If you’ve bought yourself an electronic drum kit, you’ll probably want to assemble it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Whether you’re using it at home or in the studio, it needs to be easily accessible and positioned somewhere that doesn’t disturb others – as one of the perks of e-kits is that they can be played silently (or at least, silently to everyone around you!).
In this article, we’ll teach you how to set up electronic drums, giving you handy tips and tricks to get you drumming in no time.
Key takeaways
In a rush? Here’s the low-down on setting up your kit:
- Assemble the rack
- Add your kick tower and hi-hat pedal
- Attach the pads
- Bring in the cymbals
- Secure the module
- Plug everything in
Our favourite electronic drum set-up
Roland TD-17KV2 V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit
SubZero SZ-MH200 Monitoring Headphones
Alesis Strike Amp 8 MK2 2000-Watt Drum Amplifier
Mapex T685 Saddle Top Cloth Drum Throne
Vic Firth American Classic 5A Hickory Drumsticks
Firstly, where are you going to put it?
The placement of your kit isn’t as crucial as that of an acoustic set, however, there are still some considerations to be made. Remember, an electronic kit is quieter than an acoustic kit but not completely silent – your housemates or family members will still be able to hear you hit the pads.
Try to set your kit up downstairs if possible. That way, you won’t disturb anyone in the room below you by the muffled sound of the bass drum. If this isn’t an option, for example, you might live in an upstairs flat, look for ways to dampen the sound so that it doesn’t bother tenants downstairs. Roland’s Noise Eater is a great addition to your setup if you need to reduce the noise of your kit.
Of course, make ample space for your e-kit before you start unpacking it!
How to set up electronic drums
1. Assemble the rack
The first thing to do is put the rack together. Grab your drum throne and position the rack around it; this ensures that everything is spaced well and comfortable for you to reach. Loosen and tighten the wing nuts to assemble the rack – but don’t tighten them too much as the rack is most likely plastic!
As you move along the rack, keep checking that the feet are planted to the floor. This is the stage to ensure that everything stands firm and stable as it’s harder to fix in later steps.
Your kit will come with instructions for assembling your rack – follow these!
2. Add your kick tower and hi-hat pedal
Position the kick tower in front of your kicking foot, typically the right, and attach your bass drum pedal securely to the base of the kick tower. When your foot is on the pedal, your leg should sit just over a 90-degree angle. This ensures you can play comfortably without straining your leg.
Next, position the hi-hat pedal in a similar way, but this time for your left foot. The setup should mirror the comfort of the kick tower placement, allowing for smooth, responsive control of the hi-hat. Adjust both pedals as needed to maintain a relaxed posture while playing.
3. Attach the pads
Before you attach the pads, make sure everything is within easy reach. Sit on your drum throne with the bass pedal to your right and the hi-hat pedal to your left. Your snare pad should sit comfortably between your legs.
Next, check the height of the top rack bar. If the pads feel too high or too low, adjust the rack by moving the bar up or down until you can comfortably strike each pad. Remember, electronic drum pads are smaller than acoustic drums, so remember to position them close enough for easy access.
Once the rack is at the right height, start attaching the pads. Keep the cymbal pads off for now, as this will make it easier to adjust the drum pads securely. Adjust everything until it feels natural and comfortable; you shouldn’t need to reach or strain.
4. Bring in the cymbals
After securing the pads, it’s time to add the cymbals. Start by twisting off the cymbal toppers from the stands. Place each cymbal on its respective stand, ensuring they’re positioned comfortably within reach.
Position the hi-hat cymbal where your left foot naturally rests. Just like with the pads, make sure the cymbals are easy to strike without having to stretch or strain. Adjust the height and angle of each cymbal so that you can play comfortably and with ease. Once the cymbals are in place, replace the toppers to hold them securely.
5. Secure the module
The module is the brain of the kit, so it’s important that you can access it easily, especially for quick sound changes on the fly. Most drummers have the module on the left-hand side of the kit, but you can attach it where you can easily see it. E-kits usually come with a dedicated bracket for the module – read the instructions on how best to attach this.
6. Plug everything in
Now that everything is assembled, it’s time to get it all connected and powered up. Plug the main connector into the module, then move on to the cymbals and drum pads.
Each cable should be clearly labelled to help you match each one with the correct pad or cymbal. On higher-end kits, some pads and cymbals may have multiple inputs for variations in triggering.
Once everything is connected, it’s a good idea to tidy up the cables. Use Velcro straps or black tape to group the cables together but avoid wrapping them too tightly to prevent damage. You can also wrap the cables around the rack tubing for a cleaner look and an organised setup.
Additional things you’ll need for your drum setup
Your electronic drum kit might be the main part of your setup, but you won’t have a very comfortable playing experience, nor will the kit actually work, without a few extra accessories. The most important one is a pair of headphones or a drum amp as these enable you to hear what you’re playing. Check out our favourite drum headphones and our guide to drum amps and monitors to get you started.
You’ll also need some drumsticks and a bass drum pedal to hit your drums. And of course, you’d be a bit uncomfortable without a drum throne! We have a handy guide to the best drum thrones available right now if you need some inspiration.
Start playing!
You’re all set! The only thing left to do now is start making some noise. Experiment with your e-kit, explore the sounds in the module, and adjust the pad sensitivity – there’s a lot to delve into. You should also read your electronic drum kit’s instructions as they will show you settings and features that you may have otherwise overlooked.
FAQs
Do I need an audio interface for electronic drums?
If you’re recording your electronic drums, you’ll need an audio interface. Look for one with high-quality inputs and preamps to capture the tone of your drums accurately.
How do I connect my electronic drums to my computer?
Connect your electronic drums to your computer by following these steps:
- Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the drum module’s driver software
- If the driver has been saved as a .zip file, extract or decompress the file
- Connect the drum module to your computer via USB
- Enable input and output ports in your DAW’s MIDI settings
How do I connect electronic drums to speakers?
If you want to hear your electronic drums through speakers (also known as drum amps or monitors), connect a 1/4-inch cable from the “direct out” on the back of the drum module to the amp input. Make sure your amp is specifically designed for drums or keyboards.
Final thoughts
If you’ve just bought an electronic drum kit or you’re thinking of purchasing one and want to be prepared, we hope you now know how to set up electronic drums quickly and easily! There’s nothing worse than getting excited about your new gear but having to spend ages setting it up. By following our steps, you’ll have your kit assembled quickly and stress-free.
For further reading, check out our other drum guides:
The 11 Best Electronic Drum Sets for Beginners
The 27 Best Female Drummers of All Time
How to Record Drums – A Guide to Getting the Clearest Drum Sound
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