If you’re new to the drumming world and you want to invest in an electric version, there are a few things you should know. Electric drums are an affordable and practical instrument for everyone who wants to practice drums at home. They make less ambient noise and take up less space. With plenty of other advantages, they’re the perfect investment for any beginner drummer.
Contents
Parts of the Drum Kit
Drum and Cymbal Stands
Some types of drums and cymbals have stands of their own. Because of how adjustable they are, you can easily position the parts of the kit as you like. You’ll be much more comfortable playing the drums with this type of setting. Racks are practical in case the kit has multiple cymbals and drums. You can easily organise them as you see fit.
Cymbals
You can find cymbals in three different varieties, crash, ride and hi-hats. Crash cymbals are mainly used to accent songs. Ride cymbals are made to create bell-like tones and they’re usually larger. Finally, the hi-hats are smaller and are activated with a foot pedal. Once you hit the pedal, they strike each other and make a sound. You can also play them with sticks.
Snare and Tom Drums
The snare drum is the one you’ll notice first because of its size. It’s large and also the loudest of them all. A system of “snares,” or tiny wires, in the bottom drum head is what gives the drum its harsh and loud sound. Almost all kits have three tom drums. One is mounted on a stand that stands on the floor and two more, a medium and a high tom, mounted on the set. Every user-friendly and authentic electric drum kit will have all of these drums to make your drumming experience complete.
Drum Heads and Thrones
Most of the time, the drum heads will be included in the sets that you buy. The head that you strike, or the top head, is also known as a batter head. The one at the bottom is known as the resonant head. There’s a system of “lugs” that go around the drum to tune the heads.
There are also the bass drum pedals that are used to play the “kick” or bass drum. You can find it in two varieties, single and double. If you’re a beginner, it’s always a good idea to start with a single pedal. The throne is another name for your seat. It should be comfortable, adjustable and allow you to set the whole kit around you.
Drumsticks and Brushes
The drumsticks are an essential component of the whole kit and how the drums sound. They can be made of different types of wood and come in several sizes. The stick’s size and its tip are what make the biggest difference in the sound the stick produces. Brushes are sticks with metal or plastic brushes on the end that resemble fans. These make a much quieter, gentler sound compared to regular sticks.
What to Consider When Buying
Module
The module is the most important part of the kit. It’s where the sounds of the drums get processed. It also holds the special effects, sounds of other instruments and the prerecorded sounds. You can also use it to adjust the settings and generate audio files so you can edit them on your computer later.
The module will also contain a few preset drum kits that play different music styles. There’s an option of customising a kit of your own. As a beginner, you shouldn’t go for the best module. They’re usually very complicated and their complexity won’t make your drumming fun. If you want to record your sessions, get a module with a USB port that will send your audio into interfaces.
Triggers
The two primary components of the electric drum kit are mesh heads and triggers. Triggers detect impacts on the mesh head and send signals to the module, which plays the suitable recorded sounds. It’s a good idea to have triggers with several sensors because one sensor triggers only one sound.
Cymbal
In general, the cymbals in an electric set are the same as the ones in the acoustic set. However, in some cases, the electric cymbals are just one part of the acoustic cymbals. High-end versions even include cymbals that move like the acoustic ones. Always choose the set that has multiple cymbal triggers. This means more playability and a nicer, more realistic playing experience.
Mesh Heads
This is the part of the electric drum kit that serves as the drumhead. It has evolved a lot and it’s now a rubber pad instead of a Formica tabletop. It also has a mesh head. These heads give you a nice bounce.
Practical Accessories
Amplifier
An amplifier is a good accessory when you can’t plug into the sound system directly. Many of the newer models can be used with mobile phones, computers and other audio-playing devices. They have both AUX and Bluetooth inputs and a control knob. Amplifiers also have headphone outputs that allow you to play in private.
Bench
Some drum kits don’t come with a drum bench or a drum throne. In this case, you need to buy it separately. It’s important that you buy a highly adjustable one that’s also very comfortable. The seating area should be padded with a high-density sponge that’s supportive for your body. A rotating top with an adjustable height will allow you to move freely in any direction.
Headphones and Speakers
There are some dos and don’ts when you’re buying headphones or speakers for your drum set. You should always make sure they’re comfortable and not too tight over your head. Also, they shouldn’t be too loose so they fall off. Closed-back headphones will isolate any outside sounds and prevent them from interfering with your music. In-ear monitors are also a good option and sound great.
Don’t buy headphones with Bluetooth technology because it can cause a slight audio delay. Avoid cheap headphones because they won’t block external noise. If you’re keen on using speakers, make sure they have full-range support. It all depends on your personal preferences and you might have to try a few things before finding the right option for you.
