Roland stuff is solid. Depending on your budget you can stay fairly cheap and still get a decent sound. Keep in mind that it's going to sound digital, even their $5,000 set sounds digital to the trained ear.

Cheers,
-Ryan-

Right, I understand that. Our delimma is that we are in a fairly small building and we play louder music. Eventually we'll be building a larger worship space, but at this time the drums are just too loud and even wish the percussionist controlling their volume, it is just too much.

Are the Yamaha or DDrum sets worth a look? Also, do all the models of the new Rolands have the same computer module?

I would recommend trying to play a few different ones at a music store, but I would stick with Yamaha if you're on a budget, or Roland if you have the cash.

You could always get a Yamaha kit and upgrade it later by adding the better Roland cymbals and module.

If I had the cash, I would get a Roland TD-20.

But, remember that electronic drums still sound digital. I would recommend doing a mixed kit for a live show. Perhaps, electronic kick and toms, and acoustic snare and cymbals. This seems to work pretty well for live applications. Then you can just use the full electronic kit at home when you need to be quiet.

I do expect the quality to improve in the upcoming years though, so I would say just make sure you get something that you can upgrade.

-restashured

Low Budget?

Alesis D4 (or other module), triggers on your existing drums, pop the heads, fill the drums with packing peanuts. This is the best, cheapest alternative IMO. Does it sound like triggered drums? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the playing, arrangements and mixing techniques.

We have the big boy Roland V-Drums. Hate em'. They so have their purpose. The reason that I hate them is because, if you plan on moving them much, you will find that the hardware is not heavy duty. You should buy some extra pad mounts!

If you want the high end system, look for a used one. There are plenty around. New MI gear is for suckers here. LOTS of mark-up.

Be aware of the mixed kit of acoustic and electric drums, they can still be real loud. The typical acoustic snare and cymbals (if hit hard) become hard to mix level with electric drums.

It's worse for the other players on stage (I've suffered from this) as opposed to front mix. That is on stage with out cranking drums in monitors, hearing nothing but Hi Hats, crack of snare and that %^&*$# Rock Ride Cymbal... I played in a band with this set up for 2 years and the Rock Ride still haunts me in my sleep. We did switch out to in ear monitors which helped balance everything out on stage, but more important...

The drummer has to learn how to hit this new kit in a balanced way or it will be a nightmare to mix, and to my understanding not the most delightful task for a drummer.

Alesis D4 was/is a great unit. I worked with many drummers using that unit and as a guitar player, singer & on stage sound man I have no complaints. But that was over 10 years ago, last time I heard one of those on stage. Same on the older Roland 1/2 rack unit, was great.

On the cheaper end, one drummer I worked with made his own triggers from "stuff" from radio shack, he had the "inslulated" toms & Bass drum triggered (played through 400 watt monitor w a 15" speaker) , combo live/triggered snare (double trigger on snare for rim shots) and real cymbals. He always had back up triggers though. We played loud and he sounded great... on Dance/rock stuff but I would never expected that drum kit to pull off a jazzy or more delicate/musical stlye.

Good Luck
Marc

I have a roland TD-9 set and could not be happier with it....... well i suppose that is false because i love the feel of the larger snare on the TD-20, and i would love to upgrade to mesh tom pads as apposed to the rubber heads that i currently use. All in all the TD-9 is fun to play, and sounds great recorded through my Presonus FP10 Directly inputed. Look for a music shop that is selling a set that was a floor model. I was able to get my TD-9 for just over $1200 cdn, so for the price you cant get better performance.
I have never used mine for live sound, but the TD-9 module has many setting in which you can adjust each individual sound with things like room size, dampening etc. Also the onboard mixer is a must in both live and recording situations, since you don't have the control you would in your DAW over a electronic kit you would on a miked kit. In that aspect the TD-9 is great. Personally i wouldnt go any lower than the TD-9 because of the drop in sound guality in the TD-3 or the TD-6. I have not experienced it personally but people on the net who have had a TD-3 and upgraded to the TD-9 are always super impressed. The TD-9 module uses the same sound samples as the TD-20 module, so you get the best sound quality possible from Roland, just not all of the sounds that the TD-20 has. Hope this was helpful!