Hi to all DMDrummers!
As I told before, I was going to try the Dm10 Studio kit today at a local dealer, both the original RealHead and the modded mesh head setup.
Well, unfortunately they "only" had the modded setup which was modded not by applying the mesh head (Pearl) but also the triggering was fully replaced using Padtech (Hungarian brand) triggers. So basically the rims, the washers and the shells were original Alesis, but the heads and the electronics were modded.
Here are my findings:
-
DM10 module is very good, sound processing speed is perfect, kit sounds are great. However, when doing quick rolls on toms I always felt the "machine gun" feeling - I thought I've read somewhere that the DM10's multisampled instruments include alternating left-right hand sounds but for me it seemed way too "repeating the same sample rapidly" feeling
-
The modded mesh head/Padtech trigger pads were acousically super quiet!! I loved them! I'm sure that I don't want to try the realhead since I don't wanna have it louder than it was with the mesh mod.
-
Pad Responsiveness was
perfect only in the center area of the pads (but there it was REALLY perfect!) - as I was going t
owards the rim there were some problems with dynamic. Really not dramatic but sometimes bothering that random notes are more louder when I'm playin the same smooth tremolo techniqe as in the center.
- There was some crosstalk when hitting the low toms, but I think modifying the settings could probably solve the issue.
-
DMPad cymbals are good, feel good. Choking worked good - but u have to get used to it. I think all these "u have to get used to it" situations should be like playing electric guitar vs. acoustic. There are differences in the technique for an electrical intrument and an acoustical one, so I don't take it as a problem, but as a challenge to learn and absolve.
-
RealHat pedal - well, I had to get used to it
. It is
not too close to the real hihat pedal feeling, but once you adjust your technique a bit (
e.g.: rapid open-close playing needs focus to step hard on the pedal, because sometimes it bounces a bit and thinks you left it open...)
I was able to try padtech pedals wich are mounted on a real hihat stand, and the sensor is just like a clutch, attached to that moving rod (sorry, I'm not aware of the real technical expression for that in english) of the hihat which is lifting the upper hat.
IN GENERAL:
Alesis DM10 Studio Kit gives a very high quality for an unbeatable price!But for me, there were other, Padtech padded, Roland TD4, 9 and 20X brained kits that felt more realistic. Since the Roland modules are highly overpriced, I still have to think about what to buy. the only thing I can afford now is the modded mesh head DM10 Studio kit, so probably I'll go with that.
We'll see.
Anyway, I'll keep my eyes on this forum!
Regards and respect to all in the DMDrummer community!