I want to get into drums, but my apartment is small and my neighbors won't be happy with loud noises. I'm looking at electronic drum kits, but I don't really know anything about the different models. Are there any tried-and-tested models in that price range?
From my experience, even cheap electronic drums are way quieter than acoustic ones, but you still need to factor in the noise from the pads when you hit them - it's not complete silence. I'd suggest checking before you buy whether the models from the previous answer are in stock or if there are similar alternatives, because you can actually find a decent option for 20-30 thousand.
Another important thing: look at the number and quality of the built-in drum kits, because at the beginner stage that really affects your motivation to practice. And definitely check how easy it is to find replacement parts and service for the model you pick - that'll come in handy if something breaks.
In this price range, the Roland TD-1DMK and Yamaha DTX432K have proven themselves well - both are available in Russia, sound nice, and are reliable enough for a beginner! The first one is a bit more compact, the second one is a bit better in terms of sound quality, but there's not much difference in how they feel to play. The main thing is to get good headphones separately (they often come bundled, but don't count on the pathetic built-in speakers), and in a small apartment the sound from headphones will be way quieter than any real drum kit.
Basically, in that price range you'll usually find either entry-level electronic drums or used ones, and you should really think about whether electronic drums will actually solve the neighbor problem - the pads will still make noise, plus the bass pedal clicks too. If noise is a dealbreaker, maybe consider something really compact instead, like a portable battery-powered drum pad, or try a cheap synthesizer with drum sounds and some cheap controller first.
If you do decide to go with a full kit, look for something from Yamaha, Roland, or similar brands in the 20 - 30k range - at least you'll get decent sensors and built-in sounds, but definitely play with them before buying so the pedals and pads don't feel completely plastic. I'd suggest checking music forums or asking at music shops which specific models are actually in stock right now and what people who bought them in your country think about them.
I wanted to get an electronic drum kit for my apartment and spent a long time choosing between the same models people recommend above - both are actually pretty decent and fit the price range. But the thing nobody mentioned: pay attention to the quality of the stand and pad mounts, because on budget setups they sometimes rattle and make more noise than the actual hits on the pads themselves. Before you buy, check out videos on YouTube where people are actually playing that specific model in an apartment - that'll give you a real sense of how loud it is, not just about the instrument's sound.
Based on the previous answers, everyone's already mentioned the main thing - Roland and Yamaha are solid options in this price range. But nobody pointed out that with a 20-30k budget, it makes sense to look for reviews of specific models not just on Russian sites, because they often mention problems with pad wear and controller issues after half a year or a year of use, while local reviewers stay silent about that stuff. I'd recommend watching videos with actual sounds of the kit before you buy - different apartments have different soundproofing, and you'll get a better sense of whether the noise level from the pads works for you.
Don't buy the first model you come across just because it's cheaper - electronic drums vary a lot in pad quality and responsiveness. If the pedals feel sluggish and uncomfortable, you'll lose motivation to practice pretty quickly. Also keep in mind that even the quietest electronic kits make mechanical noise from the hammers hitting the rubber pads - it's not completely silent, just way quieter than acoustic drums.
Both of the options you mentioned work well, but there's a catch: the Roland TD-1DMK is definitely more compact, but the bass drum there is pretty underwhelming, while with the Yamaha DTX432K you get better luck on that front. If you have a small apartment and don't plan on setting up a huge kit, also look at the Alesis Nitro - it has a pretty good price-to-quality ratio for the pads. All these models are in your price range and are actually sold in Russia.
Before you make a final choice, if you get the chance - try out the kit at a music store. Feel how the stick bounces off the pads, check if they're responsive enough for you. And definitely buy a mat for the kit and noise-dampening pads - that'll significantly reduce the mechanical noise and protect your floor.
The main thing people often forget - try out the drums in the store before you buy, because how comfortable the pads feel for your specific striking technique matters way more than the model name! Roland and Yamaha are solid in this price range, but if your hands are used to acoustic drums, the feel of synthetic pads can be pretty disappointing.
One more thing: put a thick mat or sound-absorbing panel under the drum kit - it'll reduce vibrations transferring to the floor and your downstairs neighbors way more effectively than the setup itself! Most of the noise actually comes from the frame resonating against the floor, not from the hits themselves.
Electronic drums really do solve the volume problem, but not completely - your neighbors will hear the sound of the actual hits on the pads, just not the music from your headphones or speaker. I know of a situation where someone in the next apartment started practicing on an electronic kit, and the noise from hitting the rubber pads was comparable to light tapping on a table - bearable, but noticeable. If your neighbors are really sensitive to sounds, it makes sense to put a soundproofing mat under the drums - it significantly reduces the vibration that gets transmitted to the floor. The models that were suggested above are really in your budget range, but the main thing is to try asking your neighbors beforehand how tolerant they are of rhythmic sounds, or study soundproofing solutions at the same time as you're picking out the drums themselves.
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