Best Electronic Drums reviews. Here’s a beginner guide to understanding electronic drums and reviews of the best ones. You may skip to the best Electronic Drum Set on Amazon.
Introduction
Percussion is a very important part of music, be it any genre. However, for most students, an acoustic setup is usually impractical. Electronic Drums have been a boon to several budding drum players, as electronic drums have several advantages over acoustic ones (headphones, midi), at least for beginners and intermediate drum players.
Although acoustic music instruments continue to be in demand, their electric counterparts have become very popular because of the flexibility they offer and their affordability.
Electric drums are basically drums that are amplified by speakers (rather than acoustics).
So similar to an electric guitar, electric piano, electric basses, electric violins, electric violas, you can also use electric drums. So if you teenage son has been showing interest in drums, these could be the perfect solution.
Comparison Chart
- PAXCESS Electronic Drum Set: Best budget electronic drum kit. Seven pads and two foot pedals, built-in speaker, headphone jack
- Alesis Nitro Kit: Best value for money. 8-piece-set (snares, toms, cymbal pads, and kick pedals), high-quality rubberized pads.
- Alesis Surge Mesh Kit: Advanced Kit. Responsive mesh heads that allows for tension customization. Excellent audio quality and diverse connectivity.
- Roland TD-17KV Electronic Drum Set: High end kit with ric and dynamic drum sounds
Top Electronic Drum Kits: Reviews
Here we bring to use some of the best electronic drums available on the market, with top-notch sound and great feature set.
Beginners sets usually come with metronome, built-in learning mode, and several play-along music tracks, to help you improve your drumming skills and technique. These are available at a fraction of the cost of real drums, and are much more portable.
Professional quality electronic drums nowadays sound like acoustic drums, you get a similar drumming experience. Besides getting tons of sounds and features, these also offer several customization options.
Drums available at different price points may vary in terms of features offered, but any of these choices are really good (for beginner drummers or for professionals).
Pyle Pro PTED01 Electronic Table Top Drum Kit
Pyle-Pro PTED01 Electronic Table Digital Drum Kit offers amazing sound clarity, is designed to sound like real drums. Its lightweight and portable, allows you to use the drum kit to practice on prerecorded songs like soft rock, hard rock, electronic, pop, jazz and more. It has everything to entertain your friends and family, or you can use the headphone for a personal drumming session.
- Pros: Very Cheap, Good for Beginners
- Cons: Son quality and build quality is average
Features user friendly top panel center with LCD screen. Works on batteries. You get 7 Touch Sensitive Pads. 2 Pedal Pads. 25 Preset Drum Kits. 215 Percussion Voices. 100 Songs. Headphone output. Metronome. USB Port for MIDI I/O.
ALESIS NITRO KIT
The Alesis Nitro Kit is more of an entry-level electronic drum kit, that you can use for learning or for band practice. You get a complete 8-piece electronic drum kit. The Nitro electronic drum module comes loaded with 60 built-in play-along tracks and 40 different kits, you can even customize some of the drum and cymbal sounds.
- Pros: Cheap, Great value for money
- Cons: Its a beginners kit
Features three dynamic 8″ tom pads—a 8″ dual-zone snare drum for great feel and natural response, plus a kick drum pad with pedal. Three 10″ cymbals, including a crash with choke, 4-post aluminium mounting rack (keeps everything secure).
Buy on Amazon | Buy on zZounds
ROLAND TD-30K V-PRO
TD-30K is a professional quality drum set that almost eliminates the gap between electronic drum sets and acoustic ones. TD-30K V-Pro is currently the best electronic drum set available to drummers. Its expensive but the sound quality is amazing (feels as if you’re playing an acoustic one).
- Pros: Great sound. Natural feel. Sturdy build quality
- Cons: For pros (expensive)
Flagship V-Drums, Easy sound customization, Fader allows adjustment of ambiance balance. Audio playback, USB-MIDI port for computer connectivity. Studio quality Drum stand (MDS-12V). Lightweight 10-inch V-Pad (PDX-100) for toms.
YAMAHA DTX950K
A high-end option from popular brand Yamaha, with superb quality and response. The mesh head comes packed with all the technology that makes it a professional level drum set.
- Pros: Great sound quality. Flexible.
- Cons: Samples could be a bit ‘cleaner’ (has a slight, noticeable, artificial vibe)
1,115 drum and percussion sounds. Onboard sampler with dedicated effects. USB connectivity.
Yamaha DD65 Electronic Drum Pad
The Yamaha DD65 electronic drum pad is also more of an entry level kit, and is loaded with several features.
It features eight touch-sensitive pads, two drum pedals, and AUX IN for playing along with your MP3 player. The Premium Package includes the drums along with Headphones, Power Supply, Drum Sticks, and 2 Foot Pedals.
- Pros: Drummer-friendly and stylish design. Lots of samples
- Cons: Beginners kit
Alesis DM6 Vs Behringer XD8
Alesis DM6 is a five piece electronic drumset with 108 drum sounds and up to 15 programmable drumsets. The USB adapter allows it to be connected to your computer. It also has an aux port which allows you to connect your music player (ipod/cd player/mp3 player) to the drums and drum along to your favorite music.
Behringer XD8 is 8-piece electronic drumset that comes with 123 drum sounds and has 15 drumsets. USB cable connects directly to the computer. Looks modern and use high quality sound samples.
Behringer makes a wide range of affordable audio recording products. Even in this case, they have offered more at slightly reduced prices, so if you are looking for a value buy, its a nice option. However, Alesis e-drums in general have a nice feel to it, especially while playing.
BEHRINGER XD8USB
HDS110USB sound module – Kick pedal, pad and stand – 1 x 8” dual-zone snare pad – 3 x 8” single-zone pads – 3 x 12” cymbals – Hi-hat trigger pedal – Drum rack with mounting hardware – Multi-pin breakout cable for easy setup – Pair of drumsticks – Drum tool – Quick start guide.
Read: Drum Machines / Sound Modules
Best Roland Electronic Drums
Known for their synthesizers, drum machines, and other musical instruments, Roland has a wide range of electronic drums suitable for home use and for the studio.
When it comes to electronic drums, Roland definitely stands there at the top.
What is V-Drums
Roland corporation’s range of electronic drums, drum brain modules, and related electronic percussion products are known as V-Drums.
MIDI Enabled
Roland electronic drums are MIDI-capable. They can be used with other MIDI-capable instruments, such as digital samplers. MIDI also allows Roland Drum kits to be controlled by other MIDI-capable instruments. These electronic drum kits can output to an amplifier, recording device, or headphones.
You can run it through your computer (PC or Mac) with an external sound card and some kind of software with great sound samples on it.
Kits Sounds on the Roland Electronic Drum Kit
Best Roland Electronic Drums
In case you decide to buy Roland electronic drum kit, get one with mesh pads, feels feel than the rubber ones. If you don’t have the budget yet, get only the snare with the mesh. In case you get a mesh kick pad, avoid using the felt of your pedals beaters against it, as it will tear through it eventually, just rotate them and use the harder side.
Most drum kits do not come with a foot pedal, throne, or headphones, but you will need these for better playing experience, so do keep this in mind.
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Alesis Electronic Drums
Alesis is known for their synthesizers and electronic drums. Alesis produces a wide range of electronic musical instruments, digital audio processors, audio mixers, digital audio interfaces, recording equipment, drum machines, professional audio and electronic percussion products.
In the past, Alesis drum machines and drum modules have been used to create the rhythmic foundation of several big hits.
Alesis electronic drums provide drummers with the most authentic drumming experience, they sound natural, feel acoustic, and offer unmatched value.
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Electronic Drums: Buying Guide
Electronic Drum Set: Anatomy / Parts
Typically, an electronic drum set contains the following parts:
- Hi-hat Pad: The hi-hat pad is a great option to get higher-pitched percussive beat
- Hi and Mid Toms: These produce drum effects that fall into the high and mid range beat.
- Lo Toms: Produce deep, rumbling sound, these are perfect for the lower range.
- Bass Pad: Also known as “kick drum”, it produces the deepest drum tones that you’ll get on your electronic drum set. Some sets even have an acoustic instrument for the bass drum. These can also come in a pedal.
- Ride and Crash Pads: These pads emulate the cymbals found on acoustic drum set. The ride cymbal is used to create a steady, rhythmic beat, whereas the crash pads are designed for accents.
What Electric Drums Are: Portable, Versatile, Reasonably Priced
Similar to most electronic music instruments, electric drums can let you learn (as well as do) several things.
They can be used in a variety of contexts, which a single drum set cannot.
- You can connect it to computer for recording
- You can program it to produce several kinds of sounds when struck
- You can practice without disturbing others
- They’re less expensive than the acoustic drum sets
- They are easier to move around, and to maintain,
Mos owners ad musicians think that portability is the biggest advantage to electric drums. Be it for moving from one room to another, or to take it to the studio, or to your music teachers place, or to some location, just load it on your car and take it.
This portability makes them more appealing, especially for musicians who do a lot of travelling for work.
What Electric Drums Aren’t: Fakes
So if some one tells you that you can’t learn real drumming on an electronic drum, they probably don’t know much about music. There are many who think that electric drums as less musical than their acoustic counterparts.
The problem there is that you can’t compare a $5k acoustic drums with a $500 electronic drum set; there’s obviously going to be noticeable difference in the tonal qualities.
However, if you ask an experienced drummer to play on a top of the line electric drum, I bet you will think that its the best drum in the world. So, electric drums are no less musical!
At the end of the day, what matters is how you grow as a musician. As a drum student, you should focus more on learning, melody and rhythm.
Almost every top electric composers, rock artists use Electric drums; these are a lot more convenient, usable, affordable and durable.
Electric drums not only allows you to grow as a percussionist, it also helps you become well aware of music technology, which is an essential skill to have for musicians nowadays.
If you need a drum at home, or in the studio, the electric drum is a great choice. These may not be a great choice in a live live setting, but, as far as practice and recording are concerned, there’s no doubt they’re the right choice.
Electronic Drum Set History
The first electronic drum set was conceptualized and co-created by Graeme Edge (in 1971), who is the drummer of the Moody Blues.
These drums were like the traditional acoustic drums but offered new sound options for drummers, as a result of which more drummers started playing these.
By the mid-1980s, there were several electronic drummers in the music industry.
About Electronic Drum Heads
More popular types of drum heads available on Electronic kits:
- Rubber heads: The traditional types that have been around for ages. These are inexpensive and reasonably effective.
- Mylar heads: Uses similar material that is used on acoustic drums. These feel more like the real thing (compared to rubber heads) but are generally louder (than Mesh or Silicone).
- Mesh heads: Synthetic materials that are quiter and yet allows you to practice much more effectively. In casae you find these expensive right now, you may opt for mylar heads and then probably upgrade to mesh heads later.
- Silicone heads: Yamaha DTX Silicone electronic drum heads (commonly found on Yamaha drum sets) are excellent to play; there are less bouncy and many prefer these over Mesh heads.
If possible, get mesh heads for every drum, at least for the snare pad if you do not have the budget right now.
Why Buy Electronic Drums
There’s no doubt that drums and percussion are an important part of any music band. However, it also causes disturbance at home (and to neighbors), when you’re practicing. Very few of your neighbors are actually going to be in awe of your drum playing, and are most likely to get disturbed by the loud noise coming out from the acoustic drums.
That’s why electronic drums are a boon to budding drum players.
- Electronic drums are capable of producing different kinds of sounds. They can produce acoustic drum sounds and also play other drum kit sounds (suitable for any style or genre of music). You can also create your own drum sounds.
- Electronic drums can be played without making much noise. Its also good for you as a drummer, avoids damage to the drummers ears.
- Because electronic drums make less sound, its easier to record them with the whole band sound (all of them together), either on stage or in the recording studio.
- Electronic drums are compact in size, easier to setup and easier to transport compared to acoustic drum sets.
Electronic drums can also be used as a midi controller, by using the MIDI output from the controller. This way it can trigger various kinds of sound (in the sound module or in the recording software). This way, you can access several kinds of drum sounds, something that is not possible with acoustic drums.
Electronic Drums / Percussion Controllers
If you’re a drummer, you can use Electronic Drum Controllers to create tracks using recording software, and to control other midi instruments. These are basically midi instruments that do not generate any sounds of their own, but generate signals that can trigger other digital devices.
In fact, these are not just for top-caliber drummers; keyboardist who wants to quickly create some drum tracks, or beginner drummers wanting to groove out on cool classic and electronic percussion instruments can use electronic / midi drum controllers.
You can also use these midi drum controllers as a master clock for sequencers and drum machines. These come with an array of sliders, knobs, inputs, outputs, to work with a wide range of equipment.
The better ones are solidly built (to take along for gigs). The inexpensive ones may have some latency (in which case you may need to pass it through an audio interface). Most models allow you to change a lot of parameters through the various settings.
Popular Electronic Drums Brands
Popular brands of electronic drums includes the likes of Roland, Yamaha and Alesis. When buying an electronic drums kit, besides opting for a good quality, you also have to factor in its size (whether its compact) and portability.
The quality that these brands offer with their drum kit can be seen in the various components used, no matter how tiny they are. That is one of the reason, professionals trust the drum kits that these brands manufacture.
The pro kits come with a relatively high price tag, but they also give you several advanced features, great sound quality, as well as an authentic drumming experience.
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KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
What’s your view on the Alexis nitro kit? Most reviews say its a beginner set. Any problem with it being a beginner set? Does it not come with any accessories or functions that I should be bothered about?
Hi Jenn, its one of the better beginner sets available on the market. However, it cannot be compared to a high or middle-end drum kit, in terms of build quality, and the overall quality of the sound produced.