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Electronic drums question for those with experience
Posted on 3/13/18 at 10:00 am
Posted on 3/13/18 at 10:00 am
Growing up, I had a drum set. Haven't played in about 12 years. Got the itch for some reason. Can't have a real set where I live due to noise. Maybe the next house will have an activity room where I can put some sound proofing, but for now it's just impossible.
Stopped at a guitar center yesterday after listening to some electronic sets on YouTube. Some of the Roland sets are impressive sounding. Not looking to spend 2500 though. When I demoed a few they had out, it was not nearly as nice as what I saw on YouTube, but these were ragged out from kids playing them.
I guess my questions are:
How quiet are they really with others in the house (Hard to tell with all the other noise in the store)? Wife not hearing in the living room is an absolute necessity.
What minimum quality is needed? I don't need top of the line. Salesman said he liked the Simmons Sd350 that was 399. But I don't want to go cheap if its junk....I have no clue of its junk or not. What is needed to replicate a decent sound through headphones
Is it as enjoyable as a real set. I played on a real set for a minute while there. Amazing how bad I am now, but still surprising how much came back easily after so many years without playing. I definitely have the bug, but don't want to waste money if its not as fun as a real set. Also have a 3 year old and would love for him to be able to play as he gets older (my first set was my dads and he taught me)
Stopped at a guitar center yesterday after listening to some electronic sets on YouTube. Some of the Roland sets are impressive sounding. Not looking to spend 2500 though. When I demoed a few they had out, it was not nearly as nice as what I saw on YouTube, but these were ragged out from kids playing them.
I guess my questions are:
How quiet are they really with others in the house (Hard to tell with all the other noise in the store)? Wife not hearing in the living room is an absolute necessity.
What minimum quality is needed? I don't need top of the line. Salesman said he liked the Simmons Sd350 that was 399. But I don't want to go cheap if its junk....I have no clue of its junk or not. What is needed to replicate a decent sound through headphones
Is it as enjoyable as a real set. I played on a real set for a minute while there. Amazing how bad I am now, but still surprising how much came back easily after so many years without playing. I definitely have the bug, but don't want to waste money if its not as fun as a real set. Also have a 3 year old and would love for him to be able to play as he gets older (my first set was my dads and he taught me)
4
Posted on 3/13/18 at 11:02 am to KG6
I've been playing drums as an off-and-on semiprofessional ( 
) for 31 years. During that time, I've had several opportunities to sit in on a set of electronic drums. I've played the cheap ones and the flagship Roland V models. After having consistent issues with the pads failing to trigger when played, or pads misfiring on their own, wrist and finger pain despite the use of correct sticking techniques and grip, and the lack of dynamics, I developed a white-hot hatred for them all. Now, on to your questions...
Depending on how far away your living room is from the room you'll have the kit set up in will determine whether or not she hears the plasticky "thwap" sound of your sticks striking the rubber surface of the pads. You'll most likely be wearing headphones, so you'll be the only one to hear the triggered drum sounds.
I would say that the minimum quality depends on what your ultimate goal is. Do you want to build your chops back up to a point where you get an acoustic kit and maybe gig with a band? Or do you just want to play at home for fun?
If you have loftier goals, I would suggest you get an acoustic kit and put Remo Silentstroke heads on them. They're real heads with genuine feel but they're...well, basically no louder than the sound of a stick hitting a rubber pad. Zildjian and Sabian both make "silent" cymbals, as well, for use in volume-sensitive rehearsal situations like yours. Take some time to seriously look into those options.
IMHO, playing an electronic kit is a joyless exercise that I hope to never have to repeat. No comparison whatsoever to playing an acoustic kit, specifically relative to the feel and response from the drumheads and the dynamic control the drummer has on an acoustic kit. Good luck, dude, and keep us posted on what you decide to do... 
) for 31 years. During that time, I've had several opportunities to sit in on a set of electronic drums. I've played the cheap ones and the flagship Roland V models. After having consistent issues with the pads failing to trigger when played, or pads misfiring on their own, wrist and finger pain despite the use of correct sticking techniques and grip, and the lack of dynamics, I developed a white-hot hatred for them all. Now, on to your questions... quote:
How quiet are they really with others in the house (Hard to tell with all the other noise in the store)? Wife not hearing in the living room is an absolute necessity.
Depending on how far away your living room is from the room you'll have the kit set up in will determine whether or not she hears the plasticky "thwap" sound of your sticks striking the rubber surface of the pads. You'll most likely be wearing headphones, so you'll be the only one to hear the triggered drum sounds.
quote:
What minimum quality is needed? I don't need top of the line. Salesman said he liked the Simmons Sd350 that was 399. But I don't want to go cheap if its junk....I have no clue of its junk or not. What is needed to replicate a decent sound through headphones
I would say that the minimum quality depends on what your ultimate goal is. Do you want to build your chops back up to a point where you get an acoustic kit and maybe gig with a band? Or do you just want to play at home for fun?
If you have loftier goals, I would suggest you get an acoustic kit and put Remo Silentstroke heads on them. They're real heads with genuine feel but they're...well, basically no louder than the sound of a stick hitting a rubber pad. Zildjian and Sabian both make "silent" cymbals, as well, for use in volume-sensitive rehearsal situations like yours. Take some time to seriously look into those options.
quote:
Is it as enjoyable as a real set. I played on a real set for a minute while there. Amazing how bad I am now, but still surprising how much came back easily after so many years without playing. I definitely have the bug, but don't want to waste money if its not as fun as a real set. Also have a 3 year old and would love for him to be able to play as he gets older (my first set was my dads and he taught me)
IMHO, playing an electronic kit is a joyless exercise that I hope to never have to repeat
. No comparison whatsoever to playing an acoustic kit, specifically relative to the feel and response from the drumheads and the dynamic control the drummer has on an acoustic kit. Good luck, dude, and keep us posted on what you decide to do... Posted on 3/13/18 at 11:17 am to Oswald
quote:
I've played the cheap ones and the flagship Roland V models. After having consistent issues with the pads failing to trigger when played, or pads misfiring on their own
I experienced this in my short time playing on one. Mesh heads were extremely loose though, so I thought maybe it was that. Hell, one of the kick pads mesh head was torn. These were in bad shape due to people trying them out. Was thinking it had to do with that. Again, there are some youtube videos and I was shocked how far they've come since I was playing in the early 2000's.
quote:
I would say that the minimum quality depends on what your ultimate goal is. Do you want to build your chops back up to a point where you get an acoustic kit and maybe gig with a band? Or do you just want to play at home for fun?
I have always played for fun. In high school, I'd get off at 10:30 my senior year, go sit in our shed with a drum set and play until 2:30 when baseball practice started. I just like to throw on a mix of music and play along. Used to play along with a friend sometimes who played bass, but that was just screwing around. Never had any intentions on joining a band.
quote:
No comparison whatsoever to playing an acoustic kit, specifically relative to the feel and response from the drumheads and the dynamic control the drummer has on an acoustic kit.
10 minutes playing on the acoustic kit and there was no doubt about this. I thought the mesh heads and everything might mimmick the feel, but it wasn't the case. I just know that even with the silencing equipment, it's still going to be a bit loud for where I live. And I'm going to want to take it off and just play all the time
. I actually still have an old Pacific Drum $400 cheap kit that sounds like crap, but would get the job done. But the benefit of the electronic sets I was looking at was folding up and storing out of the way. 
Posted on 3/14/18 at 7:20 am to KG6
I'm in a similar situation - no room/tolerance for noise for an acoustic kit, so I've looked at electronic drum kits.
Bottom line: It is never going to be all that close. The Roland high end sets are close, but still no cigar. The Simmons SD350 you referenced - the knock on these is that it just ages so quickly. You'll play them a few times and they will sound great, then everything goes to shite with the set.
And I agree with others - if you're drummer at heart, electronic is never going to scratch the itch. If you want to hit, you have to have something to hit.
Now - let's get to the important question - why can't you soundproof where you're at? It's actually not all that expensive and could be a fun DIY project.
Green Glue soundproofing
Bottom line: It is never going to be all that close. The Roland high end sets are close, but still no cigar. The Simmons SD350 you referenced - the knock on these is that it just ages so quickly. You'll play them a few times and they will sound great, then everything goes to shite with the set.
And I agree with others - if you're drummer at heart, electronic is never going to scratch the itch. If you want to hit, you have to have something to hit.
Now - let's get to the important question - why can't you soundproof where you're at? It's actually not all that expensive and could be a fun DIY project.
Green Glue soundproofing
This post was edited on 3/14/18 at 7:21 am
Posted on 3/14/18 at 8:26 am to Ace Midnight
We are in a 3 bedroom house with an office. Hope to have another child soon. So that would just leave the office to put up a set. I currently do triathlons and have my cycling training equipment in the office in addition to a desk. No real space. The electronic drums I've been looking at were all small to fold away. Possibly fit in a closet.
We are looking to move to a slightly better school district before our son starts kindergarten, so we would look for a bigger house and one of the things I want is an activity room for my bike, treadmill, and possibly a drum set. I'd build a soundproof shell around the set in that case.
I looked into the silent heads and cymbals. Actually surprised how decent the cymbals sound when perforated. But that's still rather loud. I think my parents still have my cheap kit from middle school, so it might be an option to throw those on and just stick in the attic if we run out of room. Heads would be cheap, but a cymbal pack is going to run $300 and really only be quiet enough to play when I'm home alone and not have the cops called on me.
And if I'm spending that, I can just get an electronic kit that I realize will go to crap in 5 years. $399 over 5 years isn't awful to me. But at the same time, I'm seeing decent shell packs for $600 and I know I have good pedals, hi-hat stands, cymbal stands, etc. all packed away..... I think I have a Sabian B8 cymbal pack, so I'd like to upgrade that which would get pricey. I already spend too much money on my triathlon stuff, but just playing around has really given me the itch. I really just need to back away from this and come back to it when I can fully afford to dive in full time. And again, maybe split the experience for myself and for my son.
We are looking to move to a slightly better school district before our son starts kindergarten, so we would look for a bigger house and one of the things I want is an activity room for my bike, treadmill, and possibly a drum set. I'd build a soundproof shell around the set in that case.
I looked into the silent heads and cymbals. Actually surprised how decent the cymbals sound when perforated. But that's still rather loud. I think my parents still have my cheap kit from middle school, so it might be an option to throw those on and just stick in the attic if we run out of room. Heads would be cheap, but a cymbal pack is going to run $300 and really only be quiet enough to play when I'm home alone and not have the cops called on me.
And if I'm spending that, I can just get an electronic kit that I realize will go to crap in 5 years. $399 over 5 years isn't awful to me. But at the same time, I'm seeing decent shell packs for $600 and I know I have good pedals, hi-hat stands, cymbal stands, etc. all packed away..... I think I have a Sabian B8 cymbal pack, so I'd like to upgrade that which would get pricey. I already spend too much money on my triathlon stuff, but just playing around has really given me the itch
. I really just need to back away from this and come back to it when I can fully afford to dive in full time. And again, maybe split the experience for myself and for my son. 
Posted on 3/14/18 at 9:48 am to KG6
quote:
And if I'm spending that, I can just get an electronic kit that I realize will go to crap in 5 years. $399 over 5 years isn't awful to me.
I don't have direct experience, but the reviews don't imply 5 years - they imply 3 or 4 months, at best.
That's my problem with it. Now, that was just glancing at a handful of GC reviews. I know the Roland kits are well built, but the vast majority of pro electronic kit "drummers" are multi-instrumentalists/arrangers who use them as MIDI triggers, not real drummers playing for feel or in a performance setting.
ETA: Bottom line, I just don't think it's going to scratch the itch.
This post was edited on 3/14/18 at 9:49 am
Posted on 3/14/18 at 1:42 pm to KG6
I was like you, played when I was younger then took about 15 years off. About 3 years ago I bought a TD25kv and love it. I can play in the middle of the night while my wife and kids are asleep w/ headphones. Not sure about the cheaper kits but you could find a pretty good used Roland kit for $1000.
Posted on 3/15/18 at 9:08 pm to KG6
quote:
How quiet are they really with others in the house
With headphones? You could probably play at 2AM so long as you're not above anyone.
quote:
What is needed to replicate a decent sound through headphones
Infinite loop of "what sounds good to you?" Typically, in my humble opinion, you can replicate Tom's easy, get a 50/50 split on whether you like the sounds of the snare, and pretty much no one really likes the electronic kick (in a recording/critical listening scenario. To jam, nearly anything beats nothing).
quote:
Is it as enjoyable as a real set
They're different, and neither is bad. As "fake" as some find the snare and kick, I LOVE the way a stick bounces off a pad. Analog allows for near infinite sound possibilities vs a max of about 3 or 4 from a pad.
It's a lot of fun. If ever I can't own a real drum kit, I'll grab an electronic kit. There's a ton of fun in just having rhythm on a pad without any real sound production for me. For someone who hasn't played in a few years, a cheap electronic kit would probably suffice. You can always upgrade the module if you feel you're missing out.
Posted on 3/19/18 at 10:59 am to Hopeful Doc
Now you guys have me looking into real kits . I played around on a few electronic sets again and it's certainly a viable alternative, but it just isn't the same. The kick and snare aren't terrible, but the cymbals and hi-hat just don't feel right to me. I'm sure I'd get used to it and the nicer models are definitely better, but for that price, I could get a bad arse acoustic set up.
I also tried out some silent stroke heads. Again, not perfect, but at least I could swap back and forth. I actually liked the silent cymbals. I'm intrigued by the Ludwig Breakbeats set at $399. I could put that in the closet pretty easily. Fix it up with the silent heads and cymbals and I could play. Maybe not with the wife and son in the house, but it'd be quiet enough to play when home alone and not have the neighbors call the cops on me. Only question now is to pursue the Breakbeats set, or get a little larger jazz set (I think that's the funnest style to play).
I have months before I'm finished training for an Ironman which has a lot of money tied up in it. Plan to sell one of my bikes afterwards along with some other equipment and maybe by a kit. But I think electric is out after my last stop at a music store.
. I played around on a few electronic sets again and it's certainly a viable alternative, but it just isn't the same. The kick and snare aren't terrible, but the cymbals and hi-hat just don't feel right to me. I'm sure I'd get used to it and the nicer models are definitely better, but for that price, I could get a bad arse acoustic set up. I also tried out some silent stroke heads. Again, not perfect, but at least I could swap back and forth. I actually liked the silent cymbals. I'm intrigued by the Ludwig Breakbeats set at $399. I could put that in the closet pretty easily. Fix it up with the silent heads and cymbals and I could play. Maybe not with the wife and son in the house, but it'd be quiet enough to play when home alone and not have the neighbors call the cops on me. Only question now is to pursue the Breakbeats set, or get a little larger jazz set (I think that's the funnest style to play).
I have months before I'm finished training for an Ironman which has a lot of money tied up in it. Plan to sell one of my bikes afterwards along with some other equipment and maybe by a kit. But I think electric is out after my last stop at a music store.
Posted on 4/20/18 at 9:45 pm to KG6
Update...found a pretty good deal on craigslist for a kit with all the silent accessories. $500 for everything shown. Year old Pearl Export kit. Not the greatest kit, but not horrid for coming with the cymbals and heads that are probably $350 on their own.
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