Electric Drum Kits
In recent years, the standard of electronic drum kits has improved drastically, offering ever more authentic sounds and ‘feel’. Accordingly, one of the questions I am most often asked in connection with buying drum equipment is ‘Should I buy an electric or an acoustic drum kit?’. This is a classic dilemma for anyone buying their first drum kit, with drum shops in South Wales and further afield invariably offering tempting a selection of both.
In recent years, the standard of electronic drum kits has improved drastically, offering ever more authentic sounds and ‘feel’. Accordingly, one of the questions I am most often asked in connection with buying drum equipment is ‘Should I buy an electric or an acoustic drum kit?’. This is a classic dilemma for anyone buying their first drum kit, with drum shops in South Wales and further afield invariably offering tempting a selection of both.
I will begin here as I do in every such discussion with drum students and their parents, and state the obvious: there is no substitute for a ‘real’ acoustic drum kit. There are several negatives with electronic drums which should be noted. Even with the many advances which have been made in recent years, an electric drum kit does not feel or sound as good as an authentic acoustic drum set. Defined primarily as a practice tool, electric kits are of limited usefulness when it comes to recording and/or gigging. Equally, since all grade performances must be given on acoustic instruments, practice on electronic drums does not always translate directly into performance in grade exams. Finally, more advanced drummers often find that they ‘outgrow’ even the most sophisticated models of electronic drum kit, feeling that they can not get the same subtlety of response which they come to depend on when performing on acoustic kits.
Of course, there are manifold advantages to having an electric kit, too. I have one myself (Roland TD9) and frequently use it for silent practice and midi recording at home without annoying neighbours and housemates. Being able to practice quietly, without disturbing family and neighbours is a big selling point for manufacturers of e-drums, as illustrated in the Yamaha sales video below. While the video features a drummer giving a solo performance, it should be noted that an electric kit is, first and foremost, a tool for individual practice. This being the case, it is not essential that it sounds or even feels exactly like ‘the real thing’.
Beyond the obvious point about low noise levels, perhaps the most poignant question is: ‘Does this kit allow me to practise the drills, exercises and musical ideas I need to master?’ To fulfill this criterion, a kit should be durable, comprise all the main ‘voices’ of a drum kit, and offer an appropriate ‘stick response’ (i.e. should be quite ‘bouncy’ like a drum, but not so bouncy as to make the kit artificially easy to play). All quality, known-brand drum kits will meet these criteria (for brand see below). An important second question might be: ‘Is this drum kit fun to play?’ The instrument should certainly offer musical satisfaction to the musician, and it is here that authentic sounds are more important.
While electronic drums are not a replacement for the acoustic instrument in the long term, they can offer a workable solution to the problem of home practice, especially for relative beginners. Remember to shop around and never overlook the second-hand marketplace. Like-for-like, electronic drums are more expensive than acoustic. As such, you should expect to pay £300+ for a quality instrument when buying second-hand. For a brand-new model, buyers should expect to spend in excess of £450.
While there are many brands available, I would generally recommend that shoppers look primarily at Yamaha and Roland drums.
You might also like to read these articles:
Advice for beginners
Should I take drum grades?
Why technique?
I will begin here as I do in every such discussion with drum students and their parents, and state the obvious: there is no substitute for a ‘real’ acoustic drum kit. There are several negatives with electronic drums which should be noted. Even with the many advances which have been made in recent years, an electric drum kit does not feel or sound as good as an authentic acoustic drum set. Defined primarily as a practice tool, electric kits are of limited usefulness when it comes to recording and/or gigging. Equally, since all grade performances must be given on acoustic instruments, practice on electronic drums does not always translate directly into performance in grade exams. Finally, more advanced drummers often find that they ‘outgrow’ even the most sophisticated models of electronic drum kit, feeling that they can not get the same subtlety of response which they come to depend on when performing on acoustic kits.
Of course, there are manifold advantages to having an electric kit, too. I have one myself (Roland TD9) and frequently use it for silent practice and midi recording at home without annoying neighbours and housemates. Being able to practice quietly, without disturbing family and neighbours is a big selling point for manufacturers of e-drums, as illustrated in the Yamaha sales video below. While the video features a drummer giving a solo performance, it should be noted that an electric kit is, first and foremost, a tool for individual practice. This being the case, it is not essential that it sounds or even feels exactly like ‘the real thing’.
Beyond the obvious point about low noise levels, perhaps the most poignant question is: ‘Does this kit allow me to practise the drills, exercises and musical ideas I need to master?’ To fulfill this criterion, a kit should be durable, comprise all the main ‘voices’ of a drum kit, and offer an appropriate ‘stick response’ (i.e. should be quite ‘bouncy’ like a drum, but not so bouncy as to make the kit artificially easy to play). All quality, known-brand drum kits will meet these criteria (for brand see below). An important second question might be: ‘Is this drum kit fun to play?’ The instrument should certainly offer musical satisfaction to the musician, and it is here that authentic sounds are more important.
While electronic drums are not a replacement for the acoustic instrument in the long term, they can offer a workable solution to the problem of home practice, especially for relative beginners. Remember to shop around and never overlook the second-hand marketplace. Like-for-like, electronic drums are more expensive than acoustic. As such, you should expect to pay £300+ for a quality instrument when buying second-hand. For a brand-new model, buyers should expect to spend in excess of £450.
While there are many brands available, I would generally recommend that shoppers look primarily at Yamaha and Roland drums.
You might also like to read these articles:
Advice for beginners
Should I take drum grades?
Why technique?