If you’re looking to buy a drum set, you may be wondering what the differences are between electronic and acoustic kits. These are your two main drum kit types, and they have significant differences. However, they’re both made for the same goal of being able to play drums.
In this guide, we’re going to explore each drum set type. We’ll give you two high-quality examples of acoustic and electronic kits, and we’ll explain which option is best for different people.
The biggest benefit of electronic drum sets is that they’re not as loud as acoustic kits. They’re rubber and mesh pads that get amplified digitally through a drum module that connects to headphones or an amp. If you just use headphones, no one will hear you from next door.
Another benefit is that electronic drum sets offer multiple drum kit sounds. Every drum module has ten or more preset drum kits, allowing you to have different drum kit sounds to choose from.
The final benefit is that electronic drum kits are easy to record. You don’t need multiple microphones to record drum parts. You simply just have to plug a USB cable into a computer.
The biggest downside of electronic drum kits is that they’re very expensive compared to acoustic kits with the same quality. You can get a lot of affordable e-kits, but their sound quality will be nowhere near the sound quality of an acoustic kit that has the same price tag.
Another downside is that you need power to play them. You also have to have headphones or an amp, or else you won’t be able to hear what you’re playing.
The final downside is that they don’t feel as satisfying to play as acoustic kits. This comes from a combination of how they look and how they’re designed.
The Roland TD-50KV2 is a seriously high-end electronic drum kit. It’s one of the best options on the market, as it offers the best pads, module, and sounds.
The best thing about it is that it has digital pads for the snare drum, ride cymbal, and hi-hats. These digital pads perform very similarly to how acoustic drums and cymbals perform, allowing you to play things on these that you can’t play on other pads.
Another cool thing about this kit is that it still remains quite compact. You save a lot of space if you play this over an acoustic kit, and you still get all the benefits of having a luxury drum module.
Overall, it’s one of the best possible options to consider if you want an electronic kit. The problem is that it’s about double the price of a top-tier acoustic kit.
There are too many benefits of acoustic kits to count. However, there are a few obvious ones that we’ll mention here. Firstly, it feels a lot better to play an acoustic kit than an electronic one. All the drums and cymbals are a lot more responsive.
Acoustic kits are also better for playing live gigs. They bring a lot more energy to the stage, and they also look far better when set up.
A final benefit to mention is that acoustic kits are a lot more affordable than high-end electronic kits. A good acoustic kit with top-tier cymbals will only cost around $3000 to $5000, whereas all the best electronic kits on the market cost a lot more.
The biggest drawback of playing an acoustic drum set is that it’s very loud. Acoustic drums are so loud that it isn’t possible for people to play them if they live in crowded areas.
They’re also difficult to record. Since they have so many parts and components, you need multiple microphones to hear everything, whereas you don’t need a single microphone with electronic drums.
The final downside is that they’re large. Not all acoustic kits are big, but most are, stopping people with little space from being able to play them.
The Sonor SQ2 is a beautiful drum kit that sits at the very top of the range of acoustic kits available on the market. It features all the best build qualities that Sonor has on offer, and the drums sound incredible.
They’re easy to tune, and they look amazing when the kit is set up with hardware and cymbals to complement it.
If you are switching from an acoustic drum set or incorporating a new electronic drum kit, you need to know that the feel and response from traditional drums will change greatly.
One of the most noticeable changes is the stick response. Both the rebound and the attack characteristics differ a lot from the acoustic options. Although the are electronic drum kits that use mesh heads that let you control tension, keep in mind that you’ll need to make some changes to your drumming technique, especially if you’re planning to buy a kit with rubber head pads.
These are other areas you need to consider:
A crucial aspect to consider in your transition is the change in sound presence. Acoustic drums have a raw, organic quality with a physical presence that fills the room.
The sound of each drum, cymbal, or hi-hat is distinct and resonates differently, based on factors such as size, material, and tuning. This ‘live’ sound, along with the feel of the air moving as you strike the drums, contributes significantly to the overall playing experience.
On the other hand, electronic drum kits produce a more processed sound that is consistently clean and can be shaped infinitely through the module.
However, this digital sound lacks the natural resonance and room-filling quality of acoustic drums. It’s a much more controlled sound that relies on amplification systems like headphones or speakers, which can make it feel less ‘present’ or tangible.
This switch can initially feel strange, especially if you are used to the raw energy of an acoustic kit.
However, electronic drum kits bring with them the advantage of variety and customization. You can access hundreds, even thousands of different drum sounds and effects, allowing you to explore sonic territories that would be impossible on an acoustic kit. Over time, as you adjust to the sound and feel of electronic drums, you might come to appreciate this flexibility and the new dimensions it adds to your music.
Another difference can be latency. Nowadays MIDI is super fast and capable of processing several notes at a time, but you may still encounter a small lag between the stroke and the final sound.
This shouldn’t be an issue and you’ll get used to it in no time, decreasing this perception. The last thing to notice is the distant sound. If you have experience with acoustic kits you will know that the sound is produced instantly from every drum body.
When you go digital, the sound comes from the speakers placed around the room. One common solution is to use a couple of monitors that will give a similar feeling when playing.
The pad feel it’s a game-changer. You know, there’s something unique about the feel of an acoustic drum. It’s this tactile experience that contributes to the joy of drumming.
But when you shift to electronic drums you’re stepping into a different world. Whether you’re dealing with rubber pads or mesh heads, the sensation is not quite the same.
Rubber pads can feel hard and less forgiving, especially when you’re used to the responsiveness of an acoustic set. They tend to have a stiffer feel and offer less rebound, which could mean adjusting your playing technique.
On the other hand, mesh head drum pads (which are seen on higher-end electronic kits) can come closer to replicating the feel of an acoustic drum heads. The tension on these mesh heads can even be adjusted to suit your preference giving a semblance of the “real” drumming experience.
This transition to a different pad feel can be a bit of a curveball initially. But don’t worry, with a bit of patience and plenty of playing, you’ll get accustomed to it.
So, we’ve touched on pad feel, but what about the dynamic response?
If you’ve played acoustic drums for a while you know that playing a drum isn’t just about hitting, it’s about expressing.
You play softly and you get a gentle whisper of a sound, play a powerful rimshot and the drum roars back. The instrument responds directly to your touch creating a dynamic range that mirrors your emotions.
But what happens when you go electronic?
Well, it can be a mixed bag. Some entry-level electronic drum sets might not offer the most sensitive dynamic response.
You could find yourself laying into a cymbal for a crash and getting a weak tinkle instead. Or perhaps you’re trying to play a delicate ghost note on the snare, and it sounds louder than you’d expect.
Now, this isn’t to say that electronic drums can’t be expressive. On the contrary, the best electronic drum kits out there are finely tuned machines that respond well to variations in your playing dynamics.
You’ll find that the higher-end models have advanced trigger technology that can accurately capture every subtle nuance of your playing, from the lightest touch to the most forceful whack.
There’s an art to striking an acoustic drum. Angle, intensity, drumstick type. These are the variables that modify your sound. You can drum on the edge of the snare for a more resonant tone or hit it in the middle for a direct and sharp sound.
With cymbals, a swipe across the edge produces a rich wash, while a hit on the dome gives you a clear piercing ping. These techniques add depth and character to your drumming.
Switch over to electronic drums and it’s a whole new ball game. While your striking technique fundamentally remains the same you might have to adjust it to accommodate the different materials and sizes of the electronic pads.
For instance, the uniform surface of a rubber pad may not offer the same tonal variations as an acoustic drumhead.However, many modern electronic kits, especially high-end ones, feature multi-zone pads.
These can respond differently depending on where they’re hit, somewhat akin to an acoustic drum. For example, a snare drum pad might have separate triggers for the head and the rim giving you the option for rimshots.
That said, it’s worth mentioning that powerful techniques like rimshots or cymbal chokes may require additional practice to execute correctly on an electronic kit. And remember that excessive force is unnecessary and potentially damaging. Electronic drums are more about precision than power.
In essence, transitioning to electronic drums doesn’t mean you need to relearn your striking techniques. Rather you’re evolving them to suit a new instrument.
No, electronic drums feel quite different from acoustic drums. With electronic drums, you’ll either get pads that are rubber, mesh, or silicone. Acoustic drums have plastic drumheads, so the pads on electronic drum kits feel a lot bouncier.
High-end electronic drum kits have pads and playability that make them feel similar to acoustic drums, but they still don’t feel exactly the same.
It’s better to learn how to play drums on an acoustic kit since acoustic drumming is the main aspect of playing the drums. If you end up playing gigs, it will be on an acoustic kit 95% of the time.
However, learning on an acoustic kit isn’t possible for everyone. If you can only learn on an electronic kit, you should still go for it. At least you’re learning to play no matter what.
Electronic drums are designed to have presets that sound like acoustic kits. They sound very similar, but they don’t have the same tonal responsiveness. Higher-quality drum modules have sounds that are more similar, whereas low-quality kits have sounds that are extremely synthetic.
The big benefit of electronic drums is that you can play electronic sounds that you can’t create on acoustic drums.
Acoustic and electronic drums have a very close relationship. Ideally, every drummer should have both types. You can play the acoustic drum kit for gigs and settings where volume isn’t an issue, and then you can use the electronic drum kit for practicing.
There’s a lot more to it than just that, but you have to experience playing both to get your own idea of the subtle differences.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
We specialize in helping drummers of all levels become rhythmic assassins and develop ninja-like skills, quickly. Our mission is to create the best resources for all musicians and build a community where you can learn and share everything related to your musical journey.
Our team is committed to exceeding our clients’ expectations with uncompromising honesty and integrity. We focus all of our energy on helping musicians of all levels achieve their goals and build a foundation of skills that will last a lifetime.
Enter your name and email below to get instant access to our FREE eBook, “9 Powerful Tips To Get Faster On The Drums (And The Mistakes To Avoid!)”
Enter your name and email below to get instant access to our FREE eBook,
“9 Powerful Tips To Get Faster On The Drums (And The Mistakes To Avoid!)”
