If you’re new to drumming or have been playing for a while, you may have considered buying an electronic drum kit. They’re made up of multiple pads that simulate the sounds of a real drum kit and have a number of benefits over traditional drum kits. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a drumming extraordinaire, electronic drum kits help you improve your skills and can take your playing to new heights.

In this guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know before buying an electronic drum kit, including a deep dive into how they work, the pros and cons of owning one and how much they cost. We’ll help you make an informed decision and give our top recommendations.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

What Is An Electronic Drum Kit?

What Is An Electronic Drum Kit?

Electronic drum kits are digital drum sets that replicate the sound of an acoustic drum set. They consist of a sound module and a set of pads that function in the same way as regular drum kit drums. Electronic drum kits enable a drummer to perform using the same drums included with an acoustic kit—a bass drum, snare, toms, hi-hat, crash cymbal and ride cymbal.

Electronic drum kits are required to be plugged into a power outlet and connected to a pair of headphones or speakers in order to produce sound. They can also be used as a MIDI controller in conjunction with music production software for recording or live performance.

 

How Does An Electronic Drum Kit Work?

Electronic drum kits work in a very different way than traditional acoustic drums. Instead of relying on the vibrations of their skins to create sound, electronic drums create sound by triggering pre-recorded samples.

An electronic drum kit is made up of a set of rubber drum pads that are each connected to a sound module. When hit, the sound module processes the input and outputs audio through speakers or headphones. The pads trigger sounds that mimic an acoustic drum kit or can produce custom sounds that have been programmed onto each of the pads.

Users can select between a number of in-built drum kit presets or program their own sounds. The sound module can also be connected to a computer for recording with software such as GarageBand or Ableton Live.

 

Benefits Of Buying An Electronic Drum Kit

Although they can’t replace the sound of a real kit, they do have their advantages. Here just some of the benefits of buying an electronic drum kit:

 

✓ Portable
Unlike traditional acoustic drums, you won’t need to carry around heavy drum cases with you wherever you go. Electronic drum kits can be nicely packed up and transported with ease.

 

✓ Quieter Than Acoustic Drum Kits
An electronic kit can be used in a small home or apartment without having to worry about disturbing your neighbours. It’s also easier to regulate your volume with an electronic system in smaller venues where you may have to limit the decibels.

 

✓ Affordable
Although the price varies, electronic drum kits are typically more affordable than acoustic kits, with new kits on the market available for as little as $200.

 

✓ Don’t Need To Be Tuned
Because electronic drums aren’t made up of thin skins like acoustic drums, you don’t need to tune them–you can just plug them in and play.

 

✓ Great For Beginners
If you’re just starting out and don’t have much experience playing the drums, it’s easy to learn how to play on an electronic drum kit.

 

✓ Durable
As the pads of an electronic kit are typically made of rubber or silicone, they are far more durable than traditional drum kits.

 

✓ Customizable
With an electronic drum set, you have virtually unlimited options when it comes to loading sounds onto each pad. Select from a number of built-in presets of customize your own kits. Perfect for drummers working across a broad spectrum of musical styles, it is simple to alter the sound of drums to suit any band.

 

✓ Can Record Performances
Electronic kits often come with MIDI capabilities which allows you to record your performances using a digital audio workstation (DAW).

 

✓ Take Up Less Space
If you don’t have a lot of room to spare, or if your space is small, an electronic drum kit will allow you to set up and play without taking up much room at all.

 

 

Downsides Of Buying Electronic Drum Kits

While there are a large number of benefits that come with owning an electronic drum kit, there are a few disadvantages that are worth noting:

 

✗ More Vulnerable To Malfunction
Electronic drums contain wires and other electronic components that can be damaged by water and other forms of corrosion.

 

✗ Requires Power
Electronic kits generally require you to plug them into a power outlet, which means you’ll need to use your kit in locations where there is access to electricity.

 

✗ Can’t Produce As Authentic Of A Sound
Although electronic drum kits offer a wide range of options when it comes to sounds, they can’t produce the same authentic tones as acoustic kits.

 

 

What To Consider When Buying An Electronic Drum Kit

With the drum kit market being so vast, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s what you should consider before you buy an electronic drum kit:

 

• Your Budget
As the price range for electronic drum kits varies wildly, it’s important to set a budget and determine how much you’re willing to spend.

 

• Size Of Your Space
You’ll also want to consider where you plan on putting your new electronic drum kit. Make sure that an electronic kit can fit in the space that you plan on playing it.

 

• Feel Of The Pads
Electronic drums feel vastly different to acoustic kits so it’s worth trying them out before you make a purchase. Consider going to a number of music stores and trying out a selection of kits to get a feel for the different kinds of pads.

 

• New Or Secondhand
While you can have confidence a new kit will function flawlessly, sometimes purchasing a secondhand kit can save you hundreds of dollars.

 

• Included Sounds
If you’re looking for a versatile kit that will provide you with hours of enjoyment, then purchasing a kit with more built-in sounds might be the best option for you.

 

• Additional Features
It is worth keeping an eye out for any additional features that come with a kit. Electronic kits will often come with a pair of drum sticks, a stool or headphones.

 

 

How Much Do Electronic Drum Kits Cost?

The price of an electronic drum kit can vary widely, depending on the brand and features. You can get an entry-level electronic drum kit for $200-300 or you can spend as much as $1500+ for pro models. Generally speaking, most electronic drum kits cost somewhere between $500-1000; however, some brands offer special deals that may bring down the cost by hundreds of dollars or you can purchase a secondhand kit for a fraction of the cost.

 

Best Electronic Drum Kits In 2022

Asmuse AD-20 | Best For Beginners

✓ 12 Drum Kits

✓ 242 Sounds

✓ AUX Input & USB MIDI Output

✓ Rim Shot Function

✓ Audio Cables, Headphones, Drum Stool & Drum Sticks Included

You can find the Asmuse AD-20 on Amazon here.

 

Donner DED-100 | Best Mid-Range Kit

✓ 30 Drum Kits

✓ 425 Sounds

✓ 55 Demonstration Tracks

✓ 6-inch Silicon Bassdrum

✓ Audio Cables, Headphones, Drum Stool & Drum Sticks Included

You can find the Donner DED-100 on Amazon here.

 

Alesis Command Mesh Kit | Our Top Pick

✓ 74 Drum Kits

✓ 671 Sounds

✓ 60 Built-In Play-Along Tracks

✓ Built-In Metronome

✓ Sequencer, Metronome & Performance Recorder

You can find the Command Mesh Kit on the Alesis website here.

 

Conclusion

With so many options available, it can be tough to know which electronic drum kit is right for you. We hope our buyer’s guide has helped you understand the ins and outs of this instrument so that you can make an informed decision when choosing an electronic drum set. Whether you are looking to learn drums or in the market for something more advanced, there’s something out there for everyone.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Learn Drums On An Electronic Drum Kit?

Absolutely, you can learn drums on an electronic drum kit just as well as you could on an acoustic one. Electronic drum kits often come with helpful tools like metronomes that are great for helping beginners learn the instrument.

 

Are Electronic Drum Kits Loud?

Although electronic drums make a sound when the pads are struck, electronic drum kits are still much quieter than traditional acoustic kits. They are far quieter than their noisy neighbor-baiting acoustic counterparts, thanks to the option of headphones. The volume of sounds produced by an electronic drum pad can be adjusted, unlike an acoustic kit.

 

How Do Electronic Drums Get Their Power?

Electronic drums are powered the same way as most household electronics. On the back of the sound module, there is a DC port. Just connect the power cable to a wall socket and you’re ready to go.

 

How Do I Amplify Electronic Drums?

To amplify the output of an electronic drum kits, simply connect a pair of speakers or studio monitors to the output jack found on a kit’s sound module.

 

Can I Use Regular Drumsticks With Electronic Drums?

Yes, you can use almost any kind of drumstick with electronic drums. Any pair of high-quality wood or nylon sticks will do the job.

 

Can I Use Brushes On An Electronic Drum Kit?

While it is possible to use brushes on an electronic drum kit, they certainly won’t give you the same kind of accuracy as an acoustic drum kit. Some e-kits, however, have a brush setting which allows you to stroke across the head. Make sure that you use nylon and not wire brushes.

 

 

Want To Know More?

Here at Live Aspects, we have dozens of useful lessons and tutorials created to enhance your music production skills and help speed up the learning process. You can access our huge range of music theory lessons and production tips and tricks here.