No problem
Hmm for me, mesh pads are more comfortable to play on and are "easier" to play because it feels as if the stick is being thrown back at you. Real drums do not have that much rebound. Rubber pads are closer to real drums IMO. Granted, its slightly uncomfortable to play on because your stick vibrates like free after hitting, but this can solved with Anti-vibe sticks which will last you forever because rubber cymbals and rims won't eat your stick up. Whats more, you're supposed to feel impact when you hit the drum, which Roland fails at because the mesh actually absorbs the shock.
This is just my opinion though, what I suggest is you try it out and see what you prefer. Electronic drum kits last long and are pretty low maintenance (no need change/polish cymbals, no need change skin, no need to buy new drumsticks every few weeks), and you won't have neighbours/family members stopping you from playing due to noise. Just try before buying ANYTHING whenever possible, its your own hard earned money you're spending and you want every cent to be worthwhile. I'm still studying and I've been saving hard to buy a DTXpress IV Special which costs $2500+, and I'm only 18. I get only $50 a week so I'm very careful on spending money, I always ensure I am completely satisfied with the product before buying. I would recommend you to try these few steps I take before buying any music equipment:
1. Search online for prices and user reviews. Amazon is a good place to read reviews. Magazine reviews can be trusted too, but not completely cos they're paid to advertise the product and make you buy it.
2. Narrow down your searches to a few models which fit your criteria and you're interested in.
3. Check out who are the official distributors (because only they can offer warranty).
4. Go down to the shop and try it yourself if possible.
5. Make sure you're covered in everyway.
6. Or if you don't mind second hand, keep an eye out for good deals.
But don't let me deter you from Roland. If you really like it a lot, follow your guts and go for it. Roland is not completely bad, but for the price, you'll expect a lot better, or at least an extra cymbal like Yamaha. Even Pearl's E-live kit is cheaper than a Roland.
Oh yeah, space constraints. Roland definitely fits your criteria more, but of course won't offer a realistic drum kit setup and acoustic drums won't be able to be positioned so close together.
Jamming studio wise, I only know of Anaki who rents drums-only studios, but the price is about the same as a normal jamming studio so might as well go normal studios. Moreoever, I don't like Anaki cos they won't tell you the time is up, they'll just let you realise you overshot your timeslot and charge you extra (even if its 10mins), something which I don't like. Imagine going for a massage where the masseuse just keep massaging you non-stop and keep quiet even though your time is up, and then charge you extra. Not very honest here.
Just keep in mind, must try before you buy, cos such things are subjective.
I made a choice before shifting into our new house which had a smaller room. I decided that I shall sacrifice my bed to make space for a drum kit. So I threw away my bed, reserved a spot in the room for my drum kit, and sleep on a single-mattress instead. Now that I bought my kit, I still have to move the drum throne away at night so I can put down my mattress to sleep. Thats my love for drums, I can live without a bed, just to make space for a drum kit. Pictures of my room up in a few mins.
