Otis Singleton
Acoustic drums can be converted to electric drums using conversion kits or DIY methods. Conversion kits such as the Pintech Acoustic to Electronic Drum Kit Conversion and the Diamond Electronic Drums conversion kit provide the necessary triggers, mesh heads, and cymbals for the conversion. DIY methods involve purchasing individual components separately, such as mesh heads, drum triggers, cymbals, and signal processing modules. This allows for customization and can be more cost-effective than pre-made kits. Converting acoustic drums to electric offers the advantage of practicing quietly with headphones and the ability to easily switch back to acoustic by removing the trigger braces and plugs.
Characteristics of Converting Acoustic Drums to Electric
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Conversion Kit | Pintech Acoustic to Electronic Drum Kit Conversion, Diamond Electronic Drums Conversion Kit, Dual-zone A2E kit, Alesis Nitro |
| Cymbals | Lemon Drums (cheapest), Diamond's metal-triggered cymbals (more expensive), Roland |
| Drum Heads | Two-ply mesh drum heads, 3-ply 'Real Feel' mesh heads from Drum-tec, Roland heads |
| Benefits | Ability to fix or replace any parts, convert back to acoustic easily, practice quietly with headphones |
| Challenges | Mesh heads may wear down bearing edges on shells due to friction, noise even with mesh heads, potentially expensive triggers |
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What You'll Learn
- Conversion kits: Pintech, Diamond, and Lemon are popular options
- Cymbals: Electronic cymbal options include Roland and Lemon
- Drum heads: Two-ply mesh heads are a popular choice
- Triggers: R-Drum triggers are expensive; Roland TD-27 is a good option
- DIY: You can create your own silent mesh heads and drum triggers
Conversion kits: Pintech, Diamond, and Lemon are popular options
Conversion kits are a popular option for those looking to convert acoustic drums to electric. Pintech, Diamond, and Lemon are well-known brands in this space. Each offers unique features and benefits to drummers looking to make the switch.
Pintech's Acoustic to Electronic Drum Kit Conversion Kit is an all-in-one solution that allows drummers to convert their acoustic kits without drilling any new holes. This kit is 100% reversible, offering real positional sensing and single or dual-zone capabilities. It is easy to install and can be used with mesh or acoustic heads. The carbon steel metal bridge system is adjustable, catering to drum sizes ranging from 8" to 26". Pintech's kit also includes a specially engineered 3-piece dual-density foam for an enhanced playing experience.
Diamond Electronic Drums' conversion kit provides rubber rims, triggers, foam padding, and mesh heads. Their multi-trigger plates are designed for easy drop-in installation and are available in various sizes to fit different drum components. Diamond also offers metal-triggered cymbals for drummers seeking a more premium option.
Lemon Drums offers some of the most affordable cymbals on the market. Their set includes a 13" crash, an 18" ride, and a VH-11 hi-hat controller.
Each of these conversion kits offers distinct advantages to drummers looking to electrify their acoustic kits. While Pintech and Diamond focus on providing comprehensive solutions with additional features, Lemon Drums keeps it simple and affordable with cymbal sets. Ultimately, the chosen kit will depend on the drummer's specific needs, preferences, and budget.
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Cymbals: Electronic cymbal options include Roland and Lemon
When converting acoustic drums to electronic drums, one of the most important considerations is the cymbals. While you can make your own silent cymbals, there are also electronic cymbal options available on the market, such as Roland and Lemon.
Lemon Cymbals are a European company that sells quality electronic drum cymbals. They are known for their affordable prices and high-quality products. Lemon cymbals are compatible with many different drum modules that support Roland cymbals, including Roland, 2Box, ATV, Pearl Mimic, and Alesis. They offer a range of cymbal sizes, from 9" up to 20", as well as three different types of hi-hats. The smallest cymbal they offer is perfect for use in a kit with multiple cymbals, and their 15" cymbal is their best-selling option. Lemon cymbals are built to last, with a durable black rubber coating that can withstand vigorous playing. They also offer a 1-year warranty on their products.
While Lemon cymbals are a great affordable option, some users have reported issues with their wiring. For example, one user found that the bell and edge zones were reversed when connected to a TD-27 module, and there was no choke action. However, this issue could be corrected by opening the cymbal and reversing the internal wiring. Another user reported that the triggering was hit or miss, depending on the internal wiring, and the labelling of the jacks was confusing.
Roland cymbals, on the other hand, are a more expensive option. They offer a range of cymbals, including the CY-15R and CY16 presets. Roland cymbals are known for their quality and compatibility with various modules. However, they may not work with all setups, as one user reported issues with connecting a Roland cymbal to a TD-27 module.
In addition to purchasing cymbals from companies like Lemon and Roland, drummers also have the option to make their own silent cymbals. This can be a fun DIY project, allowing drummers to create custom cymbals that suit their specific needs.
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Drum heads: Two-ply mesh heads are a popular choice
Mesh heads have become the go-to drum head type for electronic drum kits and are also a great option when transitioning from an acoustic to an electric drum kit. Mesh heads are a type of drum head that aims to give you the feel of a normal acoustic drum head but at a lower volume. Traditional heads are made from plies of mylar sheets, whereas mesh is made from plies of woven material.
Two-ply mesh heads have a moderate inherent noise level with the best trigger characteristics and very good rebound. The rebound is the force with which your stick bounces off the surface of the head when you hit it. The air-permeable synthetic mesh heads produce little or no resonant vibration, and you only hear the impact of your stick on the nylon fiber surface.
Drum-tec is a well-known manufacturer of electronic drum kits and mesh heads. They offer a range of single, double, and triple-layered mesh heads, with the latter providing a more realistic feel while still producing accurate triggering and volume reductions. Their double-layered mesh heads are a good choice if you are looking for durable mesh heads.
When converting acoustic drums to electric, some people suggest that over time, mesh heads will wear down the bearing edges of the shells due to friction. To mitigate this, you can put electrical tape on all the edges of the shells before installing the mesh heads. Additionally, even with mesh heads, the noise level will be louder than a typical electric kit as the shells will still resonate when hit.
When choosing mesh heads for your drum conversion, it is important to consider the volume reduction, feel, and durability that best fit your desired characteristics and budget.
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Triggers: R-Drum triggers are expensive; Roland TD-27 is a good option
When converting an acoustic drum set to an electronic one, one of the key components is the triggers. R-Drum triggers are an option but they are quite expensive. As an alternative, you can consider the Roland TD-27, which offers a range of features that make it a good choice for this purpose.
The Roland TD-27 is a versatile module that allows you to easily build a hybrid acoustic and electronic kit. It provides a variety of pre-made templates with optimum settings for each trigger type, including kick, tom, cymbal, bar, and acoustic triggers. These settings can be extensively modified to suit your personal preferences, allowing you to customise your kit to match your playing style.
One of the advantages of the TD-27 is its ability to accommodate different types of drum heads. While the default trigger pad types are designed for acoustic acrylic drum heads, it also offers settings that work well with mesh heads, providing excellent trigger consistency, dynamics, and responsiveness on all acoustic drum sizes from 6-22 inches.
Additionally, the TD-27 enables you to adjust the trigger sensitivity to suit your playing style. You can set the trigger threshold to determine how hard you need to hit the V-Drums before a sound is triggered. This customisation ensures that you can play with the desired level of intensity and dynamics, whether using your fingers or sticks.
The Roland TD-27 is a popular choice among drummers, with many praising its performance and features. It is worth considering as a cost-effective alternative to expensive R-Drum triggers when converting your acoustic drums to electronic.
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DIY: You can create your own silent mesh heads and drum triggers
Converting an acoustic drum kit to an electronic one can be a fun project, and you can save money by making your own silent mesh heads and drum triggers. Here's a guide to help you get started:
DIY Silent Mesh Heads:
Start by sourcing the right materials for your mesh heads. Some popular options include Pet-D-Fence, a fiberglass-based product that is quieter and thicker than other options, or vinyl-coated polyester, which is also known as Pet Screen. You can find these materials at hardware stores or online. Keep in mind that Pet Screen may melt when glued, so be sure to use a strong adhesive like Loctite 401 instant liquid adhesive, which bonds well with various materials.
Once you have your materials, cut the mesh to the desired size for your drum heads. You may need to experiment with different layers of mesh to achieve the desired sound and durability. For example, you can try using two layers of regular fiberglass screen and a top layer of a smaller mesh super screen.
When you're happy with the mesh configuration, carefully apply your adhesive, following the manufacturer's instructions for cure times. Ensure the adhesive is completely dry before attaching the mesh heads to your drums.
DIY Drum Triggers:
Creating your own drum triggers is easy and inexpensive. You will need to purchase piezo transducers and jack sockets. You can find these components on eBay or from online electronics stores. If you're handy with a soldering iron, you can save money by soldering the components together yourself.
Alternatively, you can buy piezos that are pre-wired to jack sockets, marketed as acoustic-guitar pickups. These can be more convenient but may offer less positioning flexibility. When attaching the triggers to your drums, consider using sockets instead of plugs, as they are easier to attach to the drum shell and reduce strain on the piezo and its wires.
Finally, connect your triggers to an audio interface using standard jack cables, and you're ready to start recording!
Additional Considerations:
When converting your acoustic drums, keep in mind that mesh heads can wear down the bearing edges of your shells over time due to friction. To mitigate this, you can apply electrical tape to the edges before installing the mesh heads. Additionally, even with mesh heads, your drums may still produce more resonance than a typical electronic drum kit. You can reduce this by removing the reso heads or packing the drums with pillows or blankets, being careful not to interfere with the triggers.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some tips:
- You can purchase a conversion kit, such as the ones offered by Pintech or Diamond Electronic Drums.
- If you're looking for a cheaper option, you can create your own silent mesh drum heads, drum triggers, and cymbals.
- When converting back to acoustic, you can simply remove the trigger braces and plugs and add real cymbals.
Two-ply mesh drum heads made from heavy-duty fibreglass screen mesh can be found cheaply and are easy to replace. You can also purchase three-ply 'Real Feel' mesh heads from Drum-tec, which are pricier but of good quality.
For triggers, you can consider R-Drum triggers or the Diamond Electronic Drums conversion kit. For cymbals, Lemon Drums offers cheap options, while Diamond's metal-triggered cymbals are more expensive. Chinese company Lemon also offers rubber electronic cymbals that are a quarter of the price of Roland cymbals.
Over time, mesh heads can wear down the bearing edges of your shells due to friction. To prevent this, you can put electrical tape on the edges before installing the mesh heads. Additionally, even with mesh heads, your drums will still be louder than a typical e-kit, as the shells will resonate when hit. You can remove the reso heads or pack the drums with pillows or blankets to reduce the noise.
Converting acoustic drums to electric allows you to practice quietly, for example, with headphones, and easily convert back to acoustic when needed. It also enables you to learn the ins and outs of electric kits and fix or replace any parts that break.
