I think this is probably the best budget kit available on Amazon. This kit has several HUGE advantages and very few relatively minor issues as far as I was able to notice.
Pros:
1) High quality construction
2) Very good drum module with many features
3) A metronome with 3 different sounds to select from - this is HUGE plus! It is also very robust, you do not need to buy any external metronome.
4) Bluetooth connectivity works like a charm!
5) The module has a holder for phone or tablet, very convenient
6) The module allows you to change/assign midi codes for each item in the kit - this is HUGE!
7) The module has USB-B midi port, you can use to connect your iPad and leverage on midi integration. This is very useful for games and learning (among other things).
8) Additional parts are available for purchasing
9) The drums module acts as mixer for your drums and whatever external stereo audio source you may want to use (I usually use Youtube on iPad). In other words, no need to buy separate mixer unless you want to connect microphones or more than one audio source.
Cons:
1) Included assembly instruction guide is useless. It is impossible to understand anything there. I suggest to watch youtube video "Alesis Nitro Max Mesh Kit setup guide", it should help, but please allocate at least one hour for assembly.
2) The kit does not include audio and USB adapters/cables to connect your headphones and tablets (I will list all the additional cables you need below)
3) The module does not have standard midi ports, it only offers midi connectivity via USB. Note, only midi can be sent via USB, no audio. For audio connectivity you need to use bluetooth or 3.5mm audio cable.
4) Tom-2 has incorrect midi code, you will need to change it in the settings of the module from 45 (low tom) to 47 (low-mid tom)
5) User manual for the module is not included, you need to download it from the manufacturer web site
6) Audio sound is relatively weak, you may need to buy mini preamp... I am still testing a few options here. This is optional though.
7) The electric kit is not completely silent though, people around will hear you hitting toms with sticks. You can buy dumpers for your drumsticks, but dumpers can reduce the noise, not eliminate it.
Expansion Pack:
I highly suggest to purchase expansion pack from the Alesis, it is called Alesis Drums Nitro Max Expansion Pack.
Headphones:
You have probably purchased this kit to practice silently using headphones. If you want to teach your child, you may need two pairs of headphones that can be connected to each other, so you can hear your child playing. I picked OneOdio Over Ear Headphone, Wired version. Headphones come with two cords, black (3.5), and red (1/4). You only need the red cord. However, you will need to also buy 1/4 Female Stereo to 2 X 1/4 Male Mono Y Splitter since the module has two 1/4 female mono jacks for left and right channels.
For midi connectivity with iPad (mine has lighting connector and headphones jack) you may need:
1) USB A Male to USB B Male Cable
2) Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter
3) I like to use mobile application X Drum - 3D & AR, it has very good midi integration (make sure to change midi code for tom 2 as listed above)
For iPad audio connectivity:
1) Bluetooth can be used
2) Instead I am using 3.5mm stereo male to male Audio Cable to connect module with iPad through iPad headphones jack.
My summary and conclusion:
I like this kit, and to my opinion it worths its price.
Alesis Nitro Max Kit Electric Drum Set with Quiet Mesh Pads, 10" Dual Zone Snare, Bluetooth, 440+ Authentic Sounds, Drumeo, U
4.4 | 926 ratings
Price: 399
Last update: 01-11-2025
About this item
Complete Percussion Experience - Premium 8-piece electronic drum set with ultra-quiet Alesis mesh heads, revolutionary Drum Module with Bluetooth & built-in industry-leading BFD drum sounds
Genuine Performance Feel - Now bigger 10” dual-zone mesh snare, (3) 8” mesh toms, kick drum tower with pedal and (3) 10" cymbals: ride, hi-hat with foot controller, crash with choke, on a solid foldable rack
Create and Customize Your Own Kits – Upgraded Drum Module with 32 ready-to-play BFD kits, 16 user-made kits & 440+ drum, cymbal & percussion sounds and multi-velocity samples for a real acoustic drum sound
Your Expansive Virtual Sound Library - Connect to PC/Mac via USB and unlock BFD Player to add-on drum kits and brand new sounds for practice or recording into your DAW
Drumming Mastery Simplified – Get 90-day access to interactive lessons from 200+ drummers and learn 5000+ songs with Drumeo
Expanded Creativity - Add your own drum samples or record directly on the Drum Module via USB thumb drive. Connect your Nitro Max to a computer via USB/MIDI and use with any VST or DAW you prefer
Complete Kickstart Kit – Stylish, compact and foldable 4-post drum rack, hard-wearing cable snake, drum sticks, drum key, kick pedal with hi-hat, power supply
Genuine Performance Feel - Now bigger 10” dual-zone mesh snare, (3) 8” mesh toms, kick drum tower with pedal and (3) 10" cymbals: ride, hi-hat with foot controller, crash with choke, on a solid foldable rack
Create and Customize Your Own Kits – Upgraded Drum Module with 32 ready-to-play BFD kits, 16 user-made kits & 440+ drum, cymbal & percussion sounds and multi-velocity samples for a real acoustic drum sound
Your Expansive Virtual Sound Library - Connect to PC/Mac via USB and unlock BFD Player to add-on drum kits and brand new sounds for practice or recording into your DAW
Drumming Mastery Simplified – Get 90-day access to interactive lessons from 200+ drummers and learn 5000+ songs with Drumeo
Expanded Creativity - Add your own drum samples or record directly on the Drum Module via USB thumb drive. Connect your Nitro Max to a computer via USB/MIDI and use with any VST or DAW you prefer
Complete Kickstart Kit – Stylish, compact and foldable 4-post drum rack, hard-wearing cable snake, drum sticks, drum key, kick pedal with hi-hat, power supply
Product information
| Connector Type | USB |
|---|---|
| Included Components | Nitro Max Drum Module, Safety & Warranty Manual, Quickstart Guide, Nitro Max Drum Kit & Accessories, Drumeo Drum Lessons Card |
| Manufacturer | inMusic Brands Inc. |
| UPC | 694318026236 |
| Item Weight | 31.9 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 21 x 36.12 x 12.12 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| ASIN | B0C43R8SRB |
| Item model number | NITROMAXKITXUS |
| Customer Reviews |
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars
686 ratings
4.4 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #430 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #1 in Electronic Drum Sets |
| Date First Available | October 3, 2023 |
| Color Name | black |
| Size | Nitro Max |
Top reviews from the United States
Viktor Sv
Great kit for home practicing and learning drums
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023pvtpylot
Great Kit For Beginners and Intermediate Drummers
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
pvtpylot
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
The kit itself is very attractive. The white drum heads resemble acoustic drums, and the red trim is nice. The 10" snare is roomy enough for me to swing at without having to aim every stroke, and the 8" toms are large enough for me to hit without having to look at them constantly.
All of the pads have great responses; 16th note, single stroke rolls at 150bpm on each pad didn't produce a single missed trigger, and the velocity map in my VST software showed the impacts accurately changing velocity with each change in my impact force, which means I can hear subtle differences in my strokes, just like I would on an acoustic drum.
The Alesis drum module does include a Bluetooth feature that allows you to listen to an external music source (it does NOT do audio out, however), which worked seamlessly, however, the drum samples included in the Nitro drum module are not the greatest, and I'd wager that the tom and cymbal sounds are synthesized, not recorded from acoustic instruments.
However, if you have access to a Mac or Windows computer it doesn't really matter since Alesis includes a free copy of BFD Player and the Dark Mahogany sound pack, a great piece of Virtual Studio Technology (VST) software, which replaces the Alesis module's sounds with studio recorded samples of real, acoustic drums.
All in all, I've been extremely satisfied with what the Alesis Nitro Max delivers, especially considering the price. The real bass drum pedal is a plus, as well as the open and half open triggers on the high hat pedal. I especially loved the versatility of the cymbal mounts, which can be positioned just about anywhere (if you're a tinkerer who likes to adjust your drums every day, you'll love this). I'm a beginner who (I think) is in the process of transitioning to an intermediate player, and at this point in my development I need a kit that accurately reproduces what I'm playing. So far, the Alesis Nitro Max has fit the bill perfectly. I would strongly recommend that anyone searching for a versatile and solid sounding kit for beginning or intermediate players take a long, hard look at this drum set.
Images in this review
Mat
Great sound
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2024Girlbball32
Great begginer set for price! Loving it!
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2024