Since the Alesis DM10 Studio Kit's first introduction during the Winter NAMM show, drummers have been waiting eagerly for a chance to get their hands and sticks on a kit of their own. Luckily for us all, the wait is now over. Alesis has officially begun shipping the kit and all its cool components: the DM10 drum sound module, RealHead drum pads, DMPad Cymbals, and the StealthRack mounting system.

At the heart of the kit is the DM10 sound module, which features a comprehensive factory sound set that can be expanded with additional sound sets loaded via USB -- a first for drum modules of its kind.

The module contains true drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds built from uncompressed samples of classic studio drums and cymbals. Thanks to Dynamic Articulation, multiple dynamic-level samples and articulations are all built-in, so that as you play harder or softer, the drum or cymbal changes its timbre and not just its dynamics. You can play with or without reverb for different room sounds, while hitting the cymbals in different positions will give you a realistic variety of rimshots, rim clicks, and different stick-placement sounds.

In addition, the DM10 can be used as a trigger-to-MIDI interface for performing and tracking with software drum modules such as BFD, Toontrack, and Reason. You can also play along with the tracks in the DM10’s internal sequencer, or mix in an MP3 player and jam.

The DM10 module has 12 inputs, 10 of which are dual-zone compatible or can be split into 2 inputs using a standard Y-cable, enabling you to create custom configurations with up to 22 single-zone triggers or pads. The drum kit works with most other manufacturer's pads and triggers, and its input section can be further expanded with the optional Trigger|iO module.

The kit offers a top-panel mixer, acoustic-feeling RealHead drum pads, 10-inch snare pads, four 8-inch tom pads, a DMPad 12-inch Hi-Hat Cymbal, two DMPad 12-inch Crash Cymbals, and a triple-zone DMPad 14-inch Ride Cymbal. Its ergonomically curved StealthRack is made of lightweight aluminum, is fully adjustable, and employs standard 1.5-inch tubing for compatibility with most rack hardware.

The DM10 Studio Kit is available now for $1,499 MSRP or $999 Street. Get a feel for the DM10 Studio Kit from Gearwire's exclusive video demo.