What Are the Best Rock Band Drum Pads?

The Rock Band Bundle

• The first two versions of the "Rock Band" games were available in retail form as bundles that contained the game disc, a microphone, the official drums, and one guitar. When "Rock Band" was first released, the official drums were the only ones available, and while they received positive reviews at the time, players became quickly frustrated by the especially loud drum pads. The original "Rock Band" drums were not available in a wireless form. The "Rock Band" drums were available individually for $89.99, but are no longer in production.

Rock Band 2

• The "Rock Band 2" bundle contained updated versions of the instruments. The "Rock Band 2" drums saw several improvements over the original, including velocity-sensitive pads, a reinforced kick-pedal, and subtle targets painted in the center of each pad. The "Rock Band 2" drums also boast wireless technology, (which is nice but often unnecessary, as the huge drum kits do not move around much) and an add-on cymbal pack that attaches two raised cymbals to the back of the kit. The "Rock Band 2" drum kit is priced at $89.99.

Rock Band 3

• Last year's release of "Rock Band 3" debuted the keyboard accessory, but did not provide an official update to the drum kit. The game itself updated the use of the cymbal add-on pack, though the retail form of both drum and cymbals remained unchanged.

Ion Drum Rocker

• Coinciding with the release of "Rock Band 3," Ion released the Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set, which is available in stores for $249.99. The drums can be used with any "Rock Band" game, include two cymbals, a wireless connection, an all-metal kick pedal, and ultra-quiet pads. The drum kit itself supports up to three cymbals and two kick pedals, though only two cymbals and one kick pedal are included. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the fact that the kit can be used with a professional "drum brain" to function as a full-fledged electronic drum kit. The fact that the drums can be used for real, free-form drumming without the "Rock Band" games places the Ion Drum Rocker in high esteem.