Alesis USB Pro Kit Drumset with SURGE Cymbals

by Alesis

Product Features

• Five-piece electronic drumset: kick, snare, three toms, SURGE Hi-Hat, Crash, and dual-zone Ride Cymbals
• 8" drum pads with tunable mylar drumheads for customizable feel
• Interface accommodates up to 10 inputs including continuous control hi-hat
• Brass-alloy SURGE cymbals are real cymbals with triggering
• Includes BFD Lite virtual drum-module with sound library

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20 x 45.5 x 48 inches ; 31 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 60 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001J6SPY2
• Item model number: USB Pro Kit w/SURGE Cymbals
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,118 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

Computer, meet drums. USB Pro Drum Kit is the world's first drum set designed to use your Mac or PC as the sound module. Your computer has more processing power than any hardware drum module, and USB Pro Drum Kit makes harnessing that power easy. The true touch of real, tunable, mylar drum heads, combined with the natural feel of brass-alloy SURGE Cymbals creates an acoustic-feeling, great-sounding drumming experience.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No rubber!, November 26, 2008

By 

Jason Steiner (Glendale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alesis USB Pro Kit Drumset with SURGE Cymbals (Electronics)

This is the first drum kit without any rubber triggers at this price point. Or at twice the price. Real drum heads, real brass cymbals. And loaded with features. All the triggers except the kick are dual zone. The ride is dual-zone, bell and edge. The crash is chokeable. The mounting hardware is plenty rigid, much more sturdy than I expected. It's too soon to say how it will last, but since the joints and mounting collars are tightened with metal nuts and bolts (with drum key heads) I know there won't be any problems stripping plastic threading.

For an entry-level kit, it has quite a bit of upgrade potential too. The TriggeriO interface is also being used as standard equipment by other trigger makers (such as RET) so adding a larger snare or better toms will not be an issue. Feel free to mix 'n match. And since the stock triggers use real drum heads, switching to mesh heads is also an option.

It does take a bit of tuning. The default settings on the TriggeriO result in lots of cross talk. Be sure to punch in the recommended settings from the back of the manual immediately, or your initial experience will be disappointing. This really should have been taken care of at the factory. The BFD Lite demo software included is also underwhelming. You will need to budget for either BFD Pro or EZdrummer to get drum sounds that show this kit off to best advantage.

These are really quibbles though. Even after adding the cost of a little time and a few extra bucks for software, this kit is a great bargain.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Bang for Your Buck, October 26, 2008

By 

Mixer (Central PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alesis USB Pro Kit Drumset with SURGE Cymbals (Electronics)

Pros: 1) Rating of 5 stars based on price point, 2) Works well with Steinberg Cubase-4 and SONY Acid, 3) Works well with GM MIDI hardware and software drum kits, 4) Cymbols look impressive, 5) Excellent choice and value for beginners, 6) Runs well with Windows XP and Vista, 7) BFD2 (upgrade) is brilliant!

Cons: 1) Reputed quality is not "Pro" in comparison to best Roland V-Drum mesh pads and pedals, therefore, 3 out of 5 stars against all kits at any price, 2) Disappointing compatability with Roland SPD-20, 3) High-hat pedal not adjustable and seems "cheap", 4) No cymbol choke, 5) BFD Lite is minimal. It has only a few drum sounds and only one instance possible within a sequencer, 6) BFD2 is a pricey upgrade at $199, 7) Made in China. Is this thing toxic?

Final Thoughts: Great fun and very addictive. I can't stop myself from playing with this gear!

2.0 out of 5 stars Glitchy, March 26, 2010

By 

Fischers (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alesis USB Pro Kit Drumset with SURGE Cymbals (Electronics)

I returned this item after three days. A pad was failing, the Trigger I/O was glitchy and the dynamic response was unacceptable. Commissioning the high hat was difficult. (it never worked correctly) Standard sound cards that come with PC's will not be adequate for skilled drummers and the included BFD Lite software leaves much to be desired. I am thankful that Amazon has a fair return policy.