Congratulations! You’ve chosen the best instrument in the world, and you probably can’t wait to get started. But before you can start drumming, you’ve got an important decision to make! Should you choose an acoustic drum kit with real drums and cymbals, or is an electronic drum kit the way to go? In this blog post, you’ll find the answers to your questions. Let’s dive right in!
Volume: Where will your drum kit be set up, and is noise an issue there?
So you’ve decided to play the drums – excellent choice! But before you can start playing, there are a few things to consider, such as your living situation. Many new drummers initially underestimate just how loud an acoustic drum kit can be and the impact it has on flatmates and neighbours. If you live in a flat, an electronic drum kit enables you to practise round the clock without incurring the wrath of those around you.
But be careful: even the pedals and tapping noises of an electronic drum kit can be quite loud on wooden floors. Do you live in a detached house, perhaps even with a basement? Are your neighbours totally laid-back and love the sound of drums? Or do you even have a well-insulated rehearsal room where you can set up your drums? Then there’s nothing standing in the way of an acoustic kit.
Millenium
MPS-850 E-Drum Set
Space requirements: Is an electronic drum kit smaller than an acoustic drum kit?
Your kid’s room isn’t the biggest, and they would also like some space to run about with their friends? In that case, an electronic drum kit is much easier to handle and move around than an acoustic kit. Electronic drums also don’t have metal cymbals with sharp edges. Almost all the components of an electronic drum kit are mounted on a single rack, which can be quickly picked up and moved to another location. All these factors naturally come into play for adults too, who may only have a small flat with limited space for a drum kit. If space is the deciding factor in whether playing drums is an option at all, then the electronic drum kit definitely wins!
Millenium
HD-120 E-Drum Set
The sound: Does an acoustic drum kit sound better than an electronic drum kit?
The answer to this question is actually quite simple. If an electronic drum kit is used purely to imitate an acoustic kit, then the original is, of course, still ‘better’. Electronic drum kits simply cannot reproduce the infinite nuances and high level of detail you can produce on an acoustic kit. However, they’re getting better and better. The higher the quality of your electronic kit, the closer it comes to an acoustic drum kit in terms of sound, feel and appearance. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for maximum variety, the situation is the other way around. A major strength of electronic drums is the number of different sounds they offer. Some models include several hundred samples, which you can assign to the pads any way you like. Added to this is the ability to load your own sounds into the sound module via USB.
Height: How tall are you, or how tall is your child?
Body height can be another factor to consider when buying a drum kit. By virtue of their design, electronic kits are significantly more compact, as the playing surfaces are smaller. In place of an acoustic bass drum, most feature a much smaller kick drum pad, meaning the tom pads mounted above it can be positioned much lower. As children also have shorter arms than adults or teenagers, an electronic kit may be the more comfortable choice here.
Which is more expensive, an electronic drum kit or an acoustic drum kit?
In terms of price, there’s hardly any difference between the two options. These days, both electronic and acoustic drum kits are available for very little money. That said, spending several thousand is also no problem at all.
Millenium
Focus 20 Drum Set Black
Is an electronic kit or an acoustic kit better suited for playing in a band?
Perhaps you’ve already got a band lined up that needs your services as a drummer, and you’d like to know whether an electronic drum kit or an acoustic one is more suitable for this? In that case, you should know that whilst an electronic drum kit offers great flexibility in terms of volume, it still needs to be amplified. To ensure that you’re not the only one who can hear your drums, you’ll need a suitable sound system. To be able to hear your electronic drum kit loud and clear in the room, you’ll need either an active speaker or a small PA system consisting of an amplifier and speakers. Another option would be a headphone splitter, to which all band members can connect their headphones so they can hear your electronic drum kit. While being able to precisely control your sound and volume is one of the biggest advantages of electronic drums, the additional equipment required is something to consider.
An acoustic drum kit requires no amplification when practising or rehearsing. It can be very loud if needed, which, on the other hand, can of course also be a disadvantage, as the same factors mentioned above apply: a suitable room with enough space and tolerant neighbours are essential.
Roland
PM-100 Personal Drum Monitor
You want to record your drumming – is this easier with electronic drums or acoustic drums?
Here, too, the answer is simple: electronic drums usually have a built-in recording function that lets you record your playing with ease. You can also usually incorporate playalongs or external audio tracks into your recording without any trouble. Recording acoustic drums, on the other hand, is considerably more complex, unless you simply want to use your phone or a portable recorder. Depending on your requirements, you’ll need several microphones, along with cables and stands. To record acoustic drums on a professional level, you’ll also need a suitable audio interface with a sufficient number of inputs, as well as a computer, tablet or phone with recording software.
Additional cymbals and drums – which drum kit is easier to expand?
The acoustic drum kit probably has the edge here, as it’s very easy to expand. You can also gradually improve the quality of your acoustic drum kit by replacing individual parts with higher-quality components such as drumheads, cymbals, snare drums and hardware. In principle, there’s no limit to how much you can expand your drum kit. Only space and playability set limits to your imagination. If you type ‘Terry Bozzio drum kit’ into your search engine, you’ll get an idea of what’s possible. An electronic drum kit can also be expanded, but this is limited by the number of trigger inputs on the sound module. However, larger modules have more inputs, and it’s also possible to daisy-chain devices.
After purchase: What are the maintenance costs of electronic and acoustic drums?
Both electronic and acoustic drums have wear-and-tear parts that need replacing from time to time. With electronic drums, however, the overall cost is significantly lower. Rubber pads generally last a lifetime, whilst the longevity of so-called mesh heads (fabric heads) depends on the intensity and frequency of playing. With moderate use, these will also last several years. Drumsticks also suffer much less wear and tear with electronic drums than with acoustic drums and cymbals, as there are no sharp edges on the pads. Players using an acoustic kit who like to play loudly will therefore need to budget for new sticks and heads regularly, and the cymbals may also take a bit of a beating from time to time. The ongoing costs of acoustic drums can therefore be higher.
Pros and cons are one thing, but don’t forget the emotions!
In terms of facts and figures, the electronic drum kit comes out on top: it’s more compact, easier to play, offers a wider variety of sounds and can be played in near silence if needed. By contrast, the acoustic drum kit seems like a dinosaur. It’s loud, heavy and has a tendency to cause tensions with your neighbours. And that’s precisely why it holds such charm for many passionate drummers. It offers endless scope for individual expression and, of course, has a far more eventful history. After all, it’s the original. It’s hard to imagine The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elvin Jones, Anika Nilles, El Estepario and countless others playing on electronic drums.
Although – or perhaps precisely because – the electronic drum kit and the acoustic drum kit are so different, they both have their place and purpose. One can do something the other can’t, and that’s a good thing. Perhaps you’ll start with an electronic kit and switch to an acoustic set later on. Or you might begin with an acoustic kit, only to realise that the variety of sounds offered by an electronic module can be the perfect complement. Whatever you decide, the main thing is to have fun drumming!
| Electronic drums | Acoustic drums | |
| Volume | Only foot pedal noise and direct strike noises are audible | Generally loud; not suitable for all homes and environments |
| Space requirements | Depending on the model, takes up little space and can easily be scaled down | Acoustic drums and stands take up more space |
| Sound | Depending on the model, an enormous variety of individual sounds | Natural drum sound with infinite nuances and dynamics |
| Suitable for children and people of smaller stature? | All elements are easily accessible thanks to smaller drum and cymbal pads | Less comfortable to reach, depending on drum size |
| Price | Good instruments available even on a small budget; virtually no upper limit | Good instruments available even on a small budget; virtually no upper limit |
| Playing in a band, performing in front of an audience | Requires speakers and/or headphones for all participants | No other equipment required |
| Recording your own playing | Usually very straightforward thanks to built-in recording functions and/or connection to a computer, tablet, etc. | More complex; requires microphones, an audio interface and other accessories (simple solution: a mobile phone) |
| Future expansion | Possible, but limited by the number of available inputs on the sound module | Easy to expand with additional drums, cymbals and percussion elements |
| Wear and tear, maintenance cost | Minimal wear on sticks; no wear on rubber pads. Mesh heads rarely need replacing, depending on playing intensity | Higher maintenance requirements; drumheads and sticks are considered wear parts that must be replaced regularly. |
Would you like to find out more? We’d be happy to help!
Do you have any questions about electronic drums or acoustic drum kits? Our experts will be happy to help. Simply click the ‘Need help?’ button on any product page or contact our customer service team via this website to arrange a phone appointment. We’ll be happy to call you back. And of course, we always look forward to welcoming you to our shop in Treppendorf, where you can ask our staff directly!
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Electronic drums vs. acoustic drums: your feedback – have you made up your mind yet?
Have you made up your mind yet? Which will it be: an acoustic or an electronic drum kit? Let us know in the comments!
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