Review: Alesis DM10 Electronic Drum Kit - (2016)

This video review of the Alesis DM10 studio mesh kit explains how the electronic drum set works and includes demos of the built-in sounds. Check the written review for a list of pros and cons and more details: masters-of-musi... Alesis DM10 at Amazon: amzn.to/1V6gQLo (affiliate link)

[@ぐらにゅ-c8f]

That's the most angled mesh toms I've seen in years

[@chumchisk]

Excellent review. To the point yet thoroughly explained.

[@outcast566]

My first kit was the dm10, sold it after buying house. Got an acoustic kit, sold that when I moved back into an apartment. Got a dm10x lol, sold that when I fell on hard times. Gonna buy a dm10 mesh maybe today?

[@RobBob555]

2022 and the DM10 mk 1 is STILL the best Alesis Module.

[@UlyssesAlpha]

I agree It's such a programmable classic

[@dannyk9493]

"You can operate the module with your drum stick! Like this!" Haha sold!

[@JoeR203]

You can also choke the Ride cymbal.

[@BW_Drums]

Pretty sure your right hand crash is actually your hi-hat which is why you can't choke that one. Have a look on the bottom and try switching your hi-hat and crash cymbals around.

[@bumblefritz]

I have the mylar version and I can tell you the clacking is loud. I bought a mesh conversion kit and it's much quieter. It's different than the actual Alesis mesh heads but it is still very nice.

[@Schlotskers]

You got this thing layed out a hundred times better than my kit -_-

[@TampaTec]

nice review

[@christanehrhart8824]

Its a good thing the kit comes in with a built in metronome...

[@VivianDanger]

mean but yeah

[@YAKNASTYTHATNILLA]

What size are your time?? All same size

[@conandog3514]

I have an Alesis Nitro mesh kit. My only problem with it is that the bass drum is not big enough to support a double pedal. Thanks for the review. I am thinking about buying this one.

[@Juicexlx]

You can buy the kick drum pad separately & a Yamaha P90 will work too with your Alesis brain too.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Thanks for the review!

[@imabeast0898]

Found this kit on fb marketplace today for $200. Thinking about buying it. Is that a good deal? I see it’s discontinued now so I’m not sure on the value?

[@SlotraceDK]

I have this kit too and I would love to see your setup numbers to avoid xtalking, missing beats and so on. I'm not satisfied with this kit!

[@neewollah6875]

Does the snare capture ghost notes??? Trying to decide between this one and the crimson which does capture ghost notes on snare. Sorry didn’t see you do any on vid.

[@alexpierre4304]

Thanx for the review it was great.

[@alyctro8158]

I would mainly want to use this kit as a midi controller for something like superior drummer 3. For the better samples. Could you show us that please?

[@Jerrel.A]

Hi, can anyone advice how to solve the malfunctioning of my Alesis DM10 (2016) kit? At the first stroke on the snare and on the two first toms no sound to hear. When hit on the side at anytime the sound is audible. A strike in the center of these drums is not audible. The cymbals and hi-hat are fine. An update attempt failed because the process freezes at midpoint. Should I replace the module or the drums?

[@who-lo-lolee-oh1079]

Are the sounds on the dm10 better the same or worse than the surge?

[@sooesoss6063]

Great job

[@YAKNASTYTHATNILLA]

What size are your time

[@Jaysen6740]

What in the world is that tom setup?

[@derrickh9648]

Are mesh heads significantly quieter than real heads? Seems like common sense that they would be, but want some honest opinions before I spend any money 😀 Been in an apartment for a few years now which is seriously hampering to drumming, but I bought the DM10 Studio kit a few years back with real heads (all they offered at the time) and they are still quite loud.

[@masters-of-music7602]

Yeah, they're very quiet. The cymbals are way louder by comparison. But it seems they've gone and discontinued the DM10 mesh kit. Now they only have mesh on the super expensive kits. I guess you could to the conversion yourself though.

[@derrickh9648]

Thanks for the input. In the last day or two I've checked every online site I can think of, and cannot find replacement heads for EITHER the real or mesh heads by Alesis which is very concerning...? I have found some people on eBay making and selling their own which supposedly work well so I may have to try that.

[@Itspeanutbutterjellytime]

Greetings. I am considering buying the dm10x to replace my old out dated electric set. One thing I like to do is play along with my favorite bands on youtube. On my set I am able to connect either my laptop or my cell phone to the module, run youtube and I can play along with music from either one. Is this also a possibility with this module? If so, can you please describe how it works and how well it works? Thank you very much.

[@WeaponsArtist]

I really hope you reply to this comment because I too have the DM10 mesh kit, but mine is the DM10x with larger toms... Anyway, i see you have your ride mounted on some sort of clamp. Could you please share where you picked up that clamp or what it is called at least? I hate that you are limited on only having the crash 2 on the far right side of the kit, and would love to move things around. PLEASE REPLY!!(:

[@masters-of-music7602]

That's just how the non-X kit is standard. The clamp came with it.

[@WeaponsArtist]

Masters-of-Music damnnnn. I ended up just buying a cymbal stand lol

[@pmedic523]

on amazon there are a lot of mixed reviews about this kit. Have you had any problems with the module not working, the wiring failing, pads breaking, or any other problems or issues with it?

[@masters-of-music7602]

Everything still works great. The only problem I had is the second crash cymbal was defective from the beginning. If you listen to it carefully in the video it has kind of a weird decay. I just thought it was an odd setting or something but I eventually figured out it was triggering the sensor multiple times with each hit. It was hard to tell with the stock kits but when using it with MIDI is was obvious. Alesis sent a replacement right away once I told them about the issue so it wasn't a big deal. I really like the mesh heads but it appears that they've discontinued the mesh head version for some reason; now they're only offered on their more expensive kits.

[@derikcorl3245]

Wouldn't it work in through midi with a vst program? For easier editing? Say Cubase groove agent?

[@masters-of-music7602]

Yeah it works great as a giant MIDI controller if your audio interface has low enough latency. I use it with EZdrummer all the time. The only problems is it's hard to compete with the perfect timing and velocity of the included MIDI grooves. :D

[@danielguest7841]

You've only been playing for a year! You're amazing! 😂

[@manuelmoreno3058]

I have a question maybe you know the answer my module dm10 don't work don't know why I was thinking buying a different alesis module do you think will work with my dm10 drums or please let me know what you think thanks.

[@DaveTuohy]

Hello and thanks for the great review. I was wondering if you might be able to tell me how wide the kit is. Length, width and height? I have a tight area I am looking to put this in and it would help if you could let me know, thanks!

[@masters-of-music7602]

It's about 5' wide, 4' tall, and 3' deep with throne.

[@kittywampusdrums]

Hey, I want to get this for some edrums I'm building, can you use the DM10 module with a regular electronic hihat? I mean replace the foot switch with an actual hi hat controller to the footswitch input?

[@calebroberts7067]

Quick question: I noticed that alesis makes a dm10x mesh kit with the different and bigger sized Toms (two 10" and two 12" Toms) versus the four 8" kit that you have. is that the only difference between that kit and the studio mesh? It appears that both kit use the same module. anyway, I was just curious.

[@masters-of-music7602]

Yeah, they have the same module. The DM10X adds bigger toms and cymbals (larger toms help a bit but larger cymbals are totally pointless) and it has the nicer chrome finish and a dedicated stand for the snare.

[@calebroberts7067]

+Masters-of-Music Thanks! Yeah I didn't think they were too much different.

[@LustDcay]

great stuff . thanks

[@alextubekis123]

how are the dynamics

[@jimn1968]

Definitely get the drum-tec software to replace the onboard sounds. The hardware looks nice quality. Sounds not so much. Drum-tec live classic will take care of it.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

share how to upgrade to the drum tec software bro...thanks

[@IansDrumsandBass]

Yes, I've just bought a dm10 module which I'm using with the nitro Rubber pads and the sounds are not a patch on my TD11KV - BUT I had to woek a lot on creating custom sounds that I was happy with on that too, so maybe it'll still happen.

Do you have any opinion on the durability of this kit? I'm thinking of upgrading my Yamaha DTX500 but some people disregard Alesis build quality.

[@masters-of-music7602]

So far I'm impressed with the durability. I've had it for 7 months and it still basically looks like new if I were to wipe the stick marks off the cymbals. The mesh heads are still in perfect condition, which is impressive because I have a tendency to hit pretty hard. When I would put new heads on my acoustic kit they would be all dented up and dingy-looking after just a couple of weeks. The rims would probably be majorly dinged up by now if I didn't have the rim protectors on them--they are a must even though the chrome finish looks better without them.

Thank you very much for the input, groove on brother ;)

[@Juan_lauda]

Its worth it for the instrument samples alone

[@JesseP.Watson]

Hmm, interesting, the module sounds/samples sound really cheap compared to the roland e-kits I've heard. Question...Makes me wonder if it's possible to use alesis hardware (cheaper) with a Roland module...

[@Balloonbot]

You demoed this with all the included sounds? Your snare sounds great, care to share the settings?

[@masters-of-music7602]

There are tons of built-in sounds. I probably only went through about 20% of them. For the most part I use the Studio preset but the snare sounds terrible so I swap it out for the Funk Plus snare and turn its volume up a bit and turn off the EQ.

[@IansDrumsandBass]

​@@masters-of-music7602 I can't find any decent sounds on the entire module. Very dissadointing. The snares are putrid as are the toms.

[@sb4663]

Hi contemplating this model vs Roland TDK-11K for my son.....recommendations on which?? PLZ HELP! (I'm a guitar player)

[@masters-of-music7602]

I never tried the Roland and I know they have a really good reputation but the 11k looks like a toy compared to the DM10. It has the cheaper rubber toms instead of mesh and it doesn't look like it even has any dual triggers, whereas everything on the DM10 has dual triggers and the ride has three zones. The DM10 just seems like a much better deal to me. I don't get all Roland hype unless you're willing to spend a few grand on the higher end models.

[@ThenVersusNow_]

Roland tend to have better sounds out of the modules and better build quality. If you want more sounds with the Alesis you can always run it with a computer using Addictive drums program or ezdrummer, I believe there are even some free programs. I'm not saying you have to, the sounds are good enough but if you really want to get some better sounds. As long as you aren't going to beat the hell out of it, I would get the DM10 with mesh heads vs TDK-11. The DM10 with real heads are good but they will be louder than mesh heads. Also you will want to calibrate whatever set you buy. You can research the best settings.

[@davidjones4330]

I just got the dm6 wish I could have afforded the 10 but I am happy with the MC for the price $269 is not a lot for a drum set that sounds the only thing I'm not happy with it is the base drum I kind of feel cheated, I thought it came with the regular base pedal it will probably be the first thing that goes bad.

[@tristangianelli]

So I'm in the market for one of these possibly within the next few months, and I read many reviews on Amazon saying that the kick drums stop working after a while. If this is true, what would be the possible cause for this?

[@masters-of-music7602]

I don't know. I haven't had any problems with mine and I've had it about 10 months now and use double bass a lot and hit pretty hard. The user guide said not to use felt beaters because they can cause problems.

[@DeanLRoganII]

So since the kit does not come with a kick pedal, which ones out there are best suited for this kit?

[@hannes1734]

Dean L Rogan II Every bass drum pedal will work. There is basically no difference in pedals.

[@TruthAndMoreTruth]

The tubes are not aluminum, they're steel.

[@MyPianoWay]

Hey great great stuff dude! May i ask how you record the drums? (midi, aux?) and what software are you using? i struggle quite a bit with that a response would be awesome! cheers 👌🏾

[@masters-of-music7602]

For this I just connected two cables from the main left and right outs into a Focusrite Scarlett interface to record in stereo using Ableton Live Lite. That works for recording the built-in sounds as audio but usually I connect via USB to use it with EZdrummer's drum kits for recording MIDI.

[@toddlavigne6441]

like any module it has some great sounds and some very bad sounds. Realistically if you can 4 great kits out of module what else do you need. If you had accoustic drums you'd only have one sound

[@trugritt]

thank you suh !!

[@ianhinrichsendrummer2113]

The onboard sounds sound 10 x better than the Nitro Mesh, on the Nitro Mesh, there are literally (maybe) one set of decent toms, the rest, for rock or pop are unusable, a few usable hi hats and kicks, about 1 decent crash, and about 1 decent snare. That's it. It's a total waste of good real estate. The manufacturer who brings out a module that just has rock and pop kits and no ethnic (unwanted) stuff, at a decent price will make a killing. Don't ask me why on earth these manufacturers give us so much stuff we'll NEVER use???😭😣😢😭

[@johnnybgoode2333]

Can you just swap heads to Remo mesh heads?

[@TheLeviathan13]

how fast (in bpm) can u play with a double bass pedal on this e-drum ?

[@masters-of-music7602]

As fast as your feet can move. I find it to be a little easier than on a regular kit actually.

[@TheLeviathan13]

ok, thx !

[@yvindJarsve]

How is the latency?

[@buballu]

Hello, how do you config your hit hat, ???

[@masters-of-music7602]

I didn't. Just calibrated it. I tried some different settings but none seemed better so I left it at the default.

[@toynazi]

You have to really fine tune the hi hat in the settings. The downfall to this kit is the hi-hat and pedal. It has a delay.

[@jygo2syxl724]

does this setup support double bass style playing?

[@johnnybgoode2333]

Yes he was playing double bass in the video

[@CoffeeMusic]

Any problems with durability?

[@masters-of-music7602]

A year later and the set is still like new, granted it never leaves the house and I'm a guitarist instead of a drummer so I don't play a ton.

[@CoffeeMusic]

same here was looking for a kit for my recordings to save me time on having to draw the midi drums in :P Wondering if the durability issues of these are due to drummers beating the hell out of them.

[@AzureanStudios]

jfc in future videos try pausing your voice while you hit things so people can actually hear things

[@squidwerd1981]

The toms are angled too far down. That will affect your playing. You want "almost" parallel to the ground.

[@abeber87]

Or he can do it how he wants to and then he continue going on living his life the way he wants to as well. Thanks for your super duper professional (uninvited) input! Its these sorts of comments that drive me out of my mind. If music is in fact an art form, I do not believe there is a "right" way to do it. I'm pretty sure people don't go to a museum and observe fine art just to say, "ah this artist should have held the brush differently... you know, more parallel to the ground".

[@the_terrorizer]

No, that will not affect his playing. That is a opinion and/or preference, and a false standard that many strict drum teachers will try to drill into their students. Not trying to be rude, but every drummer will feel comfortable with a different setup.

[@ianhinrichsendrummer2113]

I agree - a bit - you'll deff get better bounce if they were a bit more parallel - also , with them angled like that, you stand more chance of tearing the mesh if you hit hard.

[@DANIELTHIBAULTchannel]

i have one and very great for de price! y rock!

[@eduardolins9870]

Top demais

[@ryankish6370]

I saw your technique on your singles, keep your fingers on the stick. This is a habit with a lot of new drummers (been drumming for 9 years) and you should fix it. Not insulting, just constructive criticism

[@abeber87]

Can I like this like 900 times? Is that possible? Thank you for speaking my mind.

[@Gabriel_Micah]

That's not a bad habit, it's a streamlined one if that's what you grow to do for your speed

[@the_terrorizer]

I’ve been playing drums for 14 years, mostly metal and jazz, and man you sound like my old drum teacher from high school. There are certain formalities that aren’t necessary at all, everyone’s going to have very slightly different grip, wrists, forearms, joints... It doesn’t matter

[@mowfee5118]

Master? So what's Nick Mason then?

[@TheGooch1972]

interesting arrangement of ur drums....???

[@StupidEarthlings]

No Offense..but is it the drums or your playing that makes it sound..well.. not too good. Sounds like it "skips" drums/timing waay off..etc? Thanks.

[@TheRealJohnMadden]

It's him

[@mackbolzano3901]

StupidEarthlings definately the drummer!

[@badbadgilead2552]

It's his drumming. Same rushed concept for every kit he showed.

[@jritchi9445]

nah dude, he's not a good drummer

[@toddlavigne6441]

I've heard its a good module just needs a lot of tweaking to get it sounding right. Since this guy has been playing for only a year he's probably not as fussy as a seasoned play. IMO

[@mwetzel0]

Hi, we have the same kit. What double pass pedal are you using? Do you like it? We are concerned the distance between the hammers is too big for the 8" bass drum head.

[@masters-of-music7602]

I have a cheap PDP pedal and it works fine. The size is not an issue at all. You could probably fit three beaters if you really wanted to. Just make sure not to use felt beaters. They are bad for the mesh heads.

[@carpademen1066]

Alesis- mine fell apart again and again. Bass drum trigger was very poor. Double kick will destroy it in no time. Quality isn't good, though the trigger unit was excellent.

[@branddesign1131]

cool

[@czarmanlutac8288]

Genius

[@babybison]

Roland : TR808/ TR909 etc..... Alesis : HR16 nuff said.....

[@mockingjaytv4681]

Is there any way you can play these without a headset and still hear the drum noise?

[@BenthekidRS]

You need to buy a drum amp to do that.

[@mockingjaytv4681]

+Cool Beanz Productions So the amp I use with my electric guitar won't work?

[@BenthekidRS]

Mocking JayTV I'm not too sure about that, I've never tried it before.

[@mockingjaytv4681]

+Cool Beanz Productions I guess when I get my set I can try it, and if it doesn't work I'll get the right one, thanks!

[@BenthekidRS]

No problem man!

[@carlsteven29official99]

how much?

[@griefinandcreepin]

Carl Aribado Medina The DM10 Studio Kit is on Amazon for $900 right now

[@Neil-Aspinall]

I find it funny and sad that in 2017 that elec drums still haven't got a natural sound with rolls and velocity accuracy. The samples that you were using mainly here sound woeful and no better than 1992. Back to the drawing board........

[@bolivarallaica67]

Please help instalation complete in ispanish, subtitle tankyou

[@jiririedl3855]

super bicí.jirka

[@jorgeabaezp9365]

whoa this is a real bang for your buck

[@MCB-ls6nw]

Half of every measure this non drummer plays is a straight two beats of 16ths fills....

[@Durwood71]

You're going injure your wrists with toms at that angle.

[@jasonmac6644]

I used to play with my toms like that til I learned how to play drums lol

[@Candelariiio]

The angles on those toms 🤮

[@zDerezzed]

The definition of busy drumming 😅. Good vid otherwise.

[@sammylindstrom6019]

roland is the only choice.the cheapest set sound amazing in comparison to this embarising set.sorry man you made biggest mistake possible.sell those and buy second hand td-20 and i assure you will be very happy and have alot more fun with that

[@sammylindstrom6019]

Well upgraded to td-50 try them and think again.finally edrums that are beyond traditional drums by far.i allso played all my life and must say roland has taken it a huge step forward and all others are so far behind.worth the money if you can afford them

[@sammylindstrom6019]

The choice is yours.i just think yamaha make great stuff but edrums suck so bad.anyway it says something that roland has some of best drummers in the world endorsing them.you like what you like i cant change that but in my opinion ALL the others out now are toys in comparison.there is no competition at the moment sadly

[@frankkernan1570]

I've played Rolands and I'm sorry but the look and feel of their kits leave a lot to be desired. I love my Alesis DM 10 and I got a lot of bang for my buck and it feels, plays and looks great. But again, everyone is different and it's pompous as hell to come on here and try to tell someone they made a mistake cuz they bought and are happy with a different kit than you.

[@sammylindstrom6019]

Alesis is a toy in my opinion.playd them and was not happy.better then yamaha anyway.its a matter of taste but im more then happy with roland and all the are allways one step behind.for now atleast.and im talking flagships!

[@sammylindstrom6019]

You might be right about that.im mostly testing the big sets and playd the biggest yamaha set and did not like anything about it.it was sad cos otherwise yamaha makes good stuff.

[@Grit489]

for$1599 you can buy a Roland td 11 kv that sounds and plays much better than this kit

[@Caballeroscuro78]

Zzzzzzz. Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzzz

[@TronciM]

Your timing is bad, playing well isnt just about playing fast. Also your right crash is a hi hat cymbal, hence no choke. Poor review.