Alesis Crimson II E-Drum Kit Review
Vložit
- čas přidán 14. 07. 2024
- I've had the Alesis Crimson II kit for a few months now, and I figured I've had enough experience with it to share some opinions about it. There were a few surprises about this kit that I didn't come across during the research I performed before choosing to purchase it. I would have wanted to know about these issues/features, so you probably would as well.
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Drum/Cymbal/Hardware Features
03:20 - Drum/Cymbal/Hardware Issues
05:39 - Drum Module Features
08:10 - Drum Module Issues
10:28 - Conclusion
11:20 - Drumming Demo
Check out my stuff:
campsite.bio/wolfstarsoundscapes
Alesis Crimson II 5-Piece E-Drum Kit
Vic Firth American Classic "Rock" Drum Sticks
DW 3000 Pedals
Pork Pie Big Boy Drum Throne
Shure SM57 Microphone
Neewer NW-81 Pro Condenser Microphone
Sony Handycam HDR-CX405
Cockos Reaper DAW
MT Power DrumKit 2 VST
Adobe Premiere CC
Gijuanring Dimmable Bi-Color LED Video Lights - Hudba
UPDATE: So, despite the open and closed hi-hats having the same MIDI number within the drum module, it DOES send a DIFFERENT MIDI number to my DAW. Unfortunately, the drum VST I'm currently using does not support MIDI numbers below 24 (it's showing up as 8). So, that's half of the issue solved, but now I need to figure out a way to have Reaper change the incoming MIDI number to a higher one, without introducing latency or other issues.
UPDATE to the UPDATE:
EZ Drummer basically solved the hi-hat issue with no trouble at all. Use a high quality Drum VST and you might be fine.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes that's good news!
I just bought this drum set and I'm having the same issue with the high hat. What do I do to fix this while using ezdrummer?
I don't have the kit yet, but I did a research to see how easy or difficult would be to fix it
Thanks for the practical review with no wasted blah blah. Well done, sir.
I bought this kit this week and I'm quite impressed. I've still goy to work out how to edit and customise, but so far, so good.
Nice video man! Thanks! The Crimson seem like pretty good drums. Since the pandemic started it seems like I can't stop watching electronic drum review videos on CZcams haha I also bought a Roland in January. I sometimes kick myself for not going a little cheaper, but I know they can take a beating so I'm happy :)
I think you made the right choice! If I were upgrading my e-drums, I'd definitely go for Roland instead, since their line of products seems much more fit for professional use.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes ehh, you still did good and you learned how to fix things when they break. Not a bad thing to know at all!
Good review. Getting the SE kit in a few days. Pretty sure I heard from another review that you can split any of the crash/tom outputs. They are all dual zone. So you could add an absurd amount of drums and cymbals if you just split the cables coming from module. So losing the crash 2 output is no problem.
Ya know, I didn't think of that. I could totally split the 2 signals those 2 inputs have and have 3 potential addons instead of 1. I've already reassigned the tom rims to different instruments, so hopefully it's as simple as that. Thanks!
Nice round-up. Coming to electronic drums as a freshman. They do, in general, seem to have their issues. One kit has this issue, another has that issue...and so on.
Thanks man.
Thankyou man Subbed to you
Thanks!
Nice review! Did you try changing the midi number in your module? I have an Alesis Nitro and when using EZD2 and if I change the midi note or voice from within the module itself, I can get the hi hat or drum sound I want to use in EZD2. I use EZD2 as a vst in Studio One. I use Studio One’s drum instrument Impact as well. I actually changed the midi note within the module to 39 which is a Tom 4 Rim to get a crash cymbal in Impact. I’m not great at understanding MIDI, so maybe the mapping is all screwed up but I get it to work. Hope this helps.
There isn't a way to change the MIDI number for the closed hi-hat; only the open one. I wound up having to get a higher-end VST (EZ Drummer 2) for the assignments to line up properly.
Hi! I'm really looking into purchasing this kit as I really need something good to record in MIDI so me and my band could maybe record some songs. I'm not too knowledgeable on all the software and sets available since I've only ever used an acoustic set. I just wanna know if this set is at all worth it since it's one of the best available for me since I'm only looking to spend a little under $1000 and I would love to just get Roland but they're all so expensive and I'm not sure what I'd even want, and I just thought this kit looked great but after hearing your complaints I'm a little worried as to if I should get something else
Just got the kit. Doesn't seem like the hi-hat pedal works to open and close the hi-hat. Any ideas? Did you have any issues with that out of the box?
I'm about to purchase a kit this one to be exact 400 bucks on Marketplace.. Would there be anything I should look out for before purchasing?
This is my first Kit.
Hi Sir, May I know the dimension of the whole set when assembled?
maybe it's too late but regarding your hihats problem, you can remap your software to whatever midi input you want. probably by now you already figured it out lol
Anyone knows what the difference between vanilla Crimson 2 and Crimson 2 SE is? I just got a Crimson 2 SE for $400, virtually brand new.
Is the red screen as hard to read as it looks in the video? I have terrible eyesight, and that's looking pretty difficult to make out. Does it strain your eyes at all? Thank you so much.
I wouldn't say it is 'hard" to read, but the red is a bit annoying and might be tough to see in stage-lighting conditions. If it were blue or black/white it would be better. If it's difficult for you to use, I'd suggest setting it all up at once so you don't really have to change settings much, or look into getting a different module to work with this kit. The Crismon I (one) model has a blue screen that people say is easier to read.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes Thank you so much 👊👍
I have the same kit. How do you change our the rims to the China, splash, and cowbell?
I plugged a USB stick into it with the samples I wanted to use, then I went into the module's menus and added those sounds to those parts. Saved it as a new preset.
Do you think nux dm 8 would be better?
is there a firmware upgrade for this module?
I bought the special edition kit but I can't attach my pedal to the bass drum properly because there is a weird bump where the pedal is attached.
The clamp on your pedal can't open wide enough? That's odd.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes It can open but the clamp kinda pushes the bass drum out of its place when tightened,, I don't know how to explain it.
Any idea of how loud this kit would be for the people next door?
The cymbals and kick pedal are the loudest things. You're hitting hard rubber with the sticks and the bass pedal still makes a good, "thud" sound. The kick pad, snare, and toms are all mesh, which is actually very quiet. I would say if you have upstairs neighbors, you'll probably be alright if you don't play during odd hours. If you have downstairs neighbors, they'll definitely hear you. As for people next to you, it will probably be similar to the upstairs people. If you can, try not to put the kit next to any walls you share with a neighbor. Check out some sound isolation tips on CZcams for things like hanging blankets surrounding the kit or putting towels on the cymbals, since you don't really depend on the bounce-back from them the same way you do with the snare/toms. I have my drumkit in an upstairs office/bedroom. If you're outside the door to the room, the tapping on the cymbals is pretty obnoxious. If you're downstairs, you pretty much only hear the kick. If you're a couple rooms away, then you might not hear anything at all. The harder you hit, the louder it gets, of course.
Can you change the ride edge to a China cymbal?
I imagine you can. All a matter of importing the new sample into the module and replacing the sample associated with the ride edge or "crashing" the ride.
Aaaargh... does the high hat problem follow you every drum software??. When closed and open high hat have same mini number
If the midi # can't be changed, then yes. No matter which VI you use, you can only match one midi # to one sample at a time.
Hey, how do you record using software?
Whichever DAW you use (Reaper, Pro Tools, Ableton, etc.) you can use it as a MIDI instrument. If you have a drum VST (EZ Drummer, Superior Drummer, Steven Slate Drums, etc.) then you can use this drum kit to trigger the sounds in the software and record your drum hits to midi notes. There are lots of very helpful video tutorials on CZcams to assist you in setting everything up :) Makes it easy to adjust for mistakes and change velocities too.
can you choke symbals on the alesis crimson 2? thanks
yes you can
@@wolfstarsoundscapes thanks for answering, another question. is there an EQ option on the kit itself? or do you need something else to have an EQ? cuz the mix sounds a bit thin sounding like less bass and more treble. i want to fix tjat by adjusting EQ. and im kinda new to alesis. thanks
does it come with realhat pedal?? continuous?
Nah, it's either open or closed; it doesn't track if you're in-between.
Your broken original snare is pretty easy to fix. Then, you can use it as another 10" tom. Let me guess, pad doesn't work, but the rim does? It's a broken wire. Fix the wire and wrap it with a heat shink and the problem is gone of good.
Yes, that's exactly what has happened with the snare, but I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to wiring. No experience with that.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes It not as hard as you might think. The problem with the design is that the thin wire sits on a plastic shelf and the friction of the drumming snaps the wire. All you need to do is rewire the sensor (not hard) and reinforce the wiring over the shelf with a heat shink. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and about 50 cents worth of parts. You will need a soldering pencil too. Maybe I should make a video on this.
@@exciteyouraudience I'm sure plenty of people could benefit from some help with this issue!
@@exciteyouraudience please make a video
You are wrong about the hi hat midi triggering. Just use a better vst such as ED or SSD5.5 (it’s free btw) and it will work just fine. Remember that you are also sending a hi hat foot pedal note and the vst will adjust accordingly
Do those VSTs accept midi numbers below 24? Or do they automatically adjust lower MIDI numbers up to ones it can work with? The only lead I've gotten for working with MTPowerKit is telling my DAW to change the MIDI number upon reception, somehow.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes I have used ED and SSD5.5 without any issue. The only thing you have to do is to change the midi mapping inside the VST to either a Strike or DM10 kit. and that is all you need to do. :)
@@wolfstarsoundscapes is the problem fixed now?
i want to get the crimson kit but the high hat thing is a deal breaker
@@nadavyehezkel3089 Seems like it's going to depend on the VST and/or DAW you're running the kit into. I've gotten varied results and can't seem to come up with a way for me to properly fix the issue without investing in a more professional drum VST or dealing with a bunch of weird settings in my DAW. Best of luck.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes I believe EZ drummer is the way to go then. it's the most common and haven't heard any complaints about the high-hat. Thanks for the reply!
Regarding your gripe re: the second crash, the input on the back of the module is labelled ‘Crash 2’ 🙄 There’s your big clue! 🥴 Hint: the extra Tom input is labelled ‘Tom 4’, so you can, indeed have an extra (fourth) Tom.
Navigation is absolutely intuitive (and dead straightforward, as well). 😬
Well I'm glad Mr. Brainsalot here had absolutely no problem dealing with the negative features of the kit. I'm sure Alesis appreciates the free support.
"Gets pretty complicated"
This is my first election set. I picked up the SE today since it was $300 off. I'm completely lost after spending 4 hours playing with sounds, sensitively, ect. Overall I think it was a good purchase since I moved into a condo aka no acoustic drums allowed. However, the sounds are pretty awful and I would love to know how and where you can find kit sounds to add to the modular?
I'm not expecting my kit to sound like the real deal, but It's incredibly hard playing Deftones, at the drive-in, Rage, and smashing punkin on the sounds I'm finding.
Again, I'm totally new to electric, so any help pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thus is kinda overwhelming. Thanks man 🤙
So, what I wound up doing is looking up individual drum samples, making sure to convert them to the format the module understands, and applying them to a kit and saving that kit as a User one. I don't remember where I exactly found my samples, since they are from all different sources. I would look up "cowbell sample free" and things like that and just see what the internet had to offer. I had my eyes glued to the manual that came with the kit, as it's not exactly an intuitive process.
I've heard that if you have a drum VST with sounds you enjoy (Superior Drummer, GetGood Drums, Steven Slate, etc.) you can go into the files and grab samples from there instead of hunting online. All I can really say is to pay close attention to the manual. Feels like you're studying, lol.
If you really mess up badly somehow, you can always factory reset your drum module. Also, your kit will sound better with better samples, but since you're only importing 1 velocity per-sample, the "velocity" is just gonna raise and lower the volume of the sample, instead of replicating the instrument being hit harder or softer accurately. I actually think that's what it does in most cases with the mediocre built-in sounds anyway.
Let me know if I could assist you further. Good luck :)
Try this fix (changing closed hat on your kit to midi #9). czcams.com/video/zES45hm4its/video.html
Oh so I'll have to see which midi # is being triggered in my software by the closed hi-hat, then map that to the actual closed hi-hat sound, since I can't change the midi number of the closed hi-hat in my drum module. I'll follow up once I get to try that.
Your drumming is awesome btw. However, the set sounds like you’re playing a $50 drum set. Doesn’t seem worth over $1000 :/
Yes it definitely sounds like trash, like most built-in drum sounds, which is why I highly recommend running it through a drum VST like Superior Drummer, Addictive Drums, Getgood Drums, MTPower Drumkit, or whatever you like so you get far better/more realistic sounds. If you aim to use this kit for performances, plan on bringing a laptop hahah (if you can fix the hi-hat issue). As far as the quality of the drums themselves, I think it could use a price change to something like $850-$750.
Also, you could probably make a big difference by loading your own samples into the module to build better drum kits, like I did a little bit.
@@wolfstarsoundscapes But you described your recording technique with mic/speaker? So i'm assuming, that the sound via headphones is way better! My Crimson 2SE doesn't sound like 'trash' at all!
@@df6469 It's perfectly fine for jamming or even some performances, but the sounds are definitely not good enough to put on studio-recorded tracks, in my opinion. The speakers I'm using definitely aren't helping it sound better, so headphones do make a difference. If you want to record with it, it's better off as a midi kit for drum VSTs.
In italiano nessun commento?
Scusa, non parlo italiano. Grazie per aver guardato.