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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Alesis RealHead Pads". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 22, 2026.

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Description

The Alesis RealHead Pads are a drummer’s dream when it comes to expanding an electronic drum kit or building one from scratch. These pads offer the authentic feel and response of acoustic drums, thanks to their real Mylar drum heads. With tension-adjustable triple-flanged hoops, you can fine-tune the stick response to match your playing style, just like with traditional drumheads. The dual-zone design allows you to trigger different sounds from the head and rim, adding versatility to your performance. Whether you're a seasoned drummer looking to enhance your setup or a beginner eager to explore electronic percussion, the Alesis RealHead Pads provide a dynamic and expressive drumming experience. Compatible with most electronic drum modules, these pads are both practical and innovative, making them a valuable addition to any drummer's arsenal.

Key Features:

  • Affordable 8" velocity-sensing drum trigger pads
  • Real Mylar drumheads with tension-adjustable hoops
  • Dual-zone design for head and rim sound triggering
  • Compatible with most electronic drum modules
  • Replaceable with any standard 8" head
  • Comes with rack clamp, L-arm, and cable

Product specs

Brand Alesis
Model RealHead 8" Dual-Zone Electronic Drum Pad
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Percussion Pad Controllers

FAQs

What are the features of the Alesis RealHead Pads?

The Alesis RealHead Pads are 8-inch dual-zone electronic drum pads that offer realistic feel and response. They are designed to detect hits on both the head and rim, allowing for a more expressive playing experience.

Can the Alesis RealHead Pads be used with any electronic drum module?

Yes, the Alesis RealHead Pads are compatible with most electronic drum modules that support dual-zone inputs, making them versatile for various setups.

Are the Alesis RealHead Pads suitable for live performances?

The Alesis RealHead Pads are designed for both practice and live performance, offering reliable triggering and a natural feel that is ideal for drummers in a live setting.

How do the dual zones on the Alesis RealHead Pads enhance drumming?

The dual zones allow for separate triggering of the pad's head and rim, enabling a wider range of sounds and techniques, such as rimshots and cross-sticks, enhancing the drumming experience.

What material is used for the head of the Alesis RealHead Pads?

The Alesis RealHead Pads feature a mylar drumhead, similar to acoustic drumheads, which provides a familiar rebound and feel for drummers transitioning from acoustic to electronic setups.

Nico Drummer

Nico Drummer

Alesis Mesh Head Mod

Video thumbnail for Alesis Mesh Head Mod by Nico Drummer

Alesis Mesh Head Mod

Nico Drummer

Nico Drummer

Video thumbnail for Alesis DM10X Kit Premium 6-Piece Electronic Drum Set With HD Drum Module, XRack and XL RealHead Pads by Ridwan Revanzya Reyza

Alesis DM10X Kit Premium 6-Piece Electronic Drum Set With HD Drum Module, XRack and XL RealHead Pads

Ridwan Revanzya Reyza

Ridwan Revanzya Reyza

Reviews

PROS

  • Provides a realistic drumming feel with excellent rebound

  • Improves the comfort and natural feel of electronic drum kits

  • Enhances sensitivity, making it suitable for expressive playing

  • Responsive rims add to the authentic drumming experience

  • Affordable option for those on a budget

CONS

  • Louder than expected for an electronic drum pad

  • Construction may not withstand heavy use

  • Unrealistic triggering may not suit all players

  • Limited functionality may not meet all expectations

  • Potential quality control issues with broken units upon arrival

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Alesis RealHead Pads.

Mods and upgrades

  • Users suggest replacing the realhead with an 8" black mesh from eBay for a consistent look and feel across the kit.

    Source
  • To reduce the noise level of the Alesis Realhead kick pad, a mesh conversion kit is recommended for quieter play.

    Source
  • Owners have considered placing new pad electronics into older shells, but fear misfitting or damaging components during the process.

    Source
  • There is interest in splitting the tom1 wire to allocate a separate splash trigger, indicating possible customization pathways for percussion enthusiasts.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Swapping a mesh head onto the Tom pad may require adjusting sensitivity settings to match other toms in the setup.

    Source
  • Using a Mapex 500 double kick pedal requires positioning beaters on the pad's outer sides and lowering the threshold setting for optimal performance.

    Source
  • Alesis Surge owners note challenges when moving parts due to differing lug counts; Surge uses 4 lugs while Nitro uses 6, complicating pad swaps.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The realhead on the Tom pad produces a noticeably louder sound compared to mesh, affecting the overall acoustic balance of the kit.

    Source
  • Owners confirm a larger Alesis Realhead kick pad is compatible with the Nitro and provides enough space for two beaters, improving double bass performance.

    Source
  • The Nitro expansion kit includes a 10” cymbal pad, which can serve as a china cymbal with choke functionality, enhancing kit capabilities.

    Source
  • Some users report that the real head pads can mistakenly register normal hits as rim shots, affecting playability.

    Source

User experience

  • Adding older Alesis dual-zone pads provides additional functionality, but may require piezoelectric sensitivity adjustments for consistency.

    Source
  • One owner experienced failure of the first Realhead kick pad within a few months, suggesting potential reliability issues.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Yamaha KP65 Electronic Drum Kick Tower is noted as a low-cost alternative that can handle independent kick inputs and still performs reliably over time.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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moscowbeachclub

Affordable and responsive drum pads for budget-conscious musicians

Well...when you're young and on a budget, Alesis cleans up nice with their "RealHead" pads. Pretty responsive and the rims are nice. Mmmmm..shiny.

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