Alesis DM6

[Hellfire]

http://alesis.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/21/c600220c7ffa2d40e15f75849902fcc4/medium/dm6_kit_460x288.jpg
Today I received the Alesis email newsletter. There it was the new DM6 edrum kit. The new DM6 drumset looks to be a slightly modified Simmons SD7K (think Medeli). The drum module is new, but it looks a lot like a Medeli device. I know that Medeli is starting to custom build modules for some clients. Another example of this is the Simmons SD9K drum module.

The DM6 module is small, and I have not seen close-ups of the module itself, but I would guess it uses a DB25 connector (a lot like the TD9 from Roland). It is just a guess, but being that small I would think the DB25 connector is on there.

This is really an entry level type kit, and I think Alesis is advertising as such. I will admit that I was hoping for a replacement for the DM5 drum module, but this is not it. I don't even think Alesis will be offering the module separately (again, I'm guessing here). It is nice that it has a USB port on it, so using it with a VST should be a breeze.

[TAKnipe]

Thanks Phil, It would have been nice to see Alesis introduce an inhouse model for sure. I am always hoping for a DMPro replacement. :)

[Axe_Grinder]

Thanks Phil, It would have been nice to see Alesis introduce an inhouse model for sure. I am always hoping for a DMPro replacement. :)

Well, we don't know that it isn't. just because it appears to be a Medeli doesn't mean it is. Although, I don't think it would much matter. Medeli, Alesis... Neither are all that great when it comes to sounds. Have you heard the SR-18? That is more than likely the same sounds they would use for a new module. Just a thought.

@ Phil - Thanks for the info. :)

[Hellfire]

... Have you heard the SR-18? That is more than likely the same sounds they would use for a new module. Just a thought.

@ Phil - Thanks for the info. :)
Yes, and I like it. As a matter of fact it is now what I use for my sound source. It replaced my Roland TD-8. The SR-18 is really quite good. Alesis should use it as the base of there next drum module.

As far as the new DM6 goes (which is Medeli, see my up coming post on how I know), I'm doing a write-up for the Hellfire site right now that will shed some light on the new Alesis DM6 edrum kit.

[Axe_Grinder]

After digging through some information, to the best of my knowledge the whole kit is Medeli. Medeli makes the Simmons stuff also. I didn't care for the SR-18. However, I didn't use it as sound generator for edrums. I have only used it as a drum machine. So, that may be why it didn't sound that natural/impressive to me. Maybe it has a lot more variables as a module as opposed to the limitations of what it is.

Either way, Alesis had a good product in the DM line. I can't understand for the life of me why they would sub this out to Medeli. If they were to couple the technology in the DM-5 with the SR-18 I believe it would be a good product. Not to mention long overdue.

I have yet to meet a Medeli product that I like. Then it is possible they'll come out with something eventually. Yet, I am not denying the necessity of the company by any means.

That is actually what I figured they were going to do when I heard about DM6.

This is why I am at a loss and disappointed. I was really looking forward to the DM6 when I heard it was coming.


Make sense?

[Axe_Grinder]

I don't think it would much matter. Medeli, Alesis... Neither are all that great when it comes to sounds. Have you heard the SR-18?

In hindsight, I actually didn’t realize that my comment sounded quite so derogatory. It wasn’t meant to be quite that pointed. I should learn to choose my words more wisely. I’m too blunt in text. It actually came out much different than I meant it to.

Ok, I’m going to stop posting now before I get myself into anymore trouble. :D

I hope you are right and this thing is spectacular. I just get skeptical when Medeli is involved.

[Hellfire]

In hindsight, I actually didn’t realize that my comment sounded quite so derogatory. It wasn’t meant to be quite that pointed. I should learn to choose my words more wisely. I’m too blunt in text. It actually came out much different than I meant it to.

Ok, I’m going to stop posting now before I get myself into anymore trouble. :D

I hope you are right and this thing is spectacular. I just get skeptical when Medeli is involved.
You worry too much. If you think the SR-18 sucks, that's fine by me. As far as Medeli being "spectacular" I never said that. I think Medeli products aren't bad when you consider the cost of those products. The best Medeli product I have ever played with was the Simmons SD9K (or Medeli DD508). I'm not saying its as good as a Yamaha or Roland set, but as far as Medeli goes, it's not bad. If you get a chance you might want to try it out.

[dschrammie]

I just wonder how you guys are able to not only know of all of these different modules (I've never even heard of Medeli) but also how you're able to have the resources to test and/or evaluate all of them! Sheesh...it took me 10 years just to get a TD-10!

[Hellfire]

If you guys get a chance, I got my take on the whole Alesis DM6 thing up at my website. Just click on the link below:

http://www.hellfiredrums.com/archives/261

Here's a picture showing where the DM6 drum module comes from WARNING MAY HURT EYES!:

http://www.medeli.com.hk/DD/DD501-large.jpe

[Axe_Grinder]

You worry too much.


yes, yes I do. I'm sorry about that. My apologies - lol

[CaTaPulT]

That kit with the red cymbals.......
Almost looks like it should have a caption........
"Drums.... by Fisher Price"
LOL :D
Take care

Regards: >>>> Jack <<<<

[fignewton]

pretty sure they are going to make some $$$ on this one.
Looks to me that Alesis is capturing the Guitar Hero crowd.
Good on ya Alesis

[Hellfire]

pretty sure they are going to make some $$$ on this one.
Looks to me that Alesis is capturing the Guitar Hero crowd.
Good on ya Alesis
I agree with you fignewton. I think the entry level (or low end) is where the money is being made in the edrum realm right now. Even though I was not happy with this Alesis kit (didn't like the fact it is called DM6, any other name would have been fine), I do think they are going to make money hand over fist with it. As the economy keeps tanking the only way to make money in the edrum biz is going to be with entry level stuff. I know a lot of people think Roland and Yamaha are the big players but, I think we can add Medeli (Alesis & Simmons) to that list as well.

[fignewton]

Gotta make a buck somewhere.
Matter of face if you go to the Alesis site for the Trigger IO demos, it takes you to a demo at Pasic with kits set up playing guitar hero.

I have have even noticed people using Pintech Cymbals for guitar hero rigs....why not. :)

[ghostman]

I am building a GH/RB rig - it will be a subset of my kit that I can use on my PS3. I refuse to buy any of those crap drum kits that the games come with!

[Hope Drums]

I have have even noticed people using Pintech Cymbals for guitar hero rigs..

Actually, it's probably not Guitar Hero, they are buying to replace the cymbals on the Ion Rock Band kit. My sales on the cheaper Pintech TC cymbals have been so high that I added a "Rock Band" page on my site dedicated just to the most commonly purchased Pintech products for use with Rock Band! I've been shipping them worldwide since November!

Madeli has been a widely used product for several years now! Pintech, Hart, Alesis/Ion, Borgi, OSP, Yoki have all been using either the whole Madeli kit or components!!

It's sad that Alesis has stooped to offering lower quality products, but they're not stupid! When everyone else is branding Madeli products to capture the low end market, they're doing what they have to do to get their share of the cash!

What amazes me is that people are all excited about the "new" Surge cymbals that Alesis has. They are freakin' Smartriggers (they even say Smartrigger on them in small lettering), which have been out for a few years!!

It's funny to me how you can slap a name brand on a piece of crap and people are willing to buy!!

[dschrammie]

I have to be honest, and I know there are plenty that will think I'm a ****head for saying so, but I'm completely and totally annoyed by the whole Rock Band thing and how it's brought out the undisciplined, untrained, overnight drummers. The first time I heard someone saying he's a drummer and then come to find out that the extent of his drumming experience comes from a friggin' video game, I wanted to scream. Is it conceited? Elitist? Hmmm, maybe...in fact, yeah, it probably is. Maybe it's just the way the art of music may be perceived now because of the Rock Band craze. "Anybody can be a guitarist/bassist/drummer now!" And seeing it being marketed that way, seeing the music stores have to buy into it because if they don't then Best Buy and WalMart will be the ones getting the entire market...ugh. It's frustrating to see.
Now, I will say that I do appreciate that some people have found how much they enjoy drumming because of that video game and are now putting in the time and effort to learn how to play. To actually learn rudiments and a certain amount of 'discipline', to learn all of the nuances that go into the art and that you can't possibly get from the game...yeah, I respect that.
Sorry, but Guitar Hero/Rock Band is to musicians what paint-by-numbers is to artists.
Was that rant necessary? No. I guess not.
I think I just hijacked a thread.

[BobbyMck2]

Oh deary me.... Ice hockey pucks on steroids.... I do like the design feature of colour coding the plastic feet on the rack to match the "cymbals" ..... Help the toons are loose again

[TAKnipe]

I have to be honest, and I know there are plenty that will think I'm a ****head for saying so, but I'm completely and totally annoyed by the whole Rock Band thing and how it's brought out the undisciplined, untrained, overnight drummers. The first time I heard someone saying he's a drummer and then come to find out that the extent of his drumming experience comes from a friggin' video game, I wanted to scream. Is it conceited? Elitist? Hmmm, maybe...in fact, yeah, it probably is. Maybe it's just the way the art of music may be perceived now because of the Rock Band craze. "Anybody can be a guitarist/bassist/drummer now!" And seeing it being marketed that way, seeing the music stores have to buy into it because if they don't then Best Buy and WalMart will be the ones getting the entire market...ugh. It's frustrating to see.
Now, I will say that I do appreciate that some people have found how much they enjoy drumming because of that video game and are now putting in the time and effort to learn how to play. To actually learn rudiments and a certain amount of 'discipline', to learn all of the nuances that go into the art and that you can't possibly get from the game...yeah, I respect that.
Sorry, but Guitar Hero/Rock Band is to musicians what paint-by-numbers is to artists.
Was that rant necessary? No. I guess not.
I think I just hijacked a thread.

I am highly offended by your assertion that I am not an artist because I paint by numbers, I merely paint by numbers because I do not have the time alotted to pick my own colors and quite frankly I dont want to free sketch. I merely want to paint and stay within the lines.


"When we point out the truth others will call you names and throw overipe vegetables at you when you are not looking"
Thomas Knipe 1912 at the Hungarian Cabbage festival in Budapest Hungary at the height of the Brussel Sprout Famine.

[WildWes]

I have to be honest, and I know there are plenty that will think I'm a ****head for saying so, but I'm completely and totally annoyed by the whole Rock Band thing and how it's brought out the undisciplined, untrained, overnight drummers. The first time I heard someone saying he's a drummer and then come to find out that the extent of his drumming experience comes from a friggin' video game, I wanted to scream. Is it conceited? Elitist? Hmmm, maybe...in fact, yeah, it probably is. Maybe it's just the way the art of music may be perceived now because of the Rock Band craze. "Anybody can be a guitarist/bassist/drummer now!" And seeing it being marketed that way, seeing the music stores have to buy into it because if they don't then Best Buy and WalMart will be the ones getting the entire market...ugh. It's frustrating to see.
Now, I will say that I do appreciate that some people have found how much they enjoy drumming because of that video game and are now putting in the time and effort to learn how to play. To actually learn rudiments and a certain amount of 'discipline', to learn all of the nuances that go into the art and that you can't possibly get from the game...yeah, I respect that.
Sorry, but Guitar Hero/Rock Band is to musicians what paint-by-numbers is to artists.
Was that rant necessary? No. I guess not.
I think I just hijacked a thread.

Is it time for a Storm Trooper clone retrofit dschrammie? hahahahahahaha

At least you got it out of your system.

[fignewton]

Actually, it's probably not Guitar Hero, they are buying to replace the cymbals on the Ion Rock Band kit.

Details Details Details. .
kinda agree with Schrammie, and i havent played much of those games.
I am sticking with my Wii Golf and trying to get 13 under! (after having the Wii for the last 2 years)

[dschrammie]

Is it time for a Storm Trooper clone retrofit dschrammie?

These are not the droids I'm looking for.

.................................................. ....

yeah...I don't know what comes over me sometimes.

[Hellfire]

....What amazes me is that people are all excited about the "new" Surge cymbals that Alesis has. They are freakin' Smartriggers (they even say Smartrigger on them in small lettering), which have been out for a few years!!

It's funny to me how you can slap a name brand on a piece of crap and people are willing to buy!!
Actually, this is pretty easy to explain. Most people (in the music community) know the name Alesis but not Smartrigger. Alesis has a much larger market share than Smartrigger. Most music stores are more likely to carry an Alesis product over a Smartrigger product. The only reason you or I (or for that matter any of us here) know that Alesis Surge cymbals are really smartriggers is because we stay up on what is going on in the industry. The average musician doesn't.

I have to ask but do you think Smartriggers/Surge are "crap". I know they had some problems a couple years ago, but a lot of people seem really happy with them now.

[Hellfire]

We now have a price.

$499.00

Seem a little more than I thought it should be.

MusiciansPlace.com (http://www.musiciansplace.com/!Dw1HyXazkSr1A4FdODo07A!/Alesis-DM6KIT-Performance-Electronic-Drum-Kit-s)

[markswan]

Hi all... new member here - guitarist and amateur drummer (played on and off over the last 30 years). I pre-ordered the DM6 due to it's size and price. I want something to have a little fun with and share with my 15 year-old.

I got what I think is a good deal from Pro Sound and Stage Lighting... $460 and free shipping. A couple of days later, they apparently raised the price to $499 like everyone else. They post a shipping date of Sept. 1. Has anyone heard about Sept. 1 as a release date?

Thanks!
Mark

[Hellfire]

Hi all... new member here - guitarist and amateur drummer (played on and off over the last 30 years). I pre-ordered the DM6 due to it's size and price. I want something to have a little fun with and share with my 15 year-old.

I got what I think is a good deal from Pro Sound and Stage Lighting... $460 and free shipping. A couple of days later, they apparently raised the price to $499 like everyone else. They post a shipping date of Sept. 1. Has anyone heard about Sept. 1 as a release date?

Thanks!
Mark
Sounds like you got a good deal. The only release time I heard was early Sept. so maybe the 1st is it. Be sure to tell us all about it once you get a chance to play with it for a while.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

[markswan]

I called Alesis since my pre-order was supposed to ship Sept. 1 from PSSL. The Alesis rep told me late September or early October. I will take that to mean mid to late October.

[dauzman]

Looks like everyone is offering a entry level set these days...Maybe its just me but does quality mean anything in this market any more??? We all are drummers and beat the hell out of any kind of drum set. In a attempt to hit a price point the quality and durability are thrown out the window. Ive got guys still using the drum pads they got from me 20 years ago... I have yet to find a reason to move from a drumkat with Dauz pads nothing comes close in comparison..

[ghostman]

We now have a price.

$499.00

Seem a little more than I thought it should be.

MusiciansPlace.com (http://www.musiciansplace.com/%21Dw1HyXazkSr1A4FdODo07A%21/Alesis-DM6KIT-Performance-Electronic-Drum-Kit-s)

Actually, I think this price is reasonable. I guess, depending on the price of the standalone module. Unless I misunderstood. If that is the price of the module ONLY, that is pricey. Otherwise, the full kit priced at $500 is decent.

[dschrammie]

Looks like everyone is offering a entry level set these days...Maybe its just me but does quality mean anything in this market any more??? We all are drummers and beat the hell out of any kind of drum set. In a attempt to hit a price point the quality and durability are thrown out the window. Ive got guys still using the drum pads they got from me 20 years ago... I have yet to find a reason to move from a drumkat with Dauz pads nothing comes close in comparison..

Hey Dauz -
My take on it is that it's simply a matter of an available market. The "Rock Band" crowd isn't necessarily looking for a high quality, realistic feeling electronic drumset with jaw-dropping features. They're looking for something that allows them to play along with the video game and is at least better than the weird little drumset that was made for the game. On the other hand, it also has created some players who have gotten into it a little more and end up wanting to pursue learning to play better...they start to learn what goes into a quality set and why a really good module costs more than their entire first set. Those are certainly fewer though.
For the most part it's simply that there's a greater demand for cheaper "ready to play" e-sets. And most of the companies want at least a little piece of that pie.

[dauzman]

I can understand the gaming market and your point is well taken. These are toys which might bring the players to really want to play drums. It does seem like a excellent way to bring more people to want to play real drums. 500 is a pretty good entry level price to get someone in the door....

[forpetessake]

I am seriously thinking about getting this kit. I can get it on 4 easy pays of 124.00. I am a seasoned drummer of 31 years. I just need something to practice around with in the house that wont drive the wife crazy. And I am tired of renting a kit, like I was doing with the Roland HD1. I think for the money it's worth it.

[WildWes]

Ron, did I see Brian selling on eBay the drums that your currently using as your avatar? WW

Brian, did I see you selling on eBay the drums Ron uses as his current avatar? WW

Jack, did Ron and Brian see me looking at the drums in his current avatar on eBay? WW

Tom, how much Yamaha equipment has Jack secreted across the border into the United States? WW

These are the questions I need answers to.

[dschrammie]

Ron, did I see Brian selling on eBay the drums that your currently using as your avatar? WW

Brian, did I see you selling on eBay the drums Ron uses as his current avatar? WW

You see nothing...there are no Drumkit From Hell drums for sale on ebay. :D

Don't ask questions...guys in black suits and black SUVs will show up at your house and take you away where nobody will find you. And the republicans will say it's okay. (that one was just for you Tom!) :D :D :D

[Guinness]

The DM6 is the same exact kit as the Ion rockstar. At costo you too can own one for $250. My wife bought me one and I broke it in 2 days.
One drum head started to fail, and then the headphone jack broke. I returned it and bought the DM5 Pro Kit (got a decent deal.. $450 new)

I realize I'm seeing this thread a bit late, but my two cents:

Pros: the drum sounds are pretty good. Easy to use. Compact kit. Good for kids?
Cons: breaks too easily. On the Ion, the Kick trigger is a pedal, just as the hi-hat. Hard to do anything fancy with a pedal switch. Only 1 free input (add one more cymbal, for example).

[pearlygates]

I'm new here and a little late to the party..

but, I found myself in need of a way to practice drums in my apartment.. I did my research and found out that dollar for dollar, the DM6 was the best for the buck! Although this is my first e-kit, I am lovin this thing! It does everything I need it to and then some!

[WildWes]

I'm new here and a little late to the party..

Although this is my first e-kit, I am lovin this thing! It does everything I need it to and then some!

There you go then. That's all that matters. Enjoy. WW

[pearlygates]

I am...thanks! ;)