Small Price, Big Specs: Our Latest Millenium MPS-350 E-Drum Kit
An electronic drum set as well equipped as the Millenium MPS-350 is hard to find in the lower price range. This compact kit is aimed at beginners, but it also works well as a space-saving practice setup for more experienced players. In this article, we take a closer look at what the MPS-350 offers and when stepping up to a larger model might make sense.
Compact, But Not Too Small
The MPS-350 strikes a nice balance between compact dimensions and comfortable playability. While the pads and rack are on the smaller side, they still sit above ultra-compact kits like the MPS-150X or HD-120. This makes the MPS-350 a good fit for smaller rooms while still being comfortable to play for grown-up players over longer practice sessions.
Of course, a larger setup with full-size pads will always give you a more authentic playing feel. The next step up would be the MPS-450 or the MPS-750X. The Pro version of the MPS-750X even features full size shells made of wood for a fully acoustic feel – but that belongs to a different price range.
Entry-Level Kit with Mid-Range Pads
Given its price, the MPS-350 offers an impressive range of features and covers everything you need for a great start. An important quality point is that all pads use mesh heads, which provide a more realistic rebound and playing feel compared to rubber pads. This applies to almost all kits in the MPS series.
The pad configuration of the MPS-350 would easily fit a more expensive mid-range model. The kit comes with a free-standing kick pad paired with a real bass drum pedal. This alone sets it apart from many entry-level kits, which often use simple controller pedals that don’t feel as natural. You could even replace the included pedal with a double pedal.
What stands out even more in this price range is the use of dual-zone pads for snare and cymbals, meaning each of these pads can trigger two different sounds. The snare offers a dedicated rim zone for rim clicks, while the ride and crash distinguish between bow and edge of the cymbal. A choke function is included as well. These features are not just nice extras but truly support expressive playing and help develop proper drumming technique. With its dual-zone cymbals, the MPS-350 even has an advantage over the larger MPS-450.
Great for Practice: The MPS-350 Sound Module
At the heart of the MPS-350 is the sound module, which translates every hit into sound via headphones or an external speaker. The module is well matched to the pads and offers precise triggering. There is no shortage of sounds either: the internal library contains 500 instruments, many of which are used across the 25 factory kits. On top of that, there are 10 user kit slots, allowing you to experiment and create your own kits.
The Bluetooth function allows you to stream music directly from a smartphone and jam along without extra cables. This is another area where the MPS-350 actually improves on the larger MPS-450. USB-MIDI support is included as well, making the kit suitable for use with drum software on a computer – a great option for advanced players who want to use external sounds.
In terms of connectivity, the MPS-350 can easily compete with larger kits. Even the MPS-750X offers little beyond what is already available here. A major step up only comes with the MPS-1000, which adds direct outputs for individual drums – mainly useful for larger stage setups.
Conclusion
The Millenium MPS-350 combines a compact design with several features that are quite unusual in this price range. These include dual-zone cymbals and a free-standing kick pad, as well as the large number of sounds and Bluetooth functionality. For anyone looking for a compact and affordable electronic drum kit for home use, the Millenium MPS-350 delivers a well-rounded package.