Reply #4: My argument FOR electronic drums... [View All]

I have a DW acoustic drum kit, a vintage sixties Camco kit, Roland electronic drum kit, and Alesis electronic drum module w/additional pads and triggers for the acoustics.

Yeah, the acoustic drums are generally preferred, but I like the Rolands A LOT. For practicing, either just working on rudiments, or for jamming to a cd or mp3 player, I do not care much for muffled acoustic drums. The electronic drums sound great through headphones. It's very easy to set up a nice balanced mix between the music you're playing to and the e-drums.

I've used the Rolands for recording a few drum parts where the "electronic" nature of the other-than-acoustic-sounding-settings were perfect for the tune on which I was working. I've also used them as enhancements to the acoustics, and used a hybrid/acoustic/electronic kit (the DWs, with an Alesis electronic drum module, and triggers on the snare, toms and kick).

I've also used the Rolands live a few times, and again, while I would have rather used the acoustics, the e-drums worked out fine for the gigs/rooms/situations (they are WAY, almost infinitely, easier to transport/lug between vehicle and venue/set up and tear down, than my DW kit). There are halfway decent amplification rigs available for under $500 that are probably adequate for personal use and small venues, however, even without, the drum module signal may be plugged into a P.A. system such as most commercial venues would be using.

SO, I would not necessarily dismiss the electronic option for the application which the OP currently has in mind.

Another thing about the electronics: the rubber/and or mesh pads are very responsive to the sticks, and with a good level in your headphones, you can hear, very clearly, the nuances of your stick work.

ON EDIT: The most significant e-drums negative is, in my opinion, the cymbals. I have also used the e-drums live - snare, toms and kick only, with actual Zildjian cymbals instead of e-drum hi-hat and cymbal pads. Zildjians sound exponentially better than any known electronic cymbal simulation. I know, I'm a hypocrite...sorry.