If you’re a hardcore music aficionado, you’d undoubtedly go to great lengths to get in on the action, be it singing in the shower, going to a karaoke bar, or learning how to play a musical instrument. When you’re driving around in your minivan with your favorite song cranked up to the max, you can feel that powerful boom-boom-boom of the drumming beat, and for die-hard drum lovers, that’s the sweetest sound in the world. Although learning how to play an instrument isn’t as easy as riding a bike, it’ll be an epic adventure, and certainly one you’ll never forget.
So, where does this adventure begin? The first step is to understand what electric drum set you’ll need for the ultimate drumming experience. Each drum set comes with a wide range of impressive features like quick-record, beginner coaching, and preset drum sounds. Not only will these options make drumming a whole lot easier, they’ll also make it wicked fun!
Whether you want to take the shiny path to stardom and become a pro or simply wow your poker buddies while they’re over raiding your fridge, there’s an electric drum set out there that will make you want to hit those drums all night long. To avoid any middle-of-the-night altercations with that muscled policeman who lives next door, you can eliminate disturbingly loud drumming sounds by using
headphones. The last thing you want is someone grabbing those glorious drumming sticks and breaking them!
If you have an
iPhone or smartphone, you can use the app connectivity function on the electric drum set to play tutorials. Once you’ve downloaded the appropriate apps, you can swipe through tons of lessons designed to help you learn how to drum all that much faster. These helpful learning tools will make your epic adventure totally rock, leading you through the beginner stages when extra coaching might be needed. Go for a drum set that supports the latest technology to help you find your creative drumming groove.
One essential feature you may not be able to do without is the record function which helps to store your music sessions. Nowadays, electric drum sets come with everything you’ll need to start playing music. But, with the added technology, you can plug in your
microphone directly into the set and record vocals as well. Suddenly, you don’t need anyone for your band because YOU are the band!
Thanks to this in-depth review of the best drum sets on the market, deciding which kit to buy will be so much easier. But, before that happens, you’ll want to check out some of these other totally rad features.
Price
After reviewing so many cool looking electric drums, you’ve undoubtedly cringed at some of the higher price tags. These instruments come at a relatively considerable price, with a quality one going for any amount between $250 and $700. As with most products, there are some premium sets that go over and above that range which include some pretty impressive bells and whistles.
The price of any drum out there is determined by several factors. If you love the renowned electric drum brands, you can expect to spend a bit more than you would on a lesser known brand. Unsurprisingly, this is also the case when it comes to a whole drum kit, and the number of items it comes with goes a long way in determining the price as well. What’s more, the features in your set can mean all the difference when it comes to price. Connectivity, audio output, and external apps will always make your set a go-to option, but it will hike up the price too.
In the drumming world, you’ll also come across a number of cheap electric drum sets. Well, these are better left alone. In most cases, they lack essential features like real pads, stability, and diversity, and could end up being a total waste of your money.
Features
Every drum set is defined by its features. Even though many features are common across the board, it is these special additions that will determine its efficiency.
The next time you are out shopping for a set, these things are among the essentials you need to have your eyes on:
- The Set – Drum sets can be versatile, and this means coming with a number of items. Normally, a good set will feature anywhere from five to nine items, and sometimes more in high-budget kits, to cater to drummer preferences. Enhance your drumming experience by selecting a set that has exactly what you’re wanting to play.
- Pad Type – Built to ensure a natural feel while performing, most drum pads feature a rubber design, mesh-head, and a closed cell-foam or steel coating. It often comes down to the type of drum you want or the brand you prefer, but it pays to have a good, solid, reliable pad for drumming.
- Drum Sounds – What exactly do you want to do with your drum set? Well, the number of usable drum kit sounds may point you towards the right set. Once you decide what you’ll need your kit to do, you’ll be able to choose which one for the most drum fun.
- Preset Kits – Just like any other musical instrument out there, drum sets come in a vast array of shapes, sizes and colors. From super portable to not-so-portable, you will always find something to match your preference. It all depends on how much time you spend informing yourself to make the best choice.
Construction and Design
When you ogle these fine-looking creations, you’ll be amazed at how much goes into craftsmanship. From the bottom up, it’s no question that they’re built to withstand a music-crazed drummer’s flailing sticks and deliver one heck of a solid performance.
Cymbal: If there’s one thing that electric drum sets are known for, it’s the loud volume and the crashing cymbals. But, as a drummer, you need to hear those cymbals to make sure it sounds perfect. If the drum set designers cheaped-out on the cymbal design to save some space, you’d definitely notice it.
Connectivity: In order of feature importance, sound comes after volume. Most drum sets out there come with ports for connecting it to your computer. This can be handy, especially when you want to do the recording in the studio. It might not sound as a must have, but believe us, it goes a long way.
The pad: The pad’s design determines the volume it produces, and most of them are designed to deliver nothing short of perfection. They come in a wide range of diversity, from the quietest (the mesh-headed and closed-cell foam) to the other louder ones. If you get a pad with inner dampening, acoustic head, or steel hoops, then you’ll get some seriously loud music, hitting up to 85 decibels. At this sound level, you may have a few neighbors knocking on your door!
The audio output: This is essential when it comes to recording or performing in large venues. And, more often than not, the need for multiple outputs, which typically ranges from two to ten, can determine which the electric drum kit you choose. You can always check the drum’s module to figure out which set would work best.
External apps: The latest trend in the world of electric drums is external apps, and it has been transforming the industry. Most entry-level modules come with pre-installed training tutorials, but you can also download e-drum specific apps onto mobile devices to help you with your drumming.
Performance and Ease of Use
An electric drum set that doesn’t perform to a drummer’s expectations is nothing more than a waste of money. This is why designers ensure that these instruments are built to give you exactly what you want as a musician. So, if you know what kind of kit you’re looking for, and choose accordingly, you’ll end up with a set that won’t disappoint.
Unlimited sound on tap: Regardless of what musical setting you’ll be playing, e-drums should offer a wide range of sounds to match the different music genres. This helps drummers that work in diverse musical styles to select appropriate sounds without having to depend on their microphone.
Studio versatility: Recording your performance can be super easy by capturing it as MIDI data. This allows you to mix and edit your drum performance, which is easier than cutting audio tracks. With MIDI, your drum set has what it takes, and all you have to do is plug your mixing board directly to your set. This way, achieving the ideal drum sound is quick and easy, and you don’t need your microphone.
Portability and compactness: Carrying your drum set around can be a total pain in the neck. But, if you get a compact set, it’ll be all that much easier to pack for a gig, concert or Bat Mitzvah. Luckily, e-drum sets fold easily into their cases or soft travel bags, taking up less room in your band van, rehearsal space or a crowded stage.
What you get from practice and learning: As they come with a built-in preset pattern, e-drums are the go-to kit for novice drummers. When you use these practice aides, they help you build muscle memory as well as the coordination needed to become a pro. Some sets have metronome functions and learning tools for developing timing and maintaining a beat. Once you learn the basics and get the rhythm, you can enjoy playing along with your favorite songs or artists.
Now that we’ve shown you what key features to look out for, let's jump to our review of the five best electric drum sets on the market.
After going through our review, we think you’ll be able to find exactly what you’ve been looking for. If not, don’t worry as you can always check out our other recommended brands for more great options. Once you see some other highly-rated electric drum set alternatives, you’ll be ready to unleash your inner music maniac. With one of these sets, you’ll gain the confidence of a pro and rock the stage!
