When you purchase a set of acoustic drums you know that the only other thing you need is a set of sticks and you can get to playing, but an electronic drum set has a few extra accessories that you need to pick up before you can get going.
You may already know that you can use a set of headphones…I mean, that’s part of the appeal of e-drums. But will you need an amp for your electronic drum kit?
For practicing, you don’t need an amp for electronic drums since you can plug in a set of headphones to hear yourself play. If you are playing for an audience, then you will need an amp or speakers so they can hear you play.
Some players also just want to practice their strokes or build up endurance, so they find practicing without headphones or amplification a good way to go. This is an excellent way to get your hand/eye coordination dialed in without worrying too much about the sound of the drums…you can just focus on getting accurate hits.
But, for the most part, you’re going to want to hear the drums. You’ll have a few options for this…an amp being one of them!
Do You Need a Specific Amp for Electronic Drums?
For the best sound, you will want an amp designed for electronic drums. E-drum amps are designed to amplify the vast array of sounds that electronic drums produce, from the low end for the kick drum to highs for cymbals. An e-drum amp will also let you blend better when playing with a band.
When it comes to amps, you have two broad options…a large amp for playing in front of an audience or a smaller, personal amp (aka, a monitor.) And for some concerts, you will want both.
Having this smaller amp will be handy for when you want to practice without headphones or are playing in a smaller venue where a huge, powerful monitor would be overkill. When playing live, the monitor will let you hear yourself play so you can focus on staying in time and listen out for any sound issues that may pop up.
Luckily, many manufacturers make the main amp and smaller monitor that is designed to work together…Simmons and Alesis, being two such brands.
Small Amps Versus Large Amps for Electronic Drums
Choosing between a large amp and a smaller amp for electronic drums or any other musical instrument depends on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of when you might opt for one over the other:
Venue Size
- Large Amp: If you’re playing in a larger venue, such as a big concert hall, outdoor festival, or any space with a large audience capacity, you’ll need a larger amp to ensure that the sound reaches everyone clearly.
- Smaller Amp: For more intimate settings like small bars, coffeehouses, or home practice, a smaller amp should suffice.
Sound Volume and Clarity
- Large Amp: Bigger amplifiers can produce louder volumes without distorting the sound. If you’re playing with a full band where other instruments (like electric guitars or bass) are loud, a more powerful amp can help your drums stand out.
- Smaller Amp: For solo performances, acoustic setups, or settings where volume isn’t a primary concern, a smaller amp will work well.
Portability
- Large Amp: Heavier and bulkier, large amps can be a challenge to transport. If you’re on tour or moving between venues frequently, you’ll need to consider logistics and potentially additional help or equipment to move them.
- Smaller Amp: Ideal for musicians on the go, smaller amps are more portable and easier to set up. They’re great for quick gigs, street performances, or practices.
Tonal Range and Sound Quality
- Large Amp: Typically, larger amps offer a broader tonal range, especially in the lower frequencies. They can provide a fuller, richer sound, making them suitable for professional performances.
- Smaller Amp: While some high-quality small amps can produce excellent sound, they might not have the depth and richness of bigger counterparts. They’re often suitable for practice or smaller gigs.
Budget
- Large Amp: Generally more expensive due to their power and range.
- Smaller Amp: More budget-friendly and can offer good value for beginners or those not needing high volume.
Features and Flexibility
- Large Amp: Often come with a range of features like multiple channels, built-in effects, and extensive EQ options.
- Smaller Amp: Might have limited features but can be simpler and more straightforward to use.
Purpose
- Large Amp: If you’re recording in a studio or performing live frequently, investing in a larger amp can be beneficial for sound quality.
- Smaller Amp: For practice, casual jamming sessions, or teaching, a smaller amp is often more than adequate.
What are Some Ways to Amplify Electronic Drums?
Electronic drums, unlike their acoustic counterparts, generate sound electronically and require amplification to be heard properly, especially in live or band settings. Amplifying electronic drums is essential to convey the full tonal range and dynamics that the drummer intends. Below are some effective ways to amplify electronic drums:
- Electronic Drum Amplifiers: These are specialized amplifiers made specifically for electronic drums. They are designed to handle the wide frequency range that electronic drums produce, from the deep bass of a kick drum to the sharp treble of a cymbal. These amplifiers often come with EQ settings that cater to drum sounds, allowing the drummer to fine-tune the output for the best possible sound.
- PA Systems: For larger venues or when playing with a band, running the electronic drums through a Public Address (PA) system is often the best choice. This involves connecting the drum module’s outputs to the PA mixer, which then sends the sound through the PA speakers. This ensures that the drum sound is evenly distributed throughout the venue and can be heard clearly over other instruments.
- Headphones and In-Ear Monitors: For personal practice or in studio settings, drummers often use headphones. This allows them to hear every nuance of their playing without disturbing others. In live settings, in-ear monitors can be used. They not only provide the drummer with a clear mix of their drums but also allow them to hear other instruments and vocals, ensuring tight synchronization with the band.
- Subwoofers: Given that drums, especially the kick, can produce low-frequency sounds, adding a subwoofer can enhance the depth and punch of the sound. When combined with electronic drum amplifiers or PA systems, subwoofers ensure that the bass frequencies are fully represented.
- Direct Input (DI) Boxes: If there’s a need to run long cables from the drum module to a PA system or recording interface, using a DI box is advisable. It balances the signal and reduces noise interference, ensuring that the sound remains clear and strong over distance.
- Sound Processors and Effects: To add more depth, reverb, or other effects to the electronic drum sound, external sound processors can be employed. These devices can shape the sound, add ambiance, or introduce other sonic characteristics to make the drums stand out or blend better in a mix.
- Powered Monitors: Powered monitors are built to reproduce sound as accurately as possible. They offer a flat frequency response, making them perfect for electronic drummers who want a true representation of their kit’s sound. This is especially crucial for drummers who use a wide range of samples and want to hear every nuance.
Can I Use A Guitar Amp For Electronic Drums?
You can use a guitar amp for electronic drums, but it isn’t recommended since guitar amps are designed for the mid to high frequencies that an electric guitar produces. Using a guitar amp on electronic drums will result in a dull sound and could break the amp more quickly than if used with a guitar.
Electronic drums are going to produce frequencies between 20hz and 20khz, which is much wider than what a guitar amp is designed to handle. You can tweak the settings of your electronic drum kit to avoid damaging a guitar amp, but you are going to be left with a very dull and uneven sound.
As an alternative, you could use an amp designed for a piano since a piano also produces a wide variety of low and high frequencies, but it is still not designed with the variety of sounds drums can make. Just think about how differently a bass drum sounds from a snare drum and how differently those sound from a hi-hat or suspended cymbals.
Can I Use Computer Speakers For Electronic Drums?
Computer speakers will work if you hook them up to your electronic drum kit. Depending on the brand and quality of the speakers, the sound should be fairly balanced. The volume might not be as loud as you’d like and you may get some distortion from the kick drum if you turn the volume up too loud.
Using computer speakers is one option to get sound out of your electronic drum set. Headphones or an e-drum amplifier are the best options for optimal sound but a 2.1 speaker setup can be a good alternative.
I say a 2.1 setup because the satellite speakers might distort when you play the kick drum…especially if you’ve turned the volume up too loud.
Speaking of volume, the biggest negative to using computer speakers is that you likely won’t get the volume that you want. Too loud and you get that distortion I mentioned above, too quiet and you might not be able to hear yourself over the sound of the sticks hitting the drum heads.
The volume certainly won’t be loud enough for performances and probably not loud enough for recording, though you can always tweak the volume in post-production…but that’s not a great way to record.
There’s also the money to consider. If you’re just using a set of speakers that you already have then the money isn’t a big deal, but if you’re looking to buy a good set of speakers then you may end up paying nearly what you would for an electronic drum kit amp. In this case, you’re probably better off just holding off and saving up a little more money ad get the amp…you’ll have a lot more flexibility.
Can I Just Hook Up To The Venues PA System?
Yes, and even if you are using an amp you will still hook into the venue’s PA system. This is so that the mixing engineer can control the overall volume of the group.
PA systems are great for “all-around” audio control, but still won’t be as nuanced as an electronic drum amp. Many drummers will use both…the PA system for the group sound and an amp for the drum sound.
An electronic drum amp is going to have various filters and effects, such as EQ, that will let you tweak the sound of your drums…PA systems don’t have this option.
In a lot of situations, e-drums are hooked up to both a PA system as well as an amp…and a personal monitor, usually. This will allow the mixing engineer to blend all the instruments together and keep the overall volume at a balanced volume.
The amp will give you more flexibility to control your sound that you can adjust as needed between songs.
Finally, the personal monitor will let you have a hear your self easier since you can control the volume and place it close to you. With a monitor, you can listen to make sure you are playing in time and if you need to adjust any settings (EQ, individual drum volume, etc.)
Can You Hear Electronic Drums Without Headphones Or Amps?
Electronic drums are designed to produce digital audio through speakers, PA systems, drum amp, or headphones. The only sound you will hear without any amplification is the sound of your sticks hitting the surface of the playing pads.
From a composer standpoint listening to e-drums without amplification has some cool sounds. The hard rubber and plasticky sound could be a cool, new way to incorporate rhythm into your music. But, the vast majority of the time you will want to run your e-drums through an amplifier or use headphones to hear the drum sounds.
Finding a full set of electronic drums with built-in speakers is difficult…I’m sure they exist, but since they are designed to be used as professional musical instruments, most of them require a separate audio system to produce sound.
A quick search brought up several drum pads with built-in speakers. While drum pads are pretty cool and fun to play around with, they aren’t really the same thing as a full set of electronic drums.
Final Thoughts
It’s funny. Acoustic drums can offer up a confusing set of choices when it comes to drum heads, kick pedals, cymbal sizes, auxiliary options….pretty much every aspect. E-drums comes in a complete set and you usually don’t deviate too much from what’s in the box, but you’re left with that same feeling of “overwhelming options” when it comes to amplifying your set.
For new drummers, stick with headphones…you’ll be able to hear yourself play without driving the rest of the house crazy. Your next step would be to get a good monitor and after that an amp. Once you get to a professional level you might want to look into getting a full PA setup for yourself (this is different from the venue PA I mentioned above)…this will cost some big money though!
A personal PA setup will consist of powered speakers and a subwoofer that is run to a more board. You’ll hook your electronic drums up to that mixer so that you can control the drums from the module and the volume from the mixer (and usually some combo of the two, depending on your setup.)
Bottom line, don’t get overwhelmed. If you have your electronic drums and only have access to a guitar amp then that is fine to practice on…you can get a lot of good out of that setup!