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Which is Better?

Without a doubt, the Millenium MPS-850 is a higher-end drum kit with better playability and feel, as well as a more powerful and versatile drum module. With its nice features like the acoustic-style hi-hat stand, tower kick, large snare pad, many effects and sound options, triple-trigger ride pad, and two crash pads, it offers a great drumming experience suited for the beginner as well as seasoned drummers. The Rookie is more suited for beginner drummers with its simple design and affordable price.

Millenium The Rookie vs Millenium MPS-850 (2024) Head to Head

Millenium The Rookie
vs
Millenium MPS-850

The Millenium MPS-850 caters to seasoned drummers with its advanced features, while the Rookie caters to entry-level drummers seeking a solid foundation. The MPS-850 is a great e-drum kit that shines with its playability, sonic versatility, and powerful feature-packed drum module. On the other hand, The Rookie is a good starting point with its affordable price and simple features.

Key Differences

The Millenium The Rookie features a trigger pedal for the kick, while the Millenium MPS-850 uses a tower-style kick which is ultimately the better and more realistic playing option.

The Millenium MPS-850 has a larger snare pad, larger hi-hat with an acoustic-style hi-hat stand, larger ride cymbal pad with triple-trigger zones, and offers two crash cymbal pads with cymbal choke functionality, making it a more versatile option for a more realistic playing experience.

Compared to the three 7" single-zone mesh tom pads on the Rookie, the Millenium MPS-850 has four tom pads, including two 8" dual-zone and two 10" single-zone mesh tom pads which is again a better choice for creativity and sonic capabilities.

The Millenium MPS-850 provides 550 sounds (way more than the Rookie) which opens the door to endless creativity, experimentation, and overall better playing experience.

Both modules support MIDI-over-USB for MIDI connectivity, but the Millenium MPS-850's connectivity is also mentioned with MIDI-5-Pin which adds more variety in terms of MIDI connections.

The Millenium MPS-850 supports custom sampling via a USB drive so you can import your own drum samples if needed.

The Millenium The Rookie is equipped with the Rookie Drum Module, while the Millenium MPS-850 uses the MPS-850.

Kick Type
Trigger Pedal
Tower
Snare Pad Size
7-inch
10-inch
Number of Sounds
68
550
Drum Module Name
Rookie Drum Module
MPS-850
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USB
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
Custom sampling
-
usb-drive

Key Features in Common

Both kits have snares mounted to the rack which is what you'd expect from an e-drum.

Both kits have mesh tom and snare pads. This is the best option for electronic drums that offer a good/realistic playing experience.

Both drum modules feature a metronome, 1/8" inch aux input, and MIDI-over-USB. These features are crucial for any e-drum, making practice sessions more enjoyable and well-rounded.

Check out the Millenium The Rookie in action.

And here's a video of the Millenium MPS-850.

Price Comparison Between The Millenium The Rookie and Millenium MPS-850

Use the below to get up-to-date prices for both the Millenium The Rookie and Millenium MPS-850

Millenium The Rookie
vs
Millenium MPS-850
We have included a head-to-head comparison of the specs and features on both the Millenium The Rookie and Millenium MPS-850.

Hi-Hat

Hi-Hat Size (Inches)
8-inch
12-inch
Hi-Hat Type
Electronic hi-hat pedal
Acoustic-style hi-hat stand

Cymbal Pads

Ride Cymbal Pad Size (Inches)
8-inch
12-inch
Ride Cymbal Zones
Single-Trigger
Triple-Trigger
Number of Crash Cymbal Pads
1
2
Crash Cymbal Sizes
8
12"
Crash cymbal choke
No
Yes

Toms

Tom pad sizes
7", 7", 7"
8", 8", 10", 10"
Number of Tom Pads
3
4
Tom Pad Material
Mesh
Mesh
Tom Zones
Single-Zone
Dual-Zone

Drum Module

Number of Sounds
68
550
Drum Module Name
Rookie Drum Module
MPS-850
Additional Features
10 built-in play-along tracks
The MPS-850 Drum Module comes equipped with six fades to control volume, tweak sounds and add effects.
Display
3-digit LED
-
Metronome
Yes
Yes
On-Board Recording (of internal sounds)
No
Yes
Additional Pad/Cymbal Inputs
-
2
Audio Outputs
Main Output - 1/4" inch connection, 1/8" inch mini-headphone output
2 Main Outputs(Left and Right)
Audio Input (Auxiliary Input)
1/8" inch
1/8" inch
Effects and Sound Editing Capabilities
Low
Average
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USB
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
Custom sampling
-
usb-drive
Number of Kits
12
50

Snare

Snare Mount Type
Mounted to Rack
Mounted to Rack
Snare Pad Size
7-inch
10-inch
Snare Pad Material
Mesh
Mesh
Snare Zones
Single-Zone
Dual-Zone

Kick

Kick Type
Trigger Pedal
Tower
Kick Pad Material
-
Mesh
Kick Pad Size
-
8-inch

Verdict

Millenium The Rookie
vs
Millenium MPS-850

The Millenium MPS-850 is clearly a better e-drum kit with more powerful features and better playability and feel. But that comes with a price, as Millenium The Rookie is a simpler yet more affordable drum kit. If you can afford it and if you want to play drums for a long time, the Millenium MPS-850 is a much better investment; however, if you just want to try out drumming and don't want to spend a lot, The Rookie is also a solid starting point.

Photo of author

Berk Oztuna