Electronic Drum Kit Guide

The electronic drum kit has come a long way in the past 15 years with musicians and music producers finding the entire recording process much easier, simpler and more efficient with the use of electronic drums. With touch sensitive pads and a range of pre-set kits, one electronic drum kit can produce hundreds of different drum samples, allowing you to experiment with different kit arrangements at the touch of a button.

A question that faces a lot of drummers is whether or not to invest in an electronic drum kit. Some purist drummers would never consider the electronic option, but if you're dismissing the idea of electronic drums based on the principle that they're not acoustic, you could be making a big mistake!

The real ace up the sleeve of the electronic drum kit, is its versatility. Gone are the days when you were unable to play the drums for fear of upsetting flatmates or neighbours with an acoustic kit; electronic drum kits can be played with headphones on - problem solved!

Benefits of having an Electronic Drum Kit:

Adjustable volume and mute mode

You cannot get around the fact that acoustic drums are a neighbours' nightmare. And so, beginner drummers will either shorten their practice period or not practice at all. This is one of the fears when parents are deciding whether to invest in drums; will their son or daughter be given the chance to practice and enjoy the drums. Electronic drum kits can be set to a low volume or used with headphones, allowing you to play your instrument all day long without hearing complaints from neighbours or family members.

Size

Not all households have the space to accommodate a full size acoustic drum set. Some need to compromise their living room or bedroom. Drummers are hooked on the electronic drums because of their lightweight and much smaller size. There's no need to use the amplifier all the time either. You can use headphones or plug into a P.A. at rehearsals.

Great sounds

The sounds that you hear electronic drum kits are actual drum samples! Each module may contain an array of percussive samples that sound like real drums, cymbals, and other items that may accompany the drum set. The clarity of these sounds have improved greatly over the years and the manufacturers of these modules are constantly looking for ways to improve. Electric drums are great for recording studios and club venues because drum mics (microphones) are not necessary. The drums are connected directly to the PA/mixer board.

Improve your range

Some of the sound modules have sampled songs but with the drums muted. The songs cover an array of styles, from salsa, jazz, rock, to funk. You can also vary the tempo to what may feel good to you. It is an excellent tool for learning to play multiple styles of music.

Transporting the electric drum set

Another great feature of the electronic drum set is how easy it is to transport. Electronic drums are compact, lightweight and can fit into any small size car (unlike an acoustic drum set that requires a bit more room). The heaviest piece of equipment you would need to worry about is the electronic drum amplifier, to make the sounds audible if you are not using headphones. The weight and size of the amp would depend on your preference and model.

Cost

There are different makes and models currently available at a wide range of prices. Even at the inexpensive end of the market, you will still have most if not all of the benefits as mentioned above. The Arbiter XTD102 costs only £289 and is packed with features.

Compromise!

If after reading all of the above, you're still not convinced by the benefits of electronic drum kits you can always incorporate electronic drum pads into your acoustic setup! Many live and professional performers use the best elements of an electronic drum kit with their acoustic kits. Many tend to use the snare drum from an electronic drum kit to give them a range of sounds at the press of a button during a performance.