Customer Reviews

Alesis DM6 USB Kit Performance Electronic Drumset

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I've had my Alesis DM6 drumset up and running for a couple days and I must say I am pleasantly surprised. Up until now any electronic drumset in the $500 range was nothing more than a toy. Because I know that Alesis knows how to make great electronic drumsets I was hoping that their experience making higher end kits would trickle down to this brand new DM6 line. It did. This drumset is fabulous when you consider the price point and, in fact, has no real competition that I could find.

Pros:
- Everything is included. I've looked at a lot of drumsets and many don't include everything you need like bass drum pedals and more. This has everything you need to play right our of the box, even a pair of drum sticks. OK, a couple things not included you will need and that's a set of headphones and a throne (chair) to sit on.
- Sturdy, well made components. The natural rubber drum heads are quiet but have a very good feel and rebound to them. The rubber cymbals are not as quiet as the drum heads but do what they are supposed to do very nicely. All metal hi-hat and bass pedals. Wide diameter aluminum frame rails and compoents.
- Very realistic sounding drum samples.
- Dual zone snare. You can make the snare sound like a rimshot when you hit the rim. Or program it for a cowbell when you play "Don't Fear the Reaper". Or make it sound like any of the other drum sounds included.
- Ability to interface with your computer via USB. This opens up a world of options including MIDI and recording your performances on your favorite recording software. I don't know of any sub $500 kit of this quality that does that.
- MY FAVORITE THING is I just plug in my iPod into the DM6 module and I can play right along to my favorite songs.
- You can buy an ION Drum Rocker module (I was able to get one on eBay, not sold by Alesis) and use this kit for your Rockband drumset. You'll need 8 new cables too, so while there is extra expense, it's possible

Cons:
- Some kits, including mine, were delivered with firmware that was less than perfect. I, and others I have heard, would sometimes have problems with the snare drum triggering properly. I had to hit it harder than I thought I should to get it to trigger. A quick and easy firmware update totally fixed this problem but I know some people have problems updating thgings like this.

The Botton Line:
- Everything I've said in this review is under the caviat, "...for the price." If you are new to drumming this would be a great first set. But if you are and experienced drummer on a tight budget you will not be disappointed as long as you aren't expecting the DM6 to be a Roland Pro high end drum kit. The bottom line is this is the best $500 (street price) electronic drumset ever made.

I recently bought this set and I LOVE IT. In the past I've had a full-size Tama set and another set as well. I also had a Roland TDK-7 that I could never get adjusted to suit me.

This kit, however, is so much better and more responsive than the Roland set. The rack was very easy to setup, and my only gripe would be that it would have been nice if the connecting cables had been a bit longer. I was nervous with the standard setup that had the control module between the toms. Even though it sets back a bit, I had visions of whomping on it and decided to make some adjustments. I put the clamp for the crash symbol on the back bar instead of the left side bar, and moved the clamp for the module to the left side bar. That put it totally out of harm's way, however, it was a stretch for the 'floor tom' cable to reach the pad, but with a little adjustment it got there.

Everything you need is in the box except for a seat. The rack is there, all the electronics and cables are there, and even the drum sticks are included. Updates to the module can be done from your computer after downloading them from Alesis; you will need a USB cable to do that (not included, but a standard easily found cable).

The pads have a strange 'sticky' feel to them but they have a nice natural-feeling bounce and are fun to play. The symbols look and react like metal cymbals and the sound is very realistic. The pad used for the snare is a dual function pad, with the rim of the pad being slightly raised and producing a different sound. In the standard kit it sounds like the 'rim shot' that you would expect.

Others have made observations about the pedals creeping, but I'm not having that issue. I have an area rug with a rubber back that is on a laminate floor with the drums on the rug; no creeping so far. The pedals are very responsive and the adjustments for the pads are great. I was up and running very quickly. I do agree that several of the pre-programmed kits sound a whole lot alike and it would have been nice to get more variety.

I read about some issues with the snare missing some hits and the ride cymbal going to the bell a little too quickly and downloaded the recommended software update. Although that went well, the instructions had a few omissions and a couple of errors that I reported to Alesis. For your average computer-savvy person, it would not be a huge problem and I was able to figure it out.

I've seen this set for as low as $399, and it's totally worth it. I paid well over $1,000 for the Roland TDK-7 and I like this one just as much. Relatively small investment for big fun.

My 8-year-old daughter told me she wanted a set of drums for Christmas. I instantly knew that they had to be electronic to maintain the peace. I also knew that I couldn't justify spending more than $500 on a kit. So, the search began. I came away with the understanding that the DM6 is the best value out there, but that Alesis was still working out some bugs. I also read that a firmware upgrade purportedly fixes the known bugs.

I decided to go with the DM6, and I am very pleased that I did. The build quality is great. Like other reviewers, I noticed some quirks (like missed hits). I already knew that I might need to update the firmware, so I did and the quirks went away. All you need is a computer (Windows) with a USB cable. The instructions for upgrading the firmware are not as clear as I would like, but it was fairly straight forward. You might want some help from a friend if you have never done this before.

The sound is incredibly realistic. There are certainly better drum kits out there, but none come close to the value of the DM6! If you or a child want to explore the world of percussion, then get the DM6. It should have a decent resale value should your interest wane, or if you outgrow it. When my daughter plays it with headphones on, all I hear is the pitter-patter of the rubber pads---SUCCESS!

I should also note that the pedals are designed to be used on carpet. Velcro lets the pedals stick to the carpet. The pedals will scratch wood floors unless you place a mat (like I did) underneath. It needs to be big enough so the throne (stool) is also on top the mat, so the pedals (and mat) do not walk away as you play.

Let me start by saying that if this kit functioned perfectly, then it would have been a fantastic value for the money. In fact, when it's not malfunctioning, I have a lot of fun with it. The hardware is durable, the kits are fun, and it looks nice. However, buyers should know that not only are there several problems that people tend to experience, but Alesis customer service is horrendous. Their wait times on the phone are long, and they basically did nothing to help solve my issues.

The first problem I had was with the snare not registering properly. This was easily resolved by downloading the new firmware on Alesis's site. Next I experienced a problem that is detailed in several forums if you do a google search:

Basically, when playing faster beats that incorporate lots of hi-hat and snare, the hi-hat won't register for most hits. This renders the kit useless for heavier forms of rock such as metal, hardcore, and punk. If the module had "crosstalk" settings, then perhaps the issue could be resolved.

I wish I could say positive things about this kit, but it tends to be defective for many of its users. Also, the module is rather limited; I get the sense that Alesis intentionally made it this way so as to incentivize people to buy more expensive models. In other words, I don't think it would have been much more expensive to provide more a more comprehensive module system.

I wish I would have done a more thorough internet search before having bought it, because I'm not the only person to have experienced these problems.

I used to play on an acoustic set, however, I'm living in an appt now, so I got an electric set to keep the noise down. My experience with electric drums is basically limited to trying out a few in the store. I would highly recommend that you try out a few sets before you buy. Overall, I was very impressed by these. The best thing I can say about them is that when I'm playing it sometimes feels like I'm playing an acoustic set.

Good things:
-Sample quality is great- the sound is very realistic.
-Handy metronome.
-Hardy build quality.
-Great quality-for-the-price.
-Easy assembly.
-Real bass drum hammer.
-Surprisingly good high hat- although the pedal isn't connected to the cymbal, it feels connected (you can splash it and everything).
-Decent software configuration options (for example, you can change the snare pad to a piccolo snare pad).

Bad things:
-Rim shots on the snare pad don't really work correctly. They trigger when you hit the plastic casing for the snare, not the raised rubber edge of the pad.
-The ride cymbal has an odd "feature" where when you hit it hard, it sounds like your playing on the bell, and will only sound normal when you hit it softly. I can't find a way to make it stop doing this. Although if you pay attention, it's pretty easy to control.
-You can't do rim clicks (unless you change the sample that the snare pad makes to the click sample, but then it will activate even when you strike the center of the pad).
-Crash cymbal doesn't sound right if you hit it softly.
-Snare drum sounds the same all over. It should sound quieter and more echo-y towards the sides. Although this is probably asking too much for such a cheap electric set.
-The triggers on the cymbals generally only trigger at a minimum impact, so its very hard to hit them very softly.

Also, I've heard some rumblings about a firmware update. However, I haven't tried loading it, so I can't attest to it solving any of these problems.

I got this for my son to learn on, and it has been great for that. The skills he's picking up easily transfer to analog kits, something I worried about at first. It's compact, and lets him practice without disturbing the neighbors.

I like it too, because I can use it to record drum tracks for songs that I write. The sound is very good for a kit in this price range. My buddy had a Roland set a few years back in the $1000 range and it really didn't sound any different. It doesn't sound exactly like an analog set, but it is pretty good nonetheless. It is easy to back off and play quiet as well as bringing up the intensity and playing loud. The sounds vary with the intensity of the strikes, too...not just in volume, but in the actual sound that the drums make.

I would feel comfortable playing this set through a PA system at a live performance.

That being said, I had a few issues with the set:

1)Beware the spikes on the bass drum pad. They're placed incorrectly to keep the pedal from creeping, but perfect for penetrating the rug I used under the drums and ruining the hardwood floor. I resorted to putting a strap between the two uprights and around the back of the pedal to keep it in place.

2)Go for the firmware update. Instructions are on the Alesis site, and it significantly improves the playability of the drums, particularly the high hat. It is very easy to do, especially if you have a laptop.

3)If the kick pedal is too bouncy and gives you inadvertent double strikes, try positioning the striker off-center (below center). The pad is less bouncy there and it makes it more controllable. Of course, if you're perfecting your "double kick", then put it dead center for the best response.

4)The rimshot feature is worthless, since the stick angle required to hit it would mean that you lack a real bone structure in your forearm, or you are standing on your head. You pretty much have to hit the underside of the snare, something I never did on a real set. Would have been much better to put that trigger on the elevated ring that goes around the snare, but I imagine you'd probably be hitting it accidentally then. It sounds cool, though.

I've had no issues with the hardware or any parts. Assembly was straightforward, but be prepared to be bewildered at first. If you follow the directions, and you've put ANYTHING together successfully before, you shouldn't have too many problems with this. It is customizable, too, so you can decide how you want it to go together (height and spacing of pads and cymbals, left or right handed, etc.).

All in all, for this price, you really can't go wrong.

I bought this kit for my son for Christmas. It assembled easily, and I was impressed with the quality of the drum heads, cymbals, and frame. The sounds are okay, but not to the standard of the more expensive kits, which is to be expected. I noticed after a few minutes of play the snare would not register on every beat. I checked the internet and found a number of people have had the same problem dating back to 2009. Downloaded and installed a firmware patch that was suppose to solve the problem. The firmware improved the problem, but did not solve the issue entirely. I found that when the high hat and snare are struck at the same time one of the two drops out, most often the snare. That is a fatal flaw in a drum kit. I also noticed striking the high hat occasionally registers the snare drum. If you look at higher end kits notice they have the high hat on a different frame arm, the DM6 has them on the same arm. I assume the issue is related to vibration from the high hat triggering the snare drum. I could have lived with that occasional issue, but dropping snare beats is unacceptable.

Overall the kit is great construction, with okay sounding drums. I would avoid this kit until they figure out how to solve the high hat and snare problem. It's a shame, with the right electronics this would be the best value kit on the market. I spent a little more and bought the Yamaha DTXplorer and my son is thrilled.

Thanks to Amazon for their seamless returns process.

Let me preface this review by saying that I think I was expecting way more out of both this drumkit and Alesis. I also may have gotten a lemon. I am a drummer and was looking for a good low-cost recording/practicing tool and this thing was neither. If you're a hobbyist, gamer, etc. this thing might work out. However, depending on your patience and expectations, what they are trying to do with this product is alternately admirable, indicative of some serious business savvy, frustrating, a joke, etc. The bottom-line is that this is the classic example of a product that is trying to do way too much. This 'bad boy' went to print without ink in the rollers.

The Good +

+USB Connectivity
+Pretty straightforward assembly with everything you'll need to get going. Where you end up is the concern. If you're a drummer, get ready to learn what it can do. Ten minutes later, try to find out how fix it.
+Has enough decent stuff to make upgrading a good long-term, if financially absurd project. It's an introduction to the world of vdrums, good or bad.
+Cool Drum Key
+On-board sounds are of the 'space-thunder-tom' variety but cool nonetheless.
+Amazon's Easy Return Option is something to behold.
+Generally decent pad feel
+Labeled cables make set-up straightforward.
+They've swung for the fences here and attempted to round the bases on an infield fly. Again, either in good-faith or to get you to buy their other stuff.

The Bad -

- Extremely brief manual with very little useful information. You'll likely have plenty of questions, probably be frustrated by something you thought it had based on the ads, general rosiness in Alesis' documentation, call 'em up and wait on the phone for hours only to have them get frustrated with you...'(you should have known) the manual is available online'... Yeah, so...I looked it up prior to buying....Reread it when I bought it several times... I am not the smartest tool in the shed, but four pages that says nothing in four languages isn't my idea of useful. Perhaps you'll have a better experience.... My advice is that you bone up on your Spanish, German, etc. Oh, and having purchased a ton of Alesis edrum products, they love to toss in extra documentation that has nothing to do with your purchase.

- Packaging is very 'fresh out of the shipping container after months at sea'. The overall feel is extremely industrial, like Alesis contracted with a supplier overseas and slapped their logo on the outside without ever really looking at the contents, seeing the item or actually buying it, assembling, playing, etc. as a customer might. You might not have a problem. My concern is how they are marketing this thing. Good luck if your sister, brother, mother, father, etc. buys it for ____. They seem to be realizing the issues it shipped with 6 months ago... Be prepared to experience this. If you're willing to do so, perhaps it'll work out in the end.

- Company claims quite a bit but never addresses what they mean by 'velocity sensitive'... Despite the lack of info, the module has NO MIDI (out) velocity settings. It has VOLUME of individual triggers that offers virtually zero control. If you plan to record with this thing, you're going to be dead in the H20. AND, despite their claims, they NEVER address this specifically in their manual or documentation but do plenty to lead a reasonable person to think it has this functionality in their advertising and fake-testimonial ads. You can get this (I think) by purchasing their I/O product... One of the many ~$200 supported upgrades that you'll need to consider to make this thing truly useful... HOWEVER, BUYER BEWARE... MOST UPGRADES (SURGE CYMBALS, ETC.) ARE CONSIDERED SPECIAL ORDER ITEMS BY MOST ONLINE VENDORS WILL DEEM UNRETURNABLE! If you go for it, buy the t-shirt, etc. you will be SOL with something. If anybody wants to buy a useless dual-zone pad, lemme' know. Oh, and their Surge Cymbals - loud in the room, virtually silent and uncontrollable with their DM10 (which is MUCH BETTER but also has a whole host of issues that I'm happy to address in a separate review/rant).

-Hihat controller has extremely terrible response and virtually zero outbound signal. Actually, the module has very little signal strength in general. Despite what other vendors might say, be very careful buying any controllers and attempting to use them. Alesis will tell you that 'virtually every trigger or controller will work' but this will not be the case.

-Cables run into a pin connector that attaches into the back of the module. Unfortunately, something is likely to misfire, making the fix (module, cable?) impossible to determine.

- As soon as you buy it, you'll need to attempt to upgrade the Module's Firmware. Budget some time for this and do your best to not own a MAC, as it's PC only... Which they won't tell you in the documentation... ("You should've known...it's dotexe"... Right, so...I was told that it was compatible, is there another part of the website where I can get a Mac supported file?). Update procedure isn't that easy to do (directions don't work according to plan, 'early' computing windows don't instill a lot of faith in those of use without Computer Science Degrees)... Oh, and get ready to have zero clue whether it worked. I managed to get this to work but my concern is that some kid's mom/dad will have to try and figure it out.

-The 'Good News' is that updating the firmware is essential because the module can't seem to handle hitting the snare and triggering the hihat at the same time... Forgive the sarcasm, but this is a totally awesome experience.

-Once you get Alesis on the phone, they might argue with you a bit as to what you 'should've known' about their product. I did plenty of research and took a risk. It was only after the fact that I found out the true nature of Alesis' reputation - most of their licensed dealers would say how they never recommend Alesis' drum products. My experience is that they are a lot like another musical equipment company with a seemingly German name - if you get a good one, you're golden... If it's a new product or one of the many lemons... BUYER BEWARE. However, customer support will be genuinely interested in helping you. Unfortunately, the lone arrow in the quiver seems to be to send the module (postage paid by you) across the country for repair, which takes at least a month with no guarantees.

- When you decide to return it, repackaging it is a hilarious Tetris-like experience. Buy plenty of packing tape.

BOTTOM LINE:

If you have any sort of experience as a drummer and want to actually use this thing, spend $200 more and buy an entry level Yamaha or a Roland. Otherwise, if your goal is to just have fun or play with a video game, buy one of the cheaper kits. It's like buying an elaborate Gobot with fused appendages instead of springing for a Transformer. They advertise this as a low-priced entry level kit. The reality is that it's about $150-200 overpriced.

This was my first e-drum purchase and I couldn't be happier. I have been playing drums since I was 11 (that's 20 years). I am just a recreational player and am not in any bands, but will jam with friends if I get the chance. I wanted the "quietness" for my wife and my neighbors, and this takes up less room than my Pearl 6 piece. Set up was easy, just follow the directions. I left hardware loose until final adjustment and placement of pads. Hardest part was the 2 or 3 trips to Radio Shack to get headphone chord extensions and various wires to hook up my computer, stereo, and monitor speakers. Pads are realistic (although I need to work on my rebound). The feel and characteristics are a little different from the real thing, but once you get used to it and learn the technique it works out. The patterns to play along with are lame, but there are about 4 that are worth your while. I wish there were more good jam patterns and not jazz/samba style. Drum kit sounds are good. My fav is #14 cause it has a good Green Day snare. People say they have problems with the high hat controller, but mine works fantastic. It is very realistic. Obviously it is either 1/2 open or closed, and has no fully open sound, but this works out for the kind of music I play. (ROCK) This kit, although on the cheap price side, is very good quality and takes a beating. I am not easy on the kit at all and thrash the h3ll out of it. It takes it like a champ. I like the fact that it is upgradable and look forward to adding a new controller with more sounds and more pad inputs and growing my set over the next few years. Definately get this if you are considering. It is a great starter kit and is expandable. You can use these pads with different controllers later on. Cheers

pretty good for someone starting out. though the soft pads make drum rolls a little difficult. Also the snare drum sounds are pretty bad I would say. And the rimshots are not what you'd expect. you don't hit the edge of the pad, you hit the plastic sides, so it's completely different feel from actual rimshots.
Cymbals are a little weak. they don't respond to light hits, so you often end up with no sound or a sound much louder than you wanted.

It's great for learning, and basic practice, but I wish I had have waited a few more months and bought the DM10 instead.