ddrum DD Beta vs DD Beta XP Drum Set Review

The ddrum signature red and black styling is impossible to miss in both their DD Beta drum set and their DD Beta XP kit. Let’s take a look at what’s behind, inside, and under the flashy coloring by comparing the DD Beta and the DD Beta XP.

If you are already set on getting one of these two ddrum drum kits, you can click either of the links below to check the pricing and availability at Amazon.

Note: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

• ddrum DD Beta
• ddrum DD Beta XP

If you need more information before making a decision, read on. You can click a link in the box to skip to a specific section of the article.

What Are the Differences between the DD Beta and the DD Beta XP?

Assuming you’re here to see what distinguishes the basic Beta from the XP edition, it makes sense to start with the differences between the two.

Those who set up the ddrum site figured you might want to know this too, so they created the following list that purports to show you what the Beta XP has that the basic Beta does not.

• Dual zone snare drum
• Bass drum pad with pedal
• Continuous hi-hat controller
• Upgrade module
• 170 sounds
• Record function
• Up to 4 user kits
• Parameter adjustments for sensitivity
• Play along songs
• Metronome

There is one problem with this list, however. The DD Beta also has a metronome. So unless there’s something special about the one in the DD Beta XP module, this item really shouldn’t be in the list.

The “XP” in the name of the set stands for “eXPanded”. That seems to fit well (metronome aside) with the features in the list above.

A dual zone pad lets you play rimshots along with the normal snare sound. It’s a more realistic snare with this added feature.

I’m not sure that adding a bass drum pad makes the kick drum any better than one without. The real test would seem to be in the electronics and programming that makes it work. It probably does give a drummer a better feel for playing it physically. You may also want to hear what another reviewer (from 65 Drums) has to say about this feature in the video below.

More features within the sound module is generally a good thing. Whether you will use them or not is another matter.

Here is the video review from 65 Drums that I mentioned above.

What Are the Features of the ddrum DD Beta Drum Set?

The name “DD Beta” has always seemed unusual to me. Beta usually connotes something that isn’t quite ready for prime time yet. So why would you attach that word to one of your main products?

Perhaps this statement from ddrum helps to explain this a little.

“Working backward from our more advanced e-kits, we conceived the DDBeta to be the first step in a drummer’s journey.”

The only problem I have with this is that there don’t seem to be “more advanced” drum kits available from ddrum, unless you count their hybrid electronic acoustic sets. Did they formerly make better electronic sets and have since discontinued them?

In any case, here is what you get in the basic DD Beta drum set.

• 4 8-inch Single zone drum pads
• 3 12-inch Cymbal pads which are chokeable
• 1 Hi-hat controller
• 1 Bass drum foot controller
• 1 Set of headphones
• Compact rack system
• Sound Module that features 10 ¼” inputs
• MIDI Out port
• Line In ⅛” input
• Headphone / Stereo output
• 32 Preset drum kits
• 168 sounds
• Metronome
• Reverb

---

---

What Do I Get with the DD Beta XP?

You could do a little figuring based on the information above and decipher what must be included in the DD Beta XP, but I’ll make it easier for you. Here is a listing of the features and specifications of this kit.

• 3 Single zone tom pads
• 1 Dual zone snare pad
• 1 Bass drum pad with tower
• 2 Chokeable cymbals
• 1 Hi-hat pad with continuous hi-hat controller
• Small compact rack
• Upgraded module
• 170 sounds
• Record function
• Up to 4 user kits
• Parameter adjustments for sensitivity
• Play along songs
• Metronome
• Module features 10 ¼” inputs
• MIDI Out
• Line In ⅛” input
• Headphone / Stereo output
• Metronome
• Reverb

Here is another demo using the DD Beta XP.

---

What Do Owners Think of the ddrum DD Beta?

The comments below are about the basic DD Beta. As you will see, they are generally positive. I think that, if owners like the DD Beta this much, they (and you) will probably like the DD Beta XP even more.

“For the price and the features it’s definitely worth it.”

Here is a comment about the frame itself – something that many people overlook.

“I was most surprised with the mounting pieces for this kit, they are really good quality. Not a hard plastic like I assumed.”

Perhaps the next owner would benefit from the “continuous” feature of the hi-hat found in the XP.

“Most of the time I just have the high hat pedal compressed, but if I try to get fancy with opening and closing it, I find it’s not very realistic.”

Finally, here is the most impressive comment of all.

“I’m a professional drummer. 30+ year vet. I purchased this kit just to satisfy a curiosity Now I use it for just about everything. The only time I don’t use it is when I just need more Toms. Other than that, I use it all the time.”

Since these comments are generally positive, I think you’d be pleased with either the Beta or the Beta XP drum set. Click one of the buttons above to get yours today.