Carlsbro CSD25M 7 Piece Mesh Head Electronic Drum Kit
One of the newest budget electronic drum kits from Carlsbro, the fantastic CSD25M is the lowest cost set in the lineup to include the desirable mesh head system for its toms and snare. Coupled with the impressive Commander 25 drum module and a fully adjustable pole leg frame stand, this superb drum kit offers a professional drumming experience.
Mesh drum heads give you key adjustable tension similar to an acoustic drum kit, allowing you to alter the feel and bounce response of the playing surface to suit your preference. They greatly enhance the overall playing experience, especially for experienced drummers that are switching between this electronic set and a traditional drum kit.
This 7-piece affordable electronic drum kit includes three 10” cymbals with chokes and a foot control for the hi-hat, three 10” mesh head tom pads, and a dual-zone 10” snare pad, along with a foot pedal for the kick drum. The module provides 320 voicings, 22 preset kits, and 10 user slots along with built-in backing tracks and a full array of inputs and outputs for connection to DAW software and external sound systems.
Key Features
- 7-piece mesh-head electronic drum kit perfect for the beginner or experienced player
- Three 10-inch cymbals with choke function for muting
- Mesh heads with adjustable tension for a realistic acoustic bounce and feel
- 320 percussion voices, 22 preset drum kits and 10 user slots for custom kits
- USB and MIDI outputs connect to a range of equipment for practice, recording or live use
Pros
- Space-saving telescopic frame design folds down easily for home use
- 7-piece mesh set offers a full kit experience that is enjoyable for players of any ability
- Record/playback for assisting practice with adjustable metronome function
Cons
- Bass drum pedal not chain-driven
Carlsbro CSD100 R 7-Piece Electronic Drum Kit
A best-seller for good reason, the Carlsbro CSD100R is one of the best budget electronic drum kits, offering the drumming beginner and student a fantastic playing experience from its 7-piece setup and user-friendly drum module.
The sturdy telescopic frame allows the kit to be adjusted easily to suit a wide range of players and the space they have available, making it a great choice for bedrooms and living rooms where it can be quickly folded down between practice sessions without being fully dismantled. This affordable electronic drum kit allows for near-silent play with its rubber surface pads and headphone output.
The commander 100 module features simple, large button access to its sound settings which include 108 percussion voices, an adjustable metronome, and an Aux input so you can easily practice along to songs from a phone or tablet. With its velocity-sensitive pads and foot pedals for hi-hat and kick drum, the CSD100R is everything you could want from an affordable electronic drum kit.
Key Features
- 7-piece electronic drum kit ideal for beginners and home practice
- Telescopic frame that allows for quick setup times and easy storage
- Record/playback capability with built-in adjustable metronome
- Headphone output allows for near-silent playing without disturbing anyone
- AUX input for playing backing tracks from any audio device like a smartphone or a tablet
Pros
- Folds away complete to save space without the need to dismantle the kit
- Metronome and record/playback facility are ideal for practice at any skill level
- Easy to use drum module with a headphone output, Aux input and MIDI connection
Cons
- Standard drum pads may offer less ‘feel’ than mesh head kits
Carlsbro CSD130 R Electronic Drum Kit
A unique design of ultra-compact stand layout and slimline pad design makes the CSD130R a superb affordable electronic drum kit for both home practice and live performance. Its 20 preset drum kits and 10 user slots allow for huge tonal adjustment, with the powerful commander 130 module providing an easy-to-use interface suitable for beginners and professionals.
Incredible for such a compact setup, this budget electronic drum kit features an 8-piece layout with Carlsbro’s ‘Real Feel’ silica rubber pads providing a superb velocity-sensitive response, with a dual-zone snare pad allowing for open/closed rim shots. With its chokeable cymbals and chain-driven acoustic kick drum pedal the CSD130R offers a complete drumming experience.
Finished in its exclusive to us Red finish, the powerful drum module has a complete range of inputs and outputs which include full MIDI, line and headphone outs, and Aux in for drumming along to your favourite songs. It features practice-friendly record and playback, an adjustable metronome, and a reverb effect to emulate the acoustics of a larger venue.
Key Features
- 8-Piece compact electronic drum kit designed for beginners and advanced players
- Sound module with 250 drum and percussion sounds
- Includes 20 pre-programmed drum kits and the ability to create 10 of your own custom kits
- Convenient foldable 3-leg frame design for easy storage and transport
- USB to PC connection and MIDI input and output for use with DAW software
Pros
- Compact 3-leg design allows for use in bedrooms and small living spaces
- Chain-driven kick drum foot pedal for an authentic acoustic kit feel
- Record/playback facility for learning phrases and monitoring progress
Cons
- Ultra-compact layout may not be to all player's tastes
Carlsbro CSD400 Mesh Electronic Drum Kit
If not for the CSD400’s incredible price, it would seem almost rude to label such a performance tool as a cheap electronic drum kit, with its professional features such as mesh-head pads and fully adjustable folding rack stand making it suitable for studios and live performances.
Going one step further than other kits in the range, the tension adjustable mesh heads are staggered in size, with 8” dual-zone toms and a 10” dual-zone snare drum, with the addition of an 8” bass drum pad with a proper chain-driven hammer pedal for a superb kick drum feel. The 4-leg stand allows for a comfortable drumming position for players of all sizes.
The powerful commander 400 drum machine offers adjustment of pad trigger curves, 3 band EQ, dual reverbs, and 29 drum kit presets. With 12 user slots and 358 voices, you can create custom kits or connect via MIDI for control of instruments and DAW software, and the line output and headphone out gives you options for silent practice or connection to an amplifier/active speaker system.
Key Features
- Drum machine module with 358 high-quality percussion sounds and 20 demo songs
- Perfect for quiet home practice and studio recording
- 29 preset drum kits to choose from and 12 user slots
- Adjustable telescopic 4-leg drum rack for easy storage and transport
- Chain-driven bass drum pedal and tension adjustable mesh heads
Pros
- Tension adjustable mesh-head toms, snare and kick-drum for incredible feel and response
- Chain-driven kick-drum pedal with an 8” mesh head bass drum
- Full feature module with MIDI and settings for trigger curves and response
Cons
- Larger sized kit may not be suitable for smaller rooms or bedroom players
Carlsbro Rock50 Children’s Electronic Drum Set
The fabulous Rock50 is another ElectroMarket exclusive from Carlsbro, designed as the perfect cheap electronic drum kit for younger children, with its height adjustable stand and easy-to-use controls making it suitable for ages 5 and upwards.
Its 3-piece setup of snare pad, tom pad, cymbal, and kick drum pedal will introduce kids to a fully functional instrument that features the same silica/rubber velocity sensitivity pads and control module of its larger brothers for a fun and educational experience. It's literally designed to be hit, so there's no worry about giving it to enthusiastic kids for them and their friends to enjoy while they learn about timing and coordination.
This fantastic budget electronic drum kit has 10 preset drum kits, 2 user kit slots, and 108 percussion voices to play with. The demo songs can be played along with and the rock 50 module offers record and playback to listen back to yourself. An adjustable metronome helps you practice timing, with an Aux input for playing along to your favourite songs and the most important feature on any drum kit aimed at children, which is of course a headphone connection for silent practice.
Key Features
- Unique children's 3-piece electronic drum set, including snare, tom and cymbal
- 108 drum sounds and 10 selectable pre-programmed drum kits to suit different music genres
- Easy to use drum module with clearly labelled controls for younger players
- 10 demo songs and record and playback function to listen back on performances
- Height adjustable and foldable design for easy storage and transport
Pros
- Small size is ideal for use in children's bedrooms
- Easy to set up with clear to understand controls for younger players
- Headphone output allows for hours of silent enjoyment
Cons
- A 3-piece setup may be limiting as younger players increase in skill
Summary
Carlsbro’s affordable electronic drum kits have enabled thousands of beginners and experienced drummers access to what have always been prohibitively expensive pieces of equipment, with a range of features usually found on digital drum sets costing twice as much.
For beginners looking to start playing the drums, the issue of noise will immediately be a problem before they even buy a kit. It’s one of the biggest reasons for budding musicians to shy away from choosing to drum as they know home playing will be largely impossible without upsetting parents or neighbours.
Electronic drum kits solve this age-old issue, allowing for silent play and the ability to practice whenever you like, at any time of day or night, as everything is done through headphones. The design of modern drum pads reduces physical noise to practically zero, with the ‘Real Feel’ technology on Carlsbro kits providing an incredible yet quiet playing experience.
From the huge fun of the Rock50 children's drum kit with its 3-pad layout and easy-to-operate module to the best-selling CSD130R and its space-saving stand design, these fantastic beginners electronic drum kits are compact enough for kids' bedrooms, encouraging them to practice far more regularly.
For students and professionals looking for high performance and portability, the mesh head CSD25M and CSD400 drum kits bridge the gap between affordability and pro features, offering the authentic acoustic feel of their tension adjustable toms and snare and other desirable inclusions such as a chain-driven kick drum pedal.
All our Carlsbro electronic drum kits provide an incredible learning experience for players of any age, offering the excitement and physical interaction of a traditional acoustic kit in a portable and easy-to-use system that can be enjoyed at any time of day in the comfort of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electronic drums worth it for beginners?
As with learning and playing any instrument, there is a certain amount of noise and volume that comes with the territory which can be a major roadblock for many an aspiring musician. Even the most supportive parents and neighbours will reach breakpoint with a drummer, and especially a beginner. Electronic drum kits solve this problem both acoustically and digitally, with near-silent pad noise and the ability to use headphones, so are definitely worthwhile.
Can i run electronic drums through a guitar amp?
Noooooooooo!!! This will destroy your guitar amplifier speakers in record-fast time as they simply are not designed to reproduce the frequencies or the dynamics that a drum kit is putting out. The bass drum output for example requires a woofer that can handle a dramatic range of repeated full travel motion at high volume, while at the same time you have your snares and toms on top that signal asking the driver to do something else. It’s way beyond what most full-range PA speakers can even manage, so a guitar amp won't stand a chance and you will likely melt the voice coils or tear the speaker cones.
Can MIDI drums sound real?
MIDI drum sounds and sequencers have been used in music productions and recordings since the 1980s and are indistinguishable from acoustic drum sounds. The main difference people can hear between acoustic drums or programmed drums is the slight imperfections and nuances in speed and velocity introduced by the drummer themself as they play.
Does an electronic drum kit need an amp?
Electronic drum kits do not have any sort of built-in speakers, with their main output being headphones for silent practice. To hear them out loud will require an amplifier system. Bands will often run the output through a PA system though this is not ideal as the kick drum can cause damage to standard speakers. A purpose-made drum monitor powered speaker is the ideal solution.
Do i need a special amp for electronic drums?
Yes and No. If you are happy to practice through headphones then no additional equipment is needed, and for most students and bedroom players this will be their preferred option as it allows them to play without disturbing others. If you do want to play an electronic kit out loud then it will require an amplifier, and this will need to be a specific type known as a drum monitor which is specially designed to handle the frequency dynamics required.
Do electronic drums feel like acoustic kits?
Modern electronic drum kits are incredibly similar in feel and physical response under your sticks to acoustic kits, with this being the main point of development with electronic drum sets of any budget. The newer mesh-head kits allow for the adjustment of surface tension to their pads similar to the skin of an acoustic drum, which greatly enhances the playing experience. Electronic and acoustic drum kits will never feel completely the same of course, but the difference is significantly less than ever before.
How loud is an electronic drum kit?
Most manufacturers will state a 90% reduction in noise over the equivalent acoustic set, with the goal of any electronic drum kit design being to make it as near to silent as possible. The use of silica and rubber compounds in the drum head materials helps them absorb and distribute vibrations in a way that significantly lowers their acoustic output.
Are electronic drum kits suitable for children?
Most electronic drum kits will state a lowest recommended age of 5 years old. This is primarily due to a child's physical size versus the available height and reach adjustment of the drum set and its stand.
Introduction of Electronic Drum Sets
Electronic drum kits have been available in one form or another since the late 80s for professionals that needed a more portable drum set as a practice tool or studio recording option. They have always been seen as more of a luxury toy by many due to high cost and a ‘lack of feel’ compared to an acoustic set.
So they are certainly not a new invention, but huge advancements in digital technology and the use of polymer resins and silica rubbers in recent years have allowed manufacturers to design and produce lower-cost systems that offer incredibly realistic response from their playing surfaces.
These lower cost electronic drum kits have created an entirely new market segment of sub £1000 high performance drum sets that are aimed at beginners, students and professionals for silent home practice and recording projects where the features and convenience they provide make them ideal.
Yes there is a difference in the physical feel of hitting a pad compared to a traditional drum skin, but that gap is getting less and less as designs and materials continue to advance, with the introduction of tension adjustable mesh-heads to many electronic drum kits being a huge step forward in the playability and response.
Solid pad toms and snares were once the only option on any electronic drum kit, but as the desirable mesh-heads have gradually filtered down into the affordable systems the solid pad design has become the entry point technology that you will find in lower-cost kits aimed at bedroom players and beginners.
What differences are there?
That's not to suggest that solid pad heads don't provide an authentic experience though, far from it in fact. The latest silica/rubber pads are hugely enjoyable to play, with dual-zone functionality and velocity sensitive designs allowing for great response and feel. They provide fantastic playability and offer the durability that makes them ideal for beginners.
At the heart of any electronic drum kit is its control module which acts as both its connection interface and drum machine, providing the player with access to the settings and sound selections available.
Even the lowest cost drum sets we offer from the Carlsbo range have superb features included in their command modules, from adjustable metronomes and click tracks for time keeping, record and playback of your practice sessions to help you identify weak points, and line inputs that allow connection of phones, tablets or other audio devices so you can play along to your favourite songs, which encourages practice.
Choosing a suitable kit
It may come as news to drumming beginners but there are many different drum kit setups to suit specific genres of music, so an electronic drum module will often have up to 30 preset drum kits to choose from, and several hundred voicings and timbres which are user selectable for creating your own custom drum kit layout.
This extends further when you bring MIDI into the fold, with a MIDI output available on all Carlsbro kits to allow connection to other MIDI capable instruments or computer based DAW software. This works in several ways, allowing you drum pad control over keyboards and vice-versa for example, and bringing you access to the drum modules preset kits and voicings for use in digital production and in-software music track creation.
With their extensive digital features, convenience of portability, and small footprint making them suitable for bedrooms and home use, the range of electronic drum kits available for beginners and experienced players is larger than ever before and makes a lot of sense.
The ability to practice in near-silence will always be a massive pull for any musician, with drummers being top of the list as their instrument is so noise intrusive, which has the effect of stopping regular practice which then halts progress.
