When buying an electronic drum or drum set, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you must decide whether you will use a complete electronic drum set or just one electronic drum. Most drummers use an electronic set only for practice because it allows them to better control volume levels. To give the musician a variety of sounds, acoustic drum sets are frequently combined with one or two electronic drums.
Percussionists frequently incorporate single electronic drums into their acoustic sets. Acoustic and electric drums are combined into one drum set, with the acoustic drums providing the primary percussive force. The electric drum is usually shaped like a square pad or a circle and sits next to the acoustic snare. This electric drum is connected to a PA or amplifier and usually has several settings for the drummer to choose from.
When purchasing a single electronic drum rather than an entire electric drum set, a drum pad with multiple tone settings is recommended. Performance pads are another name for these. These electronic drum pads can be purchased for as little as $150 in the United States (USD). Higher-end models start at $300 USD and go up from there. These are available both online and in all major music stores.
Typically, these models are rectangles with six to eight squares. Each square can be programmed to play a variety of sounds, including drum sounds, guitar chords, and cartoon noises. The possibilities are limitless. For a more electronic sound, many electronic bands or live hip-hop acts use these devices. These pads are used drummers to make additional noises or to play complete drum beats. More sounds can be added to the device with expansion packs.
If you want to buy an electronic drum set in its entirety, expect to pay between $700 and $100 USD for a good model. A bass drum, low toms, rack toms, snare, and any number of cymbals are included in these sets. One of the advantages of an electronic drum set is that it comes with all cymbal stands and most accessories. For around $300 USD, you can get a cheaper model, but they are known to break down more frequently. However, these are the best choices for newcomers.
Laptops are being used on stage for percussive beats as well. In the traditional sense, they aren’t drums. However, because they can play a variety of electronic drum beats and loops, many people consider them to be electronic drums.