Yamaha DTX452K Review: The Kit With Real Pedals
A Yamaha DTX452K review covering the 415 samples, three zone snare pad, KP65 kick pad and FP6110 pedal, HH65 hi-hat controller and the apartment noise question.
A three zone snare, a proper FP6110 bass drum pedal and a KP65 kick pad, which is where beginner kits usually cut corners.
The verdict: The DTX452K spends its money where beginner electronic kits usually save it: a real bass drum pedal on a kick pad rather than a plastic beater switch, and a three zone snare that responds to rimshots. Buy it if pedal feel and expression matter to you more than having every pad in mesh. Skip it if you want mesh heads throughout, because at this price Alesis gives you that and Yamaha does not.
Yamaha DTX452K Electronic Drum Set with 400+ customizable sounds
~$600
An electronic drum set with 415 samples, a TP70S three zone snare pad, a KP65 kick pad with a Yamaha FP6110 bass drum pedal and an HH65 hi-hat controller, with USB audio and MIDI.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Sounds | 415 samples including recorded acoustic drums, cymbals and electronic sounds |
|---|---|
| Snare | TP70S three zone pad allowing head, open and closed rimshots |
| Kick | KP65 kick pad with Yamaha FP6110 bass drum pedal |
| Hi-hat | HH65 advanced hi-hat controller |
| Connectivity | USB audio and MIDI |
| Pads | Quiet pads |
Specifications above come from Yamaha's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- A real bass drum pedal on a kick pad teaches proper foot technique, where a beater switch pedal does not. That difference follows a drummer for years.
- A three zone snare responds to head hits, open rimshots and closed rimshots differently, which is the single most expressive thing a beginner learns on a snare.
- Four hundred and fifteen samples from a company that records real acoustic kits, so practice sounds like drumming rather than like a toy.
- USB audio and MIDI means it plugs straight into recording software, which is a real motivator for a teenager.
Where it falls short
- The pads are rubber rather than mesh. They are quiet and durable, and they do not rebound the way a mesh head does.
- A kick pad with a real pedal is louder through the floor than a beater switch, which is the flip side of the better feel.
- As with every electronic kit, the pedals are what neighbours below hear, and no amount of quiet pad technology changes that.
- The rack is compact, which is good for a bedroom and can feel cramped for a taller player.
What owners report
Published owner reports single out the pedal and the three zone snare as the reasons to choose this over cheaper kits, and drum teachers appear in reports approving of the real bass drum pedal specifically because of what it teaches.
The recurring criticism is the rubber pads, with reports comparing them unfavourably against mesh for feel while acknowledging they are durable and quiet. Reports from flat dwellers again describe floor transmission from the kick as the practical limit, which is the constant across this category.
Who it suits
- Students who will take drumming seriously and need proper foot technique.
- Households where a compact kit has to fit in a bedroom.
- Teenagers who will plug into recording software.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who wants mesh heads, which Alesis provides at this price.
- Flats above neighbours, for the usual pedal reason.
- Taller players who need a roomier rack.
Alternatives worth considering
Alesis Nitro Max Electric Drum Set
~$449
A hundred and fifty dollars less with mesh heads throughout, a 10 inch dual zone mesh snare, three 8 inch mesh toms and Zildjian cymbal sounds. Better feel under the sticks, weaker pedal hardware.
Check price on AmazonYamaha DTX402K Electronic Drum Set with 400+ sounds
~$430
A hundred and seventy dollars less for the same 415 sounds in a lighter folding rack, with simpler pads and pedals. The right pick if portability and price matter more than pedal feel.
Check price on AmazonRoland TD-02KV V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit with mesh snare
~$660
Sixty dollars more for Roland's module and a mesh snare. The module is the better one; the pedals and kick pad are less substantial than Yamaha's here.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Acoustic vs electric drums
- Acoustic pocket kit vs electronic drums
- Best drum sticks for beginners
- Roland TD-02KV review
- Alesis Nitro Max review
- Best beginner drums
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the bass drum pedal matter?
Because foot technique is half of drumming and it is learned early. A real pedal on a kick pad has the mass, throw and rebound of the real thing; a beater switch pedal does not, and a student who learns on one has to relearn on an acoustic kit.
What is a three zone snare?
A pad that distinguishes the head, the open rimshot and the closed rimshot, so each triggers a different sound. Rimshots are fundamental to almost every style, and a single zone pad simply cannot teach them.
Rubber or mesh pads: which matters more?
Mesh rebounds better and is quieter under the stick; rubber is durable and cheaper. If stick feel is your priority, mesh wins. If pedal feel and snare expression are your priority, this kit's rubber pads are a fair trade. Both are quieter than an acoustic kit by an enormous margin.
Can I use it in an apartment?
The pads, yes. The kick pedal is the problem, and it is a structural one rather than an airborne one. A riser with isolation feet helps significantly. Talk to your neighbours before you buy, because this is the most common reason a kit gets sold within a year.
What accessories do I need?
A drum throne set to the right height, sticks, and closed back headphones. A throne is not a chair: height determines whether a young drummer develops good posture and pedal control. Our drum stick guide covers a sensible first pair.