Anyone know about electronic drums?

I was going to buy a drum kit but ive changed my mind, im probably going to get an electronic kit. I haven't really got a clue about them though.

Questions

1) I know there's different types of drum triggers but i'm looking for drum pads as close as possible in feel to acoustic drums (all sexy and touch sensitive and shit) and i want to set it up like a typical kit. Any suggestions ?

2) Do i have to have a drum synth to go with it ? Ideally i just want to hook a load of pads up to a laptop and play vsts if that's possible.

3) If i dont need an actual drum synth with sounds on it, do i need some sort of go-between to plug the pads into ? (pads>interface type thing>laptop)

4) Is there anything else i need to know ?

Thanks for your time xxx

roland td 3kw.

got one recently... it's the bottom of the range, but it's awesome.

mesh head 3 zone snare, 2 zone cymbals with choke.. vel sensitive... loads of great sounds, some crappy effects.. ful;ly midiable.

love it.

around 650 quid... higher up the range you get a better 'brain', and mesh pads for all the drums, but this is fine for me.

Thanks, what is the main role of the brain, is it just for all the sounds ? Do i necessarily need one if i plan to hook up to a laptop ?

edit. when you say 3 zone is that just basically 3 sections for different sounds? Basically instead of buying 3 seperate pads?

the brain comes with.

my mistake, it's a 2-zone snare... with the snare, the zones are.. skin and rim, and it has a proper rim for shots and cross sticking.

the cymbals have 'bow' and 'edge' zones... it's pretty intuitive.

you can set the zones to play any sound, not just variations of the same.

yes you'd need the brain to hook up to your laptop, but as i say, it comes with. you need it to deal with midi etc.

  loganfive said:

you need it to deal with midi etc.

Not true.

OP, if you are just looking for using these pads to midi your laptop VSTs, then don't waste your money on a brain that has sounds in it. Get this: http://www.zzounds.com/item--ALETRIGGERIO

Hook all your drum pads up to this thing and it converts it all to midi. Hook your laptop up to that and you're solid. Only $150, much cheaper than any module.

fair enough.

i stand corrected.

and you can buy the roland pads and stand separately.

Not sure what your reasons are for forgoing the actual drum kit, but it's worth noting you can also get midi triggers to attach to real drums. I'm no drummer but I understand most prefer to play with the feeling of real drums.

Go for the electro drums rambo. You won't be sorry. They're very versatile and from the sounds of Vegeta's post, are compatible with how you want to use them. (via VST) Mesh heads are about the closest you'll get to the real drum feel but you're gonna pay more for them. I'd keep eyes peeled on ebay for a super deal.

Thanks everyone. Appreciated.