Molly Ayala
Electronic drum kits are a great way to practice drumming without the noise complaints of an acoustic kit. They are usually plug-and-play, with no mixing or editing required, and can be easily set up for recording. To add songs to your electronic drum kit, you will need an audio interface, such as a Behringer UCA222 or an iRig 2, which you can connect to your device. You can then listen to songs, record audio, and even film yourself playing along to the music. Additionally, you can adjust the volume balance between the music and your drumming by wearing headphones or adjusting the output settings. It's important to note that while electronic drum kits are quieter than acoustic kits, the vibration from the pedals can still transfer through walls and floors, so consider placing your kit on a carpet or mat to dampen the vibrations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electronic drum kit advantages | Quieter than acoustic kits, less space required, easy to set up, adjustable sound, plug and play, easy to record |
| Electronic drum kit considerations | May require additional purchases, potential for vibration noise, slight audio delay with Bluetooth |
| Drum playing tips | Start with a simple beat, use a metronome, have fun |
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What You'll Learn
Using headphones to play songs and drum along
Playing the drums along with your favourite songs is a great way to break up the monotony of practice sessions and have some fun. It is also an excellent way to reinforce what you have been learning. However, it is important to not let technique suffer when you start jamming along.
To play songs and drum along with headphones, you will need an electronic drum set, which usually has an input for headphones. You can plug your headphones into the drum set, and if you simply wish to hear your drumming, this should be enough. However, if you want to hear another audio track, such as a song you want to practice, you will need to get a little more inventive.
One option is to plug your music source into the drum module and adjust the levels. You can use the aux input for your headphones, plugging in a phone, CD player, or any audio device to hear the music. You can also use Bluetooth wireless transmitters, but this is not the best option due to latency issues. Wired headphones have the advantage of no time lag between you hitting a drum and hearing the sound.
If you want to play along with music, it is recommended that you select songs with specific passages or skills that you want to work on. You can also try playing to a song you might not usually choose, which is especially useful if you are training to be a professional drummer as you will need to be able to play styles you might not listen to for fun.
It is also a good idea to record yourself playing along to music so that you can watch it back and make any necessary adjustments to your playing technique and style.
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Adjusting the volume to balance music and drums
When adding songs to your electric drum setup, adjusting the volume to balance the music and drums is a crucial step to ensure an optimal listening and playing experience. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you achieve this balance:
First, it's important to understand that the volume balance will depend on your personal preferences and the musical genre you are playing along to. For example, in pop music, the lead vocal usually takes centre stage, while in hip-hop and techno, the kick drum drives the beat. Knowing the genre-specific conventions will help guide your volume adjustments. Additionally, if you're working with a client, ask them for reference tracks to understand their desired volume balance.
Next, when setting up your electric drum kit, try to match the volume levels of each component (snare, bass, toms, cymbals, etc.) to their acoustic counterparts as closely as possible. This will give you a better sense of playing dynamics, which is the relationship between the force of your strikes and the resulting volume. It's worth noting that with an acoustic kit, you can vary the volume of different components by striking them with varying force, but with an electronic kit, the volume balance between components is predetermined.
Now, let's delve into specific volume adjustments for each component of your electric drum kit:
- Kick Drum: The kick drum should be loud, but be cautious not to overpower the snare's transients or the lead instruments.
- Snare Drum: The snare drum is crucial and should be slightly higher in volume than the kick drum.
- Cymbals: Cymbals typically have a high volume level and are an important component of your kit.
- Toms: The volume of the toms is adjustable according to your preference. In a metal song, for instance, you might want to crank up the toms and the bass drum to emphasise the double kick.
- Hats: These are usually set at a lower volume compared to the other components.
Finally, some general tips for volume adjustment include:
- Avoid maxing out the volume on any component to prevent a muddy or distorted sound spectrum.
- Fine-tune the volume levels by recording and playing back your performance. If one component is drowning out the others, adjust its volume accordingly.
- Utilise volume and panning adjustments as your primary tools for creating a dynamic and balanced mix.
- Consider the headroom, which is the space between the peak audio signal and the maximum limit of the digital system, to prevent clipping and enhance the dynamic range of your setup.
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Using a metronome to develop muscle memory
Using a metronome is a great way to develop muscle memory when playing the drums. It is a tool that gives you a predictable and consistent speed, which helps train your first-person perception of rhythm as you learn to correct your flawed tendencies.
When you are playing without a metronome, you are playing your best perception of time from a first-person perspective. However, if you record yourself playing without a metronome and then listen back, you may hear problems in your time that you weren't aware of when playing. This is why recording and listening back to yourself is one of the most important things you can do to improve.
To use a metronome to develop muscle memory, start with a slow tempo and play along with the click. The idea is to play so slowly that you cannot make a mistake. Our brains are very good at memorizing, especially our first attempts, so if you play slowly without making a mistake, you will memorize it correctly. If you make a mistake, your brain will memorize the mistake, and you may repeat it over and over.
You can also use the metronome to learn the proper space between each note. This will lead to an even time feel and will aid your ability to execute spacious grooves effectively and confidently. Once these spaces are mastered, you can move on to beat placement (ahead, in the middle, and behind the beat).
However, it is important not to become too dependent on the metronome, as this can lead to an underdeveloped internal clock or a stiff-sounding groove. Make sure to also practice playing without the metronome and to learn different tempos by memory.
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Playing on a carpet to dampen vibrations
Playing the drums is an excellent way to express yourself creatively and have fun. However, the vibrations and noise associated with drumming can be a concern, especially when playing in an apartment or shared space. One popular solution is to use a drum rug or carpet underneath your electronic drum kit.
A drum rug is more than just a floor covering; it offers several benefits that enhance your playing experience. Firstly, a high-quality drum carpet provides a stable foundation for your kit, preventing it from shifting or moving, even during intense playing sessions. This stability ensures that your drum set stays securely in place, allowing you to focus on your playing without worrying about sliding pedals or stands.
Additionally, purpose-made drum carpets are designed to isolate the sound of your kit, reducing vibrations that can travel through floors and walls. This sound isolation feature contributes to a cleaner and more focused sound, ensuring that your playing experience is enjoyable for both you and those around you. The carpet acts as a protective barrier, reducing the impact and friction between your drum kit and the floor, thus preventing potential damage to your equipment and the floor itself.
When selecting a drum rug, it's important to consider the thickness and cushioning it provides. While a certain level of cushioning is beneficial for absorbing impact and reducing fatigue during prolonged playing sessions, an overly thick rug may hinder stability. Pedals and stands should rest firmly on the carpet without sinking or shifting. Some drum rugs come with additional anchoring mechanisms, such as Velcro straps or weights, to further enhance stability.
If you're on a budget, there are alternative options to purpose-made drum carpets. Carpet remnants, for example, can be a cost-effective solution, offering some traction and vibration absorption. Crafty drummers might also explore DIY solutions, such as attaching strips of hook-and-loop fasteners to the underside of a regular rug to prevent sliding. Rubber drum mats, similar to those used in gyms or workshops, are another affordable option that provides stability and noise reduction.
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Using an audio interface to record audio and film yourself
To add songs to your electric drum kit, you can connect your music device to a speaker or amplifier and adjust the volume to balance the sound of your drums and the music. Alternatively, you can wear headphones with your earbuds connected to your music device underneath, allowing you to hear both your drumming and the music.
If you want to record yourself playing the electric drums while also capturing the audio, you can use an audio interface. This will allow you to record yourself playing with a webcam, while the audio source is your interface into your DAW (digital audio workstation). There are several options for software that can help you do this:
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)
OBS is a free, open-source, and versatile option. It has a wiki and quickstart guide to help you get started. While audio routing can be a bit tricky, you can use the desktop audio source to grab all sounds, or use a plugin like Win Capture Audio to capture sound from a specific program.
Zoom
While Zoom can be used to record video and audio, it may not be the best option for high-quality audio capture.
Other Options
Most video editor programs have the ability for live capture, and you can also use a laptop with an audio interface if your camera is in a fixed position. However, recording the audio and video separately and then syncing them in post-production is a common practice, especially with cheap cameras that don't have external microphone inputs. This method offers pros like better reliability and battery life, as well as reduced external noise. To sync the audio and video later, make sure to slate your takes with a clapper or simply clap your hands on camera.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use an audio interface such as a Behringer UCA222 or an iRig 2 to listen to songs, record audio, and film yourself. Connect the interface to your device and the e-kit's module. You may need to plug your headphones into the interface.
Make sure you set up your drums on a carpet or mat to absorb any vibrations or thumping from your kick. Also, be aware that the vibration of your feet using the pedals may travel through walls and floors, so consider a rubber-backed floor mat to dampen the noise.
Pick a slow to moderate tempo song and listen to the beat. Start by playing along on the hi-hat, counting the beat in your head, 1-2-3-4. Then, add the bass drum on 1 & 3 and the snare on 2 & 4. Try to match the tempo of the song with this simple beat.
