[davfra]

I'm thinking of buying the DM5 Drum Module. Has anyone got one and would they recommend them, please?
There don't seem to be any impartial views on the web.
I would prefer a proper drum kit but I just haven't got the room, and the noise factor also comes into it.
I have Rock Band 2 and the Ion Drum Rocker.

[Stinja]

So you want the DM5 to practice drums without using RB2? That seems to work, according to Teh InterWebs, but wont give any extras if using it with RB2. I'm pretty sure someone here once had one.

Originally Posted by davfra

I would prefer a proper drum kit but I just haven't got the room, and the noise factor also comes into it.

You sound like a prime candidate for a Roland HD-1 See posts 246, 253, probably others scattered about... We should get Bursar to measure the physical volume his shiny new TD9 uses up as well.

[davfra]

I had a look at that and it does seem a nice pieice of gear. But little bit more than I intended to spend.
Perhaps I should concentrate on improving the Ion Rocker instead.
Any ideas?

[Bursar]

Originally Posted by davfra

I had a look at that and it does seem a nice pieice of gear. But little bit more than I intended to spend.
Perhaps I should concentrate on improving the Ion Rocker instead.
Any ideas?

I can certainly get the tape measure out

As to improving the IONs, you can buy a couple of extra cymbals, you can replace the pads with mesh ones, you could get some better cymbals, but the cost will add up, and if you start doing that, you might find you'll have been better off buying something the HD1 to start with.

Thw key difference are that the IONs are a game controller, so will work with your console with no problems. You could get a drum module and then swap cables between it and the ION controller as you move between drumming and playing RB.

The HD1 (or whatever e-drum kit you look at) is a drum kit. It won't work with RB, so you'll need to make sure you can run MIDI out from the kit to the GH:WT drum controller, and that can connect to the 360.

But, you'll have the options of mesh pads, multi-zone pads and cymbals, and seperate kick/hi hat pedals.

Ask around though, you'll find a couple of people who have probably spent more than the cost of an entry e-kit in upgrading their IONs. How far do you want to take it, and how much do you want to spend?

[ASE101]

I have the DM5 and use it with some Ions (although there's not much Ion left in it now). You don't need to swap cables around between playing with RB or not, you just need a GH controller from the GH:WT drums, connected via a midi cable - and then you either turn that on to play RB/GH or you don't to play outside the game.

Advantages of the DM5:

- you turn the Ions into a proper edrum kit (as per any module)
- you can use the bass pedal as a hi-hat pedal (which is what it really is)
- you can use a proper bass pedal and a kick trigger for bass
- you can use the DM5 as a hi-hat kickbox
- the DM5 is easy to use and setup, and works well with the Ions
- you get 5 lanes in GH games (as per any module)

Disadvantages:

- the sounds aren't as good as something like a TD3
- it's quite a big piece of kit (although handy for mounting the GH:WT controller)
- the build quality isn't as good as some other modules

I have a pic of my setup in one of the recent pic threads in this forum if you want to see how I have mine. For more info check out the Ion Drum Rocker thread and Electric Drum thread.

[chewyx]

Originally Posted by Bursar

I

Ask around though, you'll find a couple of people who have probably spent more than the cost of an entry e-kit in upgrading their IONs. How far do you want to take it, and how much do you want to spend?

This.

If you plan on upgrading the ION, my advice would be dont. Just buy an e-kit instead and sell the ION. When my upgrading is complete, the total is going to be about £1100-£1200 (although £200 of that was effectivly wasted on kickboxes and cymbals) It will effectively be a TD9KX minus the brain though (I have an Alesis Trigger IO as my brain). Save your money and just get an e-kit. Plus they hold their value pretty well.

ASE101 has a DM5. Im sure he will be along shortly to give you his opinion of them.

The Alesis Trigger IO that I have is great but you do need to run it through a PC to use it as a brain (this is perfect for me as I have a HTPC in my lounge connected to my av receiver) so its not great for everyone.

A roland TD3 brain is another option but the ION pedal doesnt work with it so you would need to buy a new hi-hat pedal.

Dont forget, you are going to need a bass pedal and kicktrigger too (such as a Roland KD8) if you buy a brain which adds to the cost. Your looking at about £200 to get a brain, kick trigger and pedal (more if you go the TD3 brain route). Sell the IONs and buy a 2nd hand TD3 instead.

[ASE101]

I couldn't agree more with Chewyx. I have had fun upgrading the Ions but wish I'd just gone and bought some TD3's off ebay.

[PlexShaw]

Advantages of the DM5:

• You can get the 5 lanes in GH games

Disadvantages of the DM5:

• You can get the 5 lanes in GH games

I think this sums up the main points for me.

[Chrispyphillips]

Originally Posted by PlexShaw

Advantages of the DM5:

• You can get the 5 lanes in GH games

Disadvantages of the DM5::

• You can get the 5 lanes in GH games

I think this sums up the main points for me.

Couldnt disagree more. The designated pads for GH add a much better experience IMO, I have played GH with the RB kit and it was appalling! Setting up a real e-kit to the GH brain and playing GH(World tour or metallica) is absolutely great fun! At least with the GH brain you get the option of all lanes in GH, and still the correct lanes in RB!! For me its the perfect setup (although I'd swap out my TD3s for a shiny set of 20's anyday, played them again on the weekend and once again fell in love!!)

[chewyx]

agreed. I had never played a GH set previously and though that the 5th lane wouldnt make much difference at all but it is sooooooo much more fun. Plus you get the accents on the hi-hat notes when there open hi-hats so it gives you a chance to practice with the hi-hat pedal (if you have one)

Chrispy, step away from the TD20's!!! Im just waiting for the "argh ive just dropped £4k on a set of drums" thread!!

[PlexShaw]

Originally Posted by Chrispyphillips

Couldnt disagree more. The designated pads for GH add a much better experience IMO, I have played GH with the RB kit and it was appalling! Setting up a real e-kit to the GH brain and playing GH(World tour or metallica) is absolutely great fun! At least with the GH brain you get the option of all lanes in GH, and still the correct lanes in RB!! For me its the perfect setup (although I'd swap out my TD3s for a shiny set of 20's anyday, played them again on the weekend and once again fell in love!!)

To be fair, my comment was somewhat facetious and I wasn't really talking about using a real e-drum kit (I've never used one to play GH or RB but I'll take everyone's word for it that it's awesome).

However, I did play GHWT to completion with the GH drums and absolutely hated it (this was partly down to the crappy kit and partly down to the IMO awkward pad layout - the amount of times I kept hitting the orange instead of the blue was ridiculous). One day, many months later, I hooked up the RB kit and had another go. The difference in the enjoyment I had cannot be understated and ultimately prompted me to import the RB2 kit. Honestly, I just prefer the easier, less intimidating pad layout. But then again I'm a vocalist, so what do I know?

[davfra]

The general consesus seems to be don't bother to upgrade the Ions.
I'm going to leave it for a while and see if I'm still in love with the Ions/RB2 set up in a few weeks as I am now. I've only had it for a few weeks and I can't stop playing with it.
Trouble is, if I didn't have the notes on screen, I wouldn't know what to play, so it's not really like playing the drums - but it's such great fun!

[PlexShaw]

Originally Posted by davfra

Trouble is, if I didn't have the notes on screen, I wouldn't know what to play, so it's not really like playing the drums - but it's such great fun!

Yes, there's something to be said for this. A friend of mine who loves the drums and has the Ion kit is broadly of the same view.

[Chrispyphillips]

Originally Posted by PlexShaw

To be fair, my comment was somewhat facetious and I wasn't really talking about using a real e-drum kit (I've never used one to play GH or RB but I'll take everyone's word for it that it's awesome).

However, I did play GHWT to completion with the GH drums and absolutely hated it (this was partly down to the crappy kit and partly down to the IMO awkward pad layout - the amount of times I kept hitting the orange instead of the blue was ridiculous). One day, many months later, I hooked up the RB kit and had another go. The difference in the enjoyment I had cannot be understated and ultimately prompted me to import the RB2 kit. Honestly, I just prefer the easier, less intimidating pad layout. But then again I'm a vocalist, so what do I know?

GH Kit = Rubbish!!
RB Kit = Rubbish!!
Any kit that isnt an e-kit, after using an e-kit to play these games = RUBBISH!!

Its jus the way it is plex, its a totally different experience!! But using the GH module with a real kit is probably the best way to go about playing this game!! Its just factual mate!

[PlexShaw]

Originally Posted by Chrispyphillips

GH Kit = Rubbish!!
RB Kit = Rubbish!!
Any kit that isnt an e-kit, after using an e-kit to play these games = RUBBISH!!

Its jus the way it is plex, its a totally different experience!! But using the GH module with a real kit is probably the best way to go about playing this game!! Its just factual mate!

Just to be clear, I never claimed that it wasn't a totally different experience (far from it, in fact). I just stated that I absolutely hate the 5 pad layout. As far as I'm concerned, I'm playing a video game and not "properly" drumming, so I prefer to take the option that makes more sense to me from that angle (i.e. is easier to get my head around).

With the best will in the world, not everyone has the money, skill or space to justify the outlay for a real e-kit (plus the GH kit), so the standard and premium drum 'controller only' options available have to be of some use to the general unenlightened masses.

For my money, the RB or Ion kits are far better for both games than the GH one in every respect, regardless of whether they all happen to be rubbish overall or not.

Anyway, this is all totally off-topic now and I apologise to davfra for doing so.

[Stinja]

Originally Posted by PlexShaw

Anyway, this is all totally off-topic now and I apologise to davfra for doing so.

I'm not. I had a look about for old GHWT vs RB2 threads, and they are a little old now...

So i fired up GHWT after a looooonnnng break, and played Today, Eye of the Tiger and Living on a prayer, hard difficulty on both games (plus a few select others not on each game). Although you get 5 lanes, they actually seem to offer less variety. For example in RB2 you might get a blue-green ride-crash, whereas in GHWT these two notes with just be orange-orange. Similarly yellow never seems to be used a a tom and so on. Overall RB2, once you listen out for the change in notes / learn the tracks, seems to have more variety in the note charts with an e-kit. You could say you could do the same for GHWT, but i think it's harder to pick if an orange note is a crash or ride, rather than if a green note is a tom or crash.

Then add in the other issues GHWT has, and i'm not sold at all. A mini breakdown IMO is this:

GHWT:
+ menus speedier
+ skip a failed song in a playlist
+ better score tracking/stats
+ audio adjustments per instrument
- note lane "gems" harder to visualise

RB2:
+ better charting
+ better compatibility for edrums
+ clearer GUI
+ better crowd/band graphics
+ better structured single/multi-player
+ drum trainer
- hard to pick out kicks and hihats when starpower active (its all yellow!)

This is ignoring the actual content/DLC, just talking about the technical side or drumming. The only feature i actually miss from GHWT is the ability to skip a song you just failed - thats it.

The general consesus seems to be don't bother to upgrade the Ions. ... Trouble is, if I didn't have the notes on screen, I wouldn't know what to play, so it's not really like playing the drums - but it's such great fun!

Yeah just see how you like it in three months time, if you're still playing then you need an edrum kit, otherwise it was just a fad you went thru.

As for "real" drumming, i just enjoy playing the games. I dont ever intend to join a band, i wont ever write music, i'm not interested in being a human metronome. So dont be hung up on that, although a couple of lessons might be good to knock out bad habits and make you better at the games. After a bit you do get better at knowing what to play; sometimes i can look away and know the sequence and keep the beat happily while checking on the cat or something - and remember i'm rubbish at music / tone deaf / bad rhythm - it'll come in time

[davfra]

"Anyway, this is all totally off-topic now and I apologise to davfra for doing so."

Not at all. As a newbie, I'm finding it all very interesting. I started out with what looked like four coloured plates that cost £20 and couldn't believe the enjoyment I got out of whacking them.
So much so that I took the plunge and got the Ions and it's the best "gadget" I've ever bought.