Drumroll, please...?

May 30, 2006 4:07 PM

What's the deal with digital drum kits?

I've been thinking about taking up the drums for a while now and after a bit of research, it seems that a digital kit is the way to go (mainly due to space restrictions and not wanting to be murdered by my neighbours). Basically, what makes a digital drum kit "good" or "bad"? Are those tiny one-piece kits that sort of look like toys even worth considering (eg. the Yamaha DD55C)? What's a nice-ish, reasonably priced kit?

For your reference, my aspirations here are pretty limited...I'm not planning on becoming a professional drummer (as if that were even possible) or even a very good drummer. I just want something that I could hack around on and maybe even get somewhat proficient on.

posted by johnsmith415 to media & arts (10 comments total)

Most electronic drums don't feel like playing the drums at all. If I were buying an electronic kit, I'd go for Roland V-drums. The nylon heads allow for things like rimshots, etc. Most electronic pads can't produce any of the subtleties of real drums. That said, no one has been able to figure out how to make an electronic cymbal that feels or works anything like the real thing.
posted by Crotalus at 4:40 PM on May 30, 2006

I don't have the time to go into detailed specifics right now, but electronic drums are nothing like the real thing. I owned a set because I have neighbours, and I thought they would be easier to record than having to mic up a real kit. I played real drums before acquiring the electronic set so I may notice it more than somebody starting on an electronic kit, but it's chalk and cheese in the end. I don't remember the model (DTXpress?) but I had a full scale Yamaha thing with separate programmable console for a while.

Few quick points -

1. As crotalus said, no subtlety, and no feel to the drums. No give or response. They claim to detect the power variations in your drumming and all the rest, but in my experience they are unresponsive and strokes would sometimes not register at all. (Really expensive models may vary from what I've played.)

2. Not suited to real physical drumming (I am by no means a powerful drummer, but these things seem to be made for tapping along with music)

3. Sound like crap, or at best nothing like a real drumkit.

4. Rickety construction with regard to the frame, in addition to this both pedals stopped working, the hi-hat electronically and the bass pedal just snapped.

5. If you play them with any vigour they are loud. When I wore headphones I could still hear them FLACK CLACKITY CLACK CLACK despite having the volume full. Without headphones it's unbearable (unless you have a PA or something I guess.)

6. Cymbals just atrocious in every way.

I am by no means a picky muso, or a powerhouse drummer, but from my experience the advice is get a real kit at all costs. These electronic kits take up the same amount of room and do not compare. Either play lightly, get dampners, play with brushes (my choice,) or soundproof your room. Nothing compares to a real kit, even if it's just bass drum, snare and hi-hats. You should try out both and decide yourself, you should notice how easy it is to relax into a rhythm and express yourself (even as a beginner) with a real kit vs an electronic one which is just dead. I would recommend cushions and dining room chairs to practice on over an electronic kit.
posted by fire&wings at 5:10 PM on May 30, 2006

The Roland v-Drums are quite impressive, and what my father uses on a live show (professional drummer for 35 years). That being said, they are way above what you'd need as an amateur, to the tune of over $1,500 - $2,500. I would recommend going with the cheapest thing you can find that can be set up like a drum kit, and spend a little bit of that money you save to get a few drum lessons. If after a while you're still into drumming, then move onto a move expensive setup.

Just like any instrument, you don't need to spend pro money when you're just starting out. Play around, find rhythms in songs, and get some lessons. The cheap drums won't sound great, won't play great, but they will work. Another great practice tool is a single drum pad, it's relatively quiet and very very cheap.

I'll ask my dad about any other tips for beginners and get back to you.
posted by shinynewnick at 5:21 PM on May 30, 2006

Here's a cheap (new) set for a grand.

And I ditto the drum pad idea. That's what I gave my kids to start with. They're cheap and very usefull.
posted by snsranch at 5:39 PM on May 30, 2006

If you're just looking for something to smack around, I don't think you'll find anything drum-shaped cheaper than this.

I'd guess you get what you pay for.

Something to bear in mid with drum kits - the good ones are modular, broken into the pads themselves, the MIDI input, and the MIDI patches, which are usually hardware. The cheaper ones will have the pads and patches built into a single device which makes them harder to upgrade if you start to feel limited by your current set-up.
posted by lekvar at 5:49 PM on May 30, 2006

v-drums are nice, I owned the Yamaha set, but unfortunately the first version, with the full-sized plastic cymbals. They were attrocious and loud! The version2 of the set has better cymbals.

Yamaha set is very sturdy, does not feel flimsy at all. You may need to pad the bass pedal if you have neighbours below you.

I picked up my set from auction..
posted by lundman at 6:20 PM on May 30, 2006

I've got a Yamaha DD50. I found it atrocious for learning. The pads trigger inconsistently and the foot "pedals" are nothing like real pedals. I felt like I was spending more time on my "DD50" technique, trying to actually trigger the damn sounds, than my drumming technique. The 55C may be an improvement but I doubt it.

Eventually I moved up to a set of Roland v-Drums - a huge leap in quality but still not ideal for someone who's learning (not to mention the expense). If I had it to do again, I'd start with just a (real) snare, hi-hat and a bass pedal with a pad instead of a bass drum. That's all you need to get started and won't cost you much more than a DD50. Even the v-Drums don't feel like real drums (and cymbals), so the only advantage is the quiet, but you can always throw a rubber pad on your snare.
posted by zanni at 6:34 PM on May 30, 2006

Ive been a drummer for 15 years. And on a whim recetly I bought a DD55, primarily for programing beats with MIDI. Its nothing like a real drum kit. Nothing at all. But it is possible to play some slinky beats with it. And as a tool for learning its cheap, i got mine for £50 off ebay. A darn site less than the price of a decent DTX or V-drum setup. Also It slips under the bed quite neatly when not in use.

The pedals do seem to have a mind of their own. But each pad is assignable to any one of the 200+ drum/cymbal/ethnic percussion sounds contained in its box. Ive only had it a couple of weeks, and I have not had time to get it set up to slave MIDI yet. But i can tell already that its going to help me out quite a lot. The ability to actualy use some of my drum skils to proram patterns as oppsoed to playing them on a keyboard makes me quiver with anticipation.

However. If you realy truely want to learn to drum (and not just make loud noises with an electronical box) i second zanni. Try and get hold of a REAL drim set. Or just a snare and a hihat. The difference is major....
posted by gergtreble at 7:32 PM on May 30, 2006

PROGRAM!

DRUM!

I hit things and they go bang........
posted by gergtreble at 7:33 PM on May 30, 2006

Thanks for the info, everybody...I think I may have been convinced to get an acoustic kit with some rubber pads...
posted by johnsmith415 at 9:08 AM on May 31, 2006