Electronic drum kits have become increasingly popular over the years, allowing drummers to practice and play with headphones on or plug straight into a PA system.
The Alesis Crimson 2 and Crimson 2 SE are both great entry-level electronic drum kit options, but they have some key differences that drummers should consider.
This comprehensive guide will compare the specs, sound quality, features, and value of the Alesis Crimson 2 vs the Crimson 2 SE to help you decide which is better for your needs.
Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Crimson 2 | Crimson 2 SE |
| Pads | 4 single-zone toms, 3 dual-zone cymbals | 4 single-zone toms, 3 dual-zone cymbals |
| Sounds | 600+ | 800+ |
| Polyphony | 64 notes | 64 notes |
| Kit Pieces | 5 drums, 3 cymbals, kick, hi-hat, throne | 5 drums, 3 cymbals, kick, hi-hat, throne |
| Connectivity | MIDI in/out, USB/MIDI, Aux input | MIDI in/out, USB/MIDI, Aux input |
| Recording | Built-in sequencer | Built-in sequencer |
| Mesh Heads | Snare only | Snare and toms |
| Extra Features | – | Choke cymbals, better samples |
| Price | $349 | $499 |
Overview of the Alesis Crimson 2
The Alesis Crimson 2 is a five-piece electronic drum kit that includes:
- 5 drums pads (4 toms, 1 snare)
- 3 cymbal pads (hi-hat, crash, ride)
- Kick drum tower with pedal
- Adjustable drum throne
- Module with 600+ sounds, 60 play-along tracks
Some key features of the Crimson 2:
- Single-zone rubber tom pads
- Dual-zone cymbal pads for choke/open notes
- 10″ mesh snare pad for realistic response
- Dynamic Articulation technology
- 60 built-in play-along tracks
- USB/MIDI and Aux input for music playback
- MIDI out to connect external sound modules
- Integrated sequencer to record performances
- Rugged and compact design for easy transport
The Crimson 2 module has over 600 drum and percussion sounds with realistic articulations. There are 60 play-along tracks in multiple genres to jam and practice with. The sounds can be easily tweaked with ambience, EQ, and 20 effects.
Overall, the Alesis Crimson 2 provides a great affordable option for beginners to intermediate players looking for a complete electronic kit for practice and performance. The mesh snare adds responsive, realistic playing.
Overview of the Alesis Crimson 2 SE
The Alesis Crimson 2 SE takes the standard Crimson 2 kit and upgrades it in a few key ways:
- Mesh heads on all drum pads, not just the snare
- Larger 10” dual-zone ride cymbal
- Additional tom mount for extra drum/percussion expansion
- Over 800 sounds instead of 600+
- Improved sound samples and modeling
Some other notable features of the Crimson 2 SE:
- Chokable cymbals for realistic technique
- Adjustable dual-zone mesh snare and tom pads
- Chrome 4-post rack for extra durability
- USB/MIDI connectivity to record and interface with computers
- 60 built-in tracks, sequencer, and sound customization
- Better kick drum tower and pedal
- Aux input for connecting external music devices
The SE stands for “Special Edition” and delivers higher quality sounds and construction than the standard Crimson 2. It’s better for drummers wanting more advanced features and the feel of real drums.
Also Read: Comparison Between Alesis Command X and Crimson II
Key Differences Between the Crimson 2 and Crimson 2 SE
Let’s go in-depth on how the Crimson 2 and Crimson 2 SE compare in terms of their sounds and pads, modules and connectivity, extras, and overall value:
· Sounds and Pads
The Crimson 2 SE wins out here with its better quality drum and cymbal sounds thanks to improved sampling and modeling. The over 800 sounds give you more options compared to 600+ on the standard Crimson 2.
The Crimson 2 SE also features dual-zone mesh heads on the snare and toms. Mesh heads feel more realistic and dynamic under the sticks, while providing cushioning. The standard Crimson 2 only has a mesh snare, with rubber pads on the toms.
Both kits feature solid dual-zone cymbal pads, but the SE upgrades to a larger 10” cymbal pad. The cymbals on the SE are also chokeable, meaning you can grab them to mute the sound. This allows for more realistic cymbal technique.
Overall, the Crimson 2 SE wins out in terms of sound quality and the playing experience provided by its mesh pads. The normal Crimson 2 isn’t bad, but serious drummers will likely appreciate the SE’s improvements.
· Modules and Connectivity
In the brains department, the Crimson 2 and Crimson 2 SE have the same module features. You get 60 built-in songs, a sequencer to record yourself, and USB/MIDI to connect to recording software or virtual instruments.
They both have 1/4” aux inputs to play music from your phone, computer, or an MP3 player. You can jam along to tracks this way through the module and drum outputs.
For connectivity, there are 1/4” main and headphone outs, so you can play without disturbing others. The headphone audio also has click/metronome functionality.
Overall the modules and connectivity options are virtually identical between the two kits. The sounds and editing parameters are also the same aside from the Crimson 2 SE having more sounds available.
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· Extras
Looking at extras outside of the core drums and cymbals, the Crimson 2 SE also upgrades a few components.
The SE comes with an improved kick drum tower and pedal for better stability and feel. You also get an extra mount on the rack to add an additional tom or percussion.
The 4-post chrome rack on the Crimson 2 SE is stronger than the 2-post design on the standard Crimson 2. This provides a sturdier playing experience.
A final bonus is the availability of a Crimson 2 SE version bundled with a drum throne and pro headphones for a complete all-in-one package. This extra value makes it easier to get started playing right out of the box.
· Value
With an MSRP of $349, the Crimson 2 costs $150 less than the $499 Crimson 2 SE. Considering the additional sounds, all mesh pads, and extras, the SE represents a good value jump over the standard kit.
The price difference may be worth it for drummers who want higher-end components and playing experience. Beginners may be fine starting with the standard Crimson 2 and upgrading later as their skills progress.
You can likely find both kits discounted from MSRP at major retailers. But expect the Crimson 2 SE to retain a higher price over the basic Crimson 2 due to its improved features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Crimson 2 is simply the newer, updated version of the original Crimson kit. It has more sounds, better cymbal pads, and new features like 60 built-in tracks.
Yes, the Alesis Crimson kits provide good quality for the price-point. They are popular and reliable choices for beginner and intermediate players. The Crimson 2 SE adds higher-end sounds and feel.
The Crimson II SE is a 5-piece electronic kit with 800+ sounds, mesh snare and tom pads, chokeable cymbals, 4-post rack, kick drum tower, module with 60 built-in songs, and USB/MIDI/Aux connectivity.
The full Crimson 2 kit takes up about 5 x 5 feet of floor space. The rack itself is 33” wide x 20” deep. It’s a compact size for an affordable complete electronic drum set.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Alesis Crimson 2 SE represents a sizable upgrade from the standard Crimson 2 kit. The additional price is justified by the larger library of high-quality sounds, all mesh pads for realistic response, and other bonus features.
Beginners can start with the more affordable Crimson 2, then upgrade to the SE later as skills progress. For those seeking pro-level performance right away in an electronic kit, the Crimson 2 SE is highly recommended. Either way, Alesis delivers quality and value with the Crimson series.
