Edrum Pad Compatibility (What Pads Work With What Modules) 

Justin you should do an updated video on this topic, would love to hear what you think about the newer yamaha modules

Hey brother. Another really informative video. Pad/module cross-compatibility is a hot topic for e-drummers so great you have picked this subject up on your YT channel.

This is perfect. My wife bought me an Alesis Debut kit (not knowing it was designed for children) and honestly the only thing that absolutely drives me nutz with this kit is the cheap pedals. The kick pedal (sandwiches a switch) will randomly go off with the slightest pressure of the foot (or not at all) and it continuously pushes away on a concrete floor. I'm sure I could solve this by putting a carpet underneath, but I really don't like the feel of the plastic rubber icecream sandwich thing they have going on. Was trying to determine if I could just buy another alesis pedal and have it trigger the kick (there's no sensitivity for the kick or high hat... just an on/off switch). Figured I'd play these out until my daughter gets interested and I buy myself something a bit more suitable (and look for a double kick pedal setup :D )

Hey there. I just wanted to say thank you for this channel. I’m 36 years old drummer who has played since he was five and played in bands all his life. Six years ago I moved from where I was in bands in a larger city to the south 16 hours away from home. Been here all this time and pretty much stopped playing because I didn’t know anyone here and it’s a small town where the music community is few and far between with limited style choices. I’ve played the Roland kite in guitar centers and other shops and I’ve always loved them but haven’t been in to a music shop in six years. I also live in a neighborhood where the houses are too close to keep neighbors happy with playing e drums were the perfect match. So I finally ended up getting a kit and it’s been a week in. Very happy! I did a lot of research and listened to what you had to say. I may not agree with everything you have to say...I’m a drummer...we are stubborn people! Lol but this channel on a whole is amazing! My brother has a studio and I know a lot of drummers who are clueless about what e drums can do. I will gladly point them in your direction for information. You’re doing an amazing job and I wish you all the success possible. I think you are one of the best sources for e drums info. Just wanted to say thank you for all of the information! If you are interested in which kit I purchased I got the alesis crimson 2. I wanted the strike pro but had to stick to budget. I purchased through musicians friend and expedited fo be somewhat disappointed with the kit because of the kits I’ve played on before. Limited response time, zones on cymbals not really working, heads not picking up every hit especially at faster speeds. I have zero issues with this kit. I am am extremely impressed with its playability, the size of the pads, how it was packaged and the module. It feels like I’m playing a real kit with the size and I recommend it to the sloppy style drummers out there that may miss the smaller heads. I’m also a heavy hitter being 280lbs and self taught. I strike the drums incorrectly but because I was self taught at a young age I just can’t change it and I consider myself to be a professional musician so no need to change if it works. The drum handles my heavy hits fine. Again I just wanted to thank you. Keep up the good work!

your videos are so useful and worth watching!

I have a Yamaha kick drum trigger with my Simmons kit and it works PERFECTLY. that's the only info I can add here. The kick was only 90 on Amazon I think and it's held up great so far and has decent rebound

I have one roland pad hooked up to my DTXpressiii. Use it as my high tom. Works fine!!

Awesome brother thank you for the great video once again! I actually picked up an alesis dm10 studio with double pedal for $500 and it came with a throne. I was gonna buy new but I took your advice from your other video into play and got a better deal and bigger set! So thank you once again for your informative videos!

Thanks for the DM10 chart! Made my day!

Good Vid!! I learned this through trial and error a few years back and I wish I could have seen this vid back then.. it would have saved me a lil time lol. I currently have an Alesis DM 10 with a couple of Roland pads, a crash from Yamaha that works as is and the hihat and triple zone ride also from Yamaha that I hacked to make them work perfectly. The rest of the pads I build my self. So much fun! ;-)

Thank you so much, I just got a second hand kit and the module is busted and I been searching for DAYS for any guidance on what is compatible with which model and this cleared it right up for me!

Tremendous video for electronic kit drummers, so much info of use, electro drummers should have to pay to watch this.

What a tremendous bit of advice and thanks heaps for that. I was looking for cheaper pads to go with my Yamaha DTexpress IV but you've telt me that I'm wasting my time trying to find compatible pads. Happy with Yamaha so I'll stick with that. Thanks heaps.

Excellent video! 🥁 I actually own all three of the brands you discussed. I bought a Roland TD-7 kit back in the 90s, added a used Yamaha DTXpress III kit in 2014ish, and a used Alesis Surge kit a few years ago. I have the Alesis and Yams set-up as one big kit, using 2 brains independently run to the mixer (better control). I plugged 2 of the Roland pads into the Alesis brain, and they work great as a crash and a super deep tom. I do have an issue with the Alexis snare not picking up softer play, I have to assault it to trigger. I'll be researching that on some of those excellent resources you gave us. I have the sensitivity wide open and I'm not finding a gate setting. Triggers better when I use a tom pad. 🤷

Great video! Speaking of modules ... I currently own an Alesis DM8 kit. I'll wait a second for the snickering to stop. Anyway, not being a drummer per se, I made my purchase from a position of what can only be called supreme ignorance (better than everyone else's!). I realized the error of my ways when I attempted to use the kit to trigger various VST kits on my system - a necessity in light of the fact that the DM8 module lacks the sound quality I would need to consider using it in my recordings. While setting up the module to match up with the desired VST drums, I had no problems; the major roadblock came when I attempted to choose the cymbals that worked best with the drums - it was there I discovered that the notes to trigger the cymbals were fixed, which was a drag, since the cymbals that were triggered weren't very good. At this stage, I have two choices: (1) find a module that allows for note selection for cymbals as well as drums which is compatible with the DM8; or (2) find a VST drum app that will let me map the cymbals to match the fixed settings on the DM8 module. (I am using Cubase 9 Pro, and the VST drums are part of the Halion6 software, sold separately.) There may be a possibility that the drums that are part of Halion6 might allow for the mapping described in (2), but I haven't found where those settings are - if they in fact exist. I hope I managed to describe my dilemma with sufficient detail. In any event, if anyone who has the solution would be so kind as to post a comment here, your efforts will be greatly appreciated. I realize that, at the end of the day, there will be no choice but to reach the conclusion that I'm screwed; however, as a good friend of mine told me many years ago, if you don't ask, you don't get. Thanks for reading!

I'm dig'n for info on the Nitro Mesh with a DM7x. I was looking for "other brand kick-pad compatibility". I tried the link you provided in the description, but link seems dead. Looked om Alesis site, but no show. Will ya resend link please? Thanks for your contribution to the Drum Fam!!!

Just found out from an Alesis guy that most drums/cymbals are interchangeable.

This is GREAT but its over 3 yrs old... I found this searching to see that if an 18" Roland Ride Cymbal pad will work with the brand new Alesis Strike Pro SE, which I just ordered and I'd love the bigger ride cymbal. Thanks and like your page!

Awesome information! Am also looking for a matrix for pedal compatibility...

Interestingly, I'm currently using a Roland TD17, which I drive using old-school Simmons pads from the early 90s. Toms sound great, but I'm getting a PDX-12 for the snare to get the best out of the TD17. The difference in the cymbal sounds when I replaced the Simmons pads with Roland ones was immense!

Hi i tried the alesis link and seemed that it is no longer working.. thanks for the informative video

If it is any use, Alesis Crimson Mesh pads will work with a DM6. Someone sold me a DM6 for dirt cheap (£100) and I've managed to upgrade it with these pads and Addictive drums, it's far from supreme but the sound and feel I'm getting from this kit is brilliant for a fraction of the cost I could be paying. I know it leaves lots to be desired but if you are on a budget it's worth a look.

I have an alesis d5.i was offered a behringer set of pads.are these compatible atall?

Justin- great video, thanks for covering some very cool topics!!!!

The Alesis DM10 compatibility chart link is dead, would you happen to have a backup of it? Also my DM10 Studio came with a dual trigger ride, just FYI.

As usual, straight to the point and spot on, thanks!

Would the Roland tk1 pads work with the Yamaha TDX400 MODULE???

Congratulations for your video first of all! I have a question : I have a Roland TD-10 V-Drums Module and lost all my pads will for example the RockJam Mesh Head Kit pads work with my module?

This is the best video i have ever seen !!! Liked and subscribed !! but I got a question. I have a yamaha dtxtremre iii, can I use the roland crash cymbal pad on it??? Thank You so much , and i am from Hong Kong Nice video !

Great. Subscribed. You seem much more technically knowledgeable with this stuff and are better spoken and much more to the point about it which I think is GREAT! Hoping you may be able to make a recommendation for me here...... I have Hart Dynamics triggers (the TE3.2 hand-hammered chrome drums) with eCymbal II main crash and ride and a Roland VH11 HH. I sold my TD20 and will eventually get the 30 or 50. For now though I need to accomplish trigger to midi interfacing to my MacBook Pro with no need to generate sound within the interface. I just need the midi data to get to the computer....preferably thru USB. The two very most important things to me in this are the ability to capture the expressiveness of the HH and snare. (HH - chicking, chinging, closed pressure sensivity, and the many levels of between open and closed (at MINIMUM - the many levels of open to closed like for sizzling etc..) (SD - ability to use brushes, positional sensing, etc..) Now.....knowing that even a TD30 (easily obtainable for a $1000 or less) is not even within my budget.....what are the best alternatives that you may know of? A simple interface only or a module of some sort, either one. Doesn't matter to me. Well, I guess I would need a pretty deep editing capability within the interface/module with regard to how the interface/module is reacting to the triggers. I'm sure you know all the assorted parameters I am talking about.....the ones that allow you to really dial the kit in to respond the way you need it to respond. Thank you.

well my Sweetwater sales engineer said my new Roland Td 17 will work with my old alesis mylar pads and i got two 1/4" jacks on the back of my cymbal pads too, its on its way crossing my fingers!!

Have you considered working for audiobooks?

Keep,up the great work Justin.

Does the Yamaha ku100 work with v drums?

What about Roland pads with the new yamaha EAD10? Thanks for the video anyway! It was really helpful!

I think you're the guru of electronic drums

Awesome channel, super informative and clearly put out there! Question: Do you know what best heads for my acoustic set works best with triggers?

I just read this from the NFUZD forum. "The pads may not be compatible, but they can be adapted by making a special cable. You need to connect an NFUZD-compatible four-pole mini-jack on the one end with a 1/4" TRS jack on the other and you'll find good triggering on Roland, 2box and Yamaha modules. In fact, this is the only trigger that works on the DTX snare input! . nfuzdaudio.com/us/support/forum/f1/t80/roalnd-module-compatibility/

10:53 Had this idea too. Bought a Thomann kit and if Snare and Tom wouldn't be satisfying, I would have used an Alesis Nitro Mesh in addition

Or, theoretically, you could buy something like an Alesis trigger io and that should be able to trigger any module with Alesis drums. Or probably other drums. They're very sensitive to crosstalk though so you might take some time setting them up. Also and again theoretically, you should be able to trigger things like keyboards too but again, that might take some time to set up.

Thank You very much, I saved lot of money thanks to this video :-) (I didn't buy modern Yamaha pad for my old drumset)

Very informative video! Thank you! I know you said 99% of the time same brand modules and pads work together...but just to be certain before I buy. Will a Roland DK 8 or DK 9 kick work with the module of the Roland TD4KP portable fold up kit? I'm having sliding problems with the current on frame kick. Thanks!...and keep up the great work!

Just ordered the Alesis Crimson 2 SE. Gonna trigger the Jay Maas drums pack into it. Sounds dope. But I have been looking into this.

Thanks for the video!

Also love your videos, very informative and interesting. Cheers.

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed!

I have an old Roland TD10 set (the red ones, still look awesome) but am considering upgrading to a new module. Will my pads work with the newer module?

The only time I trust a mixed brand/pad: My favorite kick pad is made by Yamaha. Works great with my kt-4 or td-30 modules. The kat and Roland rides are not interchangeable.

**Public Service Announcement** the new Yamaha DTX Pro and ProX modules DO NOT work with the Yamaha TCS silicone, 3-zone pads. How do I know? Because I bought the module and thought it would work with my DTX950K kit and..... it didn't. Fortunately the music shop was understanding and refunded my money.

You say that 99% of the time, if you buy a Roland pad and a Roland module, they'll work together. I apologize if you've already answered this question, but with an older TD-7 module, is a new BT-1 bar trigger compatible?

you can also use ddrum pro triggers with roland modules and they work very well

Am not a percussionist -- but am trying to build an inexpensive 'living room kit' for when other musicians visit. I never thought it would be such a hassle to figure out which beaterless kick pedals and high-hat pedals will work with various modules and multi-pads. Do manufacturers avoid posting this type of information because they believe it will drive customers to be brand-centric? Very annoying; I don't have this problem in the keyboard world.

Didn't catch if you said if I can add a 12'' Roland PDX-12 Dual-Mesh snare to replace the Yamaha one on a DTX6K2-X module. Thanks

Bro plz make a review on Alesis dm7x

Anyone knows if Alesis Nitro Mesh pads works on Behringer x8usd?

Great video man! Thanks for the info😀😀

Will all the alesis crimson 2 pads (excluding hi-hat) work with the Milemium MPS 1000 module. In theory it should bc they are made by the same factory and there are the same ports for the pads on the back (a VGA looking thing & a 6.3mm jack for extra pads)

Do the yamaha dtx three zone cumbal pads and snare still work as three zone with the dtxpress modules?

I have this Roland td 3 module and it does the same thing with the ride as 2box, though the pad is just the same as all my other cymbals except for my hihat

What drum module do you mainly use, love the also, helped a lot

I have a Simmons SD1500 and I love it. I have played mesh heads but I prefer the feel of the rubber. The question I have is: is there a stand alone hi-hat on a hi-hat stand that I could get to work? I saw your build your own td11 for less would that work?

I've a HUGE problem with my Alesis Command Mesh drumkit module. It doesn't start, it just freezes when i turn it on and it doesn't pass further than the firmware screen, doesn't respond to any button and the only way to turn it off is by removing the power supply chord. I need help and you seem to know so much about e.drums. I've sent a support request via the official site of Alesis but haven't got a respond yet, i even tried out one unofficial Alesis forum in the internet and found a guy with the same issue, but no answers. PLEASE, if you know anything about this type of freezing issues please let me know, i'm dying in here =(

The tuning knob on the Yamaha pads seems like a good idea, but I can't help but think that if you're moving the kit around (like to play a gig) those dials are going to get moved, & end up with the drum's tuning being all out. Like on a guitar amp when the tone settings are always getting bumped (having an amp with pre-sets is a godsend)

I know this is an older video, but I cannot seem to find answers on compatibility with the DTX-402 series module . But is there a cheaper (mesh or silicon) snare alternative that works on this module out of the box in 2024, or is the XP80 the only "budget" option to go, to upgrade the set?

great info thanks!

Can I chain a td-11 with a dm7 or dm10? both have midi in, making the td-11 slave and dm7/10 master. I couldn't find anywhere if this would work. thank you! love your videos

Does the Yamaha DTX Pro x module work with Alesis Strike pads? My church strike module will not read any SD cards. Internal or external

Hi man, looking to upgrade my Alesis forge ride (single zone) for a dual zone ride - any recommendations? Love the videos

The kick pad Alesis Nitro is compatible for module Yamaha dtx 402? I AM Brazilian.... Thank you

I bought a Roland kit but I can't change the individual drum sounds only full kit sound. Can I buy an alesis module for my kit?

Hi 65 Drums, good video out here. Is the Yamaha Cymbal Pad CY95AT compatible to Yamaha DTX450K? Thanks

Hello, can i plug a Roland pdx8 pad into an Alesis nitro drum module? It works? Thanks tour videos are great

I bought a lynxjam 8 piece which is awesome. I bought a Roland td4 to Try some beer sounds. All the pads and cymbals work for the Roland. But the hi hat pedal is not working. Do I need a Roland hi hat pedal?

What’s some advice for someone wanting to buy a Alesis DM10 mkii pro and switching the module to a TD 17?

Which is best for jazz love and recording , modern jazz

I have a yamaha ku100 foot trigger, the td6v doesn't recognise it as a hi hat control but does so in the ride socket. Weird.

Hey Justin, great video btw! Do you know if the Alesis Strike pads and cymbals will work with the Pearl Mimic Pro? Thanks

I bought a dual zone Lemon drum. It doesn't work as dual zone on my Alesis Strike module. It does on a Roland TD8 though. Is this an issue with the Alesis jack?

What about Yamaha DTX 900M to Roland Pads do you think it will work?

I have a specific hardware compatibility question: will a Yamaha DTX 120 textured cellular silicone snare pad work with a ddrum ddti interface going into Superior Drummer 3? What would the trigger latency be like on that? TRS should be TRS, as long as all the connections are made from the pad I should be able to swap settings around in superior drummer right?

Great video Justin! I really like Roland V-Pad PDX-100. It seems as a good choice with its price. But i would like to learn if it is compatible with Yamaha DTX502 module. You know yamaha snare has two rims with switches. But i think rim piezo of PDX-100 can be defined with DTX502 module and if matched with the rimshot sound of drum kit it works. What u think? Thanks.

do you have any experience with ATV xd3 modules and what pads are compatible with that?

Help!!! I own an Alesis Surge Mesh Kit. The snare pad broke and I can't find a replacement. Would the Roland V-Pad PDX work with the Surge module???

I have an Alesis Turbo Mesh kit , I want to replace and up grade the Hi Hat cymbal, I barely can hear it. Do you have any suggestions for a compatible replacement

Is this why my kv 17 has two ride cables so I can upgrade the ride cymbal to a 3 zone?

Hey brother, great video BTW. I have a question. I live in Colombia (South America). I have a Medeli DD630S drum kit, and recenlty my snare died lol. I've been searching for medeli parts but i have not been able to find it. I came across an alesis dual zone mesh snare pad (which is similar to the one I had), but I don´t know if it'll bbe compatible... do you know anything about this (?). Thanks in advance :)

Alesis nitro kick pad is gone! what compatibilities are available??

Great info thanks really appreciate this. One question I have a Alesis Nitro mesh and want to add another ride cymbal (will convert the other to a crash 2). Really interested in the Alesis DMPad 14” 3-Zone Ride Crash Cymbal Pad. On the Nitro will it only be a single zone? Or would it retain its 3-zone ride crash? Thanks again for your videos!

Can I hookup a edrum kick with another electric edrum kit?

I still like some of the vintage E-drum sounds, and I've got a new Simmons SD2000 kit which is pretty cool, and I like some of the kits in the old Alesis D4 module, would those new Hex shape mesh Simmons SD2000 triggers work on one of those old Alesis modules??

Hi, thanks for all info you provide in your videos. I have a doubt: where the responsability of the triggering accuracy relies? pads or module? I´ve seen a video where an alesis strike pro is compared with its own module and with a roland module, and with the roland module the accuracy seemed higher. and I´ve also seen another video recomending to buy an alesis dm10 mk2 pro, send the module and buy a second hand roland td11 module. Makes it sense? I want edrums for recording at home, so in the end sounds of the module I don´t care, I just want to trigger Superior Drummer 2.0 via MIDI as accurate as possible, and having a set with big mesh pads in order to play as comfortable and quiet as possible. Hope you can help me with this. Regards, Niko.

Hey Justin, I'm curious. Do Alesis cymbals work with any roland modue?

Looking to buy a Roland TD-50k (would love the KV model, but that one outside of the budget). Do you know if you can use the Roland acoustic kick drum conversion kit on the K model drum set? Or does it only work with the KV model? Thanks in advance! Nervous about switching to edrums, so your videos are a HUGE help!!!

Hey Justin, I know this vid is a bit old, but do you know if a Yamaha KP90 kick pad will work with the current Roland modules? Can't seem to find any info on it on the internet... Thanks.

But the problem is the Hi-Hat controller. I watch the video hoping I to find about Hi-Hat controller compatibility.

My first watch but it was funny to see and Merry Christmas by the way that you're very young but seasoned enough in RU-vid to have to give the disclaimer to tamp down on redundant comments, I.e. Not all of anything goes with all of everything and there's exceptions to every rule and I'm a human I might make mistakes I might say something that's not true and this is not a forum for giants,ghosts,cryptids& hallucinogenic smoking ancient civilizations, there (brushing hands off) that should cover the gamut of lost RU-vid commenters who found a room here for the night but were headed somewhere very different,.... And yeah I know nobody's really lost if they end up here this is where they belong,date with content destiny

I have an old D4. Has anyone taken it upon themselves to make a reverse compatibility chart for the newer drum triggers?

Are there any good modules that aren't expensive? I have a Simmons sd9k and tbh the samples are kinda terrible. Out of the hundreds of samples I could only make 1 kit that doesn't sound terrible to me and even then some of the cymbal samples are trash

I have an alesis multipad strike model with an alesis pedal and I'm trying to figure how to change threshold settings to avoid double trigger but it doesnt let me change the options I have

Hello. I just got an Ibañez Ed20 edrum. It's all Mesh head and I really like how it feels. My only complaint is how limited the module is. It does sound good, but I wish I could do more with it, like uploading more sounds etc. Is there any way I can switch JUST the module and keep my Ibañez ED20 mesh head kit? Thank you!