Electronic Drums

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bayoubill
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2011/08/29 23:09:14 (permalink)

Electronic Drums

I've been noticing drummers at clubs using electronic drums. I thought those were for practicing with when you had to be quite like in an apartment or something. My first impression is IT AIN'T NATURAL! What do you guys think? There's a band that wants me to play with them and I hear they have an electronic drummer too!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/drums-percussion/simmons-sd7pk-electronic-drum-set/585852000000000


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#1

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    chulaivet1966
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/29 23:16:26 (permalink)
    Personally, I have no problem with electronic drums at all. The determining factor to me in buying/using them is whether the amount of patches on the module and how they SOUND are acceptable to you or the band? I would take the audition and decide based on their talent/professionalism and a tad of good gut feeling. Good luck....
    post edited by Quazelar - 2011/08/29 23:17:58

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    #2
    Bub
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/29 23:23:17 (permalink)
    When we were in our final years in my last group ... this is what we replaced our drummer with ...


    Nobody noticed, nobody cared ... it was just the Alesis SR-16, a keyboard player, 2 guitarists, bass, a Sony DAT machine, and the lead vocalist which used to double as our drummer until his arthritis got too bad to play anymore.



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    #3
    chulaivet1966
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/29 23:41:43 (permalink)
    Bub.... Although I thought the OP was referring to an electronic kit in the link but I agree with you...no one is going to care. (EDIT: I used a Roland R-100 for many years in my studio)
    post edited by Quazelar - 2011/08/29 23:43:07

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    Bub
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/29 23:57:14 (permalink)
    We did the annual banquet for the Capetian Rod And Gun Club. There was a lack of communication one year and they booked us and another band by accident. Fortunately we got there before the other band and had already set up. The drummer was freaking out on the president of the club and was yelling, "THEY DONT EVEN HAVE A *BLANKING* DRUMMER!" :)

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    #5
    UbiquitousBubba
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 09:35:18 (permalink)
    In my ever so humble opinion, it depends on what you want in a live gig.  If you want the look of a large kit with tons of cymbals, an electronic kit is probably not going to do the job.  If you don't have a good sound source and/or a sound system capable of doing it justice, then it's probably not a good fit.  On the other hand, if the sound is what matters to you and you have great samples and a decent sound system, an electronic kit can be a great thing.  I've used electronic kits live in multiple settings before with good results.  I tend to think of electronic drums and acoustic drums as different instruments.  Use whichever one is right for you

    With a good kit, good samples and a good drummer, you can play almost any style at almost any volume.  It's also a great way to reduce the overall stage volume and give the sound crew a chance to tailor the live mix to fit the room.  If you're playing in small clubs, it can be a very good solution to the problem of having the monitors louder than the mains.

    On the other hand, they're expensive and they cause some folks to yell out, "What in tarnation is that?"  I usually assume they're asking about me.
    #6
    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 09:50:22 (permalink)
    Does anyone remember when Bill Berry retired early from one of the most successful rock acts ever?


    #7
    Ham N Egz
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 10:06:01 (permalink)
    Every drummer Ive ever played with detest E-Drums, even the $6000 Roland V drums ,,
    ok for rehearsals they told me (I have an old roland kit in the practice studio for such)
    but not live playing...

    maybe its the music we played , I dunno

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    timidi
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 10:09:49 (permalink)
    I think the audience will like the look of the electronic drums better.
    It's new, It's now..
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    space_cowboy
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 10:21:29 (permalink)
    Dunno man
    I have 3 sets of drums at home - 60s Gretsch, 70s Ludwigs and 00s Ddrums.  They are all great.

    But I really want a Roland TD-20KX setup.  THey have the right heads, the right feeling cymbals...

    And, I am not sure I understand how samples are cool for keys but not for drums.  As I understand it, most of the top end electronic kits have samples taken at various hit points on the heads and at multiple velocities.  That would seem to make them very similar to a multi-sampled grand piano.  

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    space_cowboy
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 10:25:24 (permalink)
    Here they are



    Some people call me Maurice
     
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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 10:26:40 (permalink)
    I would love to have that Roland set to play Studio Cat's Jet City drum library through.

    Yikes!!!!


    #12
    Old55
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 10:48:54 (permalink)
    I think it depends on the music. Electronic drums are appropriate in New Wave and Electronica. Even certain songs in other genres are fine. I'd prefer natural drums on many songs, but sometimes you just have to use what you have.

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    Jonbouy
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 10:53:09 (permalink)
    space_cowboy


    Dunno man
    I have 3 sets of drums at home - 60s Gretsch, 70s Ludwigs and 00s Ddrums.  They are all great.

    But I really want a Roland TD-20KX setup.  THey have the right heads, the right feeling cymbals...

    And, I am not sure I understand how samples are cool for keys but not for drums.  As I understand it, most of the top end electronic kits have samples taken at various hit points on the heads and at multiple velocities.  That would seem to make them very similar to a multi-sampled grand piano.  


    Thing with a piano is the strike that creates the note is always in the same place which makes it much easier to use samples but even then you'll have piano players tell you it isn't as responsive as a fine piano.  Quite rightly too.

    Sure there is the thing that many people wont care if piano samples, or drum machines are used to create the finished result in most popular music genres.

    For those playing though much of the enjoyment is when the sound created or the quality of each note directly relates to what you are doing.  I've yet to find an electronic kit, as good as they get these days, that doesn't alter or interfere with the interaction between player and instrument in some way, as insignificant as that may be to some.

    Whether a listener cares or not is of no concern, it's the joy of playing that is the point from the player's perspective that can elevate a performance from being adequate to outstanding.

    To produce good performance or a good recording are often different requirements though.  Personally I'd take the Gretsch kit for both sets of requirements given that choice. (provided I can ditch the original fit tom holders and replace the rest of the stands)
    post edited by Jonbouy - 2011/08/31 11:05:20

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    Beagle
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 11:14:01 (permalink)
    a lot of churches use them because they're so easily controlled for volume.  with an acoustic kit you can't control the sound that comes from it like you can an electronic kit.

    but even with that benefit, I know that the sound guys (and girls) like them for getting a good mix, but the drummers I've talked to don't like them for the live performances.  in fact, our church replaced our electronic drums with an acoustic kit with a plexiglass "cage" around him.  they SOUND much better, IMO, but on some songs the drums are too loud for the choir and you can't control the amount of volume they get that way.  there are no drums in the choirs' monitors - just what we hear from the kit.

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    UbiquitousBubba
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 12:52:12 (permalink)
    I've known a number of drummers who feel that the electronic kits are just funky.  Not "Funky" like James Brown, but funky like cheese long past its prime, if you know what I mean.  They're not for everyone.  Some like them and others don't.  Some styles lend themselves towards electronic drums and others don't.  Even though you could play jazz on an electronic kit, you probably wouldn't want to do it. 

    Many drummers hate the feel of the electronic drums.  They are different.  The drums, I mean.  It's not quite the same as the difference between acoustic and electric guitars or a piano and a MIDI controller, but there is a difference.    I can certainly understand how some would prefer an acoustic kit over an electronic one.  I have one of each.  My acoustic kit is an old Ludwig set with a Gretsch snare and it sounds great.  My kids love to play it, too.  My electronic kit gives me a world of other sonic possibilities depending on which sound source I use.  I've used both in live situations at different times and I enjoy them both.  (Even though I play them differently because of the differences in the feel...)

    In the end, it's got to be Funky.
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    chulaivet1966
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 13:05:22 (permalink)
    IMO....
    The only annoyance with electronic drums, provided the module/quality of sounds is there, is the feel and response of the rubber heads.
    Of course, the last time I played electro drums was about 8 years ago on a Yamaha which I think was at TD series module.
    I played traps for many years in bands and had a 1975 or so Rogers set (but with Tama snare & hardware, 3 mounted toms/2 floors) and took drum technique in college even after all the years of playing live.
    Also, I don't mind the rubber that is on my 40 year old practice pad because if forces good wrist technique on the rebound aspect.
     
    The feel of trap heads is just more *natural* to me and translating that same feel would be difficult to duplicate for those used to trap head response.
    That's my nickel's worth.

    Carry on....
    post edited by Quazelar - 2011/08/31 13:09:33

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    space_cowboy
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 14:09:04 (permalink)
    Quazelar
    The newest ones have heads very similar to regular drums.  

    Then again, I am not a drummer.  Lots of people might make the same comment about my guitar playing. 

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    space_cowboy
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 14:10:32 (permalink)
    Jonbouy

    I love the sound of Gretsch Drums.  I wish I knew more about playing the danged things but I think there is a distinctive sound - much like a Tele or a Strat has a distinctive sound.  

    Some people call me Maurice
     
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    Jonbouy
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 14:29:10 (permalink)
    space_cowboy


    Jonbouy

    I love the sound of Gretsch Drums.

    Me too.


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    chulaivet1966
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 15:23:08 (permalink)
      Yes...I've noticed the head appear more trap looking. I've played the mesh heads many years ago and response was noticeably better. Carry on....

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    Mooch4056
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 15:49:59 (permalink)



    I like them tons for triggering great sounds and recording 

    I dont like them for live stuff -  and drummers I know hate them too  - even for recording - 

    but the drummers with brains at least understand I can pull a better mix out of e drums triggered into Superior drummer or BFD than I can mix with live drums -

     I know a more pro engineer could get just as good as a sound with live drums but I lack the experience 


    besides that - I live in a condo - so .... live drums being recorded would wake up Lew 






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    Jonbouy
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 15:50:40 (permalink)
    mike_mccue


    Does anyone remember when Bill Berry retired early from one of the most successful rock acts ever?


    Yes.

    I also remember Grandpa retiring from the buses, but they had other good conducters and normal service continued.  Some folks even missed Poppa.  I still do.

    Nowadays you just pay the driver but you still get to where you were going.
    post edited by Jonbouy - 2011/08/31 15:56:45

    "We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles.
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    chulaivet1966
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    Re:Electronic Drums 2011/08/31 16:03:47 (permalink)
    Mooch4056I can pull a better mix out of e drums triggered into Superior drummer or BFD than I can mix with live drums - Lew 
     
    OMG....if I never have to mic a trap set again it will be far too soon.
    That's a good looking set in the image on the previous post.
     
    Carry on creative ones.....
     
     

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    #24
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