Alesis Nitro Mesh Review (2024)

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This is my review of the Alesis Nitro Mesh!

As a drummer always searching for the perfect sound, finding an electronic drum set that hits all the right notes can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

But then I stumbled upon the Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit, and it was like finding a hidden gem in a sea of stones. This compact yet powerful drum set promises to deliver an exceptional drumming experience without breaking the bank.

Nitro Mesh Front
Nitro Mesh Front

In this review, I’ll share my journey with the Nitro Mesh Kit, exploring its build quality, features, and sound performance.

So, if you’re ready to embark on a rhythmic adventure, join me as we unravel the Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit together.

Key Takeaways

  • Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit is an affordable electronic drum set designed for beginners.
  • The kit features brand-new mesh snare and tom pads with adjustable tension on the mesh heads.
  • It offers USB connectivity and 5-pin MIDI for easy integration with other devices.
  • The Nitro Mesh kit has a wide range of styles with acoustic, electronic, and percussion-based kits and allows for easy jamming with your music through the aux input.

Build

The Alesis Nitro Mesh kit’s build includes various high-quality components. One notable feature is the brand-new mesh snare and tom pads, which offer a more realistic and responsive playing experience.

The kit also features eight pads in all-black, with adjustable tension on the mesh heads. This allows for customization based on personal preference and playing style. The kit includes a dual-zone mesh snare, a rubber kick drum pad, and three single-zone mesh tom pads.

Alesis Nitro Mesh Under Cymbal
Alesis Nitro Mesh Under Cymbal

The three single-zone cymbal pads, with one having choke functionality, add versatility to the kit. Furthermore, the kit can be expanded with additional tom pads and cymbals using the provided jack inputs, allowing further customization and growth as a drummer.

Hands-On

When I got my hands on the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit, I was impressed by its ease of use and compact design. Setting up the drum set was a breeze, and the instructions were clear and straightforward.

The compact footprint of the kit made it perfect for my small practice space. The pads and cymbals felt solid and responsive, and the mesh heads provided a more realistic feel than traditional rubber pads.

I appreciated the adjustable settings, which allowed me to customize the kit. The sound quality was surprisingly good for the price, and I enjoyed the variety of kits and samples available.

Sounds

I was impressed by the sound quality of the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit. The kit offers a wide range of styles with acoustic, electronic, and percussion-based kits.

The inbuilt samples are above average and allow for customization. The dynamic range of the kit is passable, allowing for ghost notes and accents. The snare pad is dual-zone, enabling rimshot and cross-stick capabilities, adding to the overall playing experience. The mesh heads of the kit are relatively quiet, providing a more enjoyable playing experience.

Nitro Mesh Module
Nitro Mesh Module

The kit also allows easy jamming with your music through the aux input. Overall, the sounds produced by the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit are of good quality and offer various options for drummers of all levels.

Features

With its wide range of styles, customizable sounds, and dual-zone snare pad, the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit offers impressive features for drummers of all levels.

The kit includes 40 kits, with 24 factory presets and 16 empty slots for creating custom kits. It also has 385 individual samples onboard, allowing for endless possibilities in sound creation.

Nitro Mesh Top Down
Nitro Mesh Top Down

The kit module also includes 60 built-in MIDI-sequenced play-along tracks, making it an excellent tool for practicing and honing your skills.

Additionally, the kit offers USB connectivity and 5-pin MIDI for easy integration with other devices and software programs.

Pros

One notable advantage of the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit is its affordable price compared to other electronic drum sets. As a drummer on a budget, finding a high-quality kit without breaking the bank is crucial. The Nitro Mesh offers exceptional value for its price, making it an ideal choice for beginners or those looking for a cost-effective option.

Despite its affordability, this kit doesn’t compromise on features or performance. With its mesh heads, dual-zone snare, and customizable sounds, the Nitro Mesh provides a realistic drumming experience without sacrificing quality. Additionally, the kit includes essential accessories such as a kick pedal and drumsticks, further adding to its value.

Cons

Despite its many advantages, there are a few drawbacks to consider regarding the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit.

One of the main cons is the size of the drum pads. They’re all 8 inches in diameter, which may be frustrating for drummers used to larger acoustic drumheads.

Additionally, the hi-hat on the Nitro Mesh kit is a free-floating pedal and pad combination, which may be limiting for experienced drummers. Some advanced versions of electronic drum sets use actual hi-hat stands, which the Nitro Mesh kit lacks.

These smaller pad sizes and lack of advanced features may not meet the expectations of experienced drummers.

However, beginners may find the pad size and pedal configuration suitable.

Alternatives

When considering other options in the market, it’s worth exploring alternative electronic drum kits that offer similar features to the Alesis Nitro Mesh kit.

One alternative is the Yamaha DTX400K, which offers a five-piece drum set and three cymbal pads. While it does come with a beaterless bass drum pedal, an upgrade to the DTX450K provides a proper kick tower and better sounds onboard.

Another option is the Roland TD-1K, a portable kit that folds up neatly for storage and is lightweight. For even more portability, the TD-4KP is an option to consider. Both the TD-1K and TD-4KP can be folded up and carried efficiently.

These alternatives provide similar features and options, allowing for a convenient and enjoyable drumming experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit is a fantastic option for drummers of all levels looking for an affordable electronic drum set.

Its compact design, customizable drum sounds, and easy assembly offer great value for the money.

While there may be some limitations, the Nitro Mesh Kit delivers on performance and is a solid choice for those searching for a high-quality yet budget-friendly drum set.

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Nick

Nick is a drummer, percussionist, and blogger from Milwaukee, WI. He toured extensively with Vinyl Theatre, opening up for acts like twenty one pilots, Panic! at the Disco, and more. Now no longer touring, his passion lies in gear and playing the kit as much as time allows.

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