Looking for the best drum set? There are lots of questions to ask, especially as a beginner.
Some drum sets run over $1,000 while some only mount to $300. You can avoid sacrificing quality for an affordable price if you know what to look for.
So, before you splurge or buy a junk kit, it’s time to find out what features you want or need the most from your new drum kit.
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Best Drum Set Features for Beginners
Most standard acoustic drum sets that you’ll find come as 6-piece kits that consist of these features:
- Snare
- Bass with 2 rack toms
- Floor tom
- Hi-hat
- Crash
- Ride cymbal.
For electronic drum sets, a standard kit comes with 8 pieces. The 2 rack toms are included separately because they don’t mount onto the bass drum.
If you’re a beginner drummer, you only need the basics to get started.
The comparison between acoustic kits and electronic continues to resurface in the drum world.
Drummers love both for different reasons. As a beginner, you should consider the benefits of both and whether or not one type suits your needs better than the other.
Electronic
Noise reduction is the biggest advantage of electronic kits. The kits with mesh material drumheads are the quietest because they absorb the impact from the drum sticks. Rubber drumheads have less noise reduction because the material is harder and bouncier.
To know if electronic drum sets are “good” or not, just look at some of their advantages. They’re usually more portable than acoustic kits and their tone pads let you choose tone variation.
Compared to acoustic kits, they’re more convenient because of noise reduction and portability. However, they don’t always take a hard beating and age well the way that acoustic kits do.
Acoustic
Acoustic kits have a more authentic sound and feel. Despite the evolving technology, electronic kits don’t always recreate the genuine sound and impact feel of an acoustic kit.
Acoustic kits are a classic choice for drummers who focus on texture and techniques with drum hardware.
One of the biggest benefits of acoustic kits is the ability to tune the drums. This allows you to customize the sound for various styles and genres, similar to the tone menu on an electronic kit.
If you’re thinking of going pro in the future, learning how to tune your drums is an essential skill you’ll need to learn. Practicing on your starter acoustic kit will help you build that skill.
Cost
Most starter electronic and acoustic run under $400, but some with premium features sell for $500.
For electronic drum sets, Roland, Alesis, and Yahama are top brands that all sell starter kits under $400.
Out of these top 3, Alesis offers the best features for the money. It features 60 play-along tracks, more than other standard kits. The Alesis includes a metronome, a sequencer and it allows you to record your playing.
For acoustic kits, the standout beginner kit series include the Yamaha Rydeen, the Ludwig Breakbeats (inspired by Questlove), and the Pearl Roadshow.
These are premium brands that make quality advanced kits, but their beginner kits can be robust too. The kits come as standard 6 or 5-piece kits. Unlike most electronic kits, there are kids models for acoustic kits that also run $300.
Getting the Best Drum Set
Learning how to pick the best drum set is a necessary step in your drum journey. Whether you’re getting drums as an adult beginner or you’re getting for your child, it’s all about knowing the features you want most in your drums.
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