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Electronic drum kits are now a viable alternative to the real thing. Whether you’re a pro or someone who’s never picked up drum sticks, the best electronic drum sets offer some attractive benefits for practicing, recording and even performing.
The most common reason for choosing electronic drums over acoustic is obviously noise. Although it’s rewarding to pound the real thing, it’s typically a nuisance for your roommates, family members or even neighbors. Electronic drums are silent, but can easily be hooked up to an amp for performances.
The best electronic drum sets also offer a much wider range of sounds and plenty of digital features that help improve your skills. Instantly switch your sound to a different drum kit (be it acoustic, rock or orchestral percussion) play along to your favorite tracks, record your work and much more.
What Are the Best Electronic Drum Kits?
If you’re ready to make the switch to electronic drums or begin learning, there are a few important factors to consider when choosing the best electronic drum set.
Drum Type: Firstly, you’ll need to choose what type of electronic drum set you want. Full kits are the best, replicating the feel of a real drum set for the best experience for practicing or performing.Other options include tabletop and roll-up drum kits. These are much more compact, portable and usually feature built-in speakers. Tabletop kits are great for practicing timing or sampling, and roll-up kits are just very convenient – especially for traveling or kids.
Pads: Electronic drum sets come with either mesh or rubber pads. Mesh is the higher-quality option, offering more responsiveness and better sound. Rubber pads are cheaper but less responsive. Brands also use different technologies for the pads, so be sure to check to see how realistic and sensitive the pads are.
Module: The module or “brain” of an e-kit contains all the digital features including different sounds and connectivity. The best electronic drum kits come loaded with hundreds of sounds, included play-along tracks and compatibility with other devices such as smartphones and MIDI usability.
Included Gear: If you’re buying your first e-drum set, you’ll want something that includes bass drum pedals, sticks, a drum throne and headphones. Most sets come with all or some of these extras.
