What does an acoustic drum set include? Everything you need to consider when buying a mechanical drum is detailed below:

Whether you're shopping for yourself or for someone else, the guides below will make finding the perfect drum set fun and easy. The type of music you want to play, the features you want, and your budget will help determine the type of drum you should buy. Ultimately, the best drum set for you is the one that you feel comfortable playing and that fits your ears best. It all comes down to personal preference and the only way to know what type of drum you like is to sit down and try it out. However, it helps to have an idea of ​​the basic characteristics of certain types of wood and the sizes and benefits of the main characteristics.

This guide will help you understand the key components of a drum set, the differences between acoustic and electronic drums, and help you choose the best drum set for your budget and needs.

Mechanical Drum Sets vs. Electronic Drum Sets.

The first thing to decide when buying a drum set is whether you want an acoustic drum set or an electronic drum set. Both types are available in a variety of ranges from beginner to professional. Electronic drum kits allow drummers to choose from many, if not hundreds, of different drum kits and percussion sounds. They can be pronounced through headphones or through an amplifier. They have many useful applications, but for the purposes of this buying guide, we will focus on acoustic drum sets.

Shell Packs and Complete Drum Sets (Drum sets).

Two terms you will hear often when shopping for drum sets are "shell packs" and "drum sets". Shell packs are simply drums, including toms, floor toms and bass drums, and in some cases snare drums. Shell sets are typically intermediate to professional quality, so these are a great choice if you're upgrading from a beginner drum set. A “shell pack” does not include cymbals, bass pedals, hardware (hard stands) and seats. If you are purchasing a “shell pack” as your first drum kit, you will need to purchase the cymbals, hardware, and snare drum separately.

A complete drum set usually includes all the necessary components to start playing drums, including snare drum, cymbal, hardware, kick bass pedal.

Drum set configurations.

The configuration of a drum set refers to the number and size of drums. Profiles are often named after the style of music they're best suited for, but any good drum set is versatile enough to address a variety of styles. However, many drum companies offer a variety of drum configurations and setups. These are just some of the most common types you will encounter.

Standard drum set (standard).

A standard drum set usually includes 5 drums (5-piece shell pack): 1 snare drum, 2 tom drums, 1 floor tom and 1 bass drum. The tom drums are slightly larger in diameter and depth. You will often see this configuration on complete beginner drum kits. This configuration gives new drummers a good starting point for discovering the sound they're looking for and is very versatile for many musical styles.

Fusion configuration.

A combo is usually a 5 or 6 piece drum set consisting of 1 snare, 2 racks, 1 or 2 floor toms and 1 bass drum. A combination drum set has a similar configuration to a standard drum set, except that the racks and metal bars are typically smaller in diameter and, in some cases, they are also shallower in depth. These shallow-depth toms are called "fast toms". You'll often see hybrid configurations in funk, pop, hip-hop, R&B, and rock music.

Rock Configuration.

A rock configuration is usually a 4-piece set including 1 snare, 1 stand tom, 1 floor tom and 1 bass drum. However, some other sets may have 2 toms or 2 floor toms. The dimensions in this configuration are typically larger, creating an overall deeper tone often associated with rock music. However, they are not limited to rock music and can be adapted to suit a variety of styles.

Bop/Jazz configuration.

The bop set is also known as the jazz set. This configuration is usually a 4-piece drum set including 1 snare, 1 tom, 1 floor tom and 1 bass drum. The shell size is small and produces higher tones commonly found in jazz and bebop music.

Mechanical drum shell material.

Just as there are many different drum sizes and setups, there are also many shell materials for drum construction. Each material has its own unique sound and acoustic qualities. Below are some of the most common shell materials you'll find when looking for your own drum set.

Maple (Maple wood).

Maple is perhaps the most popular wood used in drum production. Each drum company supplies a maple drum. Maple is extremely versatile and offers great resonance. This resonance makes maple popular with drummers who play live.

Birch (yellow Maple wood).

Yellow maple is the next most popular wood for drum shells. Birch provides plenty of low-end “punch” and high-frequency boost, making it great for recording and the studio. The shells are also very large, which also makes them a great candidate for live play.

Hybrid (mixed).

Hybrid drum shell means the shell is made of two types of wood. Common hybrid shell configurations are maple and mahogany, or birch and walnut. These shells offer a combination of the acoustic properties of both woods or create entirely new sounds.

Other types of wood.

Other types of wood for making drums include mahogany, oak, cherry, walnut, gum, poplar, beech, purple heart, ash, bubinga and bamboo. Each type of wood produces its own unique sound.

The material is not wood.

We often think of drums as being made of wood, but drums can be made from many different materials, including steel, copper, brass, acrylic, and fiberglass. Just like different types of wood, these drum materials create their own unique sounds. Metal drums tend to be very loud. The acrylic drum is extremely boomy, but not resonant. The fiberglass enclosure delivers controlled, focused, and even sound.

Snare drum .

As we said before, snare drums are often sold separately (not in a shell pack) but are included in a complete drum set. Finding the right snare for your sound is as important as finding the right drums. Different diameters, depths, shell materials, and even grommets can completely change the sound of a snare drum. The most popular and versatile snare drum sizes are 14x5.5" and 14x6.5". This is a good drum to start with. The same principles apply to snare shell materials as conventional drum shells. Metal snares tend to be louder and provide more tones and pops. Wooden snare drum provides rich bass and warmth. It all depends on your personal style and preferences.

Cymbals (metal foils) .

Cymbal is an important component of the drum set. The main types of cymbals are hi-hats created by a pair of cymbals together, crash cymbals, rides cymbals and effect cymbals such as Chinas, splashes, bells, etc. A complete drum set, usually includes hi-hat cymbals, 1 or 2 crashes and 1 ride. Cymbals that come with complete drum sets are made for beginners and are typically made from B8 copper alloy with 92% copper and 8% tin. Higher grade cymbals are usually B20 copper alloy with a tin content higher than 20%. Cymbals B8 tend to have higher frequencies and a brighter overall sound. Cymbal B20 comes in a variety of tones, from very warm to very bright.

Hardware (Hard mounting part) and bass drum pedal.

Hardware - Hardware .

Hardware is a general term used to refer to all the different cymbal stands and metal attachments that hold different parts on the drum set. This includes cymbal stands, hi-hat stands, snare stands, tom stands and mounting pieces, cymbal hand attachments. You should have a cymbal stand, either a straight stand or a tilt stand with an adjustable lever. Hi-hat stands are available in 2- or 3-pin versions, with the 2-pin offering easier setup with double bass pedals. The snare drum requires a special stand. Tom drums are mounted to the bass drum on a tom stand or held on a stand very similar to a snare drum stand. Cymbal arm accessories can be clipped to cymbal stands to hold smaller cymbals such as splashes or bells, while also keeping the space tidy.

Bass drum pedal .

Bass drum pedals are available as single or double pedals. Double pedals allow you to perform more complex bass drum patterns without having to use two bass drums in your drum kit. Bass drum pedals use one of four different drive styles: strap, single chain, dual chain or direct. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately it depends on what feels best for you.

Try it out in-store.

If you need a pair of drumsticks or any other equipment or accessories to accurately compare drums, ask the salesperson and they will be happy to provide those for you to try. Don't feel like you have to show off your talent to get a feel for the drum set. Hear the sound of those beats and fills and the feel of moving around the drum kit. If you haven't learned to play anything yet, you can pay more attention to the ergonomics and finish of the instrument. See if the toms are adjustable for your comfort, and see if the look of the drums you like.

Questions you may have when buying a mechanical drum:

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Even if you've spent hours researching on drum forums, you won't become a drum expert overnight. If the drum set you're looking at has special materials or features that you're unfamiliar with, the salesperson can explain or quickly find you the information.

If you're unfamiliar with what's in the store or just need help finding a drum set in your price range, you can also ask the salesperson to pick you a drum set that fits your budget. .