When you buy an electronic drum kit, in many cases you only receive the drum kit itself. That is: the rack, the module and the components.
Does that mean you are ready to play right away? No :). In many cases you will also need to purchase some components yourself (unless you bought a value bundle).
In this blog we will discuss 14 supplies you need when buying an electronic drum kit. We will divide it into essential supplies and optional supplies .
Essential Supplies (What You Really Need)
Below is a list of accessories that are essential when buying an electronic drum kit. The images are clickable and will take you directly to the right product.
Drum sticks
This may seem obvious, but not all electronic drum kits come with sticks. And if they do come with them, they are often not the best.
You can't get anywhere without drumsticks, so this one definitely belongs at the top of the list. In my blog about drumsticks I will go into more detail about the different types of sticks and which ones are suitable for electronic drums.
Most drummers agree that the Vic Firth 5A Classic Hickory the best all-around drumsticks are for all levels. There are also extra quiet drumsticks available, such as the Adoro SSE Silent E-Sticks.
Drum pedal
Electronic drum sets for beginners or children come with a drum pedal, but many manufacturers (such as Pearl and Yamaha) assume that the drummer already has a pedal at home or is willing to purchase one. Fortunately, all drum pedals fit all electronic drum sets.
The supplied drum pedals are not always that good, so it is advisable to buy a (double bass) pedal yourself. The Dixon PP-P2 Single Pedal is a sturdy model with a double chain.
Want to know more about double bass? Read the blog about the best double bass pedals .
Headphones
Headphones are also not always included when you buy an electronic drum kit. Make sure you have headphones with a cable, electronic drum kits do not transmit sound via Bluetooth.
An example of a good pair of headphones is the Superlux HD-681 .
Drum throne
To promote a good sitting position behind your drum kit, a good drum throne is essential. Drum thrones come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on your preferences, you can make this as expensive as you want, but if you want to spend many hours behind your kit, it is definitely worth the investment.
If you are looking for a drum throne with a good price-quality ratio, I recommend the Millenium DT-900 Drum Throne .
(Drum)carpet
There is nothing more annoying than a kick pedal, hi-hat pedal or a whole drum set that shifts while playing. That is why a floor rug or drum carpet is essential. These can be special drum carpets that also dampen the sound, but also regular carpets or rugs.
A good choice for a drum carpet is the Thomann Drum Rug with anti-slip and sound-absorbing effect.
Drum key
The smallest item on the list, but the most important when setting up and taking down your kit: the drum key. Drum keys are universal and are the same for both acoustic and electronic drum sets.
In terms of quality there is little difference and the Thomann Drum Tuning Key is sufficient for any drummer.
Optional supplies (what's handy to have)
In addition to the parts you must have, there are also supplies you may need.
Drum monitor
Anyone who wants to bring their drumming skills to life or perform live with an electronic drum kit will need a drum monitor. This is a monitor specially designed to bring out the best in drum sounds.
A drum monitor is easy to take with you anywhere and is a matter of plug & play: connect the monitor to your module and it works immediately.
Read the blog about drum monitors if you want to know more about purchasing one.
Bluetooth Receiver (for receiving Bluetooth)
If you want to record your own drum covers or share your grooves with others, the IK iRig Multimedia 2 is a great solution. This adapter allows you to record the sounds of your drum kit on your smartphone.
For electronic drum sets that do not have Bluetooth, a Bluetooth Receiver is indispensable in my opinion. The UGREEN Bluetooth Receiver costs less than 20 euros but has become indispensable for me.
To learn how to use this product, read the blog about how to get a Bluetooth connection on any electronic drum kit .
IK Multimedia iRig 2 (for recording drum covers)
If you want to record your own drum covers or share your grooves with others, the IK iRig Multimedia 2 is a great solution. This adapter allows you to record the sounds of your drum kit on your smartphone.
All my videos are recorded with the IK Multimedia iRig 2, so check out my YouTube channel to listen to what the result sounds like.
A step-by-step plan on how to use the iRig can be found in the blog about how to record a drum cover.
Cable Ties
Some electronic drum sets like the Millenium HD-120 have a stick holder. This is a handy tool where you can store your sticks so that you never lose them again.
Stick holder
Some electronic drum sets like the Millenium HD-120 have a stick holder. This is a handy tool where you can store your sticks so that you never lose them again.
A good and affordable stick holder is the Millenium SH-2 Drumstick Holder (not to be confused with a cowbell).
USB MIDI cable
Are you planning to make recordings with your electronic drum kit or do you want to import sounds to the module? Then you need a specific USB cable for that. This is a cable that is also used for most printers.
Smartphone holder
Some electronic drum kits, such as theAlesis Nitro Max , have a smartphone holder module, but this is not the case with every electronic drum kit.
If you want to take lessons and have a good view of your phone while playing, a smartphone holder like the Gibraltar SC-BDSPM is indispensable.
Sheet music standard
Following on from the previous item, a stand for reading sheet music can also be very useful. Many drum lessons are taught from books/sheet music, so a stand to put the books on is essential.
Conclusion
Now that you know what you need before you buy an electronic drum kit, you can be sure that you haven't forgotten anything when your kit arrives at home. Check in advance what is included in the package, because everything you need may already be there.
Is there anything missing from the list or do you have tips for other drummers? Let us know in the comments!
