I only use E drums live. Been doing so since the 80's very successfully. I prefer real cymbals, the band prefers the e cymbals, due to stage volume issues in smaller rooms. Thus, they converted --> me into using e cymbals live, DOH! My sticks are loving it. With good acoustic samples, no one cares the drums are not acoustic. The biggest critics are acoustic drummers who feel using e drums is sacrilegious. I love a great sounding acoustic kit but can control the volume much better with an e kit. Live, e drums all the way.
Great stuff! Glad to see you're not fussed about what others think, that's definitely one of the hurdles some people can't seem to get past, for whatever reason! Interesting that your band were the ones that pushed for the electronic cymbals! Though it does make sense if that's the last loud thing left on stage! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!
Agree 100% about the vibe changing when you hold back the energy/velocity. Plus, acoustic drums don't respond strictly linearly -- if you play quietly on a set of acoustic drums, they're not just quieter: they have a markedly different sound.
Thanks! Yeah, very true! It's a completely different experience playing music quietly on acoustic instruments and, of course, it's a very valid and expressive way to play! But, if what you need is the same "energy" as loud but with a volume control, you won't necessarily get there with that method!
I couldn’t agree more! I have an amazing 6-piece Tama Starclassic B/B, but it’s a monster, and LOUD. I signed up with a band a few years ago that plays a lot of smaller venues, and not only didn’t my Tama fit on the small stages, but it was simply too loud for the genres we were playing, even un-mic’d. Initially I was embarrassed to be sitting behind my Roland (a very-upgraded TD-20 rig) on-stage, but after a couple of months, I realized I loved it; my Tama hasn’t left the house since, even for larger venues. Besides the small footprint, quick setup/tear-down, and keeping the sound guy happy, I truly enjoy the ability of changing the sound of the entire kit by the push of a button, to better-fit the tune or the acoustics of the venue. I love eDrums so much at this point that I triggered my Tama (blasphemy, I know) so I can pound on it late at night without irritating my family. Don’t worry - it’s reversible :) Thanks for this video - it’s good to know others hold this opinion!
The first time I used an e kit on stage was the spring of 2009. I used a td6 module with pd8 pads for symbols. Oh, also cy6 symbols. Very Antiquated equipment compared to today. All the musicians were industry professionals. And here I come into this bar with this small drum kit. I still remember all the rock band jokes I was getting from the musicians and patrons alike as I was setting up. But, by the time I was done that first night everybody was commenting on how they could hear at the end of the night after the gig rather than having ringing eardrums! LOL I continued to Gig those e drums for the rest of my time with that band. I am now a staff drummer at my church, on voluntary basis. I am using a td-25 KV setup at that church. But my kit at home is TD 30 pads and just added the td-27 module. Love that thing! I did add 15-in powered speakers and an 18 inch sub for Stage Sound support, if it is ever needed. Do I miss my DW Collector's? Yeah. But, not for the sound. They were a great drums... But, I can't get any better than the TD 27 for sound, durability, and consistency.
Every reason I've preached about since I first got mine in 2012. Volume control makes such a huge impact for so many reason, and of course consistency of sounds and sound variation. It still surprises me how few drummers will consider playing E drums live. I'm sure I'll never own an acoustic drum kit again.
Great info from an experienced live user. Does seem like ultimately you have way more control of sound. Plus you can trigger effects and change kits to suit the song. Even Neil Peart embraced the technology, using triggers and samples live. When I saw Def Leppard Rick Allen was using Yamaha silicone pads for toms. Plus his unique pedal set up.
Thanks John! Yeah, you do get more control overall if you're happy to work at the sounds themselves! And those are definitely some of the benefits of electronics! Absolutely, I'm a big believer of the idea that musicians shouldn't shy away from new technologies and advancements for their instruments, even if at first they're not a fan - there's always scope for new and exciting things and if we don't let innovations happen, we'll get stuck in the past!
Once you get your sound down, the volume control with e-kits is a big plus. I've played gigs where even when you hardly hit the drum and it's still too loud. That's why I switched. The down side is equipment failure and to be a real professional, you need a back-up module, bass drum , snare or tom and a cymbal. Something always seems to break down. But unless you spend 10 grand it's hard to get an e-kit that matches the sensitivity and feel of an accoustic.
I played an e-kit for more than 25yrs, covering a wide variety of music from pop to country using Simmons pads, a Roland PM-16, & two Alesis HR16s thru a Crate keyboard cab for stage volume. They were the best investment I ever made and served me well, but nothing lasts forever; time & use simply caught up with it, so after 12yrs on an acoustic Pearl Masters series maple kit, I've refurbed/brought my e-kit back to life using the same hardware, but with an Alesis Strike Pro. I'm very excited about getting back out into the local music scene.
I am the leader of a band that seems similar to the level that you guys are at. I'm not the drummer, but our drummer is open to trying new things and we're entertaining the possibility of E-Drums live particularly for small or nasty sounding rooms. In reflective rooms that only hold 40-50 people the snare drum and cymbals specifically can get out of hand and ruin the entire thing for the audience, and us, because we know nobody is really to blame it's just a tough room. We have a "snare skirt" trick that we use literally every time we play indoors that helps a lot. I sewed a 3/4inch piece of memory foam to a towel that's about 2ft square, and then you hang it from the bottom rim of the snare drum, stopping everything off the bottom head from going out to the audience. It probably cuts the volume and "clackiness" by 33% I'd guess, which is huge in tough rooms sometimes, but then that leaves the cymbals as the most offending thing, so that's why we're considering going this direction.
In small - medium rooms everyone in the band should be aware and considerate of volume issues. If not for the band, mostly for its audience. Everyone has been to a gig in a small venue, where the drummer is way too loud, or the guitar is drowning out everything else, and it then becomes a matter of "enduring" a bands set. No body wants that. It sucks that most places the vast majority of us play are small, and nobody wants to tell anyone else to turn down, or clearing the room because it's just way too loud. I hope as technology progresses, more musicians will start going, at the very least, direct, and start investing in IEMs. It's a win win for everybody.
Started using TD50 almost 2 years ago live, while it was a challenge when I first started, after trial good and bad, now I'm not sure if I really would ever want to go back to aucostic live. Play in classic rock cover band and a pop cover band and really like being able to change the sounds of the kits for both bands without extra gear
Awesome stuff! I know what you mean about the kit changes, I play almost exclusively on my eDrums with my cover band and the few gigs I've done on an acoustic felt really weird for certain songs. You get a particular feeling with certain drum sounds that start to make the songs for you. Without a dedicated technician working with you to do those effects or bringing loads of additional gear, it's not as easy on acoustics. My other band would probably sound strange running eDrums and hit some limitations though, so it's a "right tool for the job" situation, for sure.
My band runs a "quiet stage".No amps, monitors, side fills or acoustic drums! I play my Roland TD-50RW and SPD-SX sample pad exclusively with my band. I have had no issues with using this equipment in a live setting!!!
Awesome! We're not too far off this now, we've got the singer, guitarist and me on in-ears, just the bassist left to convert! We might keep one monitor though as the singer's ears went down a bit ago when we weren't running a stage monitor and it completely stuffed it for him 😅
@@TheeDrumWorkshop , I believe one of the reasons why my band stays busy is because of running a quiet stage! We are already booked up to October 2020!
Surely there's a bit of talent involved there too though 😉 But yeah, it'll definitely help! Some venues ask us to turn down when I know we must be about 40% of most bands' volume. Makes me wonder how they even have other bands on.
I’ve played 5 out of 8 gigs this year on my ekit. I’ve had a bit of a learning curve and certainly had some nights that worked better than others... overall, I’m very happy with the results and I’m looking forward to doing more next year. For the most part, I keep my Roland pads set up at our rehearsal space and take my atv kit out for gigs. I use the td50 module with both kits. I totally agree with most of your points. I haven’t broken a drum stick, drum head or cymbal in years. The volume control is awesome. I love the sounds I get from my vexpressions generations pack and I’m working on incorporating a spdsx sample pad along with my kit next year. I agree with the other guys comment, the hi hats cause the most problems. I’m hoping digital hi hats become a reality soon, in the meantime I’m considering upgrading my vh11 to a vh13...
Ahh, that's great! Glad you enjoyed using it live! Yeah, there's definitely a learning curve involved. Sounds like you've got a good system going though with the different pad sets and just swapping the module! My next few videos after the counterpart to this is about extra steps for optimising your kit for live use, might be a few extra tips in there for you, or at least have you nodding along to some of the pratfalls!
I like eDrums for one main reason - selection of drums. For example, a Tama Bell Brass from the 80's can run you many thousands of dollars right now -- but its an included sample-set in Superior Drummer 3.
I have been using a TD 20 now for about 8 years. It was the only way we could control the sound because our primary gig is in max prisons with corrugated iron rooves and Besser block walls. The sound bounced around the room and was a wash of cymbals, so we decided to go electric. While it went a long way to solving the sound control problem, it's still been a bit of a struggle finding sounds that I really like. We hit on one from time to time but because the rooms are so different and extreme its often hit and miss and I just have to grin and bare it. I still love playing an acoustic kit with all the nuances but I have learnt to enjoy the electric. I still have a lot to learn about how to drive the brain properly. I do know that almost all the issues I face in the definition of the sound can be manipulated in the brain but I find it difficult to understand completely.
Oh wow, that sounds like a tough situation all round! Glad that you've found some success with the eDrums, but I guess you can only do so much with those kinds of rooms. I don't know if any of it will help with your specific situation, but I have a couple of videos about how to help optimize your kit and solve common issues with electronic drums - might be worth a look if you haven't already checked them out!
Thanks for this video. Just about to switch from my pro acoustic kit to a high end e kit for party band gigs, for the exact reasons you said. I’ve been nervous making the switch!
Thanks, I was starting to doubt if I should keep persevering with my eKit. I know you talk about tweaking the EQ because they can sound bad if not done correctly but, the biggest issue I come up against is other musicians, they seem to balk at the idea of a drummer with an eKit. It’s generally the stage mix they have issue with, they’re use to hearing acoustic drums blasting away in their ears. That said, I run the Alesis Strike Amp12 to give me a stage mix but they could also use an IEM system. Anyway, I will persevere with them because I love their flexibility, ability to mix and EQ, loud/soft, no mics (needed and the clutter that goes with them).
I make absolutely no difference about how I use my electronic and acoustic drums and I am a pro. At least if you have an e-kit of a certain category (in terms of prize range, etc.), you won't be disappointed at all in almost every situation. And yes, I am talking about using your e-kit as what it is (no hybrid). The key in this case is sound modelling. Of course, you have to be able to deal with that matter and to do so you should have a certain amount of experience and knowledge about how to create your own personalized sounds. According to my personal experiences sound engineers often have their own mind set about a certain sound setting and a bunch of other things. But at the end of the day it is the Instrumentalist who is the one who has to be pleased with his/her sound. This is a major factor in terms of ones performance because of the fact that as long as you will enjoy playing your intrument because of feeling pleased with your sound you will play totally different (way better). Thank you so much for your great video and all these informations! 👍🏼 Greetings from Germany 🙏🏼❤️
I grew up on acoustics for years, but as a kid I soon realized that my drums sounded NOTHING like the drums I was hearing on records and tapes. This was in the 70s, and there were no decent edrums in those days, if at all. Fast forward to 2006 and I discovered Roland edrums, (TD - 6V), I was amazed at how much they sounded like studio acoustics, the cymbals sounded like very expensive top branded cymbals. Well we've come a long way since then! I've had many different edrum kits and I love them. I'll NEVER go back to playing what I call "Tin cans" (acoustics - bang, smash, crash) Our local music store manager was telling me the other day that edrums make up 75% of drum sales now. Their massive acoustic drum section is just stagnating as the stock is just sitting, no one wants them anymore.
I've have used edrums at gigs many times and it has always been a pleasure. So many positives just like you mentioned but yes there are a few negatives. Looking forward to your next video to here your opinion.
Glad you've had good experiences with your electronics in a live capacity! I definitely don't think the next video will be convincing people to throw their kits in the bin, but there's definitely some less than perfect things that can pop up!
@@TheeDrumWorkshop- Right now I'm experimenting with triggers on a small acoustic kit, 16" bass drum and using real cymbals. The band and I are really having a tough time deciding which we like better. I'm torn between the two, both have great arguments to be the top option.
Ahh, so it's a toss-up between full e-kit and a little hybrid kit? That's definitely a tough call, they're both going to have their pros and cons. Electronic cymbals are still the weakest point on the kits, in my opinion, so whenever I get chance to go out with my acoustics, it really makes me yearn for better e-cymbals. It's awesome that you're able to give it all a go before committing to one option though!
@@TheeDrumWorkshop -Fortunately I have the tools to do both. Running a td25 through SD, it triggers the software phenomenally, for rehearsals and a tm6 for the little hybrid. I agree 100% about e-cymbals though they do hold most of the negatives of edrums for me. It's not that I wouldn't use them because I do but it's like you say I'd rather use real ones if given the choice. Although, I haven't tried rolands digital ride yet so maybe that's a game changer...
I rarely use VSTs with my kit at the moment, definitely need to dive into it. Want to have a proper go with a TM-6 too, it's based on the TD-50's hardware as far as I can tell so should be pretty intuitive. The digital ride is great, but I feel like you can get by pretty easily without it, especially with ATV's ride being as good as it is. We need an evolution in hi-hats to really up the cymbal game!
If a small/medium size venue and they don't have a pretty damn good PA, then that's gotta be consideration #1. If the PA can't make them big and punchy, then you need the acoustic set stage spill boosting the transients.
I'm going to come up for a concert and I'm going to use a command drum I appreciate your information I feel more safe and more better now I think I'm the first one in this area that will be performing with electric drum wow it's going to be a task but I'm going to be there
Question of electronic drums live on stage is easy when you ask it like: Should you use an electric GUITAR live on stage. Of course. But like all powered intruments, it needs to be durable and mixed for the room.
I've used several brands of eKits in church settings over the past 5 years. The only issues I've ever had with sound were when we either didn't get to rehearse much or I could control my spot in the house mix. I'm in the market for a new eKit and plan on only using them live going forward.
Glad that's been your experience! Unfortunately it seems many people aren't so lucky, whether that's down to the PA they're using, their own experience (or lack of) in making things sound good or some other variables. What kit/kits do you have your eye on?
The eDrum Workshop I agree and look forward to test driving both the SE and the Roland VAD306. I’m actually a big Yamaha fan but disappointed that they have not launched any new eKits/DTX innovations in quite a while.
Nice! Yeah, I agree - it's a real shame that they seem to have just dropped off from full eDrums products other than rehashes of their old kits. Doesn't appear they have much faith in it any more other than hybrid stuff, I guess.
Thanks... erm, can't see your name anywhere... thanks Mr eDrum Workshop! # ;) That is a really useful video. I'm early 50s but newish to drumming (3 years; started lessons just as a try out but got hooked a year or two in once it all started to come together) and just going through Open Mic Night stage toward small gigs with a couple of bands. I've a decent Roland electro kit at home and the cymbals for rehearsal rooms but no 'going out' kit. I'd been tending to presume I'd have to go for an acoustic kit if/when reaching the gig point for that but thought I'd look into electro options. Of course it's lovely to hit metal, and I use one in lessons, but I am more comfortable on my own kit - which is a point you mention but one I'd somehow not quite had occur to me before. The other benefits of volume control, sound control, variety, tuning (I've never done that yet), footprint, mics and maintenance costs all good and relevant points for me too. Sounds like I need to go and do some window shopping for a second electro kit! (save taking the home one down and up - I play every day so if I can save half of the down/ups on that, great). Have you any recommendations about electro kits for gigging, particularly any which stand out for portability? The only thing I've come across so far that's designed with portability in mind is the "Roland TD-1KPX2 V-Drums Portable Electronic Drum Kit" (www.roland.com/uk/products/td-1kpx2/) but I've not done any serious window shopping yet. I'd lose the 'real' stand re: high hat there - but the easy portability aspect would be a massive plus point. As well as gigging, that portability would open up easy rehearsals round band-mates houses. It is a grand, but with those positives, that could be swingable with my financial comptroller (i.e., wife)! However, I will watch you 'electro kit downsides' video too. Thanks! Gordon Panther, Milton Keynes.
Thank you for making this video... and your other one... why not to use E drums... I recently moved into a place where I am not going to be able to use my acoustic kit for practice and need to know whether or not I should drop a lot of money on an E-Kit or not.... If I can use them live or not is a big determining factor and this video helps a lot in that decision!
Yeah, it's a trick that's been used on acoustic kits for waaaay longer than the average person thinks. Not exactly a total "secret", but certainly not something that's talked about as much as it probably should!
While I do like both , playing live I gotta use real high hats even the best e hats don’t fully capture the articulations while a good ekit can certainly work in a cover band but recording or presenting an original band real is always better
Truthfully my little brother got a set from sears of all places but was one of the early ones in the 80's then we moved from them to the Alesis module still using the older pads, which still worked good. The latest modules I have been using is a Yamaha and I liked it because of the huge library of voices. Now I am using a Simmons 600 kit blended with the sounds of a Yamaha module for timbali's, conga's and whatever else we need. The Simmons kit is 6 piece and with another four pads for exotic sounds. Great sounding and versatile. @@TheeDrumWorkshop
@@TheeDrumWorkshop we used a set of sabian hi hats with a sm 57 and a couple crash and a 20'' ride. I liked the sound of live cymbals as you could feather them better. We are going to do some Elvis material but my problem is finding a versatile drummer for it.Not many around that can do it like it needs to be.
From stadiums (bands like Garbage and Queensryche TD50) to most all local club e drummers it seems like the volume is always to low on the e drums. Something just doesn't translate through the mics to the audience. Recording and in ear mixes sound great but in a medium to stadium venue something seems lost. For a tiny club they are a great tool but if you ever see an e drummer then an acousitc right after it's just not the same I think.
I gig my td50, great kit but the worst part of playing live is the hihat, I use a vh11, I find the edge triggers easily when im using the tip and play slightly to the edge, the hihat is the most expressive part for me even when I change my technique for electronic hihats I still feel they don't perform well.
I feel you! The hi-hat samples are weirdly the weakest part of the TD-50, and pretty much all electronic hi-hat pads aren't up to the task of recreating even half of what acoustic ones can achieve. It's a real shame and I wish they'd invested in digital hi-hat technology before they went with the ride or possibly even the snare. The digital pads are a joy to play, so it makes the gulf between the ride and standard e-cymbals even more obvious!
Yeah, when I played at parties in the early 2000s it would have been so much better with an e-kit. At that time in my life I was so against electric drums, being that I was an '80s kid and the sounds back then affected me like someone possessed getting a crucifix to the forehead. I hated '80s e-drum sounds and was not up to date on the latest achievements in the tech of e-drums. Had I simply kept an open mind and followed the progression, I would have owned a e-drum set earlier. I would have no problem breaking the tradition and playing a full e-kit on stage, though currently not in a band. Now, of course, the sound availability is endless.
Love the channel thanks. Opinion question for you. I am in a actively gigging, 3-piece rock cover band playing exclusively acoustic drums but I am planning on purchasing a edrum kit (TD50K2 most likely) Thoughts on if you think it'll work well, thoughts on that kit for this purpose?
Hi Luke, really enjoy your videos and your expertise. I am super interested to shift from my acoustic to my TD-30 and setup. Still too many questions (probably way too beginner like to be suitable for here), such as : speaker setup, the entire connecting topic inkl. cabling, usage of line mixer etc. Is there any chance to write to you perhaps ? What you are addressing is so super valuable. Thanks much. I´d more than appreciate response and opportunity for exchange and advice. Cheers, Rico
I use a Roland TD30 as interface, with SD3. The direct outs would be an excellent solution to allow our sound guy to assign individual channels in the main mixing console. But, I am not getting a signal from the direct outs. Anythoughts?
Have you made a video going over the pieces of your kit? It seems like you have pieced it together from different pads and perhaps rewrapped them to make it consistent? Why did you go this route instead of buying a converted acoustic kit from a company?
I've not made a proper kit breakdown video explaining why I've picked each component, no. I did do a basic run down of my setup in the "Acoustic vs Electronic Drums" video I did - it's not completely up to date but it's got most of what I use now in it. I didn't buy a converted kit from a company because I've sort of pieced the kit together over time as and when I've needed upgrades/something in particular and I like testing different things out rather than buying something all at once. I wouldn't be completely averse to doing so but my approach has suited my own style and needs so far! I might look into doing a proper breakdown video at some point, I've just noticed that when a lot of other channels I've watched have done this, they've performed reasonably poorly so I'd like to make sure I could make it interesting enough for plenty of people to enjoy or take something from it. Cheers!
I just moved up from my Roland TD1 straight to the TD-50X and I’m using about a 15 year old PM-1 amp. Would you suggest getting the PM 200 to replace it? I’m doing my first live gig in 3 weeks.
We have an electric drums at church and it doesnt sound the way it should. Whenever we are playing with other instrument the sound of the electric drums in the PA decreases its output sound and when it is played alone it will sound loud on it own. What is the possible problem of our set up. Thank you in advance for those who will answer. God bless
I'm going in next month and taking the electronic kit to the first gig. I do use real hi-hats though...they are still too unreliable in my opinion, and nothing grates my nerves more than a "jumpy" hh.
My drummer has a TD11 we use live. Is there a way to send each drum individually to the FOH console? I've searched all over for some sort of splitter, but have found nothing. You seem like the guy with the answers! :) Please advise and thank you!
Hey! Unfortunately not with a TD-11 module, no. It only has a stereo output, as far as I'm aware. You would need to go up in the price ranges to get individual outputs (with Roland, that'd be a TD-30 or TD-50) or grouped outputs (the TD-27 has 4 outputs, for example.)
Hey. Thanks! To be honest, I always used to run either the Master L&R outputs or sometimes just the Master L (which sums everything to mono) with my band when playing my TD-50 live. We did our own sound though, so I could balance anything on the module if I wanted. If you really need some separate outputs, the simplest would be to swap the Master Out mode to "Direct" and then route one output for the kick, one for the snare, one for the toms and one for the cymbals. A lot of venues use their PA in mono, so there isn't a lot of need to retain the stereo field. If you really wanted to keep it in stereo, I'd go for 1 - kick, 2 - snare, 3+4 paired with the toms and cymbals.
Depends exactly what you mean by "live". The kits on the store have all been made to work in a live setting, if that's what you mean, as long as you turn down the ambience knob. You might need to tweak volumes depending on the PA but they're well-levelled to sit in a mix. If you mean ones that sound like a live kit, the best way to judge that would be to listen to the demo videos :) All the kits I have up have videos on the channel!
Just realised which video this comment was on, so you probably meant the first one haha! So yes, the TD-17 kits should all sound good live as long as you take the ambience mostly off for them. The HUGE & HEAVY collection has 2 versions of each kit and I recommend using the "studio" versions when playing live (despite that sounding the wrong way round) because they have the least ambience. Same with some of the Famous Vol. 1 kits. You want to keep things "dry" where possible. Hope that helps!
And who wants to lug all that shit around too? I won't say never, but I'd be surprised if I ever owned another acoustic kit. I'm down to a an octapad and a handsonic, with two pedals. My lead guitar uses a helix and goes direct too. Works great.