Electronic drum kits

Introducing our electronic drum kits range

Chamberlain Music has a range of digital electronic drum kits from Alesis, Carlsbro, Roland and Yamaha. We offer options to suit all budgets and requirements, from beginner set-ups starting at 5-piece kits right through to professional level instruments.

A digital drum kit is also a great space saving and versatile option for schools and education institutions. Use their range of sounds for classroom practice, student bands or school shows.

An electronic drum kit is typically made up of a series of pads which act as triggers for sound samples of the drums and cymbals found on a normal acoustic drum kit. Striking the pads with drumsticks transmits electronic signals to the drum module or “brain” which then generates the relevant drum or cymbal sound.

The pads themselves can be made of various materials, the most popular being either rubber or mesh. The rubber pads typically respond in a similar manner to a drummer’s practice pad, making the move from acoustic to digital playing. Mesh heads on the other hand can produce more of a bounce-back effect from the sticks, which is intended to replicate the acoustic drumming experience more accurately.

Features include:
Quiet practice – takes away the acoustic resonance of traditional drum kits
Range of sounds available, change your kit from stadium rock to fusion jazz at the click of a button
Headphone socket to keep your beats private while you perfect them
Easier to transport than acoustic drums
Accurate home recording and digital connectivity
Enhance your experience with monitor speakers, headphones and choice of drum sticks

About digital electronic drum kits

The first electronic drums came were developed in the 1970s, but for many people these instruments are most are iconic of 1980s pop/rock, synth-pop and progressive rock groups including Michael Jackson, Duran Duran, Genesis (Phil Collins) and Rush. These instruments did not have the same capacity for high quality acoustic drum samples as instruments available today, but instead had their own voice characteristics which are still used in contemporary music production. It is fair to say that what is marketed as a beginner or entry-level drum kit today has more facilities onboard than the best digital kit money could buy in 80’s!

More recently, with the advancements in technology it is possible to not only replicate a huge range of sounds to accurately represent a wide range of drum kits and percussion instruments but also more advanced drumming techniques. You can now perform rim and cross shots on drums as well as multiple “zones” on the cymbal pads which allows for edge, bow and bell strikes, choking effects and realistic sounding cymbal swells.