Alesis CompactKit 7 - Portable Tabletop Electric Drum Kit with 7 Pads, 265 Electronic and Acoustic Drum Set Sounds and Drum Sticks

Product Information

In this guide, we’re looking at the best e-kits for kids that will help them take their first steps with the instrument - with options for almost any budget. While we would always recommend going straight for a full kit with individual pads, we've also included a small handful of 'desktop drum pads' which house all playing surfaces within a smaller tabletop unit. These are a great introduction to the concept of drumming, but won't deliver the full experience, so unless space is an issue we wouldn't put these at the top of your list. When you don’t have a lot of space. Or want to get something for the kids to start with. Or you just want something you can easily take on the road with you. Electronic tabletop drum kits really are an awesome option. Don’t get me wrong, the Yamaha is a really nice piece of kit. Especially at this price point. It’s just that I think Yamaha have been caught resting on their laurels – the DD65 has been incredibly popular for a long time, so they haven’t done anything to improve it. Meanwhile, Pile-Pro came along and made the PTED01 which on the whole is just as good. But then Pyle add better foot pedals and now it costs less money! The drum sounds are really nice. It comes with 25 preset drum kits and 215 percussion voices and 128 GM (General MIDI) voices. You can create and store 5 custom kits of your own too, plus store up to 100 songs on the unit itself (unlimited of course if you connect to a computer). There is also a metronome system built in for helping with your timing/rythm. The unit itself weighs in at a sturdy 9 pounds, so it is a couple of pounds heavier than the Pyle. If you want portability it’s worth being aware of, but that’s still pretty lightweight for lugging.

Alesis have made some great drum equipment over the years, and this a step-up from the entry-level Compact Kit 4. It's a great addition to their lineup, and is equally great ifyou're just starting to play, or simply need a portable setup with velocity sensitive pads and a pair of pedals. You'll no doubt find this auseful percussive tool. Play, learn, develop There are countless kid’s electronic drum sets online, but not all are created equal. The child-friendly options from brands like Alesis, Roland and Yamaha are a great place to start if you’re looking for a respected name with a strong pedigree from child to pro level. Other brands worth exploring include Millenium, Digital Drums and Simmons. How much should I spend on an electronic drum set for my child?

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The CompactKit 7 however offers 45 preset kits, 5 user kits and 265 drum/percussion sounds. The most out of the 3. It also offers USB-MIDI too, headphones output and has a built-in metronome. If space really is an issue, you might want to consider a compact desktop kit. First and foremost it is important to note that these don’t do the proper job of getting a child used to the way a drum kit is ergonomically laid out; since they are flat pads as opposed to a full kit. If this doesn’t bother you, or even if you are looking at introducing your child to percussion as opposed to full kit drumming, definitely keep this option open. What is a good age for kids to start learning the drums? Connectivity: How easy is it to connect pads to the module? Is there an opportunity for expansion with more pads? Is there also USB/MIDI connectivity for recording? So the Yamaha has 8 pads and two pedals. The pedals are really just buttons rather than any attempt at a digital ‘pedal’– as you can see in the photo above. They work, but just could be better. Note: you CAN upgrade these, but I’d suggest living with them for a while to see what you think. TIP: I’ve seen some people criticise this unit for unresponsive drum pads. They didn’t read the manual though! Because you CAN adjust the sensitivity. If you find the pads are not triggering sometimes, then increase the sensitivity setting, and be happy again :-).

The TD-02 module also has Bluetooth capability for jamming to your music collection, although you will need an adapter which comes at an additional cost. The drum heads are mesh instead of rubber, which is the far better and more realistic option. The module has 120 sounds on board, divided up into 10 kits, as well as 30 songs to play along to and smartphone compatibility; meaning you can play along to your favourite music on apps such as Spotify. The main unit is really nicely portable as it only weighs in at 7.3 pounds, almost 2 pounds less than the Yamaha for example. The pads are good and responsive, you’ll probably find you get the odd missed hit once in a while with really fast drumming. But that’s to be expected with this type of gear. Overall, we found the Alesis Turbo Mesh to be an excellent value electronic drum set. All mesh heads feel great and almost as realistic as an acoustic drum head, the drum sounds are great for the price and the coaching modes on-board the module are helpful in helping your child learn their first rhythms and master time-keeping. If you’re on a budget or just looking to have a go at drumming, this kit is well worth your money. Sounds are housed on a drum module (or 'brain'). Most modules come with pre-configured kits aimed at different genres of music. Some modules also feature slots for 'user kits' so the player can create their own custom kits mixing and matching the sounds on-board the module. What comes with a kid’s electronic drum set?

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The MusicRadar electronic drum set review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our review samples are almost always sourced directly from the manufacturer or via a local distributor. Sometimes review samples are supplied by retailers.

From here we would recommend utilising the basic training programs included on most modules to improve time-keeping and accuracy. The more of this they do, the more they will be able to jam with music (and other people!). Of course, all of this can be done even more effectively under the watchful eye of a qualified drum teacher. In addition to the realistic feel of the pads, the Compact Kit 7 contains100 songs pre-loaded to play along with. They're great for developing your timing. There's evena coach feature that's designed to push your skills and give you a good workout.Expert reviewers with years of hands-on experience testing and owning a wide range of electronic drum sets and with a deep understanding of e-kit technology as it has evolved. With 45 preset drum kits, 5 user drum kits, 265 percussion voices and a USB-MIDI output for use with DAWs and plug-ins, this is a handyhome studio tool. Don't rely on pre-written drum samples that are generic and plain - record your own beats! Highly Portable You may not have heard of Pyle Audio, but if not, don’t worry. Pyle are a serious audio and electronics company. They make everything from pro DJ gear to audio processing equipment, so they know about sound. Which does translate into the PTED01 – it sounds really good, whether through decent headphones or routed to a computer or through e.g. a keyboard amplifier. Ease of use/setup: How easy is the kit to construct out of the box? Once built, how easily can the kit be adjusted to fit the setup needs of the average drummer? Is the module user-friendly? But honestly. If you get either of these two, you’re not going to be upset. Both are great machines and do way more than most people will ever need. Whether you’re learning to drum, need a new toy or just want something to take on the road.