Electronic drums are a modern electronic musical instrument, primarily designed to serve as an alternative to an acoustic drum kit. Electronic drums consist of an electronic sound module which produces the synthesized or sampled percussion sounds and a set of pads, usually constructed in a shape to resemble drums and cymbals, which are equipped with electronic sensors to send an electronic signal to the sound module which outputs a sound. Like acoustic drums, the pads are struck by drum sticks and they are played in a similar manner to an acoustic drum kit, albeit with some differences in the drumming experience.
Basic electronic drum set made by Pintech.
Early Simmons SDS 5 Electronic Drums, ca. 1983.
Roland V-Stage Series TD-12S V-Drum Kit. On the left is the "brain", the module that controls the drum sounds and enables the performer to select from different types of drum kit and control the volume.
The drum module for the Yamaha DTxpress IV electronic drum kit.
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals, and sometimes other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The drummer typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks or special wire or nylon brushes; and uses their feet to operate hi-hat and bass drum pedals.
Japanese heavy metal drummer Yoshiki's drum riser at Madison Square Garden
A pair of drumsticks held in traditional grip.
Snare drum on a modern light-duty snare drum stand
Keith Moon of The Who with a mixture of concert toms and conventional toms, 1975
