I don't play the drums but my youngest son is a drummer. He took lessons for 10 years, from ages 8 through 18. He started out with a drum pad and a set of sticks. We did not buy him drums right away. He used the drum pad for a few months of lessons and when his teacher told us he thought that our son was ready for drums, we got a set of Pearl's. It was a starter set but he played them for 10 years, at least. I think he did have to replace the snare once. A few years back, when he was in college we bought him another set that he still plays. They are DW (Drum Works).
It was loud while he was practicing, but as he got better, it was fun to listen to. He became pretty proficient but he started pretty young. My older two sons both play the guitar, so when they were growing up, they had a band. They had fun playing parties and school functions. They even played out in bars when they were young teenagers. Of course, always accompanied by either me or their dad, or both of us.
Good luck with whatever you choose to start with. If you start with the drum pad, you will kind of see if you really have the interest before you spend a lot of money. Have fun.
