Ion Audio iED04 Desktop Digital Drum Station

Feature:
I like that it has footswitch inputs to control the kick-drum and hi-hat. I use two VFP-1 piano pedals, which work great with the ION. One thing I don't like is the footswitch triggers are activating two of the top 8 pads, rather than activating two entirely separate pads. So you can either strike the pad on top or press the footswitch and you will get the exact same sound. If you change the pad's sound, you also change the footswitch sound. I wish the display were angled so I could see it better, and wish it had a backlight. Also wish it had a MIDI in/thru and USB connection.

Quality:
Seems like a well built unit so far. The case is made of a hard plastic, and the drum pads seem like they will last. Only time will tell.

Value:
I bought mine used for $50. Considering it's basically an Alesis SR-16, it should be worth at least as much as the Alesis.

Desirability:
It's a pretty nice looking unit.

Sound:
This unit appears to be built from a modified Alesis SR-16 drum machine. On the back of the ION it states "powered by Alesis". I have an SR-16, and the buttons, display, and sounds are identical to the ION. So the sounds are very good! Very realistic sampled drums.

Ease of Use:
Using the ION is fairly simple. As I stated, it's basically an Alesis SR-16 drum machine with larger drum pads.

Support:
No opinion. Never needed service.

Overall:
Overall I would say I'm very happy with it so far. If it were to break, I might try to find another used one. One other thing to mention is the ION iED04 appears to be absolutely identical to a new product by Alesis called Performance Pad. The main difference being the Alesis is black and the ION is white. If you go to the Alesis website you can download the Performance Pad user manual, and it will likely be fine for learning to use the ION.

Feature:
Features are good. Has a learning curve on it. Can't argue about the price. with there was a midi in to preselect drum tables to start instead of toying with the right sets for a while. with the reset. All tables lost, no secondary storage. Wish the cymbal and the bass drum pads were equally available.

Quality:
I like it. It's not exactly show worthy. However, with the CD output with a computer. Just pipe into a mixer, and pump out a CD with preset tracks, and press play. CD player with a few guitarsists and a vocalist. And ready to rock'n roll. People are just lazy and whine about everything that it's not perfect.

Value:
for $60. I can't argue.

Desirability:
If you ain't talented enough to figure it out. Don't get one. Like cars are not meant for everyone.

Sound:
I like it. I'm experienced with drums, and personally played shows. payed $60 for it. drums natually do get minor resonance from other drums due to shock, yet there's ways to help reduce impact and cross triggering. DUH! naturally cymbals (spelling) has pads to cushin metal impact, toms have gels or some other cushing. And YES, YOU HAVE TO BANG THE DAMN DRUM TO GET THE RIGHT TONE, PITCH, AND REDUCE INTERFERANCE FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE DRUMS. What, expect it to work with a Q-Tip or something? I placed it on a soft surface underneath to help obsorb some shock. Got better tonage.

Ease of Use:
Had to read the manual a few times to get what they were trying to say. there is a learning curve to it.

Support:
parts for it are not as easily available. So I'll have to figure out how to get the cymbal and bass going somehow. Not hard.

Overall:
This model. I can't argue with. I tried out $2000 yamaha drum stations with full setups, and there's this. Lotsa people expect everything in a box. Out of all the products I've tried. Nothing is perfect. deal with it.