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Carlsbro CSD25M 7 Piece Mesh Head Electronic Drum Kit
First up in this list of the best electronic drum kits for beginners is the CSD25M from Carlsbro. This drum kit has tension-adjustable mesh heads, which provide a realistic drum feeling when compared to other kits with solid rubber heads. There are 22 preset drum kits to choose from on the user-friendly module, making it easy to change the sound of the kit.
If you don’t want to use any of the preset kits, there are 10 user-defined drum kits with 320 percussion voices, giving you the ability to save up to 10 different selections of various drum sounds to suit your preference.
An adjustable metronome is built into this kit, which can be changed between 30-250BPM (beats per minute), making it easier to keep in time when practising. There are headphone outputs for silent practice, as well as MIDI outputs to use the kit in a studio environment.
Key Features
- Mesh heads that can be adjusted in tension for a realistic acoustic drum kit feeling
- 22 preset drum kits, 10 user-defined kits and 320 high-quality percussion voices
- Two headphone outputs – perfect for silent practice when playing with a drum teacher
- Adjustable metronome that makes it easier to stay in time when practising at any speed
- Fully adjustable frame that suits different player heights and left or right-handed drummers
Pros
- Fully adjustable frame that suits left or right-handed players
- Mesh heads that can be adjusted in tension for a realistic drum feel
- USB, headphone, AUX and MIDI outputs to use in various settings
Cons
- The frame is not foldable
Carlsbro CSD100 R Electronic Drum Kit
The next electronic beginner drum set in this selection is the CSD100R, which is a 7-piece kit with sticks included. This drum kit has a record/playback function, which you can use to record your playing in real-time and listen back to it in order to identify any areas of improvement in your playing.
There are 108 percussion voices provided on the module in this kit, which can be saved to two user-defined kits for a custom drum sound. There are also 10 preset drum kits for quick and convenient access, and the adjustable metronome makes it easy to keep in time when playing along with the 10 built-in demo songs.
An AUX input is used on this kit, which you can use to connect your phone and play along to backing tracks. There is also a headphone output for silent practice, as well as a line output to connect it to a suitable speaker or amplifier for louder playback. This kit is compact in size, and is ideal for beginner players of any age at home.
Key Features
- 7-piece kit with a compact, adjustable frame that is perfect for bedrooms
- Record/playback function that you can use to listen back to your playing
- Headphone, AUX, and MIDI out connections to use in bedrooms, studios, and live settings
- Two user-defined kits with 108 percussion voices, as well as 10 preset built-in drum kits
- Adjustable metronome and 10 built-in demo songs that make it easier to keep in time
Pros
- Compact and adjustable frame that is ideal for placement in bedrooms
- Adjustable metronome and demo songs to keep in-time easier
- Headphone, AUX and MIDI out connections for various scenarios
Cons
- The heads are not mesh, making the kit louder when striking
Carlsbro CSD130 R Electronic Drum Kit
The Carlsbro CSD130R electronic drum kit is next on this list, which is an 8-piece set with a foldable frame for space-efficient storage. This drum kit provides headphone, AUX, line-out, MIDI, and USB connections, making it ideal for bedroom practice, live performances, and recording in studios.
Perfect for beginners, the CSD130R electronic drum kit features 250 high-quality percussion voices that can each be applied to the drum pads and saved to 10 user-defined drum kit slots. There are also 20 preset drum kit sounds that can be accessed easily through the Digiton display module.
20 demonstration songs are provided on this kit, giving you a user-friendly way to start learning how to play the drums. There is also an adjustable metronome to keep in time easier, with a recording/playback function that you can use to listen back to your playing.
Key Features
- Compact and foldable frame that is space-efficient in storage and suitable for bedrooms
- AUX, line-out, headphone, MIDI and USB connections for bedroom, studio, and live performance settings
- 250 high-quality percussion voices with 10 user-defined drum kits and 20 preset drum kits
- 20 built-in demonstration songs and an adjustable metronome to keep in-time easier when practising
- Adjustable sensitivity, crosstalk and trigger curve settings to tailor the kit to your exact preference
Pros
- Collapsible frame to save space when the kit is not being used
- Demonstration songs and adjustable metronome for simple practising
- AUX, line-out, MIDI and headphone connections for different settings
Cons
- The tom pads are only single zone for standard drum hits
Carlsbro CSD400 Mesh Electronic Drum Kit
Another mesh head kit – the CSD400 is an 8-piece electronic beginner drum kit that is also perfect for experienced drummers. The mesh heads provide a realistic acoustic feel and are much quieter when struck than solid rubber pads. A fully adjustable frame is used for players of different heights, and it is also foldable for space-efficient storage.
All of the tom pads and the snare pad in this kit have a dual-zone design, allowing you to play rim shots for a dynamic drum performance. The cymbals are also dual-zone for bell hits, with a choke design that allows you to hold each cymbal after striking them to mute the sound – much like a standard metal cymbal.
358 high-quality percussion voices are provided, which can each be saved to 12 custom drum kits for a customised drum sound. There are also 29 built-in preset drum kits, with an adjustable metronome and demo songs once again provided to keep in-time easier when learning how to play.
Key Features
- Adjustable mesh heads for a realistic acoustic feeling and less noise when striking the pads
- Dual-zone snare and tom pads to perform rim shots for a dynamic drum performance
- 358 high-quality percussion sounds with 29 preset drum kits and 12 user-defined drum kits
- MIDI in/out, line in/out, USB, AUX and headphone connections for live, studio or home environments
- Supports double bass pedal, ideal for heavy music genres like rock and metal
Pros
- The mesh drum heads are much quieter than solid rubber pads
- Dual-zone tom and snare pads for rim shots and standard drum hits
- Double bass support for heavy music genres like metal and rock
Cons
- Larger size that may not be suitable for smaller rooms
Carlsbro Rock50 Childrens Electronic Drum Set
The final starter electronic drum kit on this list is the Rock50 by Carlsbro, which is designed for kids due to its small size and simple-to-use controls. It is a 3-piece kit with a snare, tom, cymbal pad, and kick pedal. The frame has a tripod design, which can be adjusted in height to suit the preference of different children.
108 percussion voices are available on this children’s electronic drum kit, with 10 preset drum kits that can be selected using the plus and minus buttons on the user-friendly module. There is a ‘stay in time’ button on the module that activates the metronome, which can then be adjusted in beats per minute using the plus/minus buttons.
Headphones can be used with this drum kit, as well as drum monitors thanks to the line output connection. There are 10 demonstration songs that make it easier to learn how to play, as well as a record/playback function so that you can listen back to your playing.
Key Features
- Three-piece compact drum kit for kids, with a foldable and height-adjustable tripod frame
- 108 drum sounds with 10 preset kits that can be easily selected using the module
- 10 demonstration songs and an adjustable metronome that makes it easier to keep in time
- Headphone and line outputs to practice with a speaker or headphones for silent or loud playback
- Record/playback function to listen back to your playing and identify areas of improvement
Pros
- Compact and foldable tripod frame with a height-adjustable design
- 10 preset drum kits that can be easily selected with the module
- Headphone and line output for quiet or loud playback with speakers
Cons
- Too small for adults
Summary
There are a wide variety of electronic drum kits available, and each of them provides advantages that will be better for different people. Within the above selection of the best electronic drum kits for beginners, there are options that are ideal for kids, complete beginners, and even drummers with some experience.
Ranging from a simple 3-piece kit to a full 8-piece drum set, the variety in electronic drum kits can be quite overwhelming for new drummers. The wide selection of drum sounds that can be programmed with each kit makes them all suitable for a wide range of music genres, and the ability to save a custom selection of drum percussion voices into a saved kit makes them extremely easy to customise.
With each kit providing a range of outputs such as headphone, line-out, MIDI and USB, these beginner electronic drum kits are perfect for home practice, live performances, and even studio recording. The ability to use headphones or active drum monitor speakers with these kits makes them suitable for quiet practice and louder playback of the kits, which is ideal if you have a drum teacher that needs to hear your playing.
Overall, electronic drum kits are much quieter to use than standard acoustic kits, and they are much easier to use due to the custom drum sounds, built-in metronomes, demonstration songs, and record/playback functionality. These factors make them perfect for beginners, and also for seasoned drummers who want a kit at home to practice with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electronic drums sound like real drums?
Yes, electronic drum kits replicate the sound of a real acoustic drum kit extremely well, especially the higher-end kits that have dynamic pads, as the velocity of a stick hitting the pad will affect how loud the drum sound being produced is. There are a wide selection of drum sounds built into each electronic drum kit, which makes the sound easy to customise to closely replicate the sound of an authentic acoustic kit.
How many days a week should I practice drums?
Every day, if possible! Even if it’s only a 15- to 20-minute session each day, you will find that daily practice will result in quicker learning, rather than two or three longer sessions per week. This is largely due to the time-frame between each practice session, as your memory of what you practiced the day before will be fresher in your mind. You will also find that long practice sessions could result in tiredness, making it more frustrating than rewarding when learning how to play.
Which electric drum set is the best?
For complete novices, a simple 5-piece electronic drum kit will be a fantastic option, as it offers high functionality, a wide range of sound selections, and the full drum kit size that will also be great when you have more experience. You should factor a few things when looking for your first electronic drum kit, such as the space you have available, whether you would prefer to play right- or left-handed, and how many cymbals you will want to utilise.
How long do electronic drums last?
As long as you aren’t hitting the drums harder than normal (which would need to be very hard), electronic drums can last for years. Electronic drum kits with mesh heads also provide the advantage of replaceable drum heads if they get damaged. For all of the beginner electronic drum kits listed in this article, we offer a 2-year extended warranty, freeing your mind of any issues.
Is learning drums harder than guitar?
This will largely depend on each individual, as there are easier and harder aspects of learning to play both drums and guitar. For example, learning to play the drums will require your hand and feet coordination to be extremely tight, especially if you want to play complex rhythms while staying perfectly in time. Some chords are very easy to learn on a guitar, but techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs, pinch harmonics and tremolo picking can take months of constant practice to master. Overall, drums and guitar are both hard to learn, and require years of refining your technique to get to a professional level of playing.
Can I use regular drumsticks for electronic drums?
Yes, the drumsticks you use for electronic drum kits are exactly the same as the ones you would use for acoustic kits. If anything, drumsticks will last longer on an electronic drum kit, especially one with mesh heads, as the material is a lot softer than the metal and wooden frames of acoustic kits, which you will accidentally and frequently strike with your sticks.
Do electronic drums need an amp?
All electronic drum sets will need a dedicated drum amplifier or a suitable active speaker for the sound to be played out loud. Headphones can also be used, but any active speaker with a 6.3mm Jack line-in connection will be suitable. Drum monitors are designed to replicate bass, mid and treble sounds perfectly to capture the full sound of a drum kit, and they are usually angled upwards when placed on the floor so that you can easily hear yourself when drumming.
Popularity Of Electronic Drums
Electric drum sets have become an extremely popular choice for new players, with many people searching for the best electronic drum set for beginners. Truth be told, any electronic drum kit is a great choice for a beginner, although there are some options that are a lot simpler to use, making them less overwhelming for newcomers. Electronic drum kits have also started to be used frequently in live scenarios, especially in smaller venues.
Electronic drum kits can be connected directly to a speaker setup, as opposed to acoustic kits that will need to have multiple microphones connected to the kit, and then used with a PA system to be heard in live music venues. This makes electronic drum kits extremely useful in small venues and rehearsal rooms, as the total equipment you need will be less.
Another great advantage of electronic drum kits is their overall size and weight. They are much more compact and lightweight than a full acoustic drum kit, which makes them both easier to transport and more space-efficient when in storage. The majority of beginner electronic drum kits have a foldable frame, which allows for quick assembly and disassembly times.
There is a lot of discussion about whether acoustic or electronic drum kits are better, and the simple answer is – they are both great for their own reasons. One disadvantage of electronic kits is that they usually cannot be combined with pads and modules from other brands or models, so they cannot be customised as much as acoustic kits. This being said, you can change the drum sound of each individual pad in an electronic kit, adding a quick and easy way to customise the sound of the kit as a whole to suit different genres.
Learning to play
As with anything, starting to learn how to play the drums is quite an overwhelming concept. There are so many different factors that go into playing the drums – such as rhythm, time signatures, stick techniques, fills, tempo changes, and kick patterns, for example. Understandably, a lot of beginners don’t know exactly where to start when learning to play.
The first thing you should focus on is your hand and feet coordination. Start with a simple 4/4 time signature at a slow BPM (beats per minute) using a metronome, which all electronic drum kits have built-in. Then count in fours, adding a kick drum beat on every first count. With your right hand, add a hi-hat or other cymbal hit on every single count. Then, hit the snare drum on every third count. The result will be a standard half-time drum beat, which is the perfect starting point for any player.
Once you have practiced this for a while, you can start adding other drum hits into the off-beats (counting as one-and-two-and… instead of one-two-three-four.) For example, you could add a tom drum to one of the ‘and’ counts. You could also switch the cymbal that you hit for every count – for example, adding a crash hit instead of a hi-hat on the first count of each bar.
It takes a long time to get comfortable with simple drum beats if you have no prior experience, but it is extremely rewarding once you have a few different beats mastered. Once you do, you are then able to focus on specific techniques, like ghost notes, double kicks, blast beats, rim shots, bell hits, and fills. Take it step-by-step, a day at a time, and you will see improvements quickly.
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