Acoustic Versus Electric Drum Kits

Knowing the differences between acoustic and electric drums is important to determine which type of kit will work best for you. In this post, I will go through some common differences between acoustic and electric drum kits and provide a table with the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Main Differences Between Acoustic and Electric Drum Kits

The primary difference between acoustic and electric drum kits is how the sound is produced. When you hit acoustic drums and cymbals, the sound comes directly from the impact and the way you've hit the drum or cymbal. In contrast, when you hit electric drums or cymbals, a sensor is triggered, which is connected to a drum module that produces a pre-programmed sample drum sound designed to emulate acoustic drum sounds.

If noise levels are a concern in terms of having drums at home (especially if you are in close proximity to neighbours or want to practice at night), electric drums may be the better option. They allow you to adjust the volume or use headphones. Acoustic drums are quite loud, even when played softly, so may not be the best choice if you're practicing in a shared living space or close to neighbours.

Material and Feel: Acoustic vs. Electric Drums

Another key difference is the materials used in the drums, drum heads and cymbals. Acoustic drums are made from various types of wood, with plastic drum heads that need to be manually tuned. The cymbals are usually made of metal alloys. Electric drums, on the other hand, are made from a mix of materials, with the heads typically made of rubber, plastic or mesh (and do not need manual tuning because the sounds are pre-programmed). Electric cymbals are generally made of rubber and plastic.

The difference in materials of the drums can impact your playing style and technique as they will have a different feel to them. Rubber drum heads and cymbals generally have more rebound than mesh or plastic, which can make fast playing feel easier. While this can be beneficial, it may create a challenge when transitioning to an acoustic kit (or an electric kit with mesh heads), as you might find it more difficult to play at the speed you're accustomed to.

Setup and Portability

Along with material differences, the way you setup acoustic and electric drums also varies. Acoustic drums are typically easier to set up because the drums and cymbals are mostly on individual stands, allowing you to position them as needed. Electric drums, however, are usually mounted on the same rack, with different arms extending from the rack. This setup can make individual adjustments more challenging, as moving one drum or cymbal may affect the others, particularly if they share the same arm.

Electric drum kits also involve more wiring and require additional equipment, such as speakers or headphones, to hear the sounds. This added expense can make electric drums more costly than acoustic drums, depending on your setup.

Summary:

The following table outlines the main advantages and disadvantages of both kit types. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to Jack or your teacher for further guidance!