Electric or Acoustic Drums?

Question

I'm thinking of taking up the drums and was wandering which would be better? electronic ones are silent, small and cheaper yet acoustic ones sound much better, help please!

Answer 1

It depends what your priority is - being quiet, or sounding good. Electric drums are OK - but no electric instrument ever sounds as good as the real thing; although the more expensive ones do sound better.

As you're a beginer I'd say get an acoustic kit - they're cheaper, so if it turns out you don't want to learn after all you've not wasted your money - unless you really do have to be quiet.

Answer 2

I have played both extensively and currently own four kits (three acoustic and one electric). There isn't ANY configuration of electronics you could amass that will FEEL and sound EXACTLY like an acoustic kit, cymbals, and percussion BUT the advantages that an electronic kit will give you are: INFINITE sonic possibilities, more control of ambient sound and can be setup in tight spaces.

Having said that I'd suggest an acoustic kit if for no other reason than to experience all that you can do sonically with it UNLESS you live in an apartment or an environment where an acoustic kit is either unpractical or a deal breaker.

Answer 3

My son plays a Yamaha Custom Birsh recording set with all Zildjians hanging on it. He wanted to get the electronis drums to add those fancy-pants electronic sounds generated by his Alesis module so he added trigger to all his drums. (he did not buy those "trigger pads" That way he has the acoustic sound he likes with the addidtion of lots and lots of electronic sounds. He can adjust the sounds and the volume of the triggered sounds. He runs all his toys through a 12 channel stereo mixer then out to 2 amps with a crossover then to his speakers. (2 - 18" sub cabinets and 2 cabinets that have a 15" and a horn). Sounds like a lot of equipment, and it is, you should see our home. But the band has a huge PA system and they play those big Marshall and Ampeg amps. They're not loud, they simply have a real professional set up.

Answer 4

It depends on your available space to put the kit, and if noise is an issue. Budget is a lesser issue due to the fact that you can find both traditional and electronic kits for most budgets.

Answer 5

i like acoustic drums because you can tune it to what you want, electric drums are to much trouble for me, to many wires and such. but if you are learning then go with acoustic and then go to electric.