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View Full Version : hello from a half-newbie!


EricWN
02-08-2010, 03:26 PM
Hi everybody,

just wanted to take a couple minutes to introduce myself. I have been playing drums for the last 20 years or so, have been in a couple fun bands but it really is just a hobby, although a very strong one for me. Anyway, a couple of years I left Germany and moved to Ireland and in the process of leaving things behind had to sell my Roland TD8 drumkit as well.

I have had a lot of fun with the TD8 but soundwise never really achieved really great results. I liked the mesh pads but for cymbals I had to use those cheaper rubber pads from Roland that were available at the time. I was always keen on the higher end of the Roland kits I guess.

So a couple months ago I visited Germany again and was able to play a TD-20 kit, complete with its rack and all the nice cymbals they have and I have seen some reports about the new silver KX20. I'd like to have a big kit that size, spiced up with another 10" tom and maybe two additional cymbals. The price is shocking, I know. What am I going to use it for? Well, the thing is supposed to be just a hobby but I will work on some projects together with other friends where each of us plays his parts into a computer and the files are then going to be exchanged via the internet.

As we're all Mac users, I guess we're going to be working with either GarageBand or Logic Express for a start.

I'd be very happy about some thoughts on that kind of home setup. While I am skilled with the Mac and have at least my previous TD8 experience, I have no idea if it makes sense to really go for that Roland kit. That money might be better spend on a kit where I pick all the pieces myself, and I know you can do magic with midi notes on the computer as well.

I just want to finally be able to afford my big e-drum suitable for my style of drumming. I play mostly metal grooves and would consider myself a heavy hitter. Bassdrums usually move when I play, put it that way. Toms should have mesh heads because I like the feel of it while playing.

Don't get me wrong here, I really love the kit Roland have put together, it looks great, yet still compact enough, seems durable, expandable and I liked the sounds I heard when testing the older one out. But could I possibly be even more satisfied with a custom kit? I liked the relative ease of use that my TD8 gave me and am afraid I'd end up in an endless battle with some sound software on the computer all the time.

Hellfire
02-08-2010, 03:47 PM
Welcome to the forum EricWN. I too use a Mac with GarageBand and Logic Express. I happen to use an Alesis DM10 Pro kit with mesh head pad upgrades and I like it a lot. Keep in mind, there are tons of options out there. Heck, if you are just using software on your mac for your sounds, you don't really need a traditional drum module. Something like Alternate Mode's DITI (http://www.alternatemode.com/2010/) or the Alesis Trigger I/O (http://www.alesis.com/triggerio) would work great. There are many different choices out there if you go the custom route. Good luck.

EricWN
02-10-2010, 03:07 AM
Thanks for the response Hellfire!
I did some reading on the Alesis Kit you have and the price tag looks really interesting and affordable. I hope I can test one out the next time I find a bigger drumshop but it could be a while.

Do you record audio straight into Garageband or do you send Midi into the Mac?

Hellfire
02-10-2010, 01:30 PM
Thanks for the response Hellfire!
I did some reading on the Alesis Kit you have and the price tag looks really interesting and affordable. I hope I can test one out the next time I find a bigger drumshop but it could be a while.

Do you record audio straight into Garageband or do you send Midi into the Mac?
I tend to record the audio straight into Garageband and then tweak the sound with effects.

Pink Led Rush
02-10-2010, 10:35 PM
Welcome to the forum EricWN. I too use a Mac with GarageBand and Logic Express. I happen to use an Alesis DM10 Pro kit with mesh head pad upgrades and I like it a lot. Keep in mind, there are tons of options out there. Heck, if you are just using software on your mac for your sounds, you don't really need a traditional drum module. Something like Alternate Mode's DITI (http://www.alternatemode.com/2010/) or the Alesis Trigger I/O (http://www.alesis.com/triggerio) would work great. There are many different choices out there if you go the custom route. Good luck.

Any info on when the diti will be out and the relative cost? I might go that route with a diy kit and hopefully save some money.