Electronic Drums · Models

Model

Simmons SDS-V

Electronic drums · United Kingdom

The SDS-V put hexagonal playing surfaces and an analogue drum synthesizer in front of drummers in 1981, and its pitch-swept toms are so tied to the decade that using one now is a period reference. The pads were also famously hard on wrists.

Model

2box DrumIt Five

Electronic drums · Sweden

The DrumIt Five's module stores user sound libraries in an open format on flash memory, so a drummer can load their own multi-velocity samples rather than waiting for the manufacturer. That openness is the reason the instrument has the following it does.

Model

EFNOTE 5

Electronic drums · Japan

The EFNOTE 5 uses full-size shells, real cymbal shapes, and a hardware set that assembles like an acoustic kit, on the argument that an electronic kit should not have to look like a rack.

Model

ATV aDrums Artist Standard

Electronic drums · Japan

The aDrums kits use real wood shells with mesh heads and the aD5 module, whose engine plays back continuous samples rather than crossfading between velocity layers — which is what makes soft playing sound soft rather than quiet.

Model

Yamaha DTX6K

Electronic drums · Japan

The DTX6K uses the DTX-PRO module, whose Kit Modifier controls — ambience, compression, and effects on one knob each — make useful sound changes reachable without menu diving.

Model

GEWA G9 Pro Kit

Electronic drums · Germany

The G9 Pro kits put the module behind mesh-headed wooden shells and multi-zone cymbals, positioned directly against Roland's and Yamaha's flagships.

Model

Alesis Nitro Max

Electronic drums

The Nitro Max is the kit most often bought as a first electronic set: mesh heads on every drum, a compact rack, and a price that undercuts almost everything with the same specification.

Model

Roland TD-07

Electronic drums · Japan

The TD-07 puts a mesh snare pad and Roland's sound set into the cheapest kits the company badges as V-Drums, aimed at first electronic kits and quiet practice.

Model

Yamaha DTX402

Electronic drums · Japan

The DTX402 series is Yamaha's first-kit electronic set, with rubber pads, a compact rack, and a companion app that turns practice into exercises.

Model

Alesis Strike Pro SE

Electronic drums

The Strike Pro SE is the biggest kit in its price class: real wood shells, mesh heads throughout, multi-zone cymbals, and a module with a colour screen and sample import.

Model

Yamaha DTX10K

Electronic drums · Japan

The DTX10K pairs the DTX-PROX module with either silicone or textured cellular silicone pads, the latter of which give an unusually acoustic rebound, and a hardware set built to acoustic-kit standards.

Model

Roland VAD706

Electronic drums · Japan

The V-Drums Acoustic Design series puts Roland's pads and modules into real wood shells of acoustic proportions, so the kit looks and sits like a drum set rather than a rack of pads.

Model

Alesis Crimson II

Electronic drums

Crimson II sits between the Nitro and the Strike: larger mesh pads, dual-zone toms, and a module with enough editing to be worth learning.

Model

Roland TD-10

Electronic drums · Japan

The TD-10 introduced mesh heads and physical-modelling drum synthesis in 1997, and it is the moment electronic drums stopped being pads that triggered samples and started being instruments a drummer could play dynamically.

Model

Roland TD-17

Electronic drums · Japan

The TD-17 is the point where mesh heads, a modelled engine, and Bluetooth practice features meet a price a home player will pay, and it is the best-selling serious electronic kit of its generation.

Model

Pearl e/MERGE

Electronic drums · Japan

e/MERGE puts Pearl's shells, hardware, and hi-hat feel behind an electronic voice engine, aimed at acoustic drummers who want their own kit's ergonomics in an electronic set.

Model

EFNOTE PRO

Electronic drums · Japan

EFNOTE PRO is the top of the range: larger shells, more zones per pad, and a module with the routing and outputs a touring setup needs.

Model

Simmons SDS-8

Electronic drums · United Kingdom

The SDS-8 brought the hexagonal pad and analogue voicing to a price home studios could reach, and is the Simmons most often found today.

Model

Simmons Titan

Electronic drums

The Titan series is the modern Simmons: mesh heads, a conventional rack, and a module with Bluetooth practice features, sharing nothing with the 1980s designs but the name.