subject: Choosing an Electric Drum Kit [print this page] Choosing an Electric Drum Kit Choosing an Electric Drum Kit
If you don't take the time to reflect on your playing style and the features you require to facilitate this style you could end up making a costly mistake. This article is designed to set drummers on the right track and help them purchase an e-drum set which is right for them.
The most important part of any e-drum set is the drum module, in many ways, the drum module IS the drum set, the quality of an electric drum set is directly linked to the drum module. It is easy to get confused with features and tricked into buying an instrument you don't really need, that's why it is important to focus on the features you require. The fact that a drum module has 1000 tones pre-programmed into it shouldn't be a defining factor in your decision, you are never going to be able to use them all so it is more important to evaluate the instrument on the quality of the tones you are going to use.
You have quite a few manufacturers to choose from when purchasing an electric drum kit; Yamaha and Roland appear to be the most prominent so let's look at each in turn. Yamaha are renowned for producing great sounding, affordable instruments. If you're after a beginners drum kit then you won't do much better than purchasing an instrument form Yamaha's extensive range of entry level instruments.
If you want a more high-end electric drum kit, then perhaps a Roland model may be more up your street. Roland kits use mesh heads and zone pads which really give them an unmatched, authentic look and feel. Many professional players regard Roland electric drum kits as the most playable ranges on the market.
The amount you spend on an electric drum kit will different depending on your situation. I wouldn't advise beginner's to spend any more than 600 on a kit, it isn't necessary to spend anymore than this to acquire a quality starter kit. More experienced drummers obviously may want to spend a little more money to obtain a greater quality instrument; high-end drums kits can actually cost thousands of pounds!
I hope this article helps you find the perfect electric drum kit. For more information regarding buying instruments you may want to read this author's cheap guitars guide.
