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What should you consider when buying an electronic drum kit?
Whether you’ve been playing an acoustic drum kit for years and now want to switch to an e-kit because of noise-sensitive neighbours, or you’re a beginner choosing an electronic drum kit for space reasons: the selection is huge and the technical terms are many. That’s why we’re happy to answer a few questions for you with our buying guide for e-drums and hopefully help you find the perfect drum kit.
What is an e-drum kit?
An e-drum kit is an electronic drum set and fundamentally consists of three components: the module, the pads and the rack. The different drums and cymbals that we lump together under the term “pads” are listed again in the graphic. In addition, there is a wide range of useful accessories for e-drum kits for the individual components.
The module
The module is the heart of the e-drum kit; this is where the sounds are generated that you can later hear via headphones or that are output through an external e-drum speaker. Modules usually have various preconfigured drum kits stored – so-called presets – which offer you a sensibly assembled selection of sounds. The kits are therefore ready to play and don’t have to be tediously programmed. Important factors when choosing a module are memory for kits, sound quality, the number of inputs and outputs, and the editability of the sounds.
The pads
A pad is a striking surface fitted with a transducer, a so-called trigger. This trigger converts each hit into a signal which is then recognised by the module and translated into audible drum sounds. Some pads are played with drumsticks and others with the foot. When choosing pads the following criteria are important: size of the pads, surface material and the number of playable zones.
Pad size
Pad size is a double-edged sword. The larger the striking surface of a pad, the more natural the distances between individual pads become, meaning familiar movement patterns from an acoustic drum kit can be reproduced more easily. However, with every inch of pad diameter the weight and space requirements of the e-drum kit also increase. Tom and snare pads (the pads that replace the drums of an acoustic drum kit) are available in sizes from 6 inches up to 14 inches. Cymbal pads (the pads used instead of metal cymbals) are available from a diameter of 5 inches up to 18 inches.
Surface material
The surface material is decisive when it comes to the playing feel of an e-drum. A drum fitted with a drumhead produces a rebound with each strike, and drumming is all about working with that rebound. The more realistically this rebound is reproduced, the more authentic the playing feel. Generally, three possible surface materials are distinguished: rubber, silicone and mesh heads.
Rubber has the advantage of low cost and relatively long durability, but this often comes at the price of a very hard, non-variable rebound and relatively high noise levels.
Silicone surfaces offer a more realistic playing feel compared with rubber, but they are also more expensive. Durability is similar to rubber pads and the surfaces are usually not replaceable. Noise levels are also not significantly lower than with rubber pads.
Mesh head surfaces at first glance look very similar to real drumheads, but differ significantly in terms of noise development. Mesh means that the fabric is arranged in a grid-like structure so that a continuous striking surface is created while still having enough tiny openings for air to escape, which makes a strike much less audible. Similar to a real head, a mesh head can be tensioned, which changes the playing feel and allows you to set a familiar rebound behaviour. The advantages of mesh-head pads are thus noise reduction and a very realistic playing feel, although larger mesh heads can quickly become expensive purchases.
Playable zones on an e-drum pad
Pads on an e-drum kit are usually divided into different zones and equipped with sensitive sensors in these areas. This allows the player to produce different tones and intensity levels on the same pad. Take the ride cymbal, for example.
On high-quality cymbal pads we often find four zones. These would be the bell, the bow (middle), the edge and even a sensor that simulates choking or holding the cymbal with the hand. To enjoy this level of playability you must check the compatibility with your drum module when purchasing. Not every device supports these zones. Most pads come with two zones. In the case of a ride that usually means bell and edge, and for drums it means head and rim.
All available pads can generally reproduce different intensity levels, so not just loud and soft, but a dynamic cymbal or drum sound. With hi-hat pads made of two stacked cymbals, the sensors can even detect whether the hi-hat is being played open or closed.
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The rack
A rack is a sturdy frame construction into which pads and modules are hung and bolted so that they don’t move even under heavy use. Racks are constructions made of metal tubes connected with joints of metal or plastic. A good rack is characterised by stable connections between the individual tubes, a low centre of gravity to minimise the risk of tipping and sufficient space.
E-drum kits
That’s quite a lot of information. If you’re unsure how best to put together an e-drum kit, manufacturers have already done that work for you. Here you’ll find a wide selection of ready-made e-drum kits, with something for every budget.
Important questions you should first answer yourself:
How much space do you have available?
Space is an essential factor when choosing an e-drum kit. A high-end professional kit often requires about 2.00 x 1.70 m of space, whereas a portable kit for mobile use can usually be stored in 60 x 60 cm.
How loud can it be?
The answer to this question allows you to narrow down choices for pad surface material and accessories early on, because an e-drum kit is quiet, but it is by no means completely silent.
Which use cases are important to you?
Do you want to use the kit mainly as a practice drum kit in your flat’s music room, or is it also a kit you’ll be taking on stage for live use? Do you plan to record your drum kit or connect it to other devices?
As you can see, there are several things to consider and question before buying an e-drum kit. If you’re curious and want to explore the topic of e-drum kits further, you’ll find a large selection of products and matching accessories in our webshop. For more in-depth expert advice, just visit our stores in Frankfurt and Walldorf and talk to our salespeople. We’re happy to help you with our #sessionKnowHow and answer any remaining questions you have.