convince me to buy an electronic drum set

[TurdBerglar]

tell me how awesome it'll be

[Guy Incognito]

i just you tube'd electronic drum sets cos i thought itd' just be a series of pedals like def leppards drummer or something. didnt think they could replace a drum kit,didnt actually realise they looked like this.
I dont know how to drum but i want one of these now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ief7hA6SujY

[abbott]

well I have thought about it for years.

They are affordable now.

I saw I decent looking Alesis kit at Costco for $289 yesterday.

I wanted the electric kit for Ava but got her an actual kit instead.

http://youtu.be/d4s4zSUX_W8

[Helvete]

Phil Collins.

[Guy Incognito]

is that positive or negative phil collins.

[Helvete]

In the Air Tonight Phil Collins.

[Guy Incognito]

fair do's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnzFRV1LwIo)

[yeahwho]

Yamaha/Roland make the most realistic sounding electronic drums. Also the pads and cymbals most realistically mimic the proper resistance per strike. They cost bucketfuls of money though.

The closer you can make them sound like real drums the happier you're going to be. It's pretty awesome to be wailing away at 4:00 AM and nobody gives a shit because it's all in the headphones.

I think it's a good move, drums are awesome but really LOUD! Now you can have it both ways. Drumming is cooler than fuck all, buy a set, start playing and watch the chicks appear out of the woodwork.

[TurdBerglar]

this is what i've been thinking about:
http://www.kraftmusic.com/roland-td-4k2-v-drums-v-compact-series-electronic-drum-set-drum-essentials-bundle.html

seems like an amazing deal

[yeahwho]

Exactly, those are sweet.

[TurdBerglar]

bought it!

[Helvete]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGbZtfo9jJ8&

It looks awesome! I like how you can in effect change to a completely new kit at the touch of a button. I'd almost buy one, but I just remembered I cannot play the drums and haven't got the co-ordination for it.

[TurdBerglar]

that model in the video is the next model up from the one i just ordered. it's pretty much the same thing except is has better drum heads and the cymbals have more "zones" on them for activating different types of sounds according to where you hit the cymbals. it has the same cpu.

i have no idea how to play the drums either. i bought this to learn. you can hook most sets to a computer/laptop and use tutorials much like Rockband/Guitar Hero but much more in depth.

i've always wanted drums for a long time. i've considered getting a set for quite a while but always decided against it. i visited my uncle last week and he had this set up with different types of bongo type drums and keyboards and a guitar. that's what finally convinced me to get a set.

there's cheaper sets out there. Alesis makes the most affordable sets with the most options. but from what i've read they're not the most durable or natural feeling. when i found the roland(considered the best makers of e-drums) bundled set with a 500 dollar price reduction and free shipping on something that large, i couldn't pass it up.

and you can do much more than just change the type of kit. you can alter the sound of each drum and cymble and change the responsiveness of the pads. it's records and links up to computers and you can plug other sources of audio into it so you can play along. it also keeps track of how acurate you're keeping time and rhythm. there's computer software out there than can expand the possibilities of a device like these drums.

[TurdBerglar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEAIGEAVwvY&feature=related

[Helvete]

As much as I am tempted, and it'd be an awesome way to pass the months of leave I have from work when I get back from this place, and it'd be great to wind the girlfriend up, I really don't think my brain is capable of playing the drums. I like tapping along to beats and shit, but I cannot get my brain to use more than 2 bits of my body. I can't get my foot to tap in any different rhythm to my hands.

I'd fear I'd buy this awesome drum set, but have it wasted by my lack of talent.

[TurdBerglar]

there's real simple set ups where there's just a single snare drum called a coach(think old fashion military drum). you can add just a couple more drums to that main drum. maybe a bass drum(uses one foot) and a cymble.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-g02eTwUEY

[Guy Incognito]

there's computer software out there than can expand the possibilities of a device like these drums.

so effects pedals and sounding like other instruments is possible???

i really want some but i have to move and probably wait for my kids to move out and actually have some money

see you in 15 years then.

[TurdBerglar]

with the right software you can pretty much make any of these kits, that support either midi or usb, a full blown keyboard if you know what you're doing.

i have some software that came with my sound card on my computer that supports this type of shit.

[Guy Incognito]

i'm now thinking it would be a cool way for triggering samples. as opposed to making loops and beats on a controller keyboard like i do, it'd be a good way of just jamming with different samples and recording it all and seeing what comes out. I find the keyboard a bit limited sometimes or struggle to always create but using this would be a much freer way of doing it, just bashing on a load of sounds and seeing what happened.

[Helvete]

The more I watch these videos the more I want to get a set, but then I remember I am watching guys who can actually play the drums and doesn't mean I'll be sounding anything like that, ever. I don't know if spending that money would be justified when after a few weeks I realise I'm never going to get better.

[TurdBerglar]

well the kit came in and it's one hell of a nice challenge.

with just doing simple right hand and right foot exercises i find that my foot/leg tires really quickly. also, i can't seem to keep my left leg/foot still when i use my right. i think it's because of muscle memory from all the biking that i do.

it kept me well occupide for three hours straight and i had no idea what i was doing. just checking out beginner lessons/exercises on youtube.

[Helvete]

How are the drums coming along?

[TurdBerglar]

i've been using this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8P7ga-79bc

you just need a simple midi to usb adapter to hook it up and some simple configuring of the software to get it to work with almost any drumset.

within a couple of days it has taught me how to play a simple 4:4 rock beat with some simple fills. my coordination has improved quite a bit. getting your head wrapped playing different speeds between all your feet and hands is pretty hard. but once you get it for each particular beat you feel something tick in your head and it becomes natural. i kinda find it like learning button combos for a fighting game like mortal combat except you're using your feet too.

right now im trying to learn the opening beat to when the levee breaks. if you're not familiar with that song, the beasties sampled that beat in rhyming and stealing. it sounds simple enough but there's this bass drum double tap/hickup that really throws everything off for me. so far in previous lessons my right hand has been playing the fastest notes, and i've got that down pretty good. during when the levee breaks the bass drum(right foot) plays this double tap/hickup that's faster than your right hand and it's difficult to keep the timing just because im not use to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u7J4NpMkuI

there's places online where you can download midi files of tons of songs. midi files are just files that hold information of the notes and tempo being played in a song or musical piece. i can use these files in that drum tutor with either the all the music playing along or just the solo drums. it's extremely helpful.

[Helvete]

You're right about that drum loop being more difficult than it first appears. I re-created that loop on my drum pad and then tried tapping along to it. Started off with the 1-2-3-4 of the hi-hat, the snare on 4, but as trying to get the kick on that irregular rhythm just threw me.

[TurdBerglar]

try counting it out load as "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and", because the hi hat is actually playing 8 notes not 4 notes. and hit the snare on every 2 and 4. the bass drum hits on the "one". then it gets tricky as it then hits on and in between the "ands" and "three".

or try saying "1 and a 2 and a three and a 4 and a"(16th notes). i think some of the bass notes play on the "a's".

it's fucking tricky.

what are you using as drum pad?

[Helvete]

Ah, of course, 8 notes, I knew what I meant, but I've not really had any musical training so I was just counting 1,2,3,4 slowly rather than 1 and 2 etc.

I have a drum machine app on my iPad, about 40 different kits and drum machines to choose from. I could see it being useful when learning to play drums as, like I say, you can program a loop, and play along to it, isolate each drum if you like until you get it right, then add each of the drums on top.

So, how is the kit holding up? You bought yours new, right? Any gripes or things you'd change? Any bits which you wish you'd got from the kit from the next model up?

Thing is, over here, we'd probably have to pay in pounds what you paid for yours in dollars, so that's probably another 500 bucks on top of yours. So it's a lot of money for what would in effect, be a 'toy' to me. I'd happily pay what you got yours for, but I'm never going to be in a band or even that good, so I can't really justify it.

[TurdBerglar]

yeah i bought it new. the build quality is superb. the frame is mostly steel as is most of the mounting hardware. everything is really sturdy and heavy. the cpu is terribly easy and straight foward to use. it works flawlessly. there's much cheaper alternatives. check out Alesis. they make much more affordable sets. they offer kits half the price of mine with some pretty good features. their kits may even have more features than mine. i think they lack in the build quality. that's how they keep the price down.

http://www.alesis.com/drumscompare

the DM6 and DM8 are between $400 and $500. and i think you can connect them straight to your ipad to use with apple's music apps.

[mikizee]

I'm jealous. I've wanted an electronic kit for ages.

Started learning the drums when I was 8, so been playing for 23 years. I haven't had a kit for a few years though.

The drums are an instrument that you can not play for months, years even and jump back on a kit and pretty much pick up where you left off - like riding a bike.

And one of the best things about drums as an instrument - air drumming is almost as good as real practice! Can't say that about guitar!

The world is your drum kit. It's definitely mine. Enjoy!!!!

[TurdBerglar]

would you have any tips/pointers/advice/knowlege for a begginer starting out?

[ProfJIM]

This is going to sound stupid, but seriously the drums on Rock Band really helped separating the movement between my arms and legs. Its the hardest part of playing drums though. I messed around on my friend drums here and there, and after putting some serious hours in Rock Band I got way better.

I would love to have an electric set.

[mikizee]

would you have any tips/pointers/advice/knowlege for a begginer starting out?

This is going to sound stupid, but seriously the drums on Rock Band really helped separating the movement between my arms and legs. Its the hardest part of playing drums though. I messed around on my friend drums here and there, and after putting some serious hours in Rock Band I got way better.

I would love to have an electric set.

Yeah man, Rock Band really is pretty good at getting co-ordination sorted.

Learn to read drum sheet music from the get go. I'm sure there are youtube tutorials out there regarding this. Its much easier than you think, not nearly as complicated as reading regular sheet music.

Start with simple drum sheet music beats you can find on the net. Work your way up to more complicated rhythms as you improve.

Learn what a paradiddle is.

Draw a smiley face on the back of both your hands. This guy is called Happy Jack. Make sure when you are drumming you can see Happy Jack at all times.

When reading drum music and getting to know the beats, two major rules -

START SLOW

COUNT IT OUT LOUD (this really helps)

You need to learn to crawl before you can walk. As you start to nail the co-ordination you can start to speed up the pace.

This is, I guess the equivalent of doing scales on the piano when starting out. Hardcore practice boring shit. But trust me, this will make you a MUCH better drummer in the long run.

Practice these beats for 10 or so minutes, then for a few minutes just go nuts and do whatever you want on the kit. Play along to a song in your head, do some crazy fills. Whatever. Then start again.

I air drum everywhere. In the car (when safe), in the shower, on the couch- and if I'm not air drumming physically, I'm air drumming mentally. So start air drumming! Tap out rhythms on your thighs when you're sitting down. Or even standing up. Where ever, whenever. Start to tune into whatever the drummer is doing when listening to music, especially in your car.

You'll get good in no time.

[TurdBerglar]

my biggest problem is a pattern that switches from half notes to say 8th or 16th. i'll be playing 8th notes on the high hat and mainly half notes on the snare and kick(typical easy rock beat). if there's some sort of shuffling effect on either the snare or kick i have a very difficult time keeping the timing on the high hat.

hitting the kick on the 1's and the 3's is no problem. but kitting it on the and's or the e's completely throws off what im doing on the high hat. is there some sort of practice technique i could do to improve that?

i've tried playing quarter notes on the high hat and 8th notes on the kick and half notes on the snare just to mix things up and get my brain use to doing different shit.

[mikizee]

my biggest problem is a pattern that switches from half notes to say 8th or 16th. i'll be playing 8th notes on the high hat and mainly half notes on the snare and kick(typical easy rock beat). if there's some sort of shuffling effect on either the snare or kick i have a very difficult time keeping the timing on the high hat.

hitting the kick on the 1's and the 3's is no problem. but kitting it on the and's or the e's completely throws off what im doing on the high hat. is there some sort of practice technique i could do to improve that?

i've tried playing quarter notes on the high hat and 8th notes on the kick and half notes on the snare just to mix things up and get my brain use to doing different shit.

Yeah man, to improve it just slow it right down. REAL slow. Then bring up the tempo.

[TurdBerglar]

i downloaded this program, Addictive Drums. it's basically a collection of very high quality drum samples of many many different drums and drum sets. it comes with tons of presets of real drum sets. each preset has it's own sound and you can adjust the ambiance. it's a vst plugin that works within a digital audio workstation such as pro tools or whatever comes preinstalled in macs. you hook your e-drums up to a laptop/pc with the proper midi adapter and it expands upon what the stock cpu on the drum set can do. you can also use a midi keyboard and map each key to a coresponding drum or just simply program your own beats. it's a fucking expensive program, but there's way to get past that....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtjsiBe2swc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny3enUMgip4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G65OUPQ0R2k

[TurdBerglar]

this guy is my favorite drummer on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCJgTQJ7KyFS2UtjvV2Nes8Q/u