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Pearl e/Merge e/Hybrid Electronic Drum Set

5-piece Electronic Drum Set with Tuneable Heads, 3 x Cymbals, and MDL-1 Sound Module
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5-piece eKit from Pearl and Korg

Pearl's e/Merge electronic drum kits, with their fusion-sized Pearl shells and 6-ply tuneable PUREtouch pads, offer control and response like you've never experienced from an eKit. From the 14" snare to the 10/12/14" toms and 18" kick drum, these pads pull off the look and feel today's eDrummer demands. The easy-navigating MDL-1 module packs 35 kits and 700 sounds from a new library of vintage and modern Pearl drum sets and decades of Korg's electronic percussion and keyboard instruments, along with a 16GB internal memory for creating custom kits via USB and capturing live performances. Parceling it all together is Pearl's bar-setting Icon e-Rack, complete with Uni-Lock tom arms and cymbal booms for a fully customized setup.

MDL-1 Module

Sounds

The MDL-1 blends a robust acoustic sample library with a lifetime of Korg's electronics and beat machines. On the acoustic side of the spectrum, you'll find a brand-new collection of deep-sampled Pearl kits, masterfully captured in Nashville, TN. Kits are organized by modern and vintage types, along with some familiar genre-specific and historic patches to call up instant inspiration. On the electronic side, you've got decades of sounds —drum machines, keyboard instruments, and more — ripped straight from the Korg vault. A selection of orchestral, concert, and world percussion sounds complete the library.

Layout

What helps set the MDL-1 apart from other modules is its streamlined interface. All major functions — kit sounds, click track, BPP, headphone and master levels, and more — can be called up via dedicated buttons and knobs on the front panel. Customization is accessible via a series of soft buttons.

Ambience slider

A feature we're really excited about in the MDL-1 is its dedicated Ambience slider. This allows you to raise and lower, on the fly, the level of the room mics captured during the recording session. This is a feature you'll find in many drum VIs, but one we've scarcely seen as powerful and accessible as here in the e/Merge.

Importable sounds and settings

Got a drum library you trust? Looking to sample your own acoustic kits? The e/Merge allows you to load in your own drum samples as WAV files via USB drive. You can also flash in settings this way, allowing you to save and recall complete sets by band, session, or style.

12 hours' record time

Capture grooves and jot down song ideas with the MDL-1's internal 16GB memory — capable of 12 hours of record time.

Flexible I/O

Live musicians and session players both will appreciate the versatile input and output options here in the MDL-1. Eight dedicated 1/4" outs for drums and cymbals give the sound engineer full control of your balance into a PA or recording medium. For ease of use, pre-mixed mono or stereo 1/4" outs are also included for feeding a drum amp or smaller mixer. Audio out via USB makes the MDL-1 a capable interface for multitrack recording. And MIDI out via USB and 5-pin MIDI gives you full control of your virtual instruments. An 1/8" aux input facilitates jamming and song learning.

Room to grow

The e/Merge's eight drum and cymbal pads connect to the MDL-1 via a DB-25 breakout cable. Additional pads — splashes, percussion pads, and extra toms — connect via three 1/4" trigger inputs on the side of the module.

Pads by Pearl and Korg

14" snare

Wave Trigger Technology, adapted from the Korg Wavedrum, gives the full-sized 14" e/Merge snare a lightning-fast response and untouched realism. This system is so sensitive that Pearl says even stick choice impacts its sound. From center to edge, the e/Merge snare gives back every ounce of emotion and performance you pour into it. Two separate rim triggers avail authentic rimshots and cross-sticks without changing the way you play.

18" bass drum

For looks and performance, the e/Merge's 18" bass drum more than does the trick. Its size easily accommodates double pedals. And its dual PUREtouch heads offer the complex response — the compression and rarefaction of air — that many acoustic drummers rely on for timing, speed, and power. This is to say nothing of the 18's cosmetic appeal, which further helps this kit look and feel like an acoustic drum set.

10", 12", and 14" toms

Fusion-sized toms give the e/Merge another dash of acoustic realism. 6-ply PUREtouch pads crown each shell. Elevated rim triggers unlock realistic rim effects, and can be routed to start loops or trigger special FX and auxiliary percussion.

14" hi-hat, 15" crash, 18" ride

Pearl and Korg's PUREtouch technology extends to its life-sized cymbal trio. Each is comprised of a multi-layer interior with a soft rubber exterior for a lifelike weight, sway, and response, minus the volume. Choking feels great on the PUREtouch cymbals: the internal layers are allowed to ring out to emulate the sympathetic vibrations that linger after you choke a real metal cymbal.

  • 14" hi-hat — dual zones; responsive pump, splash, and open-close action thanks to its Capacitive Motion Sensor
  • 15" crash — dual zones; dynamic range of sounds
  • 18" ride — three zones; large size and bell bring patterns and timekeeping to life

Pearl Hardware

Icon e-Rack

It's refreshing to a see a rack system as robust as the Icon — Pearl's premier drum rack system — on an electronic kit. Its distinctive square tubing and chrome-plated steel construction give it a timeless look and the durability that today's drummers demand at home and on the road.

Uni-Lock tom and cymbal holders

Pearl's name in the drum hardware industry is inextricable. The Icon e-Rack comes outfitted with three continuously adjustable Uni-Lock tom arms for exact positioning, along with durable dual side Uni-Lock cymbal booms for the crash and ride. Just add the hi-hat stand, throne, and kick pedal/s of your choice, and you're up and running with the Pearl e/Merge electronic drum kit from Sweetwater.

Pearl e/Merge Hybrid 5-piece Electronic Drum Kit Features:

  • A collaboration between Pearl Drums and Korg
  • Pearl poplar shells and hardware are attractive, robust, and durable
  • Acoustic-like look and response
  • Streamlined MDL-1 module packs 35 preset drum kits and 700 sounds
  • Deeply sampled modern and vintage Pearl drum kits
  • Decades of electronic samples from the Korg vault
  • Importable WAV files and settings via USB drive
  • 16GB internal memory boasts 12 hours' record time
  • Versatile analog and digital outputs for recording and live sound reproduction
  • Choose from 36 FX: compression, tube saturation, hall reverb, radio filtering, auto wah, and more
  • 6-layer PUREtouch drum pads are fast and accurate, from center to edge
  • Wave Trigger Technology imparts unparalleled snare realism
  • Multi-layer PUREtouch cymbal pads have realistic weight, sway, and choke mechanics
  • Drums: 10/12/14" toms, 14" snare, 18" kick pad
  • Cymbals: 14" hi-hat, 15" crash, 18" ride
  • DB-25 breakout cable + 3 additional 1/4" trigger inputs
  • Icon e-Rack with Pearl tom and cymbal mounts adds significant value
Bass pedals and hi-hat stand not included; sold separately

Additional Media

Warranty Info

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Tech Specs

  • Total Number of Pads: 4 x drum pads, 3 x cymbal pads
  • Included Snare/Tom Pads: 14" EM14S Snare, 10" EM10T Tom, 12" EM12T Tom, 14" EM14T Tom
  • Included Kick Pads: 18" EMEBP Puretouch Bass Drum
  • Included Cymbal Pads: 14" EM14HH Dual Zone Hi-hat, 15" EM15C Dual Zone Crash, 18" EM18R 3-zone Ride
  • Hybrid Acoustic/Electric: Yes
  • Shells Included: 1 x Bass Drum
  • Included Drum Module: Pearl MDL-1
  • Number of Drum Kits: 35 HD Presets
  • Number of Instruments: 700 HD Voice Library
  • Effects: 36 Effects; Overdrive, Reverbs, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Filter, Wah, Compression
  • Module Trigger Inputs: 1 x DB-25, 3 x 1/4" (addons)
  • Module Analog Inputs: 1 x 1/8" (aux in)
  • Module Analog Outputs: 8 x 1/4" (direct out), 2 x 1/4" (master out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • Module MIDI I/O: Out/USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B (audio/MIDI), 1 x Type A (flash drive)
  • Included Hardware: DR80EM ICON Rack System, S830 Snare Stand, TH70E Tom Holders, PCR50L Module Clamp
  • Manufacturer Part Number: EM53HB

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Unexpected but Not Disappointed

The setup requires you to build the bass drum from a shell to a functional bass drum pad (I suggest you putting the sensor in its highest position) which is not difficult. The bass drum has a great feel and can be tuned to exactly what you're after with included parts or tuning the mesh head.

The pads are on the hard side and I'm still not clear how the mesh head interacts with the sensor, but they started feeling pretty natural within a few minutes of playing. The snare is amazingly expressive and the drum samples are stunning - basically every Pearl kit I have owned or have benn in love with over the years.

I'm not a huge drum rack fan after owning several over the years, but this rack is fine and after tweaking you can get drum module and your high hat sand to stop competing for the same spot.

The drum module is spartan, but in this case it's so easy to navigate I don't see it as a down size. I would rather have a monochrome, small screen and have a large library of sounds than having to spend $8k to get more than a few drumsets.

Every electronic kit demands you give up something, but thus far this one has no noticeable flaws - I'm impressed.
Music background: Drummer, live sound engineer and home studio owner
Rated 5/5

Amazing!

What I've been waiting for. They let me play them at Gearfest on Saturday. I stepped off the riser and immediately asked, "How do I order?". Been using Roland, DDrum, and even the Pearl Mimic.
e/Merge is whole different animal. Can't wait to get them.
Music background: Working drummer/vocalist,engineer. (live/studio)
Rated 4/5

First impressions

Waited 8 months for this kit! I've played Roland V drums before and really liked them. What I don't like about Roland is they can make you lazy as the heads are almost too responsive. The Roland tom sizes (except for the super high end) are also all 10 inches, which is kind of a bummer compared to acoustic sizes. With Pearl Emerge, I was hoping to overcome these limitations.

First impressions as I've had the kit only one week: it's good, but not great. The sounds are excellent, the module is very easy to use, and the kit looks fabulous. The kick drums is very responsive and allows for a double kick with precision. Cymbals sound and feel pretty good, maybe a little better than Roland. The rack toms are also quite good and very responsive to different sticking techniques. The hardware is top notch, and fully adjustable like an acoustic set. That's a big plus, and something my Roland drum friends have complained about on their kits.

Snare drum is a weakness, but not insurmountable. The responsiveness is just not what I hoped for. I'm getting used to it, but I feel like the drum head takes away too much of my stick energy. Of all the things I dislike, this is the biggest one for me.

I also find the floor tom to lack response. At times it feels like when I play soft there is almost no trigger, and then I play harder and the sound jumps like a step function.

Minor complaint: it's hard to get the module and the hi-hat to share the space. I've figure out something workable, but it's annoying.

Still, overall I think this is a solid kit. All kits have their weakness, including this one. I really look forward to reading other reviews to see if I'm too kind of to harsh!
Music background: Drummer, keyboardist, vocalist, horn, guitar
Rated 3/5

Serious noise issue - Be Aware!

I Bought the e/Merge kit before Xmas 2019. I am not a drummer but I needed a good e-drum set in my restaurant/pub. For better sound control and lower volume when bands play.

The kit looks awesome and it was a no brainer to setup. (allthough the manual was really well hidden in one of the boxes) I found it when the assembly was done and the packaging was on the way to a sure death.

Now to the problem:
The drum module unit, had a serious noise issue, like a ground loop or a "high frequenzy TV signal". Like if you had tinnitus ear problems.
So I added 2 Radial active line boxes to it, no change, still that impossible to cope with noise.
After adding an Ebtech Hum killer + line boxes it was gone. The noise also dissapeared with Palmer PLI 01 Isolators.

I talked to the dealer and after 2 months I got a new unit. It's exactly the same issue with the replaced unit.
They say I and one more customer in Germany had this issue, nobody else. But I tried the demo-kit in the local shop and it has the same noise/hum issue.

So, Pearl and Korg has missed a very important quality testing checkbox and released a medioker drum module when it comes to noise and groundloop or whatever it comes from.

It's annoying that they don't address this issue and try to fix it.
Rated 2/5

Beauty is only skin deep.

Like a couple other reviews on this page complaining about noise, my experience has been filled with lots of noise as well. The ground loop in the Pearl sound module was able to be corrected by purchasing a HumX and a line conditioner (more cost). CAUTION: Don't touch the power plug where it plugs into the sound module without the HumX installed! You could blow up your speakers.

Then there was the HISS! That would have been controllable with ten Passive DI boxes (1 per direct out & 2 mains) and a lot of other cables. I spent time on the phone with Sweetwater and Pearl Support and offered engineering support to help resolve the issues. Sweetwater Support was great. However, Pearl was not interested and never forwarded me beyond Level One Support.

I'm sending the drums back and headed back to my original thought, Roland.
Music background: Lead vocals, Guitar, Drums, Aspiring Sound Engineer
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