Electronic drum kits-- any good?

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

Okay here is the thing; I badly, badly want to learn drums. I really would like to be a drummer. I have a very strong natural rythm and ability to keep time. When it comes to playing guitar and bass, that is probably my strongest ability, is simply to stay in time extraordinarily well.

Having said that, I live in an apartment. I have neighbors. And I can't be loud. So drums are totally out of the question.

However, obviously, electronic drums are potentially an alternative. But what I am wondering is, are they any good? Do they wear out fast? I don't want something that isn't going to be responsive enough if you know what I mean. (If I were to do 16 notes, would it click for every hit?)

I know you know a lot about music, Kizzume, do you have any knowledge about drum kits. Hackfest? Ess2s? Thanks for your help.

JQ

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

WEll, looks like for the amount I could spend, it isn't realistic anyway. The cheapest one I am seeing online is getting TERRIBLE REVIEWS from people as a piece of crap. It looks like the economic choice is the real thing, which I really can't do. Sad

Ess2s2 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 48

Well, check this out. I've been drumming for about 10 years. I am completely self-taught, so I'm not the greatest drummer by any stretch of the imagination, but I also definitely do not suck. I have a traditional (loud) set and I have had the opportunity to fiddle with the electronic sets on many an occasion. You say you want to learn drums, so I am telling you right now, worrying about the quality of your learner set is like a teenager worrying about the quality of his first car. Sure you want a Vette or a Porche, but realistically speaking, you neither need or can afford such a setup.

Even the cheapest sets are capable and have good response times for drummers just starting out. A big difference in price range for electric sets is two things: pressure sensitivity, and durability. The higher priced drum kits have much better light pressure response for ghost notes and other advanced techniques, they are also made to last longer (which, for most electric kits isn't nearly as long as a properly maintained traditional.)

Still, if you're just starting out and you live in an apartment, go for a budget electric, it won't let you down. You might feel some growing pains with adapting to the way an electric feels, and then again once you start playing on a traditional set regularly, as the two systems have vastly different feels to them. There just isn't substituting the feel of a true crash cymbal or coated skin snare as opposed to the plastic and cloth membranes of the electric sets.

Another thing to bear in mind with electric sets is the fact they have almost zero maintenance and tuning, making owning an electric set nice for people who are just getting into drums. Traditional drums require regular head and hardware maintenance, including tuning, replacement, and cleaning to make sure the hardware stays in good shape.

Long story short, if you want to learn the drums, don't sweat anything except what it takes to further your craft. Get the El-cheapo set and grow from there when you're ready. Best of luck.

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

Thanks for your post Ess2s2, it helps a lot!

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

I wish I knew more about them. I know about keyboards, computers, sequencing, but don't know any easily translatable information about electronic drum kits.

If you're trying to go for cheap but still sound good, you can use your computer to make the sounds and get a set of midi drum pads.

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject:

Midi doesn't have to be those nasty standard Microsoft midi instruments--midi can trigger samples or just about anything, you just need the right program. If you want to know more info about that route, let me know.

EDIT: The drums on 95% of my songs are basically midi-triggered, as far as the way they were entered into the program. They could just as easily have been triggered with a set of midi drum pads.

Ess2s2 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 48

By the way, here's a very quick video of me playing my drums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ffhdOvFA-0

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject:

Cool cool. Smile

Hey JQ, did you ever find that kit you were looking for?

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

Nah, never happened. Sadly my money has been SUPER tight lately-- I have to be really careful how I spend my money the next while-- and I will have to hold off on buying expensive toys for now Sad

But I havne't given up on the idea of drumming, that's for sure Smile

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject:

Just remember--if you get midi pads, you can get tons of programs that can make the drum sounds, provided your sound card (or on-board audio on your motherboard) can handle it. What is your computer make and model OR what is the motherboard make and model? Do you know if your sound card is ASIO compliant? If so, and it IS, you're set. If it isn't, there still may be some programs that will work. If you don't know, if I have that info on your computer I can find out for you.

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject:

That probably will handle ASIO.

Well, if you look into midi pads, you might find something that's actually affordable. There's free software out there that could handle the sounds.

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1124

Well, I saw an electronic drum kit at target today.... I HAVE to assume it is crap, but..... after looking upt he web site, it linked me to all kinds of potential drum pads/kits that accept midi. Here are a couple on amazon (I saerched for them on amazon so I could see customer reviews)

Here is the one from target:

http://www.amazon.com/Ion-iED01-Electronic-Drum-Machine/dp/B0006HY5PI/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t
Then one off the web site
http://www.amazon.com/Ion-Audio-iED04-Desktop-Electronic/dp/B000I4YBLW

But I found that yamaha makes a product that seems a lot more convincing for a similar price

Everone seems to love this one:

http://www.amazon.com/YAMAHA-DD55-General-Digital-System/dp/B00005T3J8/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

And here is one that is significantly cheaper with still overall better reviews than "Ion" equipment. Honestly, I don't see a difference btween this one and the more expensive one save for reviews and price......is this the same thing?

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DD55CAD-Touch-Sensitive-Digital-Adapter/dp/B00066N5V4/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

My conclusion is, so far anyway, that the yamaha one looks way better quality than either or those ion ones, though I am confused about the differences between those two models, as they both have the same model number but are different prices....... SO this may be what I get the cheaper one for Christmas.....please, let me know your thoughts!
? Last Edit: Nov 23, 2007, 1:48pm by jq ?

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject:

Get the one with separate drums. The ones that are stuck together in one unit look like crap to me--you can't emulate ANY sort of real drumming with those.

I liked this part about the unit

Kizzume · Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject:

If you're able to expand that and get more pads to connect to it, that would be even better.