[Closed] Drummers assemble.

I've been learning for the last three years on a Roland td-3 kit. This is not necessarily a recommendation for that particular part, but I will make the point that despite this kit being very outdated, I'm a very happy drummer. Because it's a Roland you can upgrade bits of the kit as you go. There's lots of parts on eBay. You can just plug in the high end mesh pads as you go, and eventually update the 'brain' should you desire. Personally I've only updgraded the snare pad and am happy with the outdated td-3 controller, preferring to invest my drum money in posh cymbals for when I rehearse on acoustic kits at the rehearsal room with my buddies. Whilst I could have invested that money instead in a posh Roland electronic kit, I'm perfectly happy with my basic practice kit.

My recommendation therefore would be a basic, second hand Roland kit to start with, since there's potential for upgrade. I only play through headphones, so maybe budget for a good set of closed back headphones (it's nice to hear the synthesised drum sounds rather than the horrendous sound of plastic/mesh pads). Then get the kids into a band and a rehearsal studio so they can really play loud on an acoustic kit!

Hopefully you don't mind me rabbiting on, but two more points;

The kids really deserve the sheer joy of playing loud on a 'real' drum kit once in a while, I'm surprised to hear the teacher uses an electronic kit (albeit a good one)

Second, if the second hand route is too much of minefield it might be worth checking the very inexpensive own-brand kits that gear4music do. I haven't checked them out myself, just a pointer for you to start research.

It is a big difference, playing an electronic kit vs playing an acoustic kit - I suppose it's a bit like playing an electric piano vs an actual piano.

I'd say spend as much as you can on the brain, it will be the most expensive part of the kit but will allow you to build the kit as you want. I've had a Roland TD-12 and a TD-20 and the added tinker-ability, higher number of inputs and increased sensitivity and response is definitely worth shelling out for if you can.

Also, get a mesh head snare if nothing else; mesh heads feel much more like acoustic drum heads and you can tune the head's tension if you need to (but then need to play with the sensitivity settings for the sensor). As the head you'll hit the most it will make the kit feel more real.

A lot depends on your budget - I think the best value will come from buying a complete used kit from eBay. I'd look for a minimal kit with the best brain you can afford, because you can always add more pads / cymbals later.

Oh, and, if possible, get half-decent hardware. A crap squeaky bass drum pedal will just make things harder in the long run!

Sorry for the lengthy post, just my relatively uninformed but slightly experienced opinion. Others may well have better advice. Do give them the chance to play a proper drum kit though - you can mask a lot of bad habits by tinkering with the settings on an electric kit, but it takes skill to get a great sound out of an acoustic kit. And it's more fun. 🙂

Good points Pierre, esp a good kick pedal. Something to look for bundled in with a second hand kit as new ones can cost serious money.

Thanks all.

I used to have an Alesis DM6 Pro electronic kit. Ticks the "budget" box but was horrible to play. I believe they do mesh heads now on the later models.
Yamaha also do electronic kits but i'm afraid i have no experience of those.

Best i can suggest is a visit to a decent drum shop. If you're anywhere near Reading then check out Drumwright; if you're anywhere near Sunderland then Drum Shop in Washington.
PMT (Professional Music Technology) Leeds have a decent range of electronic and acoustic kits, shops also in Manchester, Bristol Cambridge etc