The Alesis Kitstream is an interesting addition to an acoustic drum setup, combining built-in microphones, onboard drum sounds, effects, and electronic trigger connectivity in one compact unit.
I recently picked one up and decided to put it through its paces with some sound demonstrations. One of the things that caught my attention is that it does more than simply capture the sound of an acoustic drum kit. With 500 onboard sounds, 50 preset kits, and various effects, there are quite a few different sounds to explore.
Watch the Alesis Kitstream preset demonstrations below.
Recording Acoustic Drums With the Alesis Kitstream
For this demonstration, I connected the Alesis Kitstream to my computer over USB and recorded directly into Logic Pro using its two built-in microphones.
I also included the original iPhone camera recording so you can hear the difference between that recording and the audio captured through the Kitstream.
The setup is straightforward, and you don’t need to connect a collection of individual microphones to start capturing your acoustic drums.
Exploring the 50 Preset Kits
The Kitstream includes 50 preset kits and 500 onboard sounds. I went through a selection of the presets to hear how they change the character of the original drum recording.
Some presets are relatively dry and natural, while others introduce more processing.
Here’s a look at some of the sounds demonstrated in the video:
- Dry Drum Sounds: Preset one provides a relatively straightforward, unprocessed drum sound.
- Compression: Preset two has a slightly more compressed character.
- Delay Effects: Some presets introduce eighth-note delay, creating a more rhythmic and processed sound.
- Reverb: Several presets add different amounts of ambience and space to the drums.
- Flanger: There are some more unusual sounds featuring flanger effects.
- Distortion: One of the presets adds distortion for a more aggressive drum sound.
- Lower Tones: Some presets change the overall tonal character of the kit.
- Wah-Wah: There are also more unusual effects-based sounds.
- Tambourine: One preset adds tambourine to the kick drum sound.
- Jazz: There is a jazz-inspired setting with a drier drum sound.
The differences between some presets are subtle, while others completely change the character of the recording. Depending on the song and the sound you’re looking for, it’s worth experimenting with the different options.
More Than Just Acoustic Drum Recording
One feature I haven’t explored yet is the external trigger functionality.
The Kitstream has three external TRS trigger inputs on the back panel. With splitter cables, these can support up to six trigger connections.
This opens up the possibility of combining acoustic drums with electronic drum sounds in a hybrid setup.
I originally thought the Kitstream was primarily designed for recording acoustic drums, but the trigger functionality adds another dimension to what it can do. I’d like to experiment with this in a future demonstration.
Connections and Additional Features
The Kitstream also includes several useful connections:
- USB connectivity for recording into a computer or compatible device.
- Two headphone outputs, with 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch connections.
- Stereo speaker outputs for connecting to a PA system.
- An external microphone input for additional microphone setups, overheads, or speaking.
- Built-in microphones for capturing your acoustic drum kit.
- Customizable presets and the ability to load your own samples.
The external microphone input also makes the unit potentially useful for streaming or other recording applications.
The package I received included a carrying case, connection cables, and a power adapter. At the time of recording, it also included a 90-day Drumeo subscription and Ableton Live Lite. Bundled offers can change, so check the manufacturer’s website for current details.
Final Thoughts
I’m still exploring the Alesis Kitstream, but the preset sounds provide plenty of options for experimenting with different drum tones and effects.
What interests me most is the possibility of combining acoustic drum recording with electronic triggers. That’s something I haven’t tested yet, but it could make for an interesting hybrid drum setup.
If you’ve used the Alesis Kitstream, especially with external triggers, I’d be interested to hear about your experience.
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