Pyle Pro Electronic Drum Kit Review: Great for Beginners But Lacks The Natural Feel
Today we will take a look at the Pyle Pro Electronic Drum Kit. An unorthodox style of kit, it is designed for tabletops and is more like playing Whac-A-Mole than actual drumming. Not only can it provide you a way to learn to play drums, but it also functions as a recording device for amateur musicians that aren’t proficient on a kit. Let’s dive in!
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At a Glance – Our Initial Thoughts
For a non-traditional style kit, we think the Pyle Pro does a pretty good job replicating everything you would find in your standard style drum set.
Due to its tabletop design, it takes up very little space and can be transported anywhere you want to take it, making it an ideal toy for kids, or a powerful learning tool for musicians. It is loaded with enough presets to keep you endlessly busy, and it also provides excellent connectivity for those that want to play along with MP3’s. Read on as we get into the nitty-gritty of this set.
What’s In The Box?
The unit has an 8 piece configuration, with silicone pads for each strike-able area – 3 toms, a snare, hi-hats, ride, and crash cymbal. 2-foot pedals plug into the back of the unit, with 1 pedal operating the open/close function for the hi-hats, and the other controlling your kick drum. Designing these as pedals helps to not only keep the noise level in the room down but also gives it more of an intuitive feel while you are playing. It can be hard to play a basic hi-hat + snare + kick drum beat when you only have 2 sticks!
Pyle Pro includes two big speakers on the unit that can get remarkably loud, but you also have the option of plugging in your headphones for the times when you need to tone down the volume. This makes it ideal for environments that need to remain undisturbed.
Also on the unit is an LED control panel that is easy to navigate when cycling through the presets. You get 55 kits to choose from, as well as 10 custom kits. These are already preloaded but you can swap sounds for that perfect fit. Left-handed drummers will especially like that they can re-configure the kit to suit their unorthodox playing style.
In addition to the kit choices, Pyle Pro throws in over 300 sounds, a recording function for playing back your performances, and a drum trainer to help you with your technique and increase your proficiency quickly.
If you were hoping to use this as a recording tool for simple demos at home, this kit has you covered there as well. With USB connectivity, you can plug it right into your computer and record to your heart’s content.
Additionally, the headphone 1/4” out jack can also be used to run a line to an external amplifier if you want to get really loud, and an auxiliary input allows you to plug in your phone or tablet for jamming along with your favorite tracks, or learning with practice apps.
Weighing 7.5 lbs., and standing 16.5 x 22 x 5.5 inches, it is portable enough that you can easily store it out of the way, or take it to a friend’s house or recording studio. If you lose the power adapter it comes with, fear not, as Pyle Pro designed it for use with 6 “C” batteries, ensuring you never have to be without drums.
How Does It Stand Out?
Play It Anywhere
The tabletop design of this electronic drum kit is not only eye-catching but surprisingly efficient. It replicates the placement of a traditional kit’s set-up while allowing you to customize the pads for a fine-tuned fit. With over 300 sounds you have a lot to choose from. Pyle Pro designed this for use anywhere you go, making it an ideal practice tool for musicians, or a fun toy for kids. With battery backup capability and easy transport, all you need is something to rest the unit on and you’re good to go!
Purposeful Pedals
The Pyle Pro kit comes with two-foot pedals for controlling your hi-hats, as well as the kick drum. These pedals serve three purposes. The first is that it is hard to play even the most basic of beats without your foot triggering the kick drum sound. The second is that due to the switch/trigger nature of these pedals (the kick drum pedal does not have a beater and pad), it helps to quiet down the noise you are making while drumming. Finally, as the pedals aren’t attached to a support frame like some electronic kits are designed with, you can perfectly position the pedals where they feel most comfortable for your feet.
No Limits To Your Style
One of the coolest things about this model is that you can just pick up a pair of sticks and bash away on the pads. Loaded with a plethora of kit choices, you have a lot of options to easily find the proper sounds for your style, which can be customized into a kit of your own. With large pads right under your hands, you can even turn them into a Latin-influenced kit, and play bongos like you normally would. The only limit with this kit is how imaginative you are with it.
FAQ
Can left-handed drummers use this kit?
What is included with this kit?
Can I use the Pyle Pro with Garageband?
Can it be used with headphones or an external speaker?
Is there a stand I can buy for it?
Our Final Thoughts
Reported issues with this kit are that it lacks a natural feel compared to most electronic kits. Let’s face it though, if you are seriously considering this model, there’s a good chance you’ve already thought about how it plays compared to a traditional setup.
The other issue is the pedals can be overly sensitive at times, and even a bit wobbly. We would suggest lining the underside of them with silicone padding for added stability.
While the Pyle Pro Electronic Drum Kit isn’t the quietest unit out there, it is priced well, and it’s great for beginners, amateur musicians, or parents that want to keep their kids occupied for a few hours.
If this electronic drum set is not what you were looking for, check out our Best Electronic Drum Set post.