Acoustic or Electric drums for a begginer.

[SBP]

I'm seriously looking at learning to drum to add another skil to my slowly expanding musical abilities (Bassist and wannabe DJ/Producer) and i'm interested in drummers opinions of what to start on.

I expect most to say acoustic but why? what is the advantage of learning on one over the other? I am attracted to the idea of an electric kit because of the variety of sounds i will be able to get from it unlike a acoustic kit which will have "its" sound.

Keep in mind that whatever i would be getting for my first kit it won't be a expensive kit by any means, I've seen starter electrics for $700rrp from billy hydes and acoustics for cheaper.

All advice appreciated.

[Xplora]

If you are interested in DJ electronica etc type music, you should learn on an electronic kit. Bear in mind though, you just can't make presumptions because electronica is based around computers doing the drumming, and as such, makes the drummer irrelevent. Drumming is about the groove, the feel and the beat, not just the beat. And acoustic sets teach you to feel the groove. A computer cannot replicate human feel and response to the kit.

[iAl3xi]

id go the electric kit... they are the ones that are like pads that wire up to an amp thing yeah? well think of it you could play all night with headphones on

[SBP]

I should note that my interests are not only electroni music (hence DJ) i like everything, i played bas in a ska band for 3 years and am happy to play any style on my bass if someone wants to jam.

So specific musical tastes shouldnt be a huge factor

[dantheman65]

I think it was Xplora that mentioned that most electronic drums are programmed, and he's completely right.

Electronic:
PROS:
-Volume adjustable.
-Easy to change samples/record.
-Versatile
-Usually easy to transport/can fit in most cars.
CON:
-Expensive vs Acoustic
-Poor playing response (even the mesh heads on high end electronic kits aren't as good as acoustics)
-Look like a knob if you gig with one.

Acoustic:
PROS:
-Cheaper for a good kit
-Authentic sounds
-Can gig
-Teaches decent style.
CONS:
-LOUD
-Hard to transport.

It's very rare you see an electric kit being used on stage. I think it was Johnny Rabb who is big on electric kits and does some breaks stuff but it's rare that they do. You also have to realise to play electronic stuff you have to be pretty hot shit.

A few drummers incorporate elements of an electronic kit into their acoustic gigs with pads/triggers but mostly they stick to straight acoustics. They just sounds better, although electronics are sounding pretty realistic these days.

Basically to get an electronic kit thats even remotely similar in playability to an acoustic kit will cost you an arm and a leg. The big advantage for most people is that you can play along to songs quietly.

[closed_gate]

i hate playing on electric kits, they kill your ability to play, for rudiments practice use a drum pad, Sure. but for drumming use an Acoustic kit, Electric kits. learn on an elecytric kit and you will have trouble with set ups of Acuostics. but learn on an Acoustic you should have no problem playing an electric kit furthur down the track. you also will build up the strength to bounce your sticks off the skins rather then just get a rubber bounce on an electric kit (unless you wanna pay $10,000. for a mesh electric)

if you are worried about how loud it is. easy.
Do as my Drum Teacher (Grant Collins) does and fill drum with a mattress or foam, fill it to the top, and place little thin piece of Ruber in a small section on your cymbals held on by the wing nut, to the edge of the cymbal. still giving the performance of an awsome Acoustic kit


Good luck with your Drumming dude, and rememvber, "Use the Force"

Cheers