One of the most frequently asked questions from people wanting to buy an electronic drum kit is: how much noise does it actually make? On paper, “practicing silently” sounds nice, of course, but the truth is that an electronic drum kit is certainly not silent.
I will never forget the time I had my first electronic drum kit and my girlfriend came up to the attic and called out: “Could you turn it down a bit? I can hear it all the way downstairs.” To which I thought: “But I bought a silent drum kit, didn't I?”
In this blog, I'll explain what you can really expect, without making it sound better than it is 😉
An electronic drum kit is quieter, but not silent.
An acoustic drum kit produces about 100 to 120 decibels. For comparison, a plane taking off is around 130 dB. That is the noise level that your neighbors, your parents, and your upstairs neighbors are naturally not happy with.
An electronic drum kit averages between 50 and 70 decibels. That is comparable to a normal conversation tone or a moving car in the distance. So, quite a bit better, but still audible.
The sound produced by an electronic drum kit consists primarily of:
1. The tapping sound of the sticks on the pads
A logical consequence of hitting a drum pad with a stick is that it makes a sound. The harder you hit, the more sound. But the type of pad also has an influence. For instance, mesh heads are much quieter than rubber pads. A hit on a rubber pad sounds like a hard slap, while a hit on a mesh head sounds more like a soft tap.
So if you practice at home, a kit with mesh heads is actually a must.
💡 Tip: You can significantly reduce the volume of tapping on the pads with special silent drumsticks. Check out my review here: Adoro SSE Silent E-Sticks Review.
2. The thumping sound of the bass drum
The biggest problem lies in the booming sound of the bass drum, especially in apartments. The vibration of the kick pedal travels through the floor and is much more audible to the downstairs neighbors than the clicking sound of the pads.
A drummer on the second floor can significantly disturb his downstairs neighbors, even if the drummer himself hears nothing.
Some kits do not have a kick pad but a trigger pedal, such as the Roland TD-02KV. So that is already considerably quieter.
Does the noise nuisance vary per drum kit?
The volume produced during playing can vary quite a bit from kit to kit:
Such are rubber pads as mentioned louder than mesh heads. Cheaper kits like the Millenium HD-120, Millennium MPS-150 or the Roland TD-02K have rubber pads, which makes the tapping sound higher.
Mesh heads significantly dampen the sound of the sticks. Kits like the Millenium MPS-450, Alesis Nitro Max and Roland TD-07DMK They all have mesh heads and are therefore much quieter for the surroundings.
An exception to the rule is the Roland VQD106 . This is the quietest electronic drum kit in the world, producing only 30 dB, which is comparable to a whisper. Up to 75%, this drum kit is quieter than regular electronic drum kits, but it also comes with a matching price tag. And personally, I find the design a bit less attractive.
Do you live in an apartment?
Then the kick pedal is your biggest challenge. The vibrations from the bass drum travel through the floor in a way that you barely hear yourself, but your downstairs neighbors hear all the more. A Roland NE-10 Noise Eater or a thick drum carpet can significantly reduce this.
Also read: Top 5 Electronic Drum Kits for an Apartment
I have noticed myself that your downstairs neighbors hear the kick pedal much sooner than the clicking sound of the pads. Even on a kit with mesh heads, the bass drum can cause a nuisance if you don't take it into account.
Make agreements with the neighbors
You can buy all sorts of things to limit the noise, but sometimes a good conversation with your neighbors is the most effective. In my experience, people are much more tolerant when they are aware of something. If your neighbors know that you drum occasionally and you agree not to do so after 7:00 PM (or only during the day when they are at work), there is often no problem at all.
Communication is key. Tell them you have an electronic drum kit, that you do your best to keep it quiet, and leave your phone number so they can call if the sound is too loud. Most people appreciate that. And who knows, they might even be enthusiastic.
Tips to dampen the sound
Do you want to further limit the sound of your electronic drum kit? The products below will certainly help with that.
Adoro SSE Silent E-Sticks
These drumsticks are made of polycarbonate instead of wood, which significantly reduces the tapping sound on the pads. I have tested them myself and the difference is clearly audible, especially on rubber pads and cymbals. Read my review or check the website of Adoro Silent Sticks.
Roland NE-10 Noise Eater
This is a platform that you place under your kick pedal or hi-hat. The rubber feet on the bottom absorb vibrations before they travel through the floor. You can combine the NE-10 with the NE-1 (this one is placed under the legs of the rack).
Thomann Drum Rug
A drum mat or regular carpet absorbs some of the vibrations and simultaneously prevents your kit from sliding.
Also read: Does an Electronic Drum Kit Cause Noise Pollution? | 7 Tips
Conclusion
An electronic drum kit is much quieter than an acoustic kit, but it is not completely silent. The clicking sound of the sticks and the thumping sound of the bass drum cause the most nuisance. Mesh heads, a Noise Eater, and possibly silent drumsticks will go a long way. And don't forget: a good conversation with your neighbors costs nothing and is sometimes more effective than all the equipment combined.
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