by misterjt
A question that many drummers face at some point is whether to invest in an electronic drum kit. Some purists out there would never consider such heresy and prefer to stick to their tried and true acoustic drum kit. If you’re among this camp of drummers and your decision is well-informed, then so be it. However, if you’re dismissing the idea of electronic drums based on the principle that they’re not acoustic and therefore “I’m not interested,” you may be making a big mistake!
Personally, my preference is not to strictly adhere to either an entirely acoustic or electronic kit, but to explore the possibilities offered by mixing Music Production - Improve Your Sound - The rise in popularity of work-from-home studios has significantly impacted the music production landscape in recent years, driven by the increasing availability of tools and technology. This growth has led to the emergence of mobile recording rigs, making it possible to record full band performances anywhere. While one might anticipate a wealth of high-quality music,… elements from both worlds. But before we delve into the benefits of this approach, let’s take a quick look at electronic drum kits on their own.
The electronic drum kit has come a long way in the past 15 years, with today’s models doing an incredible job not only at replicating acoustic kits but also standing out as great instruments in their own right! Multi-zone pads and force-sensitive triggers allow drummers the versatility to play as if they were on an acoustic kit.
But where the electronic kit truly shines is with its digital capabilities. A single electronic kit can produce hundreds of different drum samples, allowing the drummer to experiment with various kit configurations without spending an extra penny!
The ace up the sleeve of the electronic drum kit, however, is its flexibility in terms of where it can be played without causing disturbance to family and neighbors! Gone are the days when you were prohibited from playing the drums Warm-up Moves Ahead Of Playing The Drums - If you aspire to be a drummer, it's essential to consider that before you start playing, you must first engage in warm-up exercises. Typically, warm-up activities for drumming involve practicing drum rudiments or rolls. That said, if you want your body to be prepared when playing the drums, it's crucial to warm up physically. It's… for fear of upsetting flatmates or neighbors with the noise. The digital nature of electronic drum kits means they can be played with headphones on – problem solved!
So, if after reading the above, you’re still not convinced that electronic drum kits are a viable option in their own right, consider incorporating electronic drum pads into your acoustic kit setup! This is actually my preferred choice, as it allows you to maintain the presence of an acoustic drum kit while enjoying the added benefits of the versatility of samples provided by the electronic drum brain.
This approach has some additional practical advantages as well. The first obvious one is cost. While electronic drum components can be a bit pricey, and you may need to purchase an amplifier to transmit the sound at the same level as your acoustic drums, they are cost-effective when you consider the range of drum sounds they can provide.
Now, I don’t personally play gigs, but I have seen enough drummers squeezed into small spaces struggling with limited room, especially if they have an elaborate kit. Swapping out some of your acoustic drums for a compact electronic version can reduce your space requirement by 20-40%, depending on how far you take it!
If you’ve been persuaded and are wondering who’s who in the electronic drum market, there are four major players: Yamaha, Hart Dynamics, Roland, and Pintech. However, in all honesty, I believe Yamaha is streets ahead of the competition. Be sure to check out their mid-range DTXpress kit!
So, when all is said and done, I encourage you to embrace the digital revolution! Take advantage of the innovations and advancements that have been made in electronic drum kit development. It can be a fantastic addition to your performances.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME