Electronic drums are not meant to completely replace real acoustic drums. They simulate acoustic drums and are a different musical instrument, albeit a very closely related instrument. Lets take a look at electronic drums vs. acoustic drums.
Advantages of Electronic Drums
- You can play them without disturbing your neighbors as much.
- You can learn to play drums, and no one will hear you if you suck at first.
- They are compact and fit in a small room.
- Electronic drums can generate all sorts of weird fun sounds.
- You can easily practice playing with a CD by plugging the player into the sound module, and not have to worry that the drum sound will overwhelm the music.
- You don’t have to tune them.
- Electronic drums are much easier to record. Just plug them into your mixing board, and don’t worry about having to carefully arrange multiple microphones.
Disadvantages of Electronic Drums
- Electronic drums don’t have the volume range of acoustic drums.
- They don’t have expressive range of acoustic drums either, especially with the hi-hat and other cymbals.
- Brushes are not as effective on electronic drums, particularly with rubber pads.
- They do not look as good and exciting as acoustic drums, unless you play on a high end electronic kit that includes large mesh typedrum pads.
- If you perform on stage, you are at the mercy of the stage monitor speakers to hear yourself play.
- They are more expensive.
- Electronic drums are much more of a hassle to assemble and take apart than a standard acoustic kit because they have many more parts and wires.
