The BEST Drum Set For Beginners? (Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats Review)

[@nichreynolds7712]

These drums are also much quieter than normal drums. They are perfect for controlling volume in a practice space or recording studio. A clean mix is much easier with quieter drums

[@touchmycamerathroughthefen4555]

You think they’d work well in a live setting? Like a rock band playing small venues

[@joshuamiguelaguilar1242]

@@touchmycamerathroughthefen4555 The small size of the 16" kick probably won't project properly in a slightly larger venue. In intimate settings it would work well, but in larger bar gigs I recommend miking the kick at least.

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

Great review Nick. I'm primarily a jazz drummer. I've been using Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats kit for several years now. I used it to replace my old Ludwig kit that had a 22" bass drum. Very happy with my decision. Replaced all the heads with thin 1 ply heads which is perfect for the music I play. Always have lots of compliments on the sound of my drums. Much easier to carry this kit around than my old kit. 😀 I was always curious what rock and pop drummers thought of this drum-set so really appreciate your review. I also should mention that I replaced the snare drum that came with the kit with a really nice Omar Hakim model.

[@artcolldrum]

This could be for me a real drumkit for fusion, techno, jazz and rock music that really cuts through. And I can even convert it to a hybrid drumkit! I want one of those now!

[@Greggyboyz60]

I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my breakbeats kit. They are to practical for these days. And sound very good. Awesome video here. Like and subscribed.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

yeah it's an awesome kit. thanks for the sub!

[@ejames6431]

I put on Evans UV heads.

[@chrissenner1575]

Thanks for such an informative video. This kit sounds crazy good bro!

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thanks Chris!

[@rkmissions4220]

Just picked one up for my 16 year old

[@olliewalker6406]

8:10 was some slick playing. Im considering getting a set of these for my 11 year old. He's starting lessons and is really psyched to get his own kit. I like the small foot print to fit his room but still has decent tone.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

yo thanks! it's a fantastic set of drum shells.

[@mdrmrgrl9622]

Excellent review! I have the wine red sparkle and l love it!🥁♥️

[@NickCesarzDrums]

It’s a great kit!!

[@keystonepirate2534]

This might be up my alley. I’m gathering info to start playing the drums. You made it sound so good. Thanks for the informative video.

[@TylerStanley-jr2vw]

Buying this for my daughter for Christmas. Thank you for the video and the advice.

[@howtobeatadrum]

The kit sounds great and you are a really good drummer

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thanks! Appreciate it!

[@Christian-hz2ms]

Great review. This kit looks perfect for what I am looking for!

[@createlovehappy]

I like the cymbals you paired with the kit. They go well together.

[@Funkybassuk]

This sounds excellent. I’m considering it for home recording. Your demonstration showed that it records very well!

[@grahamthomas1802]

Great review man, really appreciate it. Kit and the drumming both sound great!

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Much appreciated!

[@JoeKirwins]

The recording setup here is so good

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thank you!

[@louiegalvan2613]

This was a good review and demonstration by you. Thanks

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thanks for watching Louie 🥁

[@rhythmista7707]

I've got Remo coated ambassador X on batter side for both toms, and clear ambassadors on resonant sides. For the kick I'm using an Aquarian Super kick I clear for batter side, and bass drum reso head is unported. I'm telling you guys, my kick sounds like a higher tuned 20x14 with that head configuration. The ambassador X's on the toms are perfect, and I think will be my go-to coated heads for drums from now on..Medium high tuning on these drums really make them sing. Great review on these drums ! 👍

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Good stuff! Thanks!

[@thesameeffect]

I have one. Put a great snare and cymbals with good heads and you will have an amazing kit!

[@NickCesarzDrums]

yup no denying!

[@arramos6802]

Its not a beginners drum at all i think good also in studio recording. Love yo setup

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thank you, ya this kit sounds incredible for the money!

[@saz123ful]

Man, you definitely know what you are doing!!! Best review ever!!! I'm amazed how you made this kit sound, espesially in so much different music styles.. I am looking for a portable and affordable kit with a good sound for my home studio for recordings and to begin spend some time on learning a bit of drums. After your review the case is closed and i'm buying this!! Thank you.

[@GlenChamberlain]

This is my kit... love it! 💫

[@michaelwojtaszczyk481]

I love seeing the red mic cable, do you do that to keep track like red=right channel? That’s how I do my OHs haha

[@JavierMartinez-rz4vc]

Men you’re a great drums tunner! That hight tom seems like a challenge

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thanks Javier!

[@anthonyaustin380]

I purchsed these as a kit for smaller venues and ease of transport. Whilst satisfied more or less with the build, I swapped the drum heads out for Remos as opposed to the set supplied. Big improvement. I also had the bearing edges recut which turned them into a real drum. However the bad manufacture of the fitting has proved to be a major let down. Tension rods and lugs not machined accurately or adequately mean that tuning is a herculean task. I'm changing out all the tension rods but the problem with the lugs themselves remains. Buy a set of small Gretsch Catalinas. By the time you get the Breakbeats sorted, it will have cost the same. Poor show Chinese Ludwigs, my Chinese Gretsch are far superior

[@pieteytrenton2747]

Gday mate, was wondering if youd ever played the tama club jam and what you thought of it in a direct head to hear with the Ludwig breakbeat kit?

[@Jtdubbzz]

Love the finish on this kit. Sounds great, too. I have a New Yorker I’m pretty happy with for the 150 I paid but it’s the Aqua Bats version so it looks pretty silly imo. Also has a DW 9000 double pedal and hi hat stand, and over $1000 in cymbals on it lol

[@waldrich]

excellent video. my son has this kit for jazz and rock and loves it. I found my way to your video while searching for replacement drum heads for it. can you please explain how you mic’d the kit for this video? the heads and damping are important ingredients to the sound, but so are the mics! also, did you do any compression or other audio post-processing? thanks so much for a very useful and well produced video.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thank you! It’s been a while since I made this video, but I’ll try to remember what gear was used. Overheads: Warm Audio WA-84 Snare top: SM57 Toms: Sennheiser e604 Kick: Shure Beta 52 Interface: UAD Apollo 8 I think that’s it. For post processing there might be a bit of EQ and compression along with, maybe, Ocean Way Studios reverb for a roomier sound. Been a bit! But I do remember hearing the drums raw after they were recorded and I loved the sound. The tuning and dampening are the biggest factors in the sound I got here.

[@rhythmista7707]

On my way to pick a used set this afternoon.

[@mrmisfit635]

Gotta love them Breakbeats ✌🏼❤️

[@ejames6431]

I have these and they are just awesome!

[@jessegomez559]

Does it come with cymbals and hihats

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Just the shells

[@thealtlife8984]

Where do u get this finish?

[@waynesmith9990]

What do people think of the pearl midtown set? Tasty? Smooth?

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Looks to be a direct competitor to the Breakbeats! I bet it's awesome. :) I haven't had any experience with it, but they look nice. Guess it depends on hitting it in person and brand loyalty. My biggest issue is with the Pearl hardware. I hate those mounts. The rack tom doesn't have a ball mount, so it's harder to adjust where you like the drum to sit. That said, I like the look of the Pearl lugs more than the Ludwig ones.

[@waynesmith9990]

@@NickCesarzDrums Good point about the mounting. Maybe because there is only one mounted tom it might not be as bad. Looks like the midtown has a 13 inch snare. Would prefer a 14 I guess. 🤔

[@Ben-ic1ve]

Anyone know any quiet heads that would work for the kick?

[@rhythmista7707]

Remo silent stroke heads. They're meshed heads like you'd see on a Roland E- kit..

[@notforyoutube]

Nice drumming! What drum heads are you using in this video? Subbed

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thanks for the sub! Been a while since I did this vid, but looks like Evans G2s on the toms, Remo Emperor coated on snare top (Ambassador hazy on bottom is my guess), and kick drum... no clue. Can't really see in the video. May have been a Aquarian Superkick.

[@marioreese4907]

hell yeah! you're good...i will show this to a good friend. he thinks an e-drum ist better to beginn drumming for his 13 year old daughter. but there is enough room, so they should better put a little work in damping a room

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thank you! E-drums are a great option too. Definitely better on the ears xD. Dampening might help for an acoustic kit. Depends on the living situation and where the set is located.

[@Shanoa]

I always wondered about these breakbeat kits. I like the looks and the size, but I guess it’s not ideal for rock music idk

[@tripham7459]

Hey Nick! Great review. I HAVE to ask, what cymbals do you have? That ride is clean 💯

[@jambajoby32]

6:40

[@tripham7459]

@@jambajoby32 Thank you!

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thank you! Meinl Byzance 14" hats, Dream Dark Matter ride on the left, Meinl 22 inch Byzance Extra-Dry Medium Ride Cymbal

[@The_Music]

does this kit come with cymbals?

[@NickCesarzDrums]

No cymbals, shell pack only

[@tysonduquette1414]

Honestly, id rather just set up a 12, 14, 20. From my larger kit. Not tht much different size wise but that 20 bass drum!!! Yep

[@nworpkworp551]

does all the hardware come with 499 I'm paying for ?

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Shell pack only. Kick pedal, stands, throne, and cymbals are separate. So it is a bit of an inconvenience and a bit more expensive for a beginner drum set, but overall, I think it's the best value in the long run

[@shavingwithnick]

Man I want this color way but I can't find it anywhere!! 😡

[@bowds7]

Great reviews except your sound keeps cutting in out in spots

[@chriskiefer7493]

I play metal on my qlbb.

[@stretch1807]

Bro, sick setup. But the dead toms take so much away from the vibrancy you could have.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

True! Was vibing with that dead sound at the time but you right!

[@DrummerGrrrl]

I wish you hadn't muffled all the sound out of the drums! These drums are supposed to sing a bit more.

[@tjblackmore7863]

What you're playing is definitely not a $500 shell pack. You're playing something with premium shells, hoops, and lugs.

[@brinepacer]

Heads up dude, the speaking audio in this video is SUPER quiet. The playing audio is quite low as well - compare it to other videos. Great otherwise! Looks great and sounds really good, enjoyed this video but could do with a LOT more volume.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thank you I kind of had a feeling. Maybe I should pull it down and fix it!

[@brinepacer]

@@NickCesarzDrums only 53 views, I would personally. I edit videos for my channel (not this one) in Premier Pro, I shoot for -6db at all times, and then I upload to this account and a/b against competing channels to get a feel for whether it's right (and to do a final run through and get a second set of eyes, which is usually my lead writer).

[@leogolive]

@@NickCesarzDrums This video sounds just fine. Drums sound great and I can hear everything you’re saying perfectly.

[@kevinthompson8201]

Poplar is not hardwood

[@eddies_everything]

Yes it is. Hardwood and softwood are not named due to how hard the timber is they are named ‘hardwood’ if they come from deciduous trees. White poplar is a deciduous broadleaf tree and so it is considered a ‘hardwood’ … even though it is quite soft.

[@Giovy-Perez]

it's for pro to... full it's time to grow up!!! for money it does not make it for adults or children

[@albertalatorre7456]

You mentioned this is good for a 10-15 year old…what about a 25 year old🤣

[@NickCesarzDrums]

100%, I love this kit and I am 33. it's so versatile for the money

[@albertalatorre7456]

@@NickCesarzDrums I’ve been in the market for my first kit and wanted something compact. I think I found what I’ve been looking for.