Congratulations! You’ve decided on the greatest instrument in the world and are looking forward to getting started as a drummer as soon as possible. But then you realise that you’re faced with another decision: should you go for an electronic or acoustic drum set? We answer all your questions on this topic.
Which of the two sounds better?
A high-quality, well-tuned acoustic drum kit in a good-sounding room produces a powerful, uniquely dynamic sound whose magic is hard to escape. E-drums can only come close to this. On the other hand, they always deliver a consistent sound, regardless of the room and the drummer’s tuning skills.
While they still cannot fully reproduce all the fine nuances of the acoustic sound, electronic drums are capable of a wide variety of sounds, including percussion instruments, drum machine samples, and special effects. This makes them a great choice for genres such as techno, hip-hop, or world music.
Alesis
Nitro Mesh Kit
Does an electronic drum set offer the same feel as an acoustic drum set?
The feeling you get when you hit a drum head can be reproduced relatively well by mesh heads, which are used on most modern e-drum sets. However, the pads generally have smaller diameters than the drums of an acoustic kit. The difference is more noticeable with the cymbals, which are usually made of rubber on electronic drums. Many cymbal pads can only be played on about a third of their surface.
However, some kits in the upper price range offer pads that can be played on their entire surface. The hi-hat is a particular culprit when it comes to e-drums. Although some expensive sets do a great job of imitating this colourful instrument, the expressive possibilities of inexpensive kits are somewhat limited.
Millenium
MPS-850 E-Drum Set
Which is easier to use?
With an acoustic drum kit, you’ll need to make certain preparations to fully maximise its sonic potential. First and foremost, the kit needs to be tuned, which can be a challenge, especially for beginners. Also bear in mind that you’ll have to invest in new drumheads and sticks from time to time, which are subject to more wear and tear on an acoustic drum set.
With e-drums, you can start drumming at the push of a button and don’t need to worry about issues such as room acoustics or tuning.
Millenium
MX420 Studio Set BL
Which is better for practising?
Practising is an important topic, especially for young beginners. E-drum makers are aware of this, which is why they often implement special lesson features in their lower and mid-range kits that can be used to develop and control speed and accuracy.
In addition, there are usually pre-programmed practice songs from various genres that can be adjusted in tempo. You can also easily play along to your favourite music. If you want to record your playing, almost every e-drum set offers a recording function, which helps you check and improve your playing.
However, keep in mind that an acoustic kit is still the best for developing a feel for the true dynamics of the drum set.
Pearl
Export 22" Rock S.White
Which is better suited for playing at home?
This question is easy to answer: definitely e-drums, for two reasons. Firstly, they’re quieter, and secondly, they take up less space.
The sound comes from the connected loudspeakers or headphones. The only noises produced by the instrument itself are the taps on the drum and cymbal pads and the movements of the pedals. However, the latter in particular can easily be transmitted to neighbouring flats via the floor, which means that even an electronic drum set can potentially cause trouble with your neighbours. On the other hand, various accessories for limiting the noise level of an acoustic drum set are also available. These include, for example, special drumheads and low-noise cymbals.
An electronic kit only requires about 100 x 60 cm of floor space, and thanks to the rack system, it can be easily “folded up” if it needs to disappear into the corner of the room.
Roland
TD-17KVX2 E-Drum Set
Which is the better choice for live concerts?
On stage, you’ll mostly see acoustic drums. Especially in rock music, the acoustic drum kit is an integral part of the classic stage design, where it forms the centre around which the other instruments are grouped. However, some modern e-drum sets are almost indistinguishable visually from acoustic kits, so that the look is retained. Using e-drums on stage has the advantage that your fellow musicians can reduce the volume of their amps to a healthy level, as they no longer have to compete with a loud drum set.
For quieter music such as jazz, folk, Latin, or similar, however, nothing beats the sensitivity and natural resonance of acoustic drums. The best choice is therefore always a matter of personal preference and the style of music.
Gretsch Drums
Renown Maple Studio -VP
Electronic vs. Acoustic Drums – Your Feedback
Which type do you tend towards? Or do you already play e-drums or acoustic drum set? Feel free to tell us in the comments.
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