Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit - Electronic Drum Set User Manual

1. Introduction

The Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit is a complete eight-piece electronic drum set designed to provide a realistic and responsive drumming experience. Featuring Alesis' next-generation mesh head drum technology, it offers a natural feel and ultra-quiet response, making it ideal for practice sessions. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your Nitro Mesh Kit.

The kit includes an 8-inch dual-zone mesh snare drum, three 8-inch mesh toms, three 10-inch cymbals (ride, hi-hat, crash with choke), custom-designed Alesis hi-hat and kick pedals, and a durable four-post aluminum rack. It comes with all necessary cabling, a power supply, and drum sticks for a hassle-free setup.

Figure 1: Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit - Complete Electronic Drum Set

2. Setup and Assembly

Proper assembly is crucial for optimal performance and longevity of your Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit. Follow these steps carefully.

2.1 Assembling the Drum Rack

Unpack all components and lay them out. Refer to the included installation manual for a detailed picture guide. When fastening pieces with the Allen wrench, exact angles are not critical initially; precise alignment can be done after pads are mounted.

Figure 2: Eight-Piece Configuration Overview

2.2 Mounting the Pads

When mounting drum pads, ensure there is no contact between pads or between pads and the drum rack. Contact can lead to double triggers, ghost triggers, or missed triggers during play. For cymbal pads, remove the felt washers from the bottom before mounting. After placing the cymbal on the stand, put a felt washer on top before fastening to protect the cymbal from repeated impact against the fastener.

Figure 3: Adjusting a Drum Pad

2.3 Tightening the Drum Heads

Drum heads are intentionally left loose for shipping. Use the included drum key to tighten the heads of the snare and tom pads. To maintain even tension, tighten screws in a diagonal, clockwise pattern, similar to tuning an acoustic drum. Avoid overtightening to prevent overstretching or damage to the mesh heads.

Figure 4: Mesh Drum Pads

2.4 Connecting the Cables

Ensure all cables in the included cable snake are untangled. Plug the summed end of the cable snake into the drum module and secure it with the included screws. Mount the module on the far left side of the drum rack, to the left of the hi-hat stand. Run each cable to its appropriate pad, starting with the hi-hat. Cables are labeled at the ends to match the drum voice in the module. Use velcro straps to secure cables to the rack, avoiding wrapping them around each other to prevent triggering issues.

Figure 5: Drum Module Connections

2.5 Setup Video Guide

For a visual guide on assembly and setup, please refer to the official video below:

3. Operating the Nitro Drum Module

The Nitro Drum Module is the brain of your electronic drum set, offering a wide range of sounds and features to enhance your drumming experience.

3.1 Sound and Kits

The module comes pre-loaded with 40 ready-to-play classic and modern drum kits, and over 350 expertly curated acoustic and electric drum sounds. You can select different kits to suit various genres like rock, funk, jazz, and dance.

Figure 6: Nitro Drum Module - In-Demand Sound

3.2 Practice Features

The Nitro Mesh Kit includes powerful practice-centric features to help you hone your skills:

• 60 Built-in Play-Along Tracks: Practice along with various musical styles.
• Sequencer: Record and playback your drumming.
• Metronome: Develop precise timing.
• Aux Input: Connect an external audio device (e.g., smartphone) to play along with your favorite songs.
• Performance Recorder: Capture your drumming performances.

Figure 7: Learning Drums Simplified

3.3 Connectivity

The module offers versatile connectivity options:

• 1/8 Inch Headphone Output: For silent practice.
• Stereo 1/4 Inch TRS Outputs: To connect to an amplifier or PA system.
• 1/8 Inch Aux Input: For external audio devices.
• USB-MIDI and MIDI In/Out Ports: To connect to a computer for recording or triggering virtual instruments.

4. Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures the longevity and optimal performance of your drum kit.

• Cleaning: Wipe down pads, cymbals, and the module with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents.
• Mesh Head Care: Periodically check the tension of the mesh heads and adjust with the drum key if they become too loose or too tight.
• Cable Management: Keep cables organized and secured with velcro straps to prevent tangling and damage.
• Storage: When not in use, store the kit in a dry, temperature-stable environment. The compact design allows for easy folding and stowing.

5. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your Nitro Mesh Kit, try these common troubleshooting steps:

• No Sound: Ensure the power adapter is securely connected, the module is powered on, and headphones/speakers are properly plugged in and volume is up. Check all cable connections from pads to module.
• Double Triggers/Missed Triggers: Verify that pads are not in contact with each other or the rack. Adjust mesh head tension. Ensure cables are not wrapped around each other.
• Pad Not Responding: Check the cable connection for that specific pad at both the pad and module ends.
• Module Display Issues: Power cycle the module (turn off, then on again).

6. Specifications

7. Warranty and Support

For detailed warranty information and further technical support, please visit the official Alesis support website:

alesis.com/support

On the support page, you will find the Alesis Knowledge Base and a portal to reach out to the Alesis Technical Support Team for any specific inquiries or issues not covered in this manual.