Anyone here using them? If so, any suggests about piping in drumless tracks to the module and balancing sound re the kit sound and the tunes off the headphones?

I'm brand new to electronics, they are still a bit confusing to me, but they sure are nice and convenient to stick on.

Well, thought I'd jump-start the thread with my impressions of the OSP DD-502 electronic kit, specifically the mkII model. You can find the kit on ebay, some videos on You-Tube to see the kit, and hear how it sounds.

I've had this kit for just over one month, it's my first dabble in electronics. I'm pleased with all the voices each pad can have, as well as the high-hat pedal. There's around 200+ voices that can be assigned to any pad or the high-hat pedal. They range from different drum and cymbal effects to instruments like cowbells, claves, tambourines, etc.

The module itself carries 20 kit configurations, with 10 extra user-saving custom kit sounds. There are 50 tunes built-in to jam to, nice covering of many genres.

This kit is not a high-end kit, but it isn't a kid toy either. Essentially, it is a good electronic starter kit for around $400-500.

Positives~~~~~~
Only a small space needed vs. an acoustic set.
Quiet playing vs. an acoustic.
Fairly easy to set up and plug in.
Pads, while practice-pad Remo style, seem very durable. Hardware seems sturdy, the 3 cymbal mounts are solid and boom-style {although very short} at the cymbal-pad end.
The bass and high-hat pedal lock down to most surfaces very well, with velcro strips and adjustable spikes.
The pads are very adjustable to angle, height and head tensions.
Not too expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Negatives~~~~~~
The high-hat pedal is not very responsive to trigger the high-hat cymbal pad, getting a "swish" sound is difficult.
The bass drum pedal, while adjustable for tension, and beater arm length, doesn't kick back too well. {Damn, do I miss my old Speed King}. However, with some effort, any acoustic pedal can be mounted in, because the pad is trigger here, not the pedal, like the high-hat pedal.
The arms that mount the pads are sort of short, not very much "room" placement to use, re pad placement, without the arms getting in the way.

Note~~~~~ I mounted the module up on the main front cross bar to get to it easier, but it probably wouldn't look good on stage that way.

Note~~~~~ the pads are NOT touch sensitive, no bell work off the cymbals, no rim shots off the snare, no soft sounds off a soft stick-play, this is a one sound/volume kit.

That's what I know of the kit so far.

While the kit sounds like it works great for you now, do you foresee yourself needing to upgrade in the future - near or far - or do you think it is a kit you could be happy with for years?

Have you ever considered getting something like a Roland V-Drums entry level kit? (not V-Pro or anything, of course - $5000, ouch)

I have played both Yamaha and Roland kits, and I have to say that the vast majority of electronic drums lack the flavor and expression available with acoustic.

But, as you said, they are a good deal quieter, and the footprint is small. . .

Excellent review, Tam.

Good review Tam,

Nice and honest I would say with the increasing selection of electronic drum kits avialible a review like this would be invaluablt to those looking at options other than roland or yamaha.

Has anyone used the ALiesis kits

I have played several at music stores/shows etc. . . can't say I was favorably impressed with them - Personally, I would stick to Roland, but there are a few other decent brands.

Hi, and thanks for your input to my post, guys~~

Like said in my post, this is a good affordable electronic kit for stickers who may need space or noise considerations, or those who are thinking electronic. {Caveat here, if you get really used to it, possible stage-play kit}. I saw a drummer using one of these at a gig, he struggled with volume {to balance to the band output}, but it sounded okay. He did know better than I how to quick-dial different sounds, but I noticed he did'nt do that much at all {re dialing in other sounds}.

Now, a better kit with touch-sensitive pads would alleviate that.

Would it be something to play on stage~~~~~~~ essentially, no. It takes too long, at least in my experience, to change sounds, levels, etc. The kit isn't sensitive to sticking, so no nuances, so there's always a volume balance issue occurring.

Honestly, this would be a GREAT practice/entry level kit, {emphasis on practice}to use. Especially if a better kit, like Roland's, are left at the gig. It isn't one I would try to gig with, unless I didn't care, which I DO care how I sound, so that's that.

MJS, given the choice and space, acoustics {mic.ed} would be my way over electronics for gigs. Even though Rolands are great, acoustics allow the "immediate" flavor and sounds, per se. Not to mention, with electronics, you just can't "feel" the sounds you make. Hard to describe to a non-drummer, but most drummers know what I mean.

I had this osp kit for a short while, and found that i was hurting my hands & wrists because the more I played it, the harder I had to strike the pads to get them to fire. Also blew out the bass pedal.

i think they would be a great kit for the young beginner, they record very well, but for serious use, buy a bigger name kit

I have also played several different kits at the music stores.. but the Roland stuff still stands out.. I know its more money but the quality and sound selection is fantastic..as well as the warranty pkg. and tech support..the only upgrade I made .was from the TD-3 to the TD-6 module and im not even sure if that was necessary..theres stuff and capabilities on the TD-6 that I haven't even used yet..

Im actually at the point where I am considering getting the TD-12 Module but thats a very expensive change..For Me anyway..I cant add anymore pieces to the TD-6 Its maxed out right now..

My electronic kit is an OSP DD502. I agreed with everything in this review except for one thing:

The pads are touch sensitive.

If you look at the demo videos of this kit on youtube, you will see several retailers demonstrating the touch sensitivity of the pads. That's one of the best features of this kit.

One thing I might add is that I changed the heads on mine to mesh heads. Makes them play a whole heck of a lot better, imo. I also trigger Addictive Drums software with mine.

For the price, these babies can't be beat!

I also had to change up the sensitivity on my pieces depending on what piece it was but there all different..I think its based on how each person strikes there pad..I have learned not to strike as hard anymore because you really dont have too.. but sometimes it just gets away from you..