Is the acoustic kit dying?

Never! V Kits are good for practicing if volume and surroundings are an issue.. or if you want to bang out a really fast demo of a tune that sounds half decent.. but playing live with them is usually a big disappointment. Outside of the sound cone or enveloppe created by the FOH speakers, the e-kit sound drops off - it has no presence; unlike an acoustic kit that you can feel and here at the back of the room... and then there is the 'fake, canned, never-changing, sound samples that always sound identical. Unlike acoustic drums that give you a wide range of sounds and expression.. even the best e-kits (that claim to mimic real drums) still sound like On and Off to me.. I can usually identify an e-kit sound from an acoustic played kit in a matter of seconds.. and to me they always suck..If anything acoustic drums will continue to get better and better.. and they will always be the tool of choice.
There's my unbiased opinion Lol..
 
What I don't get is....A drums can be played whisper quiet. I do it on a regular basis. If a drummer can't play quiet enough on an A kit...that is a reflection on the drummer.

Have to agree. I've never used a V-kit for volume considerations, except where it was provided by the venue (the casino I mentioned before) because they've encountered too many drummers who can't play quietly enough. I am rarely accused of playing too loud, and I never resort to rods as a volume solution (they're actually pretty loud anyway.)

But from a purely logistical standpoint, acoustics are easier for everyone to deal with vs a quality V-kit. Transporting and setting up and amplifying and monitoring a V-kit is a real pain by comparison. I can't imagine me choosing a V-kit over acoustics, except where I need its sound advantages, which has happened a few times, but only in the studio.

Bermuda
 
Always slightly irritated that threads like this deteriorate into a complete sledge on anyone who plays E Drums, along with the E Drums themselves....not necessarily directed at you Larry, just a casual observation

I can understand your irritation if you like something and someone like me for instance kind of berates it. But I hate E drums! I can't help it! I don't like the way they look or sound or feel. The goal here is to be able to disagree without feelings being hurt. I'm sure there are things that I like that you detest. Cool! I don't hate on you because you're OK with E drums, I respect you because you defend them. I don't want to see them go away, but I just don't want to hear or play them lol.

If I can't stand something, I am going to state such, in the appropriate place, as I just did, as you have a right to do if you don't like something I do. I can't not state a preference just because others like that preference. I'll never understand why people fight over a preference. Disagree yes, but fight? Not over that.

And while I am not knocking people per se for playing them, I will call into question peoples abilities. To me they are a separate thing.

IDK, to me it's kind of like me having a Ferrari and saying that I can't drive it slow. It goes slow just fine.

But they are just choices. I respect your choice for you. We are all on the same team. We might use different bats, but that's nothing to argue about. Not that you're arguing...you know what I mean. I like to hear different viewpoints. Lord knows I've had my mind changed a few times, cough cough TONY cough cough.
 
Completely innacurate I'm afraid.

Purely by way of an example, I have seen both Neal Peart and Alan White play live using E Drums, and countless videos of Bill Bruford doing so also.

I'm talking about a full kit, dude. Not pads and such for triggering, but a full Roland kit. We have something in Scandinavia called "danseband" or danceband that play these horrible tunes for musically challenged 50+ year old people. I can't stand listening to either the music or the ping-pong sound the drumkits make. A personal opinion, I guess, but it still detracts from the whole listening experience.

Poor Thaard, he has to do whatever his King says...He's very Medieval.
Be quiet peasant, or I'll hit you with my great axe.
 
You mic your kit for small restaurants? How loud do you guys play? Surely a small restaurant is easily filled by the sound of even the smallest kit.

We don't play loud -- usally the drums' volume thru the PA is just a bit louder than the drums themselves. Mics are used for the purposes of overall sound.
 
I'm talking about a full kit, dude. Not pads and such for triggering, but a full Roland kit. We have something in Scandinavia called "danseband" or danceband that play these horrible tunes for musically challenged 50+ year old people. I can't stand listening to either the music or the ping-pong sound the drumkits make. A personal opinion, I guess, but it still detracts from the whole listening experience.

Finnish dance bands are still using good old acoustics to play those golden oldies...
 
I enjoy playing my e-drums. I also benefit from practicing on them, at any dynamic level, any hour. The feel is reasonably realistic and play along/recording is a snap. I'm sure there are others who would agree with this.

Not a big technology guy, but on the other hand, I wouldn't totally ignore technology either.

Unfortunately, I'd feel like a loser playing them on a gig, and unless the gig strictly called for them it's not going to happen. I'd probably be kicking and screaming doing so...

Lastly, I wouldn't slander anyone for making their personal choice.
the three things I always ask before saying something; is it kind, is it true, is it necessary?
 
I dont enjoy the "joy" of tuning...I prefer E drums cause we can achieve any sound that u like as in the recorded stage...would rather bury the e pads under the accoustic heads and play..

just me.
 
We don't play loud -- usally the drums' volume thru the PA is just a bit louder than the drums themselves. Mics are used for the purposes of overall sound.

You must play very quietly my friend. I am 5ft 5" tall and weigh 58 kilo. I am not a big hitter but I can play a dance venue with a 5 piece band and not need to be mic'd up. Drums are loud instruments.
 
I can understand your irritation if you like something and someone like me for instance kind of berates it. But I hate E drums! I can't help it! I don't like the way they look or sound or feel. The goal here is to be able to disagree without feelings being hurt. I'm sure there are things that I like that you detest. Cool! I don't hate on you because you're OK with E drums, I respect you because you defend them. I don't want to see them go away, but I just don't want to hear or play them lol.

If I can't stand something, I am going to state such, in the appropriate place, as I just did, as you have a right to do if you don't like something I do. I can't not state a preference just because others like that preference. I'll never understand why people fight over a preference. Disagree yes, but fight? Not over that.

And while I am not knocking people per se for playing them, I will call into question peoples abilities. To me they are a separate thing.

IDK, to me it's kind of like me having a Ferrari and saying that I can't drive it slow. It goes slow just fine.

But they are just choices. I respect your choice for you. We are all on the same team. We might use different bats, but that's nothing to argue about. Not that you're arguing...you know what I mean. I like to hear different viewpoints. Lord knows I've had my mind changed a few times, cough cough TONY cough cough.

Absolutely no disrespect...and a lot of what you say I actually agree with.

I can't play drums quietly...totally agree that that's a flaw in MY capabilities. No doubt about it.

I would never EVER play live with them again (although I did for an early gig....worked out ok).....I love my Gretsch too much...and it looks TOO cool not to take out to play.

But for me...the virtuals have brought me back into the fold...no-way...no-way on earth that my better half would have consented with me having my full kit set up at home.

And for another reason I haven't mentioned.....my E-drums fold up, in 5 seconds....such that they take up a tiny portion of a tiny portion of our kitchen/dining area.

The bass drum on my Gretsch eats up a fair portion of Lancashire :)

My overwhelming point...it's just the all round practicality of them in terms of practice at home, which counts for me.

But would I rather play my Gretsch....hell yes....absolutely yes
 
Thanks man. I appreciate your response. I should state that for a practice kit at home, totally different story, and they are great for that, a godsend even. Live gigs are where I wish people would leave them at home lol.
 
I'm talking about a full kit, dude. Not pads and such for triggering, but a full Roland kit. We have something in Scandinavia called "danseband" or danceband that play these horrible tunes for musically challenged 50+ year old people. I can't stand listening to either the music or the ping-pong sound the drumkits make. A personal opinion, I guess, but it still detracts from the whole listening experience.


Be quiet peasant, or I'll hit you with my great axe.

E Drums do NOT make a 'ping pong' sound :) :) Although the music you are referring to might....and I actually think I also would hate it if it's as bad as you suggest.

They SOUND perfectly good...I don't think the actual sound samples, if anyone has listened to a decent E Kit, is something people can realistically criticise given that these days they are sound samples recorded from acoustic equipment anyway (rather than electrically created sound samples for want of a more technically sound expression).

It's another good advantage of them....that cymbal pad (which is otherwise AWFUL to use...to be honest) can be programmed, well on my kit it can, to produce the sound of over 250 different cymbal types. Not electronic version of the cymbals....but the ACTUAL cymbal sounds. Certainly useful if recording drum tracks for example.
 
E-drums are wonderful for practicing when you must keep quiet. Great invention !

Acoustic drums are the only way to go for every other situation. I don't like to gig with e-drums, because I can't create all of the different sounds and tones I get out of my acoustic drums.

.
 
E Drums do NOT make a 'ping pong' sound :) :) Although the music you are referring to might....and I actually think I also would hate it if it's as bad as you suggest.

They SOUND perfectly good...I don't think the actual sound samples, if anyone has listened to a decent E Kit, is something people can realistically criticise given that these days they are sound samples recorded from acoustic equipment anyway (rather than electrically created sound samples for want of a more technically sound expression).

It's another good advantage of them....that cymbal pad (which is otherwise AWFUL to use...to be honest) can be programmed, well on my kit it can, to produce the sound of over 250 different cymbal types. Not electronic version of the cymbals....but the ACTUAL cymbal sounds. Certainly useful if recording drum tracks for example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFJE83fGtA8
Here you go, enjoy.
Also, I'm talking about dudes that use Roland presets aka the stuff you get with the kit.
 
IDK, there are lots of TrapKat users doing live work. The same as malletkats and pankats. I recorded with my set-up because I was renovating the acoustic drums my guitarist has at his studio. To be able to change things in an instant, drum kits, percussion set-ups, ethnic and world sounds ... hard to beat. No mics. Balance and pan is done internally. To be able to play on eight toms in 40" rather than 108" is pretty convenient. Same with cymbals.

Set up and take down ... minutes.

The TK is not the norm when it comes to edrums. Just the same, if the sound sources had the same kind of cymbal choices I can get with acoustics I might just stay with the TK set-up and augment with some more pads. Of course, I hate the machine gunning. That is unnatural. I don't know if V-drums have tonal differences when the pads are struck in off-center places, like acoustic drums have, which makes them more realistic because that is what real drums have - variation. Same with cymbals, even when triple zone cymbal triggers are used.

They both have a place. People said the same thing when synthesizers came out. A slap in the face to pianos and organs and orchestras. Now, they use them everywhere and no one says a thing, albeit no one argues a real orchestra is an organic event that breathes differently than a keyboard player.
 
I'm not going to debate the pros and cons of e drums, but back to the original question, I'm trying to remember ever being in a venue where a drummer used an elctronic setup live instead of acoustic. I suppose it depends on where you go and what music you listen to, but I like to think of myself as well-rounded and I can only remember maybe twice in my life ever seeing someone play an e kit on a gig.
If there is an electronic wave gaining popularity, it would be the use of pads/triggers in addition to acoustic drums, and I've seen a few drummers with a Mac setup next to the hi-hat for sequences or whatever you call it.
 
I was an e-Kit only player from about 1999 til' 2011 - boy, what a mistake that was - lost time.

There's nothing like the power, experience and nuances of an acoustic set. I still use a Yamaha e-Kit at home with EZDrummer for practice and recording (audio and MIDI) for others, but for serious recording and playing with bands, I only use acoustics.
 
The acoustic kit is definitely not dying though. It seems there are more choices than ever. Which doesn't add up considering that opportunities to play the drums are on a decline for sure.
 
We went through this already with the tech revolution in music.

Does the instrument drive the music or does the music drive the instrument?

No way, no how within certain styles will the acoustic set be replaced by any electronic "equivalent".

In certain "pop" cultures where the music is manufactured, it already has.
 
Sounds like you have made a personal decision. It's your choice.

I don't care for electronic drums and have played a few sets.

Perhaps I worded my post incorrectly.

It's not MY choice at all...............in fact I hate the fact I have a close to $10,000 drum kit and I'm running it all through a $250 Roland Module!!

It's the venues who are making me do this!!
 
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