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Hi All
My band is currently having a problem with our drummer, in that he needs to spend a fair amount of money (that he currently doesn't have)on essential maintenance to his acoustic kit, but also can't afford to keep running a car that's big enough to cart the kit around to rehearsals and gigs.
I'm starting to think an electronic kit could be the answer to both problems, but just wondered if anyone has experience of playing with one at gigs? If so, how does it compare to the 'real thing'?
I'm liking the idea of a drummer that comes with a volume control but I'm worried that an electronic kit just wouldn't have enough sonic presence on the stage. Is it just a question of getting the right monitoring on stage?
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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In terms of sounding like the real thing - only drummers know, no one else cares that much ( if at all) [ insert smiley winking face here!]. They don't neccesarilly play like the real thing and some drummers won't adapt well ( the drummer in the band I was in only used electronic drums and had problems playing acoustic). If going through a PA or even for recording demos it is so quick to get a decent sound though. Load in and out is generally much quicker too.
Our drummer had some huge all in one PA thing that could get considerably louder than an acoustic kit so although we could turn him down he could also turn up (sonic presence was not an issue!). We would use it as a vocal monitor as well. Unless you have a pretty good PA I suspect you won't be able to use the PA only and will have to budget for some form of additional amplification.
They can look a bit wank of course.
The other problem we had was triggering. In partcular on some stages low bass notes would trigger a drum. You might find, for example, that a low E on a bass guitar thwacked on a wooden stage can make an acoustic kit make rattling noises. With an electronic kit that would be actual random drum hits triggered. The drummer had to adjust the sensitivity of the pads to overcome it and that made the playing experience worse. This was a few years ago so more modern kits might overcome this.
The other possibility is a Flatts kit ( I think that's right). These are like saying to a guitarist ' can't you get rid of that Marshall stack and use a Mustang I instead?' but they will fit in a much smaller space, failry cheap used and are quieter. For additional sonic presence they will need mics and a good PA.
How knackered is his acoustic kit that it needs so much money spent on it?
I've often thought that if I was going to get back into drumming live I'd look into a Flats kit, or something like Yamaha's "Gigmaker" line.
If your drummer was willing to try adapting his playing style, a lighter guage of sticks will make a big difference to his overall volume.
Electronic kits are a really good tool but you generally need to spend quite a bit of money to get mesh heads, dual trigger cymbals, a good sound module and (as Eric has said) additional amplification.
I don't play in a band, but have seen/heard electronic kits used by bands and at jam nights.
Other than the visuals of seeing a "proper" drum kit you wouldn't know.
The band that played at my friends wedding used one and they were fantastic. Sonically, at gig volume (they were quite loud) there was no difference between electric and acoustic drums.
When they're behind you, you won't notice.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
As regards cars, his one is off the road and he's been borrowing a saloon that won't take his bass drum. If he gets another car it will be whatever his finances will allow.
I suspect the electronic kit would be a 'band' purchase as we really don't want to lose the drummer, but I just wanted to get some opinions on it before I put the idea to the rest of the band.
Pros:
More control over volume
More control over the sound
Punters won't notice and/ or care
Less onstage volume
Cons:
They do look a bit rubbish
They change the way you play
They require monitors - if the drummer doesn't have a proper monitor or the right monitor mix with an acoustic kit, they might be able to wing it. With electronic kits, they have to have that monitor.
:bz
Volume is the bitch, as well as mic'ing up the kit. None of that was an issue with an electronic kit.
My music:- https://soundcloud.com/hubobulous
My function band has had 2 drummers over the years with electronic kits .
They work great for singers ( less moaning about the volume levels ) but need decent monitors for the rest of the band .
Cheaper kits do suffer from the "repetative snare" /"machine gun" issues , get a good 2nd hand Roland kit - and either some V-xpressions upgrades or use it to trigger BFD or the like and it could be a good solution for you ...