Responsiveness

The DTX402K is definitely responsive and should suffice for most genres:

Pad Sensitivity

You have the option to tweak your pad sensitivity within the drum module.

Velocity Sensitivity

The pads and even pedals are velocity sensitve, plus you can set the trigger settings for both the velocity curve and the crosstalk.

This will give you more flexibility to explore different types of drumming genre.

Foot Pedal Sensitivity

Foot pedals are sensitive and the hi-hat pedal can be used to trigger different hi-hat playing styles (more below).

The foot pedals are also velocity sensitive and you can tweak the sensitivity via the drum brain as well.

Go and read what other drummers say about the Yamaha DTX402K now

• Rebound

Rebound is acceptable on the DTX402K which isn’t too surprising for rubber pads.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

With the DTX402K kit, you get the key advanced trigger functions like the choke trigger on the crash pad and the rim shots on the snare drum pad. The hi-hat pedal is able to detect ‘open’, ‘close’ and ‘half-open’ triggers as well as trigger a hi-hat splash.

• Playing Experience

Overall, the drum rack feels sturdy and doesn’t shake the entire kit even when you are playing on vigorously on a drum pad, unless you have it on a noise isolation platform.

The drum placement can be set up to mimic an acoustic drum kit and I like that Yamaha managed to fit 3 cymbal pads with the DTX402K drum kit.

You can see it in action in the cover video above.

Potential Dealbreakers

The DTX402K isn’t the cheapest kit on this list. If you are looking for a present for a child or are still not sure if you’ll be drumming for long, this might not be for you.

However, since it is priced very closely to the Alesis nitro kit, you should consider the Yamaha DTX402K if you want the best quality and something that will last for a long time.

My Verdict + Why I think the Yamaha DTK402K suits beginner drummers

The Yamaha DTX402K is a beginner electronic drum kit with a mid-range price tag.

If you are looking for a edrum kit that will last, you should be considering the Yamaha DTX402 or the Roland TD-1DMK.

The DTX402K comes with 10 drum exercises in their “practicing in training” mode that will help you build up a strong fundamental in drumming, and also build up your drumming speed and confidence.

I also liked that the metronome counts with a oscillating light on the DTX402 module, this visual sense of timing is very helpful especially for new drummers who might get lost while following a click in the beginning.

Click to check the Yamaha DRT402K price now

Alesis Turbo Mesh Electronic Drum Kit

If you’re on a tight budget, the Alesis Turbo mesh would be your first choice – for under $300, it comes with everything in the box along with clear set up instructions. This provides a fuss free experience for a beginner drummer.

Let’s take a deeper look at the Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit.

What’s included?

• Alesis Turbo Drum Module
• 8″ snare drum (Single zone, mesh pad)
• 3 x 8″ toms (Single zone, mesh pad)
• 3 x 10″ cymbals pads (Single zone, rubber pads)
• Hi-Hat Pedal (open/close)
• Kick Pedal
• Drum Sticks & drum key

Additional Features

• 10 pre set drum kits
• 30 play-a-long music track
• 100+ sounds
• Metronome
• Coaching function with 60 drum lessons
• 1/8″ Aux input
• USB MIDI output
• 1/4″ output

How did the Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit fare?

• Sound Quality

Got to say, the sound quality on the regular (pre-set) drum is not bad:

• Noise level

The Alesis Turbo Mesh drum kit features mesh drum heads which are generally quieter than rubber pads. However, the cymbal pads on this kit can be quite noisy.

• Responsiveness

Overall, the Alesis Turbo kit doesn’t have much issues with responsiveness.

Although, there have been a handful of drummers who tried going too fast on this kit and noticed a little bit of lag.

This should not affect beginners because you’ll not be playing at the speed that could stall the edrums.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

This is a drum kit catered for beginners and there are no advanced trigger functions.

On this point, you should also note that the drum module only offers basic features, which means you are not able to adjust pad sensitivity nor add your own custom sounds.

These bells and whistles are not required by most beginners and I would gladly take the cheaper cost in exchange for the lack of these extra features.

• Playing Experience

With adjustable heights for the pads and the foldable stand, the Alesis Turbo electronic drum kit can be set up for both the aspiring adult drummer and the child drummer.

The mesh drum heads provide a good rebound although the cymbal pads can feel quite ‘dead’.

Click here to read what other drummers say about the Alesis Turbo e-drums

Drum placement

The pad and cymbal placements are mostly fixed, and they are mostly quite similar to how an acoustic drum kit (for pop) is set up:

But do note that the drum pads are 8″ and might be a bit too small if you are not an accurate hitter.

Sturdiness of kit/rack

The rack is quite sturdy and would not shake too much for most beginners. However, if you’re a hard hitter or are playing fast fills or hard hitting metal music, the set up might sway or shake while you’re drumming away.

Potential Dealbreakers

There isn’t much dealbreakers on this one, except for its bare essentials design.

You’ll get a functional and rather versatile electronic drum kit with the Alesis Turbo Mesh kit. However, more advanced features like rim shots on the drum or edge and bell sounds on the cymbals are not available. The module doesn’t allow much customisation either.

My Verdict + Why I think the Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit suits beginner drummers

My view is that the Alesis Turbo Mesh kit is the best e-drum for beginners on a budget. Honestly, it is quite rare to find such an affordable complete e-drum kit from a reliable brand these days.

Alesis has been consistently delivering good value on their products and I think the Turbo Mesh will not disappoint. However, there have been feedback on sensitivity and quality issues from a small number of users. Thankfully, Alesis has a strong customer support team and you should have no issues getting help.

If you’re thinking of getting your first e drum kit for a quieter and more portable solution, this is a good kit to start with.

You can check the latest price of the Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit here now

Roland TD-1DMK Electronic Drums

The Roland TD-1DMK electronic drum kit is suitable for beginners because they have provided you with all the essential drum components.

By stripping out all optional drum components, you get a cost effective drum kit that offers the top performance the Roland’s V-drums are known for.

This is what you get with the Roland TD-1DMK electronic drum kit:

What’s included?

• Roland TD-1 Drum Module
• 1 x 8″ Snare Drum Pad (2 zone Double Mesh Head)
• 3 x Tom Drum Pad (Single zone double mesh head)
• 2 x Cymbal Pads (2 zone rubber pads)
• 1 x Hi-hat and Pedal (open/close/half-open)
• 1 x Kick Pedal

Additional Features

• 15 pre-set drum kits
• 15 pre-set songs
• 10 coaching functions to help you improve your drumming
• Metronome Function

How did the Roland TD-1DMK fare?

• Sound Quality

Roland has been making electronic drums for decades. Their drum modules are the industry standards.

Hence, their e-drums are usually more expensive.

However, if you get a Roland, you can rest assured that you’ll own high quality drum instruments.

• Noise level

The double mesh drum heads are even quieter than the usual mesh drum heads and rubber drum pads.

On top of the additional rim shot function, the TD-1DMK’s mesh head snare drum helps to reduce some of the noise from the drum kit.

However, do note that the kit isn’t completely silent, especially if you are in the same room as the drummer. The rubber pad drum heads do produce significant thumping sounds.

Also, the rim shot on the mesh head will be louder as well.

You can hear the noise level of the Roland TD-1DMK in this video by Just The Drummer:

You’ll notice that the double mesh does help to reduce the noise and provide a good rebound for the drummer as well.

If you do not have a carpet, you might notice your kick pedals bouncing the floor and create noise, especially for the neighbors living in the apartment below yours. Consider getting the Roland Noise Eater, or just a regular carpet if you face this issue.

Click here to see what other Roland TD-1DMK drummers say

• Responsiveness

I’ve never had the issue of lag or slow response from Roland’s electronic drum kits.

Here’s a video of the Roland TD-1DMK in action (do note that the right kick in the video doesn’t come with the basic kit). The response on the pads and pedals are immediate, there is no lag.

However, there were feedback from other users on trigger issues with their cymbals.

• Rebound

The mesh snare drum head provides a good tactile feedback. Comparatively, the tom rubber pads provide slightly less rebound.

Beginner drummers should be able to develop good stick techniques and speed with the rebound on the TD-1DMK drum pads.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

The Roland TD-1DMK comes with a snare drum pad that has 2 trigger zones to allow rim shots.

And, its cymbals pads comes with bow and edge trigger zones too. This means you can replicate bow and edge sounds on the TD-1DMK, increasing the repertoire of sounds you have. Plus, you can also trigger the bell sound when you hit the cymbal at the bell region.

• Foot Pedal Sensitivity

Hi-Hat Pedals can detect open, close and half-open movements to emulate the experience of playing the hi-hat on an acoustic drum kit.

Can you play fast on the Roland TD-1DMK pedals?

Relatively fast, for beginners. The response on the provided kick pedal is immediate. However, I would think that professional drummers would find that this kit won’t be able to keep up at higher speeds.

It is possible to master the double bass kick on this kit, but the pedal provides less resistance than a regular kick pedal. This means you might not develop enough strength and stamina required to play on a regular acoustic double bass pedal.

• Playing Experience

The Roland TD-1DMK electronic drum kit provides an enjoyable playing experience for most beginners. Most teens and adults would be comfortable with it but bigger sized drummers might find the set up a little narrow.

If you’re taking lessons on a regular drum kit, you might need to warm up to the difference in distance between the drums and cymbals on this kit. Then again, most drum kits do vary slightly and the ability to get used to a new kit might come in handy if you plan to play professionally.

Potential Dealbreakers

Doesn’t come with a bass drum kick pedal, throne or drumsticks, you’ll need to get those separately. (Roland does have a bundle for that, though I think you can get a 2nd hand bass drum pedal at a better price.)

Another potential deal breaker is its price – it might turn away beginners who are not so sure about drumming yet. However, if you ever compared the difference in sound quality between the Roland TD-1DMK against kits like ddrum DD Beta or ION Audio Redline, you’ll notice the difference in sound quality.

My Verdict + Why I think the Roland TD-1DMK suits beginner drummers

The Roland TD-1DMK is a barebones electronic drum kit that features a v-drum mesh head snare. The sound module is also said to be from the V-drum range which is know for its high quality drum sounds.

It is suitable for beginner drummers who want the best quality sound and a rather complete range of function, at almost half the price of a full sized electronic drum kit.

The TD-1DMK can be adjusted to suit the height of both adults and children, here’s an unboxing video from edrumcenter:

If you have the budget and want an electronic drum kit that can help you or your child to pick up drumming efficiently, you should consider the Roland TD-1DMK.

Check the latest price of the Roland TD-1DMK now

Carlsbro CS D130 Electronic Drum Kit

The Carlsbro CS D130 is a little known electronic drum kit in the market.

It might be because of that they seem to try harder. Somehow, Carlsbro managed to packed the CS D130 with as much value as they can!

It is on-par with the Alesis Nitro in terms of its specifications plus it comes with a collapsible drum rack design that gives it much better portability. The only worry is that you might not be able to get quick after-sales support.

It is easy to set up and dismantle so you can move it around at home or across town when you want to jam with friends, or learn to drum with a couple of friends.

Plus, it has a compact footprint due to the drum placement and takes up only 4’ by 4’ space.

Let’s take a look at what you’re getting:

What’s included?

• Commander 130 Sound Module
• 7.5” Snare pad (Dual zone rubber pad)
• 3 × 7.5” Tom pads (Single zone rubber pads)
• 1 x 10” Hi-hat cymbal pad (single zone)
• 2 x 10” Cymbal pad with choke (single zone)
• Hi-hat controller pedal (open/close/half-open)
• 2” bass pad with bass kick pedal
• Drum key
• Drumsticks

Additional Features

• 20 pre-set drum kits
• 10 user defined drum kits
• 20 play-a-long music tracks
• 250 percussion sounds
• Aux Input / Output
• USB output
• MIDI In & Out
• Metronome
• Reverb

How did the Carlsbro CS D130 electronic drums fare?

• Sound Quality

This is how it sounds:

Video from Carlsbro Drums Youtube Channel

I would say that the Carlsbro CS D130 sounds great. Plus, the kit looks and feels sturdy as well (more on that later).

• Noise level

The cymbal pads are thick and do absorb some of the impact noise.

The CS D130’s drum rubber pads are generally silent but you might notice that the snare drum creates more impact noise than the tom pads. I’m not sure if it’s because of its build.

Rimshots will also be audibly louder as with any electronic drum kits.

• Responsiveness

Pad Sensitivity

You can adjust the sensitivity of the pads as well as the crosstalk. This will allow you to mimic the sound and crosstalk of an acoustic drum kit.

Velocity Sensitivity

The drum pads and cymbal pads are velocity sensitive which means the harder you hit, the louder the sound.

You also have control over the velocity sensitivity through the trigger curve settings via the drum module.

Foot Pedal Sensitivity

The kick pedal mimics that of the acoustic drum kit and is great for an electronic drum set at this price range. You can definitely work and develop your double bass kick technique with this set up.

Read what others think about the sensitivity and functions of the Carlsbro CS D130 here.

• Rebound

Rebound on both the CS D130’s drum and cymbal pads are acceptable for an electronic drum.

You should be able to develop a rather good stick technique on this kit.

I liked that the cymbal pads are installed like an acoustic kit allowing it to almost move freely as you hit it.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

The tom pads and cymbal pads are single zone pads, so you cannot trigger cymbal bells.

However, the cymbal pads can be choked.

And, the snare drum pad is dual zone for those rim shots and ghost notes.

It is also good to note that the hi-hat pedal is capable do detecting ‘open’, ‘close’, and ‘half-open’ kicks to allow you to create a relatively full range of hi-hat sounds.

• Playing Experience

The drum placement is flexible you can adjust the rack to increase the width and height to suit your needs. There is a limit to the max height though. It would not suit tall adult drummers.

The drum rack is sturdy for its weight.

The kit tends to shake a little if you are drumming intensively.

The shaking is also noticeable if you are playing on a noise isolation platform. See this:

It’s also great that the drum rack is really simple to set up and is great if you wish to have a drum kit for good portability.

Potential Dealbreakers

After-sales support is a worry because the distributors might not be able to help if any components break down. You might need to check with your distributor if they can help before you make the purchase.

This electronic drum kit is small. It’s great if you have limited space at home or in your apartment. Plus it fits kids perfectly.

But if you are a tall adult of more than 6”, the kit might look and feel too cramp.

This kit is not easy to expand as there are limited inputs on the drum brain. However, Carlsbro does have a wide range of electronic drumkits for you to choose from as you improve your skills.

My Verdict + Why I think the Carlsbro CS D130 suits beginner drummers

The Carlsbro CS D130 is a great electronic drum kit for beginners, almost on par with the Alesis Nitro.

The only reason it lost to the Nitro is due to my worry about the efficiency and availability of their after-sales support. Also, I’m not very sure if this model is still in production as it is starting to get sold out in many stores.

However, if you are looking for an electronic drum kit that is relatively quiet, affordable and can be stored easily, the Carlsbro CS D130 might just be the one for you.

Do take note that it doesn’t come with coaching exercises, hence you’ll have to look for suitable drum exercises that will help you develop your drumming separately. It does come with metronome functions though.

Check the latest price for the Carlsbro CS D130 drum kit now

Behringer XD8 USB Electronic Drum Kit

The Behringer XD8USB Electronic Drum Kit is a complete electronic drum kit that is an option for beginner drummers who are taking lessons and want a quieter drum kit that allows you to practice at home.

It comes with a good range of pads for a complete playing experience – there’s a snare drum with 3 tom drums as well as a separate crash and ride cymbal.

But if you have sharp eyes, you would have noticed that it’s looks and specs are very similar to the Alesis nitro and Carlsbro CS D130 drum kits.

So…does it make sense for you to spend more for something that seems so similar?

That’s what we’ll find out in the quick review below.

But first, this is what you’re getting in the Behringer XD8 USB drum kit;

What’s included?

• HDS110USB sound module
• 1 x 8” snare pad (dual-zone rubber pad)
• 3 x 8” drum pads (single-zone rubber pad)
• 3 x 12” cymbals (single zone, no choke trigger)
• Hi-hat trigger pedal (open/close)
• Kick pedal, pad and stand
• Drum rack with mounting hardware
• Drumsticks
• Drum tool

Additional Features

• 10 pre-set drum kits
• 5 user defined kits
• 40 play a long music tracks / patterns included
• 123 percussion sounds
• Sequencer
• USB interface
• 3 years warranty from Behringer

How did the Behringer XD8USB electronic drums fare?

• Sound Quality

This is how it sounds:

Video from intheblues on Youtube

That was taken on the pre-set drum kit #15 on the Behringer XB8 USB drum kit. For a recording done from the camera instead of a line in, the sound is acceptable really.

Given that this is a beginner drum kit with a rather small price tag, there’s really nothing to complain about.

• Noise level

Here’s a comparison of the impact noise between regular rubber drum pads and Behringer XD8USB drum pad by 65 Drums:

You should be able to tell that the Behringer XD8USB has slightly lesser impact noise. Rimshots however can still be noisy.

If noise level is the top deciding factor for you, this is a kit that you’ll want to consider.

• Responsiveness

The pads and pedals are responsive on the Behringer XD8 USB drum kit, even when triggering at higher speeds. This means you can drum fast and still be assured that your drum kit will trigger in time with no lag.

Pad Sensitivity

Unfortunately the drum module doesn’t seem to come with the option to adjust the pad sensitivity. Experienced drummers may find this restrictive, but it is not a biggie for beginners.

Velocity Sensitivity

The drum pads are velocity sensitive, so you can play fills with varying volume. Same goes for the cymbal pads.

This allows you to be able to play an even wider range of fills and grooves.

Foot Pedal Sensitivity

The Behringer XD8 USB includes a kick pad along with the kick pedal.

You can learn and develop a good double bass kick technique with the response from the kick pad.

• Rebound

The rebound on the pads is expected from an electronic drum kits, nothing much to note.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

The snare drum pad is a dual zone pad that allows you to practice your rim shots.

But that’s about the only ‘advanced’ trigger function that the Behringer XD8 USB electronic drum kit offers.

The cymbals and the rest of the drum pads are single zone pads.

And, the hi-hat pedal only detects 2 states; ‘open’ or ‘close’.

• Playing Experience

Drum placement is good and the XD8 comes with relatively large pads with their 8” drum pads and 12” cymbal pads.

Plus, you can adjust the rack to suit your height.

The drum rack feels study enough.

Potential Dealbreakers

According to 65Drums, the drum pads and ruck are similar to those on the Alesis kits. He mentioned that they are probably rebranded Medeli drum pads that were sold to these companies.

However, the Behringer XD8 does make lesser impact noise. So, as mentioned above if noise is an important factor for you, this kit will suit you.

Otherwise, you might want to consider the Carlsbro CS D130 or the Alesis Nitro which is cheaper and is packed with more features.

The XD8 doesn’t come with coaching function or in-built drum exercises either.

My Verdict + Why I think the Behringer XD8USB suits beginner drummers

The Behringer XD8 has several things going for it; quieter drum pads, larger cymbal pads and a sturdy rack.

However, the drum brain isn’t as versatile as the rest of the electronic drums of its price range (and even lesser).

It is also not a kit that can be expanded in the future either. You’ll need to get another drum module in order to expand the kit.

It would be better to get a cheaper electronic drum set or top up a little more for the Yamaha DTX402K.

ddrum DD Beta Electronic Drum Kit

The ddrum DD Beta e-drum kit is another e-drum designed specifically for beginners.

Plus, it was designed to have a compact footprint so that it doesn’t take up much space.

But to be honest…

The specs and features don’t really stand out.

The only reason it is on this list is because it looks cool and many people have been asking me “what about the ddrum DD Beta”.

So, read on to find out how the DD Beta electronic drum fared:

What’s included?

• Ddrum DD Beta Drum Module
• 4 x 8″ Drum pads (Single Zone)
• 3 x 12″ Cymbal pads (choke able)
• Hi-hat Pedal (open/close)
• Kick pedal
• Headphones
• Drumsticks

Additional Features

• 32 pre-set drum kits
• 168 percussion sounds
• 1 / 4” Inputs
• Headphone & Stereo output
• MIDI Out, Line In (1/8” input)
• Metronome
• Reverb

How did the ddrum DD Beta Drum Kit fare?

• Sound Quality

This is how it sounds:

Video from Pop-Music.ru on Youtube

• Noise level

The ddrum Beta Electronic drum pads are relatively quiet.

However, the cymbal pads might be a tad noisier as it is rather thin.

You can hear the pad sound made from hitting the cymbal pad here (ignore the language):

If you are drumming in a room with the doors closed, there shouldn’t be much issues.

• Responsiveness

I did not detect any significant issues with the responsiveness.

Pad Sensitivity

The pads are rather sensitive and responsive.

Even the choke function works like a charm, so no complains there.

Velocity Sensitivity

The drum pads and cymbal pads are velocity sensitive, so the volume of the trigger is based on how hard you hit the pad.

However, the velocity sensitive range appears to be rather narrow.

Foot Pedal Sensitivity

You can go fast on this kit without any lag in response on both the drum pads and the foot pedals. The drum module is capable of keeping up.

However, there have been customers who complained that their hi-hat controller doesn’t seem to send the close signal to the module. And there are others who have mentioned that the hi-hat volume on their kit is too low.

If you encounter this, you’ll need to contact ddrum’s support.

These issues can happen with an electronic drums, sometimes components may be faulty or do not work right out of the box. Always get in touch with the company’s support to get help.

• Rebound

Rebound on the DD Beta pads feel slightly muffled comparatively, although you still get more bounce than on an acoustic drum kit.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

All the drum pads on the ddrum DD Beta drum kit are single zone, so no rim shots can be triggered. This might be a blessing for parents or neighbors as rim shots tend to create the most noise on electronic drums.

All the cymbal pads in the ddrum Beta are choke able, so you can practice your cymbal chokes on it.

However, you will not be able to trigger bell sounds.

• Playing Experience

The ddrum DD Beta electronic drum kit features excellent drum placement. Every pad can be removed from the drum rack, hence you can customise the drum placement for your genre of drumming.

You can also adjust the height and width of the drum kit based on your needs. This makes it comfortable to play, even for taller drummers.

The rack is rather sturdy partly because the kick pedal is not connected to the drum rack. The rack doesn’t shake as much even when you are playing fast, so that’s another point going for ddrums!

You would also want to note that although velcro is provided for the pedals, it might not prevent slipping on tiles or ceramic flooring.

You might need to get a drum mat or the Roland Noise Eater or a drum mat for your pedals.

Potential Dealbreakers

At its price range, there are better options really.

As mentioned above, this kit was covered only because parents have been asking me about this kit.

It looks great, but I would also argue that the Alesis Nitro looks more legit as a drum kit, but its about the same price and offers much more.

Read what other ddrum DD Beta drum kit owners say here.

My Verdict + Why I think the ddrum DD Beta Drums suits beginner drummers

The ddrum DD Beta is a stripped down version for new drummers or parents who want to get a kit for their children.

I got to admit the red highlights on the cymbals add a nice (and pretty lit) feel to the entire kit.

This is definitely a kit that you could feature in your house, instead of hiding it in a corner while you practice and build up your fundamentals.

And, although this is not a biggie, it doesn’t come with a coaching function nor drum exercises so you’ll have to look for drum exercises separately.

But for about $100+ more, you can get the ddrum DD Beta XP that comes with a dual zone snare drum as well as a better kick tower that includes a kick pedal and a kick pad for better response.

The XP version is expanded which means you can add more drum pads or even add a double bass pedal for advanced double kick stroke practice.

Although, if you have the budget for the ddrum DD Beta XP, I would suggest that you invest in the Carlsbro CS D130 or the Alesis Nitro kit instead.

ION Audio Redline Electronic Drum Kit (no longer in production)

The ION Audio Redline is an affordable option for new beginners who want to try their hands on drumming.

Plus, the Redline is rather compact, so you don’t need too much space for it.

It is using a similar drum module (or brain) as the Alesis DM Lite e drums, so you know you’re getting sound quality of a certain quality.

The selling point is the LED fitted drum pads that give you a visual feedback as you play.

If you are tight on budget, this is definitely a kit that you can start drumming on without any worries.

What’s included?

• Redline Drums Sound Module
• 4 x Drum Pads (rubber pads, single zone)
• 2 x Cymbal Pads (rubber pads, single zone, no choke)
• Hi-Hat Pedal (open/close/splash)
• Kick Pedal
• Hex Key
• Drumsticks
• Headphones

Additional Features

• 10 pre-set drum kits
• 30 playable patterns
• 200 percussion sounds
• Metronome function
• Coaching Mode
• 1/4″ Outputs
• 1/8″ Aux input
• USB MIDI output

How did the ION Audio Redline Drums fare?

I’ve reviewed the ION Audio Redline drumkit in detail previously, do check out the review if you are considering this kit.

• Sound Quality

This is how it sounds:

(Video from Player TV on Youtube)

• Noise level

As with any rubber drum pad, there will be impact noise when you are drumming and this may irritate your neighbors.

With the ION Audio Redline, the impact noise is average, similar to most electronic drum kits.

You might need to get additional anti slip mats for the pedals if your floor is too smooth.

• Responsiveness

I haven’t experienced any responsiveness issues however there have been reviews from users who were frustrated with it.

The issue with reviews is that most are left by unhappy users.

Most people end up with functional kits that work but do not leave any feedback. So you might want to take those reviews with a pinch of salt.

See what other ION Audio Redline Drum users say here

Pad Sensitivity

There are no options to adjust the pad sensitivity on the Redline drum kit.

Velocity Sensitivity

The pads seem to be velocity sensitive, however it’s range feels rather narrow; i.e. there is little difference between the softest notes and the loudest notes.

Foot Pedal Sensitivity

Foot pedals work, nothing much to expand on.

The kick pedal doesn’t come with a kick pad. But it is responsive enough to handle higher speeds. And yes, you can trigger a double bass kick with that pedal with practice.

• Rebound

The rebound on the ION Audio is acceptable, nothing out of the blue.

• ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

The Hi-hat pedal will detect only ‘open’ or ‘closed’ states but cannot detect ‘half-open’ states. That being said, you are able to trigger a hi-hat splash by pressing and releasing the hi-hat pedal immediately.

Otherwise, not much advanced trigger functions here.

But, it is sufficient for new drummers to pick up the skill. Think of it as mastering the 4 chords that will let you play most songs on a guitar.

• Playing Experience

Drum placement is slightly different than an acoustic kit since it only has a single crash/ride cymbal pad.

Also, the Redline is rather compact and may not be comfortable for taller drummers.

Potential Dealbreakers

The lack of ‘advanced’ triggers means that you will definitely need to upgrade to a better drum kit once your skills have maxed out the Redline drums.

Also as mentioned above, the size of the Redline drum kit might be a deciding factor for taller drummers.

My Verdict + Why I think the ION Audio Redline Drums suits beginner drummer

We have reviewed the Ion Audio Redline drum kit in greater depth, you can read that if you’d like more information.

The ION Audio Redline drum kit offers the best balance between price and functionality. It gives you the essential functions that a beginner will use and find useful on a drum kit at a very attractive price.

Check how much the Redline Drum Kit is going for today here

If price is the most important deciding factor, then this kit is your winner.

However, if your pockets are deeper you might want to explore the Alesis Nitro for an electronic drum kit with a more complete range of functions like the advanced triggers.

Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Electronic Drums

Overwhelmed when you tried looking for a suitable e-drum?

Can’t seem to decipher what all those specs, features and numbers are?

What is “trigger zone“, “sensitivity“, “trigger curve setting“, etc…

I’ve been there before and it can be frustrating.

So, here’s a quick guide to understanding what you’re really getting in an e-drum kit.

Plus, 5 important factors that I think all beginner drummers should look out for, even before you look at the price or design of an electronic drum kit.

Most beginners often miss these 6 factors and end up with a sub-par, over-priced e-drum kit.

P.S. if you’re a parent looking to buy an electronic drum kit for you child, you shouldn’t skip this section either!

1 – Sound Quality

In a nutshell, electronic drums are a system of switches designed to look like a drum kit.

In its essence, when you activate a switch on the e-drum, it will trigger a response in the form of a pre-recorded drum sound. Advanced e-drum kits have more sophisticated switches that recognises different types of activation to trigger a range of sounds. We’ll cover that in the advanced trigger functions section below.

The drum module (aka drum brain) is where the library of sounds are stored and is the key component of any e-drum kit.

There are 2 simple but safe assumptions to make:

1. The more established the brand, the higher chance you’ll get a library of better sound quality.
2. The more sounds and pre-set drum kits, the better.

Established drum manufacturers like Roland, Yamaha, and Pearl have their range of acoustic drums and the facility to record high quality sounds. This means that they can record studio grade sounds using their equipment for lower costs.

Plus, they have a reputation to protect.

Hence, even with the beginner kits, you can expect better sound quality from their drum modules.

The downside of going with established drum manufacturers is that their beginner e-drum kits will naturally cost more.

With that said, as new drummers and musicians, the sound quality tend to not matter as much because beginners are less likely to be able to detect subtle differences in sound quality.

Therefore, less established drum manufacturers like Alesis and Carlsbro tend to pack their drum modules with a wider library of sounds. 

Your aim is to find en electronic drum kit that gives you a good balance between the sound quality and range of sound library.

SIDENOTE!

If you are going to be using cheap $5- $10 headphones or some trashy amp to listen to your e-drums, you can ignore the section on sound quality. Because no matter how good the sound quality is on the module, your headphones or amp will not be able to reproduce that on the output.

2 – Noise Level

Most beginners are attracted to electronic drum kits because they are quieter than acoustic drums.

If you’re living in an apartment or don’t want to disturb your neighbors, then you’re on the right track.

WARNING!

Although electronic drums are quieter than acoustic drums, they are NOT completely silent.

After all, you’ll be hitting against rubber pads or mesh heads on the e-drums, I’ll be using the term ‘impact noise’ to refer to the noise produced from drumming on the pads.

Listen to the ambient impact noise here:

Video by Jayembee1 on Youtube

You would notice that although it isn’t as loud or noisy as an acoustic drum, you still get some level of noise.

Also, it is good to note that generally, mesh head drum pads are a little quieter than rubber pads.

You will probably need to position your drums further away from your apartment hallway.

Pedals can also create noise that resonates through your flooring, these are usually not detected by the drummer.

If you have neighbors living below your apartment, you might need to get a thick drum mat or sound isolating platform to place the e-drum on, or get some Roland Noise Eater.

3 – Responsiveness / Sensitivity

With e-drums, you’re working with an electronic device. There are cables and wires carrying signals as you drum.

It would suck to have to wait a couple of seconds for the drum to react every time you drum. Ideally you will want the e-drum to response immediately.

Thankfully, we live in an age where e-drums no longer lag.

However, you’ll still need to consider the sensitivity of the e-drum components.

I’ll usually check for these:

• Pad and Pedal Sensitivity

You usually cannot tell how sensitive a drum or cymbal pad is from the specification list, you’ll need to try out the drums at your local music store.

However, every drum pad might be slightly different, especially if the brand does not have good quality control in place.

Hence, I’ll usually check if the electronic drum kit has pad and pedal sensitivity settings that can be tweaked by the user.

This setting will also come in handy if you are purchasing the electronic drum kit for a child. You might need to increase the sensitivity of the pad as they may not be able to hit the drums with as much strength as an adult.

• Velocity Sensitivity

In simple terms this just means that the harder you hit, the louder the sound.

Some electronic drum kits also give you the ability to control the velocity sensitivity through the trigger curve settings via the drum module.

With this, you can do cymbal swells.

This is considered as an ‘advanced’ function, most beginners would not use it too often unless they start jamming to music.

4 – ‘Advanced’ Trigger Functions

On the acoustic kit, you can do interesting things like:

• rimshots on the snare drum – there are open and closed rimshots

Video from Jon Dittert Drums

• bells on the cymbals (where you hit near the center of the cymbal for a higher pitch sound)
• cymbal choke
• hi-hat splash

Video from Scotty J

• half-open hi-hat

Video from Howcast

• and more

As a beginner, you will probably not use these functions much.

If you are looking for a beginner e drum that is in the $500+ range or less, it’s really a bonus if your beginner e-drum kit comes with these trigger functions.

If you are committed to drumming you’ll want to consider electronic drums in the mid price tier ranging between $900 to $1500. Those e-drums kits are usually more complete, versatile and look way better too. But that will be for another article.

5 – Playing Experience

Now, we’re down to the last consideration, which is equally important in my opinion: your playing experience.

Learning to drum will take time, you will want a kit that you can look forward to playing and that is something difficult to place a price tag on.

If you’re forced to play on a drum kit that is too small for you, you’ll develop back or shoulder aches.

If you’re forced to play with a drum kit that doesn’t work well or is difficult to set up, it becomes a chore.

So before you take the leap and get your beginner electronic drum you’ll want to read reviews and find out if the user experience has been good for other drummers.

You’ll want to take a look at the following:

• Drum Placement

Is it similar to an acoustic drum kit?

If you are planning to play an acoustic drum kit in the future or when you have a chance to, you’ll want to make sure that you are building a strong foundation and the right habits on a kit that is similar.

Depending on the genre of music you want to drum to, you might need to make minor tweaks to the drum placement.

• How Sturdy is the e-drum rack?

There will be shaking. Even on the acoustic drum kit, the drums might shake a little especially when you are playing intensely.

You will want to look out for electronic drums that reduce the shaking and remains sturdy for safety reasons.

I’ve noticed that electronic drum kits tend to shake more visibly on a tennis ball sound isolation platform, you might need to test it out.

• Rebounce

When drumming, you’ll want to be able to use the rebound force on your sticks to drive your next hit.

In short, the more bounce on the drum head, the faster and louder you can play.

Electronic drums provide more bounce in general, compared to an acoustic drum kit due to the material used to make the drum pads.

There’s really nothing much you can do on this front.

However, you’ll want to keep this in mind because you’ll definitely feel the difference once you switch to acoustic drums.

• Support

As with any big-ticket item, you will want to check if the after-sales support is efficient so that you can get the help you need, when you need it.

With electronic drums, you might get defective components or cables if you are unlucky.

Hence, having a good after sales support will always come in handy.

And, always get the extended warranty if there is an option because electronics tend to start going cranky after a year or two, depending on your usage.

Conclusion

I’ve researched, tested and compared numerous electronic drums and have picked out a short list of 8 of them that I think are the best e-drums for beginners.

If you are searching for a suitable e-drum to start learning to drum, refer to the summary table above for a quick conclusion.

Or, read through the Beginner’s guide again. It will equip you with the key knowledge when you are out searching and shopping for an electronic drum kit that suits your needs.

If you have further questions or do not agree with me on any point, let me know in the comments below 🙂