Electronic Drum Kit

[tpr007]

Not having played for around 10 years, I wanted to get back into drumming again, but the echo of my room and the neighbours above and below put me off getting a full acoustic kit.

So, I decided to take a risk and ordered a set of Traps E400 at £400
I like the fact it looks more like a real kit (like a set of flats) than some of the other electronic ones.

Anyone had any experience of these. Most of the reviews i've read seem positive, and i'm not a Pro Drummer.

[tpr007]

http://www.absolute247.co.uk/shop/view_product.php?product=trae400

didn't order from here, but the pic is clearer.

[meat puppet]

I bought an acoustic set and some QT pads. The neighbours seem satisfied, they remarked that they could hear me playing if they were in the adjacent room but nowhere else in the house. If I was in a flat it might be more difficult.

What I do find is that the bass drum beater creates its own little racket regardless of it actually smacking an acoustic drum or a non resonant object, its a bit like stamping on the floor.

[TheoGB]

Yeah, you need to play on a box maybe to cut out the bass drum going through the floor :-(

What are QT pads like? My mate had a set of mesh heads which were fantastic for noise cutting, but obviously you have real cymbals and damping those is problem I guesss.

Anyway, I've got a Yamaha DTXpress kit and the only real problem is the lack of sensitivity. However, it's really old so I don't think it matters in your case. They still make a fair bit of noise, like a practice kit does, but shouldn't irritate the neighbours too much.

I guess I wouldn't play it much after 11 on a 'school night' through.

[DMillburn]

meat puppet is spot on - as I always point out in these threads even if you can't hear anything yourself in the room it can be a bit of a racket for those below you. I've had Roland V-drums for donkey's years now and it's strange, there's no discernible noise in the room when playing as the heads are very quite but it's the action of the beater that transfers through the floor. Obviously it depends on your house etc, it used to be a problem for me when I lived elsewhere but it's not now luckily.

[tpr007]

I live in a Victorian detached building, so the walls/ceilings are thick.
I never hear my neighbours from my room unless REALLY loud, so it shouldn't be a problem. Can't wait to get into drumming again

[meat puppet]

Yeah, you need to play on a box maybe to cut out the bass drum going through the floor :-(

What are QT pads like? My mate had a set of mesh heads which were fantastic for noise cutting, but obviously you have real cymbals and damping those is problem I guesss.
.

I was a bit sceptical at first, but they really cut down the sound but still leave you with reasonable bounce and enough noise to know your playing correctly. The cymbals also get pads so they sound a bit like a well muted gong if you welly them, even the high hat gets a pad (sounds typically awful played closed and damped but its not loud). One disadvantage is that I play harder and the sticks end up slipping further through my hands but you compensate eventually........doesnt half make a difference when I go to lessons :n0rty: Even Dave Grohl doesnt play as loud :lol:

I have played with a mesh kit, but I really dont like them, the QT pads feel more real. Also if you play with mesh heads on an acoustic kit, when its time for band practice it must be a right pain to get it all set up for the practise session and then convert back again for home use :oh-hum:

[Gerschwin]

That looks like a great piece of kit!

[lovegroova]

I used to have what could only be described as "giant elastic bands" that went around my cymbals for damping. They worked very well indeed, and you still got the feel og hitting the metal, so to speak.

[tpr007]

arrived today:
http://www.aqpb57.dsl.pipex.com/traps.jpg

[Gerschwin]

Was in Soundcontrol today and there was a wee dude playing something very similar - very quiet sounding but he looked like he was enjoying himself!!
Now I want a set! ;)

[tpr007]

After a few days playing I would recommend them, especially at just £400
It plays like a real kit, and the sounds are good, although you can attach different more expensive modules. With my level I don't need to do so at the moment though.
The snare is particularly responsive, allowing for flams and rolls which I was concerned about with the prospect of electronic triggers.

[Saber]

That is a good kit for the price, I bought a Roland TD8 set about a year ago and that has just been sitting in my room, I hardly used it.

I should probably sell it on.