Verified answer

I don't know this specific kit, but in my experience all electronics make some noise. What specifically are you concerned about? Bothering your family and the neighbors? Having pad noise overpower the drum sounds since you're keeping the volume low? One thing you should do is check out the kit in person and see how much noise it makes. It sounds like the only difference between the DM8 Pro and USB is the electronics - the pads are probably exactly the same all around. If you can check a kit out in person, you probably don't need this particular kit since they must use the same pads for many kits. Ask the salesman about that.

I play V-Drums in my apartment and I was worried about bothering tenants below me and next to me. To avoid bothering tenants next to me, I placed the drums further away from the shared wall. I haven't had any complaints from them, so I guess no news is good news. As far as tenants below - I specifically rented an apartment with no downstairs neighbors (you don't have that luxury) but I did have some ideas about how to reduce drum noise from going through the floor. It all had to do with layers of wood and carpeting. I was going to get a 5x5 piece of plywood, and glue the cheapest carpet I could find to both sides, and then set up on that. and if I wasn't sure it was doing the trick, add another layer.

carpet

wood

carpet

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carpet

wood

carpet

I think that would "softened the blow" sufficiently.

One thing I learned as a gigging drummer is that people are constantly throwing out old carpeting, and that old carpeting works great as a drum rug! Keep your eyes open on the street for rolled up old carpeting on the curb, or in a truck (to be hauled away) or even for new carpet installation (since old carpet often comes out) and collect a couple of large pieces. They're never cut nicely since they're the garbage, but you can clean them up if you need to. You can glue those to a piece of plywood, or you could even just layer a few large pieces on the floor without any wood. Although, I think without the wood it would be too mushy. In your apartment, does the landlord replace carpet when people move in? If so - that would be an excellent source since you could ask your landlord to let you know when the carpet is being changed.

As far as the pad noise overpowering the drum noise, it's usually not bad. There will always be pad noise, but after you play for little you'll stop noticing it. One thing you can do to combat that is use a higher sensitivity on the pads, and play softer. The only problem with this is that it can mess up your acoustic chops. If you place your amp closer to you, you'll be able to keep it softer, but hear it louder, which will help mask the pad noise.

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RE:

Buying a Drum Kit: Alesis DM8 Pro or DM8 USB?

Hi.

I'm a beginner drummer getting one of these two electronic sets, either the Alesis DM8 Pro, or the DM8 USB. I need it to learn, practice and jam at my house with friends. I decided to go electronic because of customizability and volume control, because I live in an apartment.

One of...

Alesis Dm8

Pro-life

Most important is the computer creating the sounds. Rebound and natural feel are more and more important the better you get. The noise that is created by an E-drum kit is so minimal you won't notice it with headphones or in the next room anyway.

I remember looking at drumsets 11 years ago, didn't get one (did an irish kettle drum class which was weird and freaked me out) but I STILL really like percussion (I usually drum out with chopstocks or silverware lol) and may eventually get a drum set maybe! I usually bike to percussions. Anyways, I have Zero knowledge about those sets but liked this question!