Drum kit on a tight budget - or better off with software?

[amonte]

Excellent advice guys, I appreciate all the help. I found the hard drive tonight and to my surprise it IS an 80 GB drive - so perhaps I can have it pull double duty as both the audio drive for recording and for drum samples. Though to even things out, I over-estimated the RAM, I've got 640 MB in there.

So the digital thing is still a possibility, though I like the idea of playing (or more accurately, trying to play) drums. The electronic kit seems like a nice compromise.

I have been scoping out used drums though. Sadly, I don't have the cash right now, because I did find this: an 80's Ludwig in solid black wrap with hardware for $400 (12, 13, 16 Floor, 22 Bass, 14" snare). The hardware inluded is a straight cymbal stand, snare stand, hi-hat, stand, and single pedal. Still would need cymbals, but this seems like a pretty good price. Too bad I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger yet.

 

[Tim Brown]

tim is right there are many great used kits out there...even the new kits (lower to mid level models) are pretty affordable and made of good quality..


hey tim, i think slingerland is back in biz now...their new kits are good looking but way too damn pricy!!! i think they might go for more than a dw classic kit...

I was a Slingerland user, and when i couldn't get parts _ began buying old used Slingerland drums -and taking the parts of of them and throwing the shells away. I had a pretty good store of parts, which I eventually donated to a drum repair shop because I finally left Slingerland for good in 1991.

There are a few Slingerland kits available from the Gibson owned Slingerland company - but they are super expensive - I love the cymbal stand tilters. Awesome design - too bad it will disappear in a few years.
They don't sell parts, and I'm not sure if the parts are even compatible with the old stuff.

Slingerland's stock was sold to Musicalcloseouts.com, which is basically a a muscial salvage company....they even have the steam bending machine and the shell forms for sell - so you can form your own drumshells. A friend and I looked into buying it, but it just wasn't worth the money and the hassle. We didn't know how it worked, or if it even worked, or how to or who could repair it - since it was pretty much built specifically for Slingerland.

They also import a few low grade sets and put their name on them - like the Signature set for the guy in Green Day.,,,but as far as I know, they are not making a serious commitment to being a real drum company - so that leaves them out of the running. Since that is the case, Why waste the time?



Tim

 

[amonte]

After some thought, I am now thinking of getting a practice pad drum set and converting the pads into triggers to use as an electronic drum kit. I'm currently looking at the Alesis DM5 (used) to use as the drum brain and sound module, though the sound module would be for just practicing - I would use the drum brain to record the parts to MIDI, and then use DFHS to make the actual drum tracks. Not the best option, but it's practical, won't be a problem in terms of volume and will probably yield some pretty realistic sounding drum tracks.

The one part I'm not understanding at this point is how to get a hi-hat pedal (probably a Roland FD-8) to work along with one of the pads as a hi-hat. I guess I still don't understand how that part of the technology works.

If anyone whose done this can recommend any tips, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, any comments on the quality of the DM5? Any other recommendations? I'm basically trying to keep this as cheap as possible - and since I'll only be using the module sounds during practice, I guess I'm more concerned with the response time/velocity sensitivity of the drum brain.

 

[specs]

amonte i answered your question in the other thread. Check it out. Go to the link I put up and decide if you are capable. Read the forums, ask questions and then decide. With the alesis I don't think you would need DKFHS. The Alessis will do all the sound for you and you can send it into the computer via midi or stereo audio. Research further and you will find the answers.

specs

p.s I 'm not sure you can use the alesis for a drum brain. I believe it's just a sound module. You would have to buy a brain or build.

 

[amonte]

Are the samples the Alesis produces that good that I wouldn't need DFHS? Maybe to get started, and I can add DFHS later. I like the idea that I can record the track to MIDI and then apply DFHS and fine tune the sounds and settings to fit the song.

As far as the drum brain goes, maybe I'm missing something here. I thought that the purpose of the drum brain is to convert the signals coming from the various triggers to MIDI, and that the sound module than produces those signals as audible "samples".

I'm looking at the DM5 description on the Alesis site - it says:

"The DM5 includes an ultra-fast trigger-to-MIDI converter with 12 trigger inputs, 5 programmable parameters for each trigger, 21 programmable drumsets, and four audio outputs for discrete processing and control. Whether you're looking for a MIDI-controlled percussion module, a drum replacement tool for mixing, or an affordable answer for triggering sounds from electronic drum pads, the DM5 is the affordable solution."

I thought that meant that the drums would jack directly to the DM5, is that correct? Is there another piece I am missing?

Anyone have any sound samples of one of these?

 

[travelin travis]

all you need is the dm5 for your triggered kit. the sounds on the dm5 are pretty much run of the mill drum machine sounds. nothing special if you ask me. i think it would make a good box for triggering dfhs.

 

[Dr ZEE]

this little article helped me out a bit:

http://georgesdrumshop.com/shop/jmdrums.php?osCsid=614ce0a61092e1fe11c8e09ce0324efa

Well, ... I'm nowhere even near being an "expert" on drums, drumming and all that... but I know "something" about music, art of music and art in general ... So what I wish to point out here is this: even thou reading "articles" (or call it a guide) like this, sure, may shine some 'light' for a person who never 'seen drums' in his/her life and wish to start out, but use it as a practical guide - no way in hell, and I mean it as 'Practical Guide' per say.
This "guide" is so freaking systematic ... it's scary!!!!! ... again from point of view of a musician as an artist (especially self-recording musician/artist), ... And statement like this:

2. Entry level ($400 to $650)

Durability: acceptable to good
Sound: acceptable to good
Resale value: fair
Add on sizes: maybe
Most are short that second cymbal stand.
These kits are excellent choices for people 10-15 years of age or for those who do not want to spend the money on a better student level or semi-pro kit.

-IS flat out OXYMORONIC! sorry, if I strike some nerve here, guys ...heh heh...
Is this a GUIDE? Guide to where? grrrrrrrrrrrr. c'mon!
This "guide" maybe is ok from point of view of a professional "drum teacher" or a "drums salesman"....well, maybe... so to be used when there's a need to spit out some "guide-lines" for a student or a potential buyer and to sound "professional" while spitting it out .
I'd say: DO NOT use this as a guide. Read it, make notes in your notebook if it feels like making notes . Then go to local store and try out something (what ever they've got there). If you see something you like and have cash for it - buy it and start drumming. Or shop around for a similar used kit - buy it and start drumming. As you start drumming and keep on drumming - you'll discover sooooooooooooooooo much and how complex the whole thing is, you'll then laugh at any "guide" ever written.... you also may discover, that any and every drum is great, with no exceptions, YES, including cardboard box ! But every drum is great for a specific "job". Another words, a badgeless 10-buck tom with an X-head on it, tuned X-way in your room with your mic when struck by YOUR stick the way YOU strike it may sound just the way you want it to sound for a specific style/feel/mood/expression you are after in accordance with YOUR taste. Or you can buy a golden-badge 500-buck tom and struggle to get "that sound" out of it .... you just never know. I mean it.

/respects