Drum PAds - Alesis/Ion - HELP..???

[oolong]

Hi,

A little help, if possible pls...?!?!?!

I've started looking for a drum machine/pad thing for me to record ideas with. I want something that I can hit with sticks, and that has sound samples built in (so no messing about with MIDI and whatnot) - but not one of those monsterous e-kit things. Just a desktop type with some foot controls.

I started looking at the Yamaha DD55/65, but then started considering something a little better. I like the look of the Alesis Performance Pad, but the cheapest I can find is £179. I then noticed that a company called Ion do the EXACT same product, the Ion iED-04, except it has different branding on it and a different colour plastic on the case.

Does anyone know the difference between the two companies...? The Ion version retails at FAR cheaper than the Alesis (I've seen it for about £70 new from USA), which obviously makes me think it is inferior, yet clearly its the same product in a different box.

Any hints..? Or does anyone know of anything better (for around the £150 mark)

Cheers, Oolong

[keithm]

http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_m...tarter_set.htm

not tried one but £223 for a full kit is prety good

[echosonic]

I've tried an Ion, but wasn't particularly impressed. Everything's very off/on if you can understand - not much in the way of expression.

I'm not a drummer but even for my lack of drumming skills the foot controller buttons are not good.

[oolong]

cheers for the replies.

if i had the space, i'd be looking at full kits, but given the number of guitars n other sh1t in my spare room, its gotta be strictly desktop...!

i since read some dodgy reviews about the Ion too, so dont expect the alesis to be much different. even tho the yamaha looks a bit toy town, i might go for that. the video looks/sounds good enough for what i want.

[Ten Flew South]

Just one thing - you're quoting a price from the US as a reference, which is pointless as once you've added shipping, import duty and VAT it 'aint going to be so cheap :wink:

[Ten Flew South]

I've just seen one of those Ion drumstations for £55. My bro is going to new york just before christmas, I wonder if he can bring one back. WOuldn't mind one of those as a christmas pressie to be honest.

[grahawk]

They are essentially the same company. Alesis and Numark are one company and Ion are their cheap option brand.

[oolong]

cwl.

I read some horrible reviews about the Ion/Alesis after posting this: that you can't assign the drums sounds to any pad, the kits come pre-assigned and you've got to live with it. Plus, using pedals for kick/hats doesnt free up a pad - so even with a footswitch plugged in, you still get one pad assigned to the kick.... doh! Plus the trigger system is dodgy, so you often end up triggering other pads by accident

tbh, the yamaha one is sounding far better atm. The only glitch I've heard is that the open/closed footswitch control doesnt translate into MIDI properly - well since I dont use MIDI that wont be an issue for me.

plus I have a mate who works with yamaha so it'll be trade price all the way for me..

[Ten Flew South]

Ah. Using the midi out is where these cheaper units come into their own, so if you're not doing that, better to go with the yammy system I guess.

[keithm]

Beware, some of the ION kits have no midi and no onboard sounds. They just plug into a usb ports and play a software kit on your pc.