HEART’S A MESH
It’s the ‘mesh’ that should grab your attention. The DM10 already made some headway when it was introduced a little while back but now you get a lot of kit all covered in mesh heads – something usually reserved for a higher priced kit. Let me share with you the kitty that comes with a DM10 X. TheDM10 X Mesh comes as standard as a 6-piece set up with a 12” snare, two 10” rack toms and two 12” floor toms. You also get a mesh kick pad, which is great, compared to the usual rubber affair usually seen on some kits. You also get a 4-piece cymbal set up with a 12” Hi-Hat, two 14” Crashes and a 16” Ride, so the sizes are substantial and not too small, so far so good. The heads themselves feature 4 points of sensitivity and are tuneable to achieve a desired feel or response from the stick.
The whole thing comes on a 4-post X-rack with boom cymbal arms and hinged clamps, not once did I question the sturdiness of the rack or hardware. The DM10 module is a pretty cool thing too. You get an amazing 12 trigger inputs that accept third party pads and triggers with the ability to add another 10 inputs on a separate module!
DYNAMIC ARTICULATION
There’s also a basic mixer for quick volume adjustments and over 1000 uncompressed samples that feature Dynamic Articulation – an Alesis excusive, where each sound is actually made up of multiple samples at various levels and articulations. This means that as you play harder or softer, the drum or cymbal actually changes its timbre or quality of sound and not just the volume or velocity. You can also input sounds directly via USB from your computer, play along with tracks built in on the unit or via iPod and aux input with or without metronome. There are two stereo pairs of 1/4” outputs to send separate mixes to FOH or a monitor, headphone out with separate volume control and you get sequencing capabilities plus effects such as reverb and sensitivity settings.
SENSITIVE SOUL
The plentiful built in kits and sounds are realistic and so is the feel from the new mesh heads. I always felt the sensitivity was there, even when I played more intricately or with faster ghost notes for example. The mesh kick pad really enhances the experience and I was really digging the fact that I had a full 6-piece kit with a second crash. This is a great kit for the coin. You actually get a lot for your money. Alesis have done a very good job with thisDM10 MESH eliminating the negative stigma that sometimes comes with not purchasing from some of the more well known electric drum manufactures. It’s another option in the price bracket and it’s one worth considering.
