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Post by jq on Oct 24, 2007 15:26:06 GMT -5
Okay here is the thing; I badly, badly want to learn drums. I really would like to be a drummer. I have a very strong natural rythm and ability to keep time. When it comes to playing guitar and bass, that is probably my strongest ability, is simply to stay in time extraordinarily well.
Having said that, I live in an apartment. I have neighbors. And I can't be loud. So drums are totally out of the question.
However, obviously, electronic drums are potentially an alternative. But what I am wondering is, are they any good? Do they wear out fast? I don't want something that isn't going to be responsive enough if you know what I mean. (If I were to do 16 notes, would it click for every hit?)
I know you know a lot about music, Kizzume, do you have any knowledge about drum kits. Hackfest? Ess2s? Thanks for your help.
JQ
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Post by jq on Oct 24, 2007 15:38:30 GMT -5
WEll, looks like for the amount I could spend, it isn't realistic anyway. The cheapest one I am seeing online is getting TERRIBLE REVIEWS from people as a piece of crap. It looks like the economic choice is the real thing, which I really can't do.  |
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Post by Ess2s2 on Oct 24, 2007 17:55:44 GMT -5
Well, check this out. I've been drumming for about 10 years. I am completely self-taught, so I'm not the greatest drummer by any stretch of the imagination, but I also definitely do not suck. I have a traditional (loud) set and I have had the opportunity to fiddle with the electronic sets on many an occasion. You say you want to learn drums, so I am telling you right now, worrying about the quality of your learner set is like a teenager worrying about the quality of his first car. Sure you want a Vette or a Porche, but realistically speaking, you neither need or can afford such a setup.
Even the cheapest sets are capable and have good response times for drummers just starting out. A big difference in price range for electric sets is two things: pressure sensitivity, and durability. The higher priced drum kits have much better light pressure response for ghost notes and other advanced techniques, they are also made to last longer (which, for most electric kits isn't nearly as long as a properly maintained traditional.)
Still, if you're just starting out and you live in an apartment, go for a budget electric, it won't let you down. You might feel some growing pains with adapting to the way an electric feels, and then again once you start playing on a traditional set regularly, as the two systems have vastly different feels to them. There just isn't substituting the feel of a true crash cymbal or coated skin snare as opposed to the plastic and cloth membranes of the electric sets.
Another thing to bear in mind with electric sets is the fact they have almost zero maintenance and tuning, making owning an electric set nice for people who are just getting into drums. Traditional drums require regular head and hardware maintenance, including tuning, replacement, and cleaning to make sure the hardware stays in good shape.
Long story short, if you want to learn the drums, don't sweat anything except what it takes to further your craft. Get the El-cheapo set and grow from there when you're ready. Best of luck.
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Post by jq on Oct 24, 2007 20:26:20 GMT -5
Thanks for your post Ess2s2, it helps a lot!
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Post by Kizzume on Oct 24, 2007 20:40:24 GMT -5
I wish I knew more about them. I know about keyboards, computers, sequencing, but don't know any easily translatable information about electronic drum kits.
If you're trying to go for cheap but still sound good, you can use your computer to make the sounds and get a set of midi drum pads.
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Post by Kizzume on Oct 24, 2007 20:41:29 GMT -5
Midi doesn't have to be those nasty standard Microsoft midi instruments--midi can trigger samples or just about anything, you just need the right program. If you want to know more info about that route, let me know.
EDIT: The drums on 95% of my songs are basically midi-triggered, as far as the way they were entered into the program. They could just as easily have been triggered with a set of midi drum pads.
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Post by Ess2s2 on Oct 24, 2007 20:47:58 GMT -5
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Post by Kizzume on Nov 10, 2007 0:32:44 GMT -5
Cool cool.  Hey JQ, did you ever find that kit you were looking for? |
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Post by jq on Nov 10, 2007 16:56:09 GMT -5
Nah, never happened. Sadly my money has been SUPER tight lately-- I have to be really careful how I spend my money the next while-- and I will have to hold off on buying expensive toys for now But I havne't given up on the idea of drumming, that's for sure |
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Post by Kizzume on Nov 10, 2007 17:20:14 GMT -5
Just remember--if you get midi pads, you can get tons of programs that can make the drum sounds, provided your sound card (or on-board audio on your motherboard) can handle it. What is your computer make and model OR what is the motherboard make and model? Do you know if your sound card is ASIO compliant? If so, and it IS, you're set. If it isn't, there still may be some programs that will work. If you don't know, if I have that info on your computer I can find out for you.
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Post by jq on Nov 10, 2007 20:30:22 GMT -5
Just remember--if you get midi pads, you can get tons of programs that can make the drum sounds, provided your sound card (or on-board audio on your motherboard) can handle it. What is your computer make and model OR what is the motherboard make and model? Do you know if your sound card is ASIO compliant? If so, and it IS, you're set. If it isn't, there still may be some programs that will work. If you don't know, if I have that info on your computer I can find out for you. I honestly have no clue about any of this sort of thing. I am not even sure what my sound card is!  (IT may be the "nvidia(R) Nforce(tm) audio, if that's a soundcard.....) |
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Post by Kizzume on Nov 11, 2007 0:58:08 GMT -5
That probably will handle ASIO.
Well, if you look into midi pads, you might find something that's actually affordable. There's free software out there that could handle the sounds.
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Post by jq on Nov 23, 2007 15:46:22 GMT -5
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Post by Kizzume on Nov 23, 2007 16:19:39 GMT -5
Get the one with separate drums. The ones that are stuck together in one unit look like crap to me--you can't emulate ANY sort of real drumming with those. I liked this part about the unit which means that if the sounds themselves are crappy, you can use other devices to make the sounds. Out of the ones you have listed, I personally think that this one is the one to get: www.amazon.com/Ion-iED01-Electronic-Drum-Machine/dp/B0006HY5PI/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t |
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Post by Kizzume on Nov 23, 2007 16:20:30 GMT -5
If you're able to expand that and get more pads to connect to it, that would be even better.
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