Acoustic Or Electronic Drums - What Is Your Choice?

A debate rages on in the drumming world! You might think that the debate centers on brands of drums, or different styles of drums. However, you would be wrong. This debate centers on the use of electronic drums in the music industry.

There are two very strong opinions regarding the use of electronic drums or drum machines. Some musicians and music producers love the use of these kits. Others, hate them, and strongly disagree with the use of electric drum sets in the mainstream music industry.

Types Of Electric Drums

The main types of commonly used electric drums are:

  • Drum machines
  • Electric drum sets

    • Drum machines are a widely used type of electric machine that have become very popular in almost all types of music. A drum machine is a small box with buttons on it that can be programmed for a variety of different sounds, and beats. A drum machine can be programmed to play a continuous loop or simply a short set.

    Advantages of Drum Machines:

  • Convenient and portable
  • Easily programmable
  • Simulate a variety of sounds
  • Excellent for faster beats

    • Because drum machines are so small, they are extremely convenient and portable which makes them a popular choice for many musicians. For some bands, if they have to hire a drummer for live shows, it can simply be much more cost effective to use a drum machine in place of a live drummer.

    In fact, in some cases when a drummer has quit the band, the band will simply use a drum machine in place of the person. This strategy is more cost effective, and often easier than dealing with different personalities.

    Drum machines can be programmed for almost any sound imaginable, and with a little practice, they are easily programmable. Today's drum machines can store a wide variety of beats, songs and programs. Therefore, an entire set can be programmed into these machines.

    While electronic machines are not perfect for every type of music, they are often thought of as more effective than acoustic drums for dance music. The beats that are required for dance music are very fast and often a live drummer cannot keep up with them. In these situations, electronic machines are perfect.

    Electronic Drum Sets

    An electronic drum kit is another very popular form of technology that is used in drumming. These kits consist of one or more electric pads that are grouped together and create sounds when they are struck. Most of the time, traditional drumsticks are used for these kits.

    Electronic drum sets can be programmed with a wide variety of sounds and can be made to sound very similar to an acoustic drum set. Often, one or two electronic drums are used alongside acoustic drums to simulate the sound of a missing drum. For example, if you do not want to lug around a large bass drum, an electric drum can be used in its place.

    Controlling the volume on these sets is as easy as turning a knob to turn down the volume, which makes them the perfect drum set for apartment dwellers, or those musicians with roommates or cranky parents. Quiet practice is a big benefit of the electric drum.

    Many argue that electric drum sets are tacky. Because they were first introduced in the 1980's, electric drums quickly got a reputation of being cheesy. In addition, many believe that the only thing that electronic drums are good for is for play, but not for real musicians.

    The Argument Against Electric Drums

    The biggest argument against electronic drum sets or drum machines is that they lack feeling. For many musicians, playing music is all about the feeling and emotion that they can project through their sounds. They argue that when you take a live drummer and replace them with a machine, you lack the feeling and the quality of emotion.

    For some types of music such as jazz and soul, machines are not appropriate at all because these are genres that exude feeling and emotional meaning in the sounds created. Therefore, many musicians feel that it is extremely tacky to use a machine in these genres.

    Although a drum machine is small and portable, you cannot improvise with a machine. It is programmed to play a loop and that is it. There is not room for any impromptu changes and the rest of the musicians must be on beat, or it will be very noticeable. A machine cannot accompany a soloist either. Moreover, one of the biggest arguments with a machine is that it is not very nice to look at!

    Can authentic sounds truly be replicated by a machine? That question is the basis for another argument against electronic drums. Many believe that as good as they are, computers cannot recreate an authentic acoustic drum set. Critics claim that machines sound hollow and tinny and not at all like drums should sound.

    What Is The Solution?

    As with any argument, there will not be a one size fits all solution. The best solution for each individual and each band is to do what they like best, and what suits their sound. Many bands and musicians have created a compromise by using acoustic drums with a mixture of electronic drum pads and drum machines. By intermingling the two types of drums, you have the technology to create some new and interesting beats, as well as the authentic sound and emotional feel of acoustics. Perhaps a compromise is the best solution to this debate.

    © 2005 http://www.drum-sets-now.com

    About the Author
    Kevin Brown is successful author and publisher of many informative websites including http://www.drum-sets-now.com . His websites offer tips and advice on a wide array of topics including drum sets, electronic drums, percussion instruments and more.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Legend Vega Releasing New Pop CD

    Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More

    Piano Playing For Adults: More Fun Than Sex And Not Nearly As Dangerous!

    OK, so I lied about the fun part.Maybe piano playing... Read More

    Review: Medications - All Your Favorite People In One Place

    One of the most intriguing aspects of music is how... Read More

    Taps; Piping Military Honors: A Ceremonial Guide for Highland Bagpipers

    It has become increasingly popular for U.S. military veterans and... Read More

    Soul Band for a Party

    Was the request six months ago, a sixtieth birthday party,... Read More

    Creating Your Own Unique Music

    Have you ever dreamed of penning your own compositions? Writing... Read More

    Legal Music Downloads

    On July 28, 2004, French Internet access providers and music... Read More

    Zen and the Art of New Age Piano

    We all want to be in the moment. That's where... Read More

    The History Of Drums - A Journey Of Sound

    Music and musical instruments are an extremely important part of... Read More

    So You Want to be President? Learn to Play a Musical Instrument!

    President Harry S. Truman, the man in the White House... Read More

    How to Compose Your Own Music Using 8-bar Phrases

    Some people think composing is this miraculous thing that only... Read More

    The Gong - An Instrument Everyone Can Play

    What exactly is a Gong?The gong is a musical instrument... Read More

    Chords or Melody First... Which is Best?

    There are basically two ways you can compose a piece... Read More

    Shopping For Your First Drum Set

    Your first drum set purchase is very exciting! You have... Read More

    Music Bytes - Tips For Saving On Professional Software For Musicians, Part I

    If you are outraged by the prices software giants demand... Read More

    Structure Of A Successful Music Website

    Ideally each page of your website should serve a specific... Read More

    The Joy of Spontaneous Expression

    Do you remember finger-painting as a child? How fun it... Read More

    5 Sure Fire Ways to Get Radio Play for Your ?Independent? Music!

    You have to find radio airplay time if you're going... Read More

    How to Start Your Own Band

    Every once in awhile a guitar student will express a... Read More

    A Brief History Of Gibson Guitars

    Gibson guitars have been around forever. It's funny, but although... Read More

    How to be Creative at the Piano

    So you want to be more creative when playing piano.... Read More

    Turn It Up: Plugging Into The Perfect Guitar And Amp Settings

    Yowza! Did you hear that hideous noise? It sounded like... Read More

    How to Construct Chords and Improvise

    How To Construct Basic Chords on the PianoThe easiest way... Read More

    Building Your Digital Music Collection

    The previous two Tech Tips took a look at eight... Read More

    New Age Piano Playing and the Sustain Pedal

    There are 3 pedals on most pianos. The one on... Read More

    The Various Countries - A Rant About Country Music

    It is no secret that over the past couple decades... Read More

    Top Rap Song

    After months of email and posts, we've finally compiled and... Read More

    Review: The Dissociatives - Self Titled

    In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More

    Launch Pad Introduces Subliminal

    Who would have ever thought that a call out for... Read More

    Dance Musics Most Popular and Enduring Theme: The Declaration of Independence

    It all started with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" in... Read More

    Solid-Bodied Gretsch Corvette Guitar

    The Solid-bodied Corvette (not to be confused with the Corvette... Read More

    Make Money with Your Music ? the Top 5 Ways

    Songwriters dream of making their living by writing, and sometimes... Read More

    How the Internet Helps Musicians

    Everyone talks about the negative impact of the Internet on... Read More