Yamaha says its new series brings the feature-packed DTX drumming experience to entry level audiences at a breakthrough price for a Yamaha electronic kit.

The design concept of Yamaha's new DTX400 series was to create an electronic drum system that retained Yamaha's DTX technology and features at its heart, is now available to beginners starting at less than $500.

In addition to a full feature set including natural response drum pads and advanced sound technology (as found in the Pro DTX models and Yamaha's MOTIF synths), the new DTX400K boasts a wide range of onboard learning options and training exercises.

A USB connection enables the player to control VSTi drum sound libraries and record directly to computer software. It's also possible to import new songs via Yamaha's Music Soft Downloader.

New apps will also be launched in 2013, designed to work alongside the DTX400 series to present an exciting interactive learning experience.

The sounds within the new DTX400 module include stereo recordings of real drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments that respond to playing dynamics. There are classic sounds from the history of drumming, including some of Yamaha's own acoustic drums.

You can also create your own 'bespoke' drum kits from the library of over 165 drums sounds, including 23 snare drums, 21 kick drums and 42 other percussion instruments.

DTX400K will be released in September 2012, with the DTX430K and DTX450K due to arrive at the beginning of 2013.