FIDDYOWNZ
11-12-2008, 12:07 AM
Hey guys.
I just wanted to do a review of every peice of hardware that I own pertaining to Rock Band, since other people may be interested in buying the same setup.
::EQUIPMENT::
ION IED 07 Drum Set
Roland KD-8 Kick pedal
Kick Box
Pearl PT122TW
Roland CY-8 Cymbal
Dixon Throne
:::
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x89/FIDDYOWNZ/1031081140a.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x89/FIDDYOWNZ/1031081140.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x89/FIDDYOWNZ/1031081139.jpg
::
Okay, so first up is the Drum Rocker.
-Once I played on this set one time, I can tell you right now, I will never go back to the standard set. The DR picks up every single strike, or so it seams for me. Dropped notes are a non-issue. It's a very sturdy kit, too. I have beat on my set time and time again, and nothing I can do has touched this set, it just doesn't miss a beat. The pads could be a little bigger, like a real drum set. But they are at least bigger than the original RB set.
(Note: Quit saying this is a $300 toy. It is not. It is a drum set. I can justify this by saying that I am a real drummer in a real band, and I use nothing but this set.)
However, there are a few small issues with this set:
-The kick pedal is complete crap. I never once used it. It was wayyy too clanky and unsubstantial. On a lighter note, if you decide to use this pedal - you can be sure it will never break. All metal construction is great, but it was actually designed as a hi-hat pedal.
-Setup takes FOREVER. I have set up other sets in the past, but mannn, this just took forever. Maybe it's just me, but I spent over an hour and a half setting it up. And who knows how long I spent adjusting it. I don't even want to know...
-Cymbals are loud. 'Nuff said. Replace em.
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 7/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 9/10 (You get what you pay for.)
Conclusion
-Overall, a great DRUM SET. I'm never going back to the stock RB set. And this set works great for my band, ect.
I highly recommend this set.
LINK (http://drumrocker.com)
:::
Roland KD-8 Kick Drum Pad
-My setup has the Roland KD-8 kick tigger paired with a Kick Box, which I will review later.
This trigger is flawless. But it's pricy. And clunky. And heavy. But it registers every single hit you can throw at it. ANd, yes, it is compatible with a double kick pedal setup.
Let me say this. This trigger is for people who can:
a. Offord it.
b. Learn the technique of real kick pedal.
c. Handle a sort-of steap learning curve.
d. Also offord the Kick Box (Required)
Don't get me wrong. This pedal is great. But its a professional drum trigger. So it will be flawless functionally. But for most, the price is just too much. THis is mostly for people, I think, that play expert most of the time, play a lot, or - people looking to learn the drums, or that are in a band.
(Note: A single beater setup with a Kick Box and this trigger is going to set you back about $215-$275)
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 10/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 9/10
Great trigger all around. But the price is somewhat detering.
:::
The Kick Box
Invented by Micheal Putano.
Let me explain what this little peice of hardware does. It allows you to plug a professional kick drum trigger (Like the Roland KD-8) into your rock band drum (Compatible with DR, and with the original Rock Band setup).
This thing is gorgeous. And it works perfectly, exactly as Micheal describes on his website. It registers every hit from my Roland KD-8 kick trigger, and there is no latency. The battery is also supposed to last for a long time, and mine has. I have no idea how long it will, however, since I don't play hours upon hours.
This tiny little box is a beatiful powder-coat blue, with a BRIGHT blue LED that lights up every time a kick pedal hit is registered. It even has a small red LED that indicates whether or not the thing is turned on, which is nice.
It's practically perfect.
...Except for one smalllll thing...
No mounting hardware. If you don't want this thing laying around on the ground to be stepped on, you better find a way to mount it somewhere. I taped mine to the supports of the DR set, which works, but a method to mount this would be very nice.
Also, Micheal Putano is a great guy, definately someone you can trust your money with, and someone that you can be assured will produce a quality component. Fast shipping. Fast email reponses. Great costumer service.
Thank you very much Micheal for your support and for an awesome product!
Functionality> 9.5/10
Setup > 10/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 10/10
:::
Pearl PT122TW Double Kick pedal setup.
The Pearl PT122TW pedal(s) paired with my Roland KD-8 Kick Trigger and the Kick Box cost an arm and a leg. Leg me break it down:
Pearl Pedals - $175
Kick Box - $65
Roland KD-8 - $115
Total: $355 (Before Shipping)
Obviously, this setup is NOT used for RB alone, but for live performances with my band.
But, back to the pedals.
They are beautiful, easy to setup, adjustable, and noise-free. They are basically your intermediate double pedals. They have spikes at the bottom that do not allow them to move, but these work almost uselessly...they somehow find a way to move. *Humm*
The chain drives are of good quality. They do not squeak. And the beater has never fallen off.
Trust me, there are other pedals better than these. But for what they cost, they are a steal.
Perfect.
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 10/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 10/10
:::
Roland CY-8 Cymbal.
WHen I bought my set, Drum Rocker was out of cymbal expansions. So I bought my own.
For ~$115, you can get a MUCH higher quality cymbal than that which came with the set. There are a couple reasons for this:
a. Better rebound
b. Dual triggering
c. More durable
d. Less noisy
e. No missed notes AT ALL.
For the price, this cymbal is great. But for the cymbal AND the mounting hardware from Gibralter (Which doesn't come with the cymbal), you will end up spending over TWO TIMES what the expansion pack from DR will cost you ($49.99).
As they say, you get what you pay for. And performance is going to cost you. That's just how it is. Nothing comes cheap in the musical instrument world, unfortunately. This is a pro cymbal, and is priced as such.
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 7/10 (No mounting hardware)
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 10/10 (Once again, you get what you pay for.)
:::
TO MODS:
Thanks guys, for taking the time to read this. If I'm off-topic, please move this thread, not just delete it. Many people will find this a resource.
Hope this helps a little for people looking to build the ultimate ROCK BAND drum set.
:)
~FIDDYOWNZ
I just wanted to do a review of every peice of hardware that I own pertaining to Rock Band, since other people may be interested in buying the same setup.
::EQUIPMENT::
ION IED 07 Drum Set
Roland KD-8 Kick pedal
Kick Box
Pearl PT122TW
Roland CY-8 Cymbal
Dixon Throne
:::
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x89/FIDDYOWNZ/1031081140a.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x89/FIDDYOWNZ/1031081140.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x89/FIDDYOWNZ/1031081139.jpg
::
Okay, so first up is the Drum Rocker.
-Once I played on this set one time, I can tell you right now, I will never go back to the standard set. The DR picks up every single strike, or so it seams for me. Dropped notes are a non-issue. It's a very sturdy kit, too. I have beat on my set time and time again, and nothing I can do has touched this set, it just doesn't miss a beat. The pads could be a little bigger, like a real drum set. But they are at least bigger than the original RB set.
(Note: Quit saying this is a $300 toy. It is not. It is a drum set. I can justify this by saying that I am a real drummer in a real band, and I use nothing but this set.)
However, there are a few small issues with this set:
-The kick pedal is complete crap. I never once used it. It was wayyy too clanky and unsubstantial. On a lighter note, if you decide to use this pedal - you can be sure it will never break. All metal construction is great, but it was actually designed as a hi-hat pedal.
-Setup takes FOREVER. I have set up other sets in the past, but mannn, this just took forever. Maybe it's just me, but I spent over an hour and a half setting it up. And who knows how long I spent adjusting it. I don't even want to know...
-Cymbals are loud. 'Nuff said. Replace em.
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 7/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 9/10 (You get what you pay for.)
Conclusion
-Overall, a great DRUM SET. I'm never going back to the stock RB set. And this set works great for my band, ect.
I highly recommend this set.
LINK (http://drumrocker.com)
:::
Roland KD-8 Kick Drum Pad
-My setup has the Roland KD-8 kick tigger paired with a Kick Box, which I will review later.
This trigger is flawless. But it's pricy. And clunky. And heavy. But it registers every single hit you can throw at it. ANd, yes, it is compatible with a double kick pedal setup.
Let me say this. This trigger is for people who can:
a. Offord it.
b. Learn the technique of real kick pedal.
c. Handle a sort-of steap learning curve.
d. Also offord the Kick Box (Required)
Don't get me wrong. This pedal is great. But its a professional drum trigger. So it will be flawless functionally. But for most, the price is just too much. THis is mostly for people, I think, that play expert most of the time, play a lot, or - people looking to learn the drums, or that are in a band.
(Note: A single beater setup with a Kick Box and this trigger is going to set you back about $215-$275)
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 10/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 9/10
Great trigger all around. But the price is somewhat detering.
:::
The Kick Box
Invented by Micheal Putano.
Let me explain what this little peice of hardware does. It allows you to plug a professional kick drum trigger (Like the Roland KD-8) into your rock band drum (Compatible with DR, and with the original Rock Band setup).
This thing is gorgeous. And it works perfectly, exactly as Micheal describes on his website. It registers every hit from my Roland KD-8 kick trigger, and there is no latency. The battery is also supposed to last for a long time, and mine has. I have no idea how long it will, however, since I don't play hours upon hours.
This tiny little box is a beatiful powder-coat blue, with a BRIGHT blue LED that lights up every time a kick pedal hit is registered. It even has a small red LED that indicates whether or not the thing is turned on, which is nice.
It's practically perfect.
...Except for one smalllll thing...
No mounting hardware. If you don't want this thing laying around on the ground to be stepped on, you better find a way to mount it somewhere. I taped mine to the supports of the DR set, which works, but a method to mount this would be very nice.
Also, Micheal Putano is a great guy, definately someone you can trust your money with, and someone that you can be assured will produce a quality component. Fast shipping. Fast email reponses. Great costumer service.
Thank you very much Micheal for your support and for an awesome product!
Functionality> 9.5/10
Setup > 10/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 10/10
:::
Pearl PT122TW Double Kick pedal setup.
The Pearl PT122TW pedal(s) paired with my Roland KD-8 Kick Trigger and the Kick Box cost an arm and a leg. Leg me break it down:
Pearl Pedals - $175
Kick Box - $65
Roland KD-8 - $115
Total: $355 (Before Shipping)
Obviously, this setup is NOT used for RB alone, but for live performances with my band.
But, back to the pedals.
They are beautiful, easy to setup, adjustable, and noise-free. They are basically your intermediate double pedals. They have spikes at the bottom that do not allow them to move, but these work almost uselessly...they somehow find a way to move. *Humm*
The chain drives are of good quality. They do not squeak. And the beater has never fallen off.
Trust me, there are other pedals better than these. But for what they cost, they are a steal.
Perfect.
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 10/10
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 10/10
:::
Roland CY-8 Cymbal.
WHen I bought my set, Drum Rocker was out of cymbal expansions. So I bought my own.
For ~$115, you can get a MUCH higher quality cymbal than that which came with the set. There are a couple reasons for this:
a. Better rebound
b. Dual triggering
c. More durable
d. Less noisy
e. No missed notes AT ALL.
For the price, this cymbal is great. But for the cymbal AND the mounting hardware from Gibralter (Which doesn't come with the cymbal), you will end up spending over TWO TIMES what the expansion pack from DR will cost you ($49.99).
As they say, you get what you pay for. And performance is going to cost you. That's just how it is. Nothing comes cheap in the musical instrument world, unfortunately. This is a pro cymbal, and is priced as such.
Functionality> 10/10
Setup > 7/10 (No mounting hardware)
Build Quality> 10/10
Price > 10/10 (Once again, you get what you pay for.)
:::
TO MODS:
Thanks guys, for taking the time to read this. If I'm off-topic, please move this thread, not just delete it. Many people will find this a resource.
Hope this helps a little for people looking to build the ultimate ROCK BAND drum set.
:)
~FIDDYOWNZ
