Yamaha DD65 Digital Drum Kit

Feature:
I only give nine stars on features because there is only 5 banks for user songs, any songs downloaded online must share these 5 banks with user recorded songs. Also, though I'm not finished yet playing with it as a midi controller, I can not get the hi hat pedal working properly either (using Battery 3). It gets it's own bank & signal within battery 3, but the hi hat sounds the same whether I'm pressing it or not, but it does let me "choke" the hi hat when pressed after hitting the hi hat. Other than that, especially as a begginer the features are great! A wide selection of songs to play with, from easy to complex, and every time you load a song the kit changes for that song (but you can still use a differant kit). If you have trouble getting the timing right, just hit the "click" button and the metronome (includes alternate time signatures as well) will play with the song, and of course you can choose to play along with recorded percussion stilll playing as well. One more cool thing is the three holes in the bottom for fitting it to a snare stand, allows for a much better playing angle.

Quality:
Tough plastic, just take care of it & it should be fine.

Value:
Probably the only kit for the price with a realistic layout plus bass & hi hat pedals. Considering that plus all the features included, the dd65 is a steal at $220.

Desirability:
Very compact & sleek for a drum set.

Sound:
Sound is ok, better than you'd expect for the price. Plenty of kits to choose from, even includes a farm animal kit which my niece really enjoyed. If you want a list of the included kits find the pdf manual online.

Ease of Use:
I've barely needed the manual, pretty straightforward stuff.

Overall:
I've had it maybe a couple weeks now & I think I am progressing quite nicely for that time frame, much better than I would be on an acoustic set. You'll definatly want to get extra sticks for this, though the included ones aren't bad, 5a's seem much more durable. Also, the pedals are very light and like to slip around on the floor, but luckily since I have a carpet floor I was able to solve this problem by attaching velcro to the bottom of the pedals. Overall I'm very glad I bought this, drumming is so much fun & living in an apartment building with nearly 400 other tenants, I can use headphones & don't disturb anyone.

Feature:
LOTS OF Samples, lots of kits unlimited programing.

Quality:
Better than the simmons kit indentations on the underside to accommodate a regular snare drum stand a plus.

Value:
A screamin deal for the tubs your getting'

Desirability:
The design is perfect ,however the pedals are a little strange acting and will take a little more practice to master. other than that I seem to get pretty used to them. the pads are more sensitive than most I'v played which means I don't need ultra-heavy drumsticks smashing them to hear sound, There great!

Sound:
WHAT MORE CAN YOU SAY, IT ROCKS

Ease of Use:
every thing's where it's supposed to be as the point of view from a real drummer'

Support:
I shot an email to yamaha regarding the hi- hat midi message problem, they requested me to take it to my nearest yamaha service center( one that repairs pro audio) and they will install a free hardware update. My service center accepted it, they will contact yamaha. we'll see how that turns out.

Overall:
I really like them (other than having to order the adapter separate) when the midi problem is fixed they will be unstoppable this is the only "all in one" drum pad set that's worth a damn. This comes from a drummer with 15 yrs. + experience.