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The DM5 kit is a relatively compact set-up – something that will be a real boon to bedroom bashers

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Brain box

The final, most significant part of the DM5 kit puzzle is the brain itself, which resides bang in the middle of the set-up. Suspended from the top rung of the rack, the DM5 is perfectly positioned for tweaking - the unit might not offer the scope of the fiddle-with-every-last-parameter TD-20, but it's impressively flexible.

You are unlikely to get overwhelmed by the choice of kits, nor befuddled by reverb reflection type parameters here, it is more a case of picking a kit that you like the sound of and getting on with it.

One selection of sounds that's particularly engaging appear in the 'random' group. Opt for this collection and you'll be treated to, predictably, random samples of percussion, hi-hats, etc, which add a usefully 'human' edge to grooves. The standard of sounds offered by the DM5 is commendable, but it's fair to say that if you've had experience of posher sets you won't be blown away by its tonal offerings.

The fact is that the DM5 has been around for a long time - more than 10 years in fact, which is an age-and-a-half in hi-tech terns - which means it doesn't rival newer, more expensive types in terms of sounds and realistic acoustic dynamism.

However all this has to be judged against what is undoubtedly a remarkably low price tag. And the function of the DM5 also comes into play here. This is not a kit that lends itself to a life of endless gigs and will be much more at home in a corner of a bedroom or musicroom, or even in a studio, where the DM5's MIDI capabilities can be used to trigger other sounds if the internal palette doesn't suit.

And bearing all that in mind casts the whole shebang in more favourable light.