do you normally use one mic on kick? sounds like the atm25 isn't do so well at the batter head for you. maybe use a 57 or something at the batter and put the atm25 in the reso hole or outside.
ez drummer is more like a buck sixty but it would probably be your best bet. also check out rayzoon jamstix. i think it's within your budget. sounds decent and does a free jam thing that's kind of fun for jamming.
i had a pair for a while (8.2a). i don't remember all their strengths/weaknesses but i can say that you can do much better in the same price range. art slm-1 (york ysm1) smokes the wharf 8.2a in frequency response and mix translation.
they worked pretty well for casual listening of...
minimum you'll need a set of speakers for mixing, a computer that runs well, a sound card, a mic preamp, a mic, mic stand, all necessary cables, and software. sounds like you have a lot of reading to do. $150 won't get you much.
i agree. much easier and better results. i usually clamp the connector in a pair of vise grips, tin the wires and and connectors, and then heat the wire/connector simultaneously. one hand holds the iron, the other holds the wire.