Alesis USB Pro Kit Drumset with SURGE Cymbals Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is the first drum kit without any rubber triggers at this price point. Or at twice the price. Real drum heads, real brass cymbals. And loaded with features. All the triggers except the kick are dual zone. The ride is dual-zone, bell and edge. The crash is chokeable. The mounting hardware is plenty rigid, much more sturdy than I expected. It's too soon to say how it will last, but since the joints and mounting collars are tightened with metal nuts and bolts (with drum key heads) I know there won't be any problems stripping plastic threading.
For an entry-level kit, it has quite a bit of upgrade potential too. The TriggeriO interface is also being used as standard equipment by other trigger makers (such as RET) so adding a larger snare or better toms will not be an issue. Feel free to mix 'n match. And since the stock triggers use real drum heads, switching to mesh heads is also an option.
It does take a bit of tuning. The default settings on the TriggeriO result in lots of cross talk. Be sure to punch in the recommended settings from the back of the manual immediately, or your initial experience will be disappointing. This really should have been taken care of at the factory. The BFD Lite demo software included is also underwhelming. You will need to budget for either BFD Pro or EZdrummer to get drum sounds that show this kit off to best advantage.
These are really quibbles though. Even after adding the cost of a little time and a few extra bucks for software, this kit is a great bargain.

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Designed for USB/MIDI performance with your Mac, PC, or other MIDI device, the Alesis USB Pro Drum Kit features dual-zone RealHead drum pads, genuine alloy SURGE Cymbals, and a compact, studio-friendly StealthRack drum rack. The true touch of real, tunable, mylar drum heads, combined with the natural feel of brass-alloy SURGE Cymbals creates an acoustic-feeling, great-sounding drumming experience.
It also includes the Alesis Trigger I/O, which enables you to connect the Pro Kit to a wide range of MIDI sound sources. Use up to ten trigger inputs to play traditional MIDI devices like drum machines, sound modules and synthesizers, or connect the USB output directly to your computer to play software drum modules or lay down tracks in your favorite MIDI sequencer application.

Key Features
Five-piece electronic drum set with USB/MIDI computer interface
RealHead drum pads feature genuine 8-inch mylar drum heads for customizable feel
Alloy SURGE cymbals with built-in triggers for serious acoustic-cymbal feel
SURGE Cymbals feature sound-dampening underside coating to cut their acoustic sound
Dual-zone snare and tom pads for a wide palette of sounds from a standard setup
Ultra-fast triggering with software sequencers, recording software, and MIDI hardware
10 TRS inputs'for kit expansion with additional pads, cymbals, and acoustic drum triggers''

USB/MIDI For Hardware And Software Just plug the kit's Trigger I/O interface into your Mac or PC's USB port, load up your sequencing, recording, or virtual instrument software, and you're ready to play. Because the USB Pro Drum Kit is MIDI compatible, you can track a performance, and then go back afterward and tweak your sounds. And it opens up a new world of software including BFD, Toontrack, and Reason to drummers and producers looking for realistic drum performances.
Advanced Drum Pads The USB Pro Drum Kit's acoustic-feeling RealHead drum pads are built around 8-inch mylar drumheads and acoustic-dampening foam for quiet response. The snare and tom pads are dual-zone, enabling rimshot or rim-click sounds on the snare and additional sounds such as wind chimes, cymbals, gongs, and cowbells on the tom rims. The heads are tunable with a standard drum key for adjustable tension and feel. The triple-flanged counterhoops are covered in removable, sound-reducing rubber sleeves, which further cut acoustic noise.
The USB Pro Drum Kit includes a self-standing RealHead Kick Pad with stand, to which any model of single or double-bass-drum pedal can be attached. The kick pad also features a tunable, 8-inch mylar playing surface.
Cymbals With Built-In Triggers The best choice in electronic cymbals, the Pro Kit includes the following SURGE cymbals: a 12-inch SURGE Hi-Hat, a 13-inch SURGE Crash with choke, and a 16-inch SURGE dual-zone Ride Cymbal with choke. Comprised of a genuine alloy cymbal coated with a clear sound-dampening layer, SURGE Cymbals feel like acoustic cymbals because they begin life as just that. The Crash and Ride cymbals feature large choke strips on the undersides for even more attention to accurate cymbal control. The SURGE Ride also features multiple-zone triggering on the bell, face and edge. The SURGE Hi-Hat Cymbal offers continuously variable control using the included pedal.
StealthRack and Hardware The fully adjustable, compact StealthRack is built of 1-1/2-inch metal tubing, which is standard throughout the drum industry. It's easy to expand the USB Pro Drum Kit with any manufacturer's clamps and mounts. All necessary clamps, professional 1/4-inch cables, and mounting hardware are included. All clamps adjust with the included drum key. Pad-mounting L-arms feature non-round arms to eliminate slippage from playing. All of the hardware on the USB Pro Drum Kit is designed for sure grip and extensive adjustability.
What's in the Box
(4) RealHead 8-inch Dual-Zone Pads
RealHead Kick Pad with stand, for use with single or double kick pedals, sold separately
RealHat Pedal hi-hat continuous controller
SURGE 12-inch Hi-Hat Cymbal
SURGE 13-inch Crash Cymbal
SURGE 16-inch Ride Cymbal
StealthRack black drum rack, complete with all mounts and cables
Trigger I/O trigger-to-MIDI USB interface
Software CD
USB cable
Quick start guide

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Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was a little nervous to buy this without reading someone's assurance that it would do specifically what I wanted: record our band multi-tracked into a MacBook.
But it works great. No hiccups while streaming 6 channels at once into Garageband. Amazing at the price.

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Designed with low-noise analog electronics, the MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 mixer lets you take advantage of 100 studio-grade 28-bit digital effects. Whether used for mobile or studio recording, the MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 mixer makes recording high-quality audio to your computer fast and easy. The MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 mixer is also bundled with award-winning Cubase LE software for instant creativity right out of the box.
Key Features
10-direct outputs to your computer for recording and 2 return inputs for monitoring
High-gain mic/line (XLR and 1/4-inch balanced) inputs with phantom power, 2 stereo balanced 1/4-inch
Line inputs, aux send (to onboard or external effects), stereo aux return
Switchable 75Hz high pass filters
100 onboard 28-bit preset effects including reverbs, delays, chorus, flanging, pitch and multi-effects
3-band EQ per channel with high/low shelving and mid band pass/reject
Separate 1/4-inch balanced main and monitor outs, headphone out
24-bit, 44.1 to 96 kHz operation with high-end A/D and D/A conversion through an integrated USB 2.0 Audio interface
Steinberg Cubase LE included

Specifications
Input Channels
Mic In Sensitivity Range: -60dBu to -10dBu nominal, +5dBu maximum
Line In Sensitivity Range: -40dBu to -+10dBu nominal, +25dBu maximum
Mic/Line Gain Range: +10 to +60dB

Equalization
High-Pass Filter: 75Hz, 18dB/octave
High Shelving: 12kHz, +/- 15dB
Mid Bandpass/Band Reject: 2.5 kHz, +/- 15dB
Low Shelving: 80Hz, +/- 15dB

Aux Sends
Aux Send A & B Gain Range: -∞ to +10dB

Aux Returns
Aux Return A Gain Range: -∞ to +15dB
Effects Level/Aux Return B Gain Range: -∞ to +15dB

Channel Levels
Channel Level Gain Range: -∞ to +10dB

Master Levels
Main Mix, Ctrl Room Gain Range: -∞ to +10dB

1/4-inch Inputs
Stereo Aux Return Level: +4dBu nominal, +20dBu maximum

RCA Inputs
2-TRACK IN Level: -10dBV nominal, +5dBV maximum

1/4-inch Outputs
Main Mix, Ctrl Room, Ext Aux Send Level: +4dBu nominal, +20dBu maximum
Headphone Output: 75 ohm output impedance >105mW into 75 ohms, >40mW
into 600ohms

RCA Outputs
2-TRACK OUT Level: -10dBV nominal, +5dBV maximum

Dimensions and Weight
14.5 x 10.75 x 5 inches
7 pounds

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Alesis DM6 Kit Performance Electronic Drumset Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had my Alesis DM6 drumset up and running for a couple days and I must say I am pleasantly surprised. Up until now any electronic drumset in the $500 range was nothing more than a toy. Because I know that Alesis knows how to make great electronic drumsets I was hoping that their experience making higher end kits would trickle down to this brand new DM6 line. It did. This drumset is fabulous when you consider the price point and, in fact, has no real competition that I could find.
Pros:
- Everything is included. I've looked at a lot of drumsets and many don't include everything you need like bass drum pedals and more. This has everything you need to play right our of the box, even a pair of drum sticks. OK, a couple things not included you will need and that's a set of headphones and a throne (chair) to sit on.
- Sturdy, well made components. The natural rubber drum heads are quiet but have a very good feel and rebound to them. The rubber cymbals are not as quiet as the drum heads but do what they are supposed to do very nicely. All metal hi-hat and bass pedals. Wide diameter aluminum frame rails and compoents.
- Very realistic sounding drum samples.
- Dual zone snare. You can make the snare sound like a rimshot when you hit the rim. Or program it for a cowbell when you play "Don't Fear the Reaper". Or make it sound like any of the other drum sounds included.
- Ability to interface with your computer via USB. This opens up a world of options including MIDI and recording your performances on your favorite recording software. I don't know of any sub $500 kit of this quality that does that.
- MY FAVORITE THING is I just plug in my iPod into the DM6 module and I can play right along to my favorite songs.
- You can buy an ION Drum Rocker module (I was able to get one on eBay, not sold by Alesis) and use this kit for your Rockband drumset. You'll need 8 new cables too, so while there is extra expense, it's possible
Cons:
- Some kits, including mine, were delivered with firmware that was less than perfect. I, and others I have heard, would sometimes have problems with the snare drum triggering properly. I had to hit it harder than I thought I should to get it to trigger. A quick and easy firmware update totally fixed this problem but I know some people have problems updating thgings like this.
The Botton Line:
- Everything I've said in this review is under the caviat, "...for the price." If you are new to drumming this would be a great first set. But if you are and experienced drummer on a tight budget you will not be disappointed as long as you aren't expecting the DM6 to be a Roland Pro high end drum kit. The bottom line is this is the best $500 (street price) electronic drumset ever made.


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An excellent choice in electronic drum sets for price-conscious drummers and aspiring players, this Alesis DM6 Kit combines the compact DM6 drum-sound module with an electronic drum set with extremely realistic playing surfaces and rugged rack system. The DM6 drum module features a completely new sound-set with 108 quality drum, cymbal, and percussion instruments as well as a sequencer with play-along tracks, metronome, recorder, mix-in jack for playing along with your iPod, and more.

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