Additional notes: 1. The 2Box Drummit 5 MKII is much more expensive here in the USA than in Europe, so the rankings might have been different if I lived somewhere else. 2. Those numbers in the module comparison charts are accurate to the best of my knowledge. But these drum companies love to leave out specs from their websites. I had to estimate certain things. For example ATV doesn't publicly list their sound count, and even their official website has out of date numbers, still listing 5 kits vs the current 12 kits. 2Box also doesn't list an official sound count. EFNOTE doesn't list the max number of pads it can handle in a clear way. Pearl doesn't list an up to date sound count or kit list, even their updated 2022 manual has out of date information. NUX also doesn't list a sound count either. 3. For the number of pads each module can handle, I listed the actual number of cables, and then a separate number for the number of pads that can result from that. For example, an EFNOTE module can have a certain number of pad cables, but that number is artificially high because it counts the bell zone cable, and rim click zone of the snare. 2box has several inputs that are only active when a bell zone are used for certain pads. Pearl's number is higher than you might think, because you have the ability to use 2 ride cymbals that do 3 zones over one cable at the same time. But this only works if you press a special button in the module and use certain types of ride cymbals. Anything with a Roland style Bell/Bow and Bow/Edge cable setup would result in one less potential pad being used. Or in the case of the Roland TD50X, the hi-hat control input, ride bell zone, and digital pad inputs inflate the numbers. When a digital pad is used, the matching 1/4 inch pad input is shut off inside the module. 4. I've spent WAY too many hours trying to get these specs right. This is the 8th version of the video.

Another note about the Alesis module -- while yes, those "trash" sounds / kits are plentiful, I've noticed they become far more useful in a mix when playing with a group (particularly for electronic music like I've been) as opposed to played standalone. I wrote off so many sounds when I first got the kit, only to bring them back for live electronic music purposes. Hope that helps someone!

Another interesting summary! Thanks for the comparison, Justin.

Another great review Justin!! 😀👍

The recent mimic update had definitely been a HUGE development as far as I am concerned, especially now with a sound import editor available.

Thank you for your videos you have helped me decide on getting the Roland VAD 706 with an extra 14x14 floor tom added in Gloss Cherry I’m going to also add six more cymbals though I’m not sure if they all will connect to the TD 50 X individually someone said I had to use some kind of cable splitter hopefully Sweetwater will know what to do. That’s where I’ll probably be purchasing it from or my local guitar center Thanks again for all your videos.

Between Drum-tec TV and 65drums oh yes and also DRUMEO when I go too upgrade my drum set it's going too be wicked thanks for your honest reviews Justin crushed it as always thanks.🤯🙏

Love my Alesis Strike but I've switched to using only EZDrummer sounds. The quality difference is crazy.

great video !

Great video justin

Nice video Justin!

You left one critical piece out. The amount of sales. Some modules, let's say Roland or Alesis, are pushed on us more than others in retail stores. More of that market are going to be over represented. Obviously this will effect public opinion. I know you know this but just wanted to point this out. Great job and congrats on the hundred thousand mark. 👏

I just bought a second hand 2box Drumit 5 mk 2 with all the pads, hi hat, snare stand, stool and rack for £600. I love it.

Been playin yam dtx3..since 2006..still my fav

Would love to see a follow-up to this with newer modules, and maybe even a video for the ones you eliminated here.

Bought an Alesis strike pro kit used about a year ago. Best $1500 I ever spent (included DW hat stand, double bass pedal and snare stand). All modules have a learning curve but after a coupla weeks this one became intuitive and zipping thru functions is easily done and remembered. What I use most is the tone button for adjusting pitch of on board cymbals. I now have several kits that I have modified each cymbal by simply adjusting tone. This is an excellent feature and actually makes some crappy samples much better sounding. Overall I had to replace one cymbal pad due to false triggering and occasionally one other pad misses but not often enough to send my playing into a tailspin. I should state that I have never used it in live settings thru external speakers (Beats phones only) and I assume I will need to adjust the EQ on every piece when I go live. For a three year old set up I am pretty pleased.

Ok the final list is gospel and very serious, got it. I honestly thought nobody used built in sounds for serious stuff, because you can do so much more with a computer. I get that the top tier stuff is really good though. It's wild how much work gets put into the built in sounds, for them to still kind of suck on a lot of units.

Outstanding video! As a longtime Roland user (25 years!) and as a current TD50X owner, I couldn’t agree more with your views. The amount of editing capabilities under the hood of the 50X are mind boggling. This module is not ‘easy’ to learn out of the box and takes time to learn it, but it truly shines once you learn how to edit sounds or add sound packs such as Vex, Drum-Tec or others. The performance and realism is the best I’ve ever played (I’ve owned a 2Box and a few Yamaha modules,too) , and hooking it into a DAW for recording or running a VST from it is simple, bulletproof and insanely great. Thanks, Justin for another great video and for all your content.

After watching the full video Pearl Mimic for studio recording TD-50X for live playing

itl be interesting if you do this comparison again in the future including the new Alesis strata prime module.

I use the strike with getgood drums and love it. I am thinking about upgrading to a 50x or a mimic. I’d like to build a custom atoe kit. What’s the better choice? I’d like to be able to use superior drummer 3. Maybe just keep the strike and upgrade the pads?

Hi all. The 10 separate channel buttons on the DrumIt Five were a heritage from ddrum 4 and 3 of those days. I brought that along from Clavia. They didn't change that for mkII, so still the same :-)

The strike module is by far the best value for money and up there with the Pearl mimic and TD-50X module with features and quality even though it is 1/4 of the price.

Hi as I am a new in Edrum I just got a Yamaha DTX 900M and need to know what will ne the best fit for my hi hat. Thx by the way I really like your videos...from Quebec canada !

This channel is so helpful for someone as obsessed with this crap as me.

I have been looking into the megadrum module and I was wondering people's experience with it, especially as my chokes don't work on midi

Thanks for another great video Justin. I'm wondering, for beginner electronic drummers, is it better over the long run to build a drum set in small increments rather than getting the full kit? For example, just start with the bass drum, snare and hi-hat. Then after a year of just focusing on the basics to get them rock solid, get cymbals or toms etc.

Can you give recomendation for modules to be used with VST's? Are there any benefits to upgrading my TD4 if my son and I are just going to use BFD3 though my computer?

a ranking of budget modules would be awesome. im using some roland gear and switched from the td3 to the td6 and thinking about a more minimal but moden module. any recommendations. in fact i dont need any special features. good drum sound, headphone jack and maybe (cause its up to date) a possibility to connect to the macbook for simple recording or a vst. thank you!

A new drumit3 module costs 740 euros in Europe. If you buy a memory upgrade 64gb from Zourman for 45 euro you get get a drumit 5 mk2 except for some useless buttons and one extra output. I have imorted my steven slate vst into my drumit3. So then the difference soundwise to a mimic pro is the newley released position sensing feature in the mimic, but I have at least 1800 euros to spend on other things🙂

Hey Justin, I did my own AtoE kit and bought a Strike module and Superior drummer 3. I like some of the sounds on the Strike module. I was curious would it be better to go to the Yamaha just for a better quality module or stick with Strike pro? What’s your opinion?

Based off older modules which are the best ones. The roland td-10, dtx pro(not the prox), dtx 700, td-25 or alesis dm 10

Any guess when the all digital td-60 will come out?

I don't think the USB B port is that big of deal on the Mimic since it has MIDI out which you just connect to a 30$ USB-MIDI cable. I use mine with SD3 and it works fine. You can even slave a second module into the PMP using the MIDI in, I've used my td-25 for extra pads when trying to do some TOOL stuff. I have almost zero latency using the MIDI port and it works easily enough with any software I've needed. Honestly though I think I actually prefer the Mimic sounds a lot of times over my 1000$ in SD3 SDXs lol. The cymbals on the mimic are really nice. They have a "touch" to them that feels 'right'

I love E Drums. I converted my acoustic set to electric thanks to UFO Drums, and paired it with a Roland TD-17 module and some Lemon cymbals. I currently am making my own makeshift Roto-Toms from scratch to add on to my kit. One thing I really really have an issue with is the dynamic range. On actual drums, there are hundreds of different levels of volume you can play at, though with E-Drums most of the time you're stuck with only 127 different levels (because it's MIDI). I'm a life-long programmer and drummer and I'm currently making my own module with it's own format that can use the entire 16 bit range of standard audio (0-96DB, 65536 different sound levels instead of 127). Once I complete it I'd officially prefer E-Drums over acoustic, assuming that it works just fine. Great Video!

How does the EFNote hi-hat compare to the Roland's VH14Ds?

I recently went down a rabbit hole of which module to buy. Coming from a TD20. I play out live with my e-kit and wanted as close to real drum sounds as possible. I ended up narrowing it down to 3 choices. TD30, TD50 and the Pearl Mimic Pro. While the TD50 has crazy capabilities as far as sound modification goes, as well as the better triggering etc..I feel the sounds in the module are not nearly as good or natural sounding as the TD30 and definitely no comparison to the Pearl Mimic Pro. I don’t want to have to re-shape all of my drum sounds to death to get them to sound like a real drum kit, so I decided that the Pearl Mimic Pro was the module that I wanted. While shopping at a drum store locally to me, the owner stumbled on a brand new TD30 module in box, never opened and sold it to me for $500. I couldn’t pass it up. The built in sounds are pretty good and sound way more realistic to me, especially with some sound modifications/eq/compression etc. I still want a Pearl Mimic Pro though and am waiting to find a deal on one. Your channel has been a great resource for me in making my module selections, so thank you for all of your great content! I appreciate you!

Hey Justin, Just wondering can u split the digital signal on TD 50?? I have 2) 18 and snare and want to get d HiHats!! Also the td 50 that u borrowed from me to do some videos needs a new usb port and power button. Do u know anybody over at Roland USA to send or call?? thanks!!

Most have great drum sounds. The ATV & Mimic have great cymbal sounds imho

My question is as someone who has just purchased my first ever electronic drum kit, it's a budget mesh beginner kit with basic module of only 12 kits and 10 songs etc.Can I use a better module with the same kit if it's possible?

Hey Justin! I’m working on my second A2E build with a Tama Club Jam kit and internal triggers from Convertible Percussions. I haven’t bought any cymbals yet and figured this was the best time to consider a non-Roland option. Are there concerns over using a Yamaha module with a conversion kit beyond hi-hat and ride compatibility? I’m looking at either the DTX900 or DTX-ProX.

Good work Justin, however , any poll which asks people to vote for their idea of 'best ' is immediately dependant upon those people having heard of or having access to the item in question...and most people have heard of Roland V-drums since the late 90's. Roland have more marketing clout than most of the others and because of the sheer range of kits they produce , people are far more likely to start out on a Roland kit. I'm not anti-Roland , I have owned / used TD-7, TD-10, TD-20, TD-30...most of their multi-pads etc and I respect their products. I just think that the results are likely to be what came about, but not because the modules chosen are necessarily 'the best', but often because they have the best marketing behind them. I personally find the dynamics of the ATV aD5 to be far more expressive for example, but who measures this ?... that's another area which is often overlooked .Many of them have their own specific strengths. Cheers.

Which one would you use if you’re gonna strictly use EZdrummer 3?

can the yamaha dtx-pro x module be used with roland pads?

I bought a new ATV ad5 Champagne Edition Module for 599 Euro. So i think this was a fair price ;-).

Hi, i want to get an electric drum module for my Simmons 1000 don’t want a Simmons module can you recommend one that would work

Where would you rate the Roland TD-27 module, it inlcudes 3 digital input, which means it supports Roland's Digital Pads. I would take it over every module here except the TD-50 and Pearl Mimic Pro. Just my 2cents 😀

Is EZ Drummer 3 worth it for ROLAND TD15?

No surprises. You should do this for mid range modules

Hey Justin, want to buy a pearl mimic pro with the latest updates on it? I personally like my TD27 more. I have all the digital pads and love them! To use the mimic I have to switch all of them out for vh13/cy16rt/and pda120ls. Slaving the 27 into the mimic is possible but no positional sensing on the digital pads. I just want to get rid of it 🤷‍♂️

It's interesting that you put the EFNote 3 steps above the ATV. To me, they are kind of the same tbh 🤷 I was also surprised that you told the Yamaha DTX has great sounds. I've gotta listen to the demos again, since I remember it being sub-par to even a Strike module... I mean like, no round robin samples??? Really?

So many ppl talking Strike pro, almost hero vs zero!! I like the strike pro best but I never try one! I read the function and feel it’s very useful and powerful, for the e drum module, I only want the original sounds who like the real drum most! I heard efnote and shocked, but it’s too expensive !

Update: NUX is coming up with a DM8

What about Millenium?

We need a contest to show off

Who's the drummer in the last clip?

The MAIN reason why I brought the Roland TD-50X is the top touring drummers are using this module with their kits. I talked to drum techs who set the drums up for different artists and they have said that the Roland TD-50X is built like a TANK!! I normally play 50-60 shows a year on my Roland VAD CG 706 kit and I've had NO issues with the module or drum kit!!!!

My Ad5’s usb suddenly stopped working and the company refuses to service it or trade it for another model. Probably my biggest gear purchase regret. 😢

bang for the buck is probably the alesis strike pro

Mimic Pro all the way.

How expensive is the 2box in the US?😱 In Germany it's 900€. Would you put it to first place in the below 1000€ bracket

The polls were a popularity contest. The Alesis has really bad triggering and hi hat issues, ATV sounds and triggers so much better. Pearl vs. Roland?? Not even close, the Pearl is WORLDS better. Sounds, usability, and it's really easy to dial in other pads. The Yamaha is nice but I just don't love the sounds. I had the 2box 5, too difficult to get around and I didn't like the sounds... IF the mkII is easy to load 5-8 kits of multi layer samples then it's great, but the mk I was hard to get around. The thing with loading the sounds in the module is having great multi layer sounds likve with the safety of just using the module rather than battle potential computer or connection issues.

I am beginning to wonder why spend so much money on a module when I can use a midi kit in my daw. EZDrummer would be fantastic and get way more sounds than most modules in the same price range imo. Even using the mt power drummer 2 you can get some really good sounds. Not the best, but definitely demo worthy recordings.

8:56 - ”Which one of the modules has samples on more records?” So I should pick the other one then, right? Hard to be unique if sounding like most of the records out there.

only available in MERICA...... :(

Pearl mimic is so nice but so usb output?? That’s just insane. Really unfortunate as I would have bought it

I still can’t believe toontrack is still sleeping on building a module, or partnering with someone.. something with the same interface as ezdrummer, they could sell its for mid tier price $1500 or so, but only include the kit that comes with ezdrummer, and then sell more expansions.

The final poll MIGHT have been more useful if it had been capability for the money, rather than merely fun to play. A person who can't afford the Roland TD50, for example, will have zero fun playing it. But overall, nicely done.

Alesis Strike is - End of Life, no longer available

Live performance td 50 is all you will see

I understand the desire to compare flagship models, but as you correctly noted, comparing a $1000 module to a $3000 module doesn't make sense so you introduced tiers. I liked that, but it made me think that if my price range was between $1000 and $2000 I wouldn't limit myself to flagship models in that range. I would also want to compare non flagship models from companies whose flagships models were more expensive.

First one! Woohoo!!!!

I know Im late to the conversation but, Its a shame that 2box kinda just gave up on the US market. thats all.

*_Alesis Strike hands down._*

2box should have been first imo

I love roland but yhe price is ridiculous.

I feel like your missing out never reviewing millennium mps. They cost less in the US then most of Europe yet there are like 3 crappy English reviews of them.

The roland isn't even as good as the lower priced modules, i have had and tried almost verything, but the roland is still digital and the basic sound are just not good.

Roland takes the top spot at flagship...my first thought was "has everyone gone deaf"?

This review is weak, at best. Oh well, I do enjoy many of your other reviews however. THOUGHT: how about you actually do a full review of the wonderfully awesome products that you decided to COMPLETELY DISCLUDE from this review. **Ya know, the products that MOST people can actually afford, and make up the bulk majority of sales (internationally). THAT, my friend, would be effin awesome 🤘🧐 !!!!! Cheers!

Yamaha electronic drums are horrible