Electronic drums vs the real thing

crrimson death · 03-22-2006, 03:37 AM

I'd like to start practicing drums, but due to my current living situation the real deal is not possible, so i'm looking into buying an electronic setup.

What im wondering is if one learns on an electronic set, will said skill carry over to real drums? is the feel much different?

Any thoughts/input appreciated.

Ashes Emberblade · 03-22-2006, 05:22 AM

I'm actually interested in picking up an electronic drum set for my band. From what little research I've done, it seems it's about like the difference between learning on an acoustic vs. electric guitar. Same general concept, but very different tonal properties, with the electric setup having greater possibilities for instrumentation.

Just be aware that a decent electronic drum set is going to run you at least $2,000.

Mkopec1 · 03-22-2006, 05:59 AM

Roland TD-20S V-Pro Electronic Drum Set $6000.00

Thats the only one I would remotely consider. All the other ones I would never reccomend especially for the beginner. One of the fundamental things you need to learn is your rudiments, and there is a huge diffrence in doing those on a rubber pad compared to a skinned drum.

Ive actually played on this kit before and I gotta say its pretty sweet. It feels just like an ordinary "real" kit, and it even sounds diffrent depending where you hit the skin on the drum.

I think you can get a cheaper kit than that with less pieces, I mean you dont need a fucking 20 piece kit when you start out, all you need is a basic 5 piece with 2 cymbals, a high hat and a ride cymbal. Everything else is a bonus after you actually learn how to play.

Learn those rudiments first. All you really need is a snare drum for those. Get yourself a video showing you what they are and how to do them, then copy the dude and practice.

Also the cool thing about this kit is the head unit they give you. You basically have 100's of diffrent "sounds" programmed in, so you can have your kit sound like a vintage rock kit, or a jazz kit, even techno and other 'electronic" sounding sounds. Its mond boggling how many diffrent "kits" you can have just by buying this one.

One thing to note is that you will need to get a amplifier and a speaker box, cabinet for a kit like this if you want actual sound coming out of it, but headphones work awesome for the beginner.

Mkopec1 · 03-22-2006, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crrimson death

What im wondering is if one learns on an electronic set, will said skill carry over to real drums? is the feel much different?

There is a definite diffrence playing on ruber pads vs the real thing. But I remember my first lessons were done on rubber pads. I mean It would be hard to have 3-4 drummers learning how to play drums on real kits. It would be fucking loud as hell.

So yeah you can learn on rubber pads (cheap electronic kits) but there is a diffrence you would feel when trying your new found skills on a real kit. Like I said especaially how the sticks bounce off the skins. Also your bass foot on a rubber pad, you cannot perform any of the triplets doubles because on a real kit your relying on the bounce back factor.

But thise are more finesse things you will learn later anyways. What beginners need to learn can definitely be learned on a cheap electronic kit. As a befinner you will be learning to train your feet and arms to do diffrent things in time and learning simple beats and beat structures such as 2/4 or 4/8 time and of course your rudiments LEARN THOSE RUDIMENTS!!!!!

crrimson death · 03-22-2006, 02:39 PM

ok, so i went out today and picked up a practice pad and some sticks. I definately have to go with an electronic set due to where i live, but i think messing around on the pad is a good start until i choose a kit to buy.

and suggestions that might fall lower in price?

Erinye · 03-22-2006, 11:57 PM

Stay with Roland, but theres absolutely 0 reason you should start out on a 5 piece. You're going to spend a pretty penny on an electronic kit wherever you go, and maybe before you spend a large sum of money you might consider going to take a few private lessons and see if it's really something you want to put a lot of money into. If so, save up and go Roland.

crrimson death · 03-23-2006, 03:22 AM

yea, i did a lot of research last night and roland definately seems like the way to go. its awesome how they have video demos of msot of their kits on the web page. I'm looking at the TD-3, since it's cheap, but i will take your advice and check out some lessons too

Mkopec1 · 03-23-2006, 06:09 AM

Drums are pretty easy to learn, at least they were for me. But then again I had buddies which all played something so it gave me an incentive to learn them and start jamming with them. It toook me like 3 years to get good enough to play a song start to finish with them.

I took lessons but it wasnt for me. The dude gave me a beginner drummer book and in the actual lessons we were doing the L R L R L R.....bullshit followed by RR LL RR LL etc. So I quit that shit. I just didnt have the patience for that shit.

It just wasnt for me, but the book introduced me to the rudiments which I did learn on my own time. I also got a video with a dude going through each one slow and fast, explaining the diffrent strokes and shit. I liked this method than lessons. I did it on my own time and at my own speed.

Also what helped me alot is playing along to diffrent music. I used to put on the headphones and start jamming to some Guns and Roses or AC/DC, you know some easy to follow along to shit.

Now after alomost 10 years I can pretty much sit down with anyone and no matter what they play, I can pretty much put a good beat to it. But without continuing my lessons, I do not know how to read drum music, but I m not a pro either, I just do this for fun.

Also, dude, try and check out ebay or your local trading times for drums and acessories. Usually drums are like excersize equipment or snowmobiles, people get them, dont use them at all. So they end up sitting in their basement for a couple years untill they sell them for cheap. So try and get some used ones.

crrimson death · 03-23-2006, 02:19 PM

hehe, man i saw the roland td-20 on ebay for a starting bid of $350 with 8 hours left. i came back 4 hours later and it was up to 800, then 5 minutes later, up to 1200 =p

Mkopec1 · 03-23-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crrimson death

hehe, man i saw the roland td-20 on ebay for a starting bid of $350 with 8 hours left. i came back 4 hours later and it was up to 800, then 5 minutes later, up to 1200 =p

Thats still a pretty wicked deal considering. Was it the whole kit like in the picture I linked?

I have a Yamaha stage custom kit, 5 piece, one of the cheaper real drum kits in Yamahas line. The shells cost me $500, but when I was all done with my kit, the hardware, cymbals, pedals, throne...etc...It was close to $2500. The cymbals were the killer. I got Zildjan K customs and they were $250-$400 a piece.

simeon · 03-23-2006, 02:56 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=172282
From what I've heard, this isn't a terribly bad kit. I've seen it in person at bestbuy and played on it (sans sound - they didn't have an amp to connect it to) - the only thing that has a terribly unrealistic feeling are the symbols. It is nice enough if you are on a budget and want to learn the sheer basics.

crrimson death · 03-23-2006, 04:43 PM

it was the whole kit, but something wierd is going on i think. the same exact auction is posted several times, a couple times at a starting price of $10,000,000 =p

Ashes Emberblade · 03-24-2006, 05:13 AM

Be very careful buying electronic drum kits, or any expensive instrument, on ebay. At least half of the auctions are fraudulent.

Blaezenfury · 03-24-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashes Emberblade

Be very careful buying electronic drum kits, or any expensive instrument, on ebay. At least half of the auctions are fraudulent.

yeah seriously I agree with this shit, I go on ebay every now and then looking for some good guitar deals, I see 500-2000 dollar guitars on there for like 15 bucks.

03-22-2006, 03:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
crrimson death Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 228 -2 Internets	Electronic drums vs the real thing I'd like to start practicing drums, but due to my current living situation the real deal is not possible, so i'm looking into buying an electronic setup. What im wondering is if one learns on an electronic set, will said skill carry over to real drums? is the feel much different? Any thoughts/input appreciated.

03-22-2006, 05:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mkopec1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit Posts: 5,009	Roland TD-20S V-Pro Electronic Drum Set $6000.00 Thats the only one I would remotely consider. All the other ones I would never reccomend especially for the beginner. One of the fundamental things you need to learn is your rudiments, and there is a huge diffrence in doing those on a rubber pad compared to a skinned drum. Ive actually played on this kit before and I gotta say its pretty sweet. It feels just like an ordinary "real" kit, and it even sounds diffrent depending where you hit the skin on the drum. I think you can get a cheaper kit than that with less pieces, I mean you dont need a fucking 20 piece kit when you start out, all you need is a basic 5 piece with 2 cymbals, a high hat and a ride cymbal. Everything else is a bonus after you actually learn how to play. Learn those rudiments first. All you really need is a snare drum for those. Get yourself a video showing you what they are and how to do them, then copy the dude and practice. Also the cool thing about this kit is the head unit they give you. You basically have 100's of diffrent "sounds" programmed in, so you can have your kit sound like a vintage rock kit, or a jazz kit, even techno and other 'electronic" sounding sounds. Its mond boggling how many diffrent "kits" you can have just by buying this one. One thing to note is that you will need to get a amplifier and a speaker box, cabinet for a kit like this if you want actual sound coming out of it, but headphones work awesome for the beginner. Attached Images __________________ When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong. Last edited by Mkopec1 : 03-22-2006 at 06:05 AM.

03-23-2006, 06:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mkopec1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit Posts: 5,009	Drums are pretty easy to learn, at least they were for me. But then again I had buddies which all played something so it gave me an incentive to learn them and start jamming with them. It toook me like 3 years to get good enough to play a song start to finish with them. I took lessons but it wasnt for me. The dude gave me a beginner drummer book and in the actual lessons we were doing the L R L R L R.....bullshit followed by RR LL RR LL etc. So I quit that shit. I just didnt have the patience for that shit. It just wasnt for me, but the book introduced me to the rudiments which I did learn on my own time. I also got a video with a dude going through each one slow and fast, explaining the diffrent strokes and shit. I liked this method than lessons. I did it on my own time and at my own speed. Also what helped me alot is playing along to diffrent music. I used to put on the headphones and start jamming to some Guns and Roses or AC/DC, you know some easy to follow along to shit. Now after alomost 10 years I can pretty much sit down with anyone and no matter what they play, I can pretty much put a good beat to it. But without continuing my lessons, I do not know how to read drum music, but I m not a pro either, I just do this for fun. Also, dude, try and check out ebay or your local trading times for drums and acessories. Usually drums are like excersize equipment or snowmobiles, people get them, dont use them at all. So they end up sitting in their basement for a couple years untill they sell them for cheap. So try and get some used ones. __________________ When I am working on a problem I never think about beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.

03-23-2006, 02:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
simeon Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: O_o Posts: 704 +2 Internets	http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=172282 From what I've heard, this isn't a terribly bad kit. I've seen it in person at bestbuy and played on it (sans sound - they didn't have an amp to connect it to) - the only thing that has a terribly unrealistic feeling are the symbols. It is nice enough if you are on a budget and want to learn the sheer basics. Last edited by simeon : 03-24-2006 at 10:38 AM.

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03-22-2006, 05:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ashes Emberblade Better than You Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,405 -17 Internets	I'm actually interested in picking up an electronic drum set for my band. From what little research I've done, it seems it's about like the difference between learning on an acoustic vs. electric guitar. Same general concept, but very different tonal properties, with the electric setup having greater possibilities for instrumentation. Just be aware that a decent electronic drum set is going to run you at least $2,000.

03-22-2006, 02:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
crrimson death Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 228 -2 Internets	ok, so i went out today and picked up a practice pad and some sticks. I definately have to go with an electronic set due to where i live, but i think messing around on the pad is a good start until i choose a kit to buy. and suggestions that might fall lower in price?

03-22-2006, 11:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Erinye Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sacramento Posts: 136 +0 Internets	Stay with Roland, but theres absolutely 0 reason you should start out on a 5 piece. You're going to spend a pretty penny on an electronic kit wherever you go, and maybe before you spend a large sum of money you might consider going to take a few private lessons and see if it's really something you want to put a lot of money into. If so, save up and go Roland.

03-23-2006, 03:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
crrimson death Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 228 -2 Internets	yea, i did a lot of research last night and roland definately seems like the way to go. its awesome how they have video demos of msot of their kits on the web page. I'm looking at the TD-3, since it's cheap, but i will take your advice and check out some lessons too

03-23-2006, 02:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
crrimson death Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 228 -2 Internets	hehe, man i saw the roland td-20 on ebay for a starting bid of $350 with 8 hours left. i came back 4 hours later and it was up to 800, then 5 minutes later, up to 1200 =p

03-23-2006, 04:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
crrimson death Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 228 -2 Internets	it was the whole kit, but something wierd is going on i think. the same exact auction is posted several times, a couple times at a starting price of $10,000,000 =p

03-24-2006, 05:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ashes Emberblade Better than You Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,405 -17 Internets	Be very careful buying electronic drum kits, or any expensive instrument, on ebay. At least half of the auctions are fraudulent.