Best Drum Set for 500 Dollars – Pay Less and Drum like a Professional
You are thinking of advancing your drumming career. Or perhaps you have a passion for drumming and want to learn the art. Regardless of the case, a superior drum kit will come in handy for you. If you are in the search for one, but your budget is limiting you, do not fret. There are numerous great kits that you can get at less than 500 dollars.
Whether you are searching for the best drum set for under 500 dollars or the best electronic drum set for 500, I am here to help with my expert reviews. Being a professional in the drumming field, I have based these reviews on my vast experience so you can rely on them. I will share some of the things you should know to make a satisfactory decision.
To my mind, the following list of products works best for drummers. Therefore, by looking through each review, you will be able to define whether that particular drum kit is for you or not. The description of each item is based on its material, elements, design, and other features mentioned in the reviews.
What to Look for in a Drum Set?
Contents
- What to Look for in a Drum Set?
- Amazon Bestseller
- Top 12 Most Affordable Drum Sets to Suit Your Musical Needs
- 1. Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Shell Pack – Best Cheap Drum Set for Beginners
- 2. Eastar 22 inch drum set EDS-480Bu – Perfect Both for Learners and Intermediate Drummers
- 3. Ashthorpe 5-Piece Adult Drum Set – Long-Lasting Drumming Experience
- 4. LAGRIMA 5 Piece Full-Size Drum Set –Best Drum Kit Under 500 for a Great Performance
- 5. Best Choice 5-Piece Kit – Best Drum Set Under 500 Dollars with an Outstanding Design
- 6. Pearl Drum Kit – Best Drum Set for 500 with Professional Hardware
- 7. Gammon Percussion Full-Size Complete Adult Drum – Best Drum Set for Under 500 with an Impressive Design
- 8. Pearl Roadshow Complete Drum Set – The Assembly with a Stick Storage Bag
- 9. Best Drum Set For 500 Dollars With an Attractive Design – Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack
- 10. Best Drum Kit Under 5000 For Superior Sound – Pearl EXX725S/C708 5-Piece Drum Kit
- 11. Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit – Get the Best Electronic Drum Kit for Under 500 with Power Supply
- 12. Alesis Turbo Mesh Electronic Drum Kit – The Best Electronic Drum Set For 500 With Headphones
- What Makes Up a Drum Kit?
- What Makes a Drum Kit Great?
- Share Your Thoughts on These Affordable Drum Kits
At some point, every beginning drummer encounters a problem related to choosing a drum set. With a great selection of different options on the market, finding a good cheap drum set might be challenging. Therefore, this buyer’s guide will provide you with the information you have to consider before purchasing one.
Cymbal & Stand
There are different types of cymbals, and each one has its own role in the set. They are Ride Cymbal, Hi-Hat, and Crash Cymbal. You can find an immense selection of cymbals for various effects for every taste: with options for colors, sound, and shapes. Finding some cheap yet quality cymbals should not be a problem: there are both dominant cymbal manufacturers and alternative niche brands that are less popular on the market.
When choosing cymbals and their stands, remember to try them out while in the store. Place cymbals on the stands and tilt them the way they tilt in your setup. Then try to play the way you normally do, that is with the same strength. It’s also better to use your own drumsticks. This way, you’ll know what these cymbals really sound like.
If you’re a beginner, it’s better not to make such a decision on your own but consult with a professional instead. You can ask a more experienced friend, look for advice on some musical forums and, of course, address a shop assistant. Don’t be shy to ask their opinion.
Size
Since a drum set takes a lot of space, it’s better to consider where you’ll put it and choose the kit according to its size. Some advanced professional players choose the precise dimensions of their kit’s drums. But for a beginner and amateur drummer, it’s better to just choose the size of the whole set itself. If you are looking for a standard drum kit, these are the options for you:
- Rock kit: it’s standard-sized with larger shells. This type of drum set is mostly used for heavier styles of rock ‘n’ roll.
- Jazz kit: it’s smaller than the rock one and more suitable for playing lighter styles.
There’s also a possibility to purchase a children’s drum kit. It is a perfect kit for those who are just beginning their journey in music. The size of such models is smaller than standard ones, and they usually are less functional. Another option is a portable drum kit. Due to its compact size, it is easier to practice at home.
You can also purchase an electronic kit. It won’t take much space, and you can easily keep it in the corner of your room or studio. They are quite portable too.
Purpose
Probably the most important question you have to answer before buying any instrument is why you need it. After you understand the purpose, it will be much easier for you to choose the set. So here are some of the most common options:
- For practicing the technique at home where you don’t want to make any noise: choose practice or electronic drum sets.
- For rehearsals and self-study, in case you have a place with no noise restrictions, it’s better to choose an acoustic drum kit.
- For performances at parties and restaurants: in this case, the priority is the ease of the setup, the simplicity of sound tuning, and portability of the instrument. The portable and easy-to-handle solution is an electronic drum kit or a small acoustic one.
- For playing gigs or studio recordings, when good sound is your priority, it’s better to buy an acoustic drum kit.
- For simple learning how to play drums, you can choose a children’s drum kit.
Setup
The setup of the drum set is also an important factor to think about before buying one. Setting up every kind of drum kit is kind of challenging for beginners: you have to set up your drums, hardware, and cymbals in the right way.
If you are looking for an easy-to-set-up set, an electronic one is your solution. Such kits are usually not only quite portable, but their setup does not require a team of specialists.
Top 12 Most Affordable Drum Sets to Suit Your Musical Needs
Find out about classy drum sets you can get on Amazon that will fit your 500 dollar budget. Get to know the pros and cons of each best electronic drum set under 500 as well.
1. Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Shell Pack – Best Cheap Drum Set for Beginners
If you are looking for a high-quality yet cheap drum set that is suitable for beginners, this model is the one for you. The Yamaha brand is popular for a reason as it provides several exceptional features that make this set ahead of lots of other options within its price range.
- Constituent elements
This kit includes 5 drum shells: a kick, a rack tom, a floor tom, and a snare. It also comes with quite impressive hardware. A 3-hole receiver, 2 tom mounts, and 3-floor tom legs will help to improve resonance and sustain. However, some of the other essentials aren’t included, like kick pedals, cymbals, throne, and stands.
- Material
The drum shells of this Yamaha set are made of birch. This material is known for providing unique sound qualities. Birch adds punch and sharpness, and the 6-ply construction helps to manage vibration better.
- Design
Yamaha drums are famous for their amazing and classy appearance. This kit is no exception. It also comes in a variety of colors: white, honey amber, red, and natural wood. Its design is well-thought-out, not to mention the Yamaha innovative sustaining system, which provides minimum contact between the shell and hardware.
- Included Drums: 20x17 kick, 10x7 rack tom, 12x8 rack tom, 14x13 floor tom, 14x5.5 snare
- Included Hardware: TH-945B 3-hole receiver with (2) YESS tom mounts, (3) floor tom legs
- High-quality materials.
- Great hardware.
- Excellent sustaining system.
- Bare kit.
2. Eastar 22 inch drum set EDS-480Bu – Perfect Both for Learners and Intermediate Drummers
This drum set will be a perfect choice in case you wish to share the art of drumming with your friends. It is suitable for starters and more experienced musicians. Consider the features which make it fit the mentioned purpose.
- Material
Whether you are a learner or an intermediate drummer, this set will not disappoint you. It is made of popular material, and its drums produce a loud sound with even vibration. Be sure, this set will motivate you, particularly if you are looking to sharpen your skills.
- Constituent elements
Besides, the drums by Eastar come as a full set, which includes drum sticks and cymbals. Moreover, your package will include a throne comfortably supporting the weight of up to 150 kgs. If you are a heavy-bodied individual, you should not fret over the throne breaks down the first day you sit on it.
- Design
When you first receive your shipment package of this set by Eastar, you may notice wrinkles on the drum skin. They should not cause your concern as these wrinkles will disappear once you install the set. The drum skin is of premium quality, thereby ensuring it will last quite a while before you think about replacing it.
- SUPER VALUE FULL-SIZE DRUM SET - Eastar EDS-485B 5 adult drum set involves drum body, stand, drum throne, cymbal, drumsticks, suitable for beginning and intermediate drum enthusiasts, drums with horizontal stripes of poplar, high strength, even vibration, sound Loud.
- PREMIUM DRUM HEAD- Made from superior different thickness and resonance surface to shape excellent sound- Bass drum head tension is larger than similar products, and the drum skin vibration is better. The snare drum with a high-grade white matte head has a particularly good sound that comparable to the midrange snare drum since the drum section has a slope. Due to transportation reasons, wrinkles are normal when the drum skin is received, and the wrinkles disappear after installation.
- It comes as a complete set.
- Pieces are made of durable materials.
- It produces a good sound.
- Best suited for novices and intermediate drummers only.
3. Ashthorpe 5-Piece Adult Drum Set – Long-Lasting Drumming Experience
Choosing a drum set that combines great capacity and enhanced durability may sound challenging. Read the following review of the item from Ashthorpe to find out whether it still remains so impossible as you thought before.
- Constituent elements
Your search for an affordable drum set that can be played by a beginner or even the most advanced drummer ends with this piece by Ashthorpe. This professional set includes everything that you will need to kick off your practice right away. It combines stands, toms, 5 shells, cymbals, and even a drum adjustment key.
- Material
If you have some drumming experience, you know how uncomfortable an unpadded throne can be. With this drum set, this issue won’t be a concern anymore because its throne is well-padded to grant you the maximum comfort when playing. Besides, other pieces of this drum set are also made of high-quality materials. This characteristic not only ensures the sturdiness of assembly but also guarantees a rich sound. There are also triple-flanged hoops and poplar hardwood shells.
- Design
The appearance of this set is amazing. You are able to pick the finish of your preference. This way, you can be certain the first thing that people will notice during the show is how nice the set looks. The price for this set is also reasonable as its features guarantee a great performance.
- Genuine Remo heads: Each drum in this set features prestigious Remo brand UT-series batter heads (top side of drum). Remo is the world's largest drumhead company and their products combine industry excellence with classic sound qualities, perfect for any aspiring drummer.
- Professional set: Ideal for all adult musicians, beginner to advanced, this full-size set provides everything needed for playing and perfecting practice, including a 22" x 16" eight-lug bass drum, 16" x 16" floor tom, 13" x 10" and 12" x 9" mounted toms, 14" x 6" snare with wires, 14" hi-hat cymbals, 16" crash/ride cymbal, all stands, padded throne (stool), drumsticks, hardware, chain-driven pedals, and drum adjustment key.
- A complete set – you can play immediately after assembling.
- Ideal for all drummers.
- All elements are made of sturdy materia ls.
- Not intended for children.
4. LAGRIMA 5 Piece Full-Size Drum Set –Best Drum Kit Under 500 for a Great Performance
The third product under review is this high-grade drum set from LAGRIMA. It is an optimal solution for both the beginners in the drumming field and the ones who wish to master their performance skills.
- Material
There are many things that can make a drum lover go wild by just looking at them. If this phrase has awakened something in your soul, then this set by LAGRIMA will impress you. Its genuine wood shells and a lovely gloss finish them make the item look catchy. Besides, the material used to make the shells ensures that they will last for a long time. For this reason, you won’t have to replace them regularly.
- Design
Another notable feature of this drum set is its impressive workmanship, which guarantees good performance. The snare of LAGRIMA`s product comes with a rattle to ensure flexibility in tone. Furthermore, if you like drums that can be adjusted until getting the best angle for great tones – this set will become a solution. The reason is you can modify the tones by tilting.
- Constituent elements
What sounds even better, you can expect everything you need from a package of this set. The kit includes a throne for your comfort during the musical performance. This way, you are able to rock immediately you unpack this set. The product appears to be quite affordable and will easily fit in your budget considering the mentioned features.
- 🥁 【LAGRIMA 5 Piece Full Size Drum Set】 The bass drum adopts a 6-lug structure, and the snare drum is equipped with a matte leather design to enhance the tone. Three-layer electroplating process, no rust and more wear-resistant.
- 🥁 【Thick Drum Cavity Design】 Preferred 4 layers of poplar wood + 6 layers of maple wood, the sound can be more energetic. The smaller the amplitude, the stronger the radiation. BASS drums need strong bass, and strengthen the drum cavity design to make the overtones diffuse slowly and enhance the tone.
- Inexpensive.
- It comes with all the necessary pieces.
- Long-lasting.
- Unsuitable for children.
5. Best Choice 5-Piece Kit – Best Drum Set Under 500 Dollars with an Outstanding Design
In case you are in search of professional musical equipment of exquisite quality, consider the item from Best Choice Products. The characteristics of this kit combined with a moderate price make it a great choice for a reasonable purchase.
- Constituent elements
If you prefer sets that come ultimately complete – with every piece that you may need to jam out as a beginner or even an experienced drummer, – this solution by Best Choice Products would be ideal. A package of this set comes with everything, including cymbals and a throne. It means that you will not need to spend extra cash to obtain any other pieces.
- Material
The drum set under review is of a standard size, which means that both your older and younger friends can use it with comfort. Furthermore, you will save a lot of your coins if you buy this item – its shells are made of wood and metal. These materials are tough, and you will not need to replace them very often.
- Design
The first thing anyone would notice while looking at this drum set is its outstanding appearance. Whether you already know something about this brand`s products or not, the fascinating design will easily catch your eye. This drum set is just for you if you are fond of a high gloss finish. Also, the drum heads are white, hence appealing.
- FULL SIZE ADULT DRUM SET: Complete with every piece needed to jam out, this set includes a snare, bass drum, floor tom, high-hat cymbal, ride cymbal, bass drum pedal, stool, 2 rack toms, and drum sticks
- CLASSIC DESIGN: Crafted with a high-gloss finish, as well as white drum heads and eye-catching chrome details to give your drums a timeless appearance
- It comes in a standard size.
- It includes all the necessary pieces.
- Catchy design.
- It may require upgrading of cymbals for better performance.
6. Pearl Drum Kit – Best Drum Set for 500 with Professional Hardware
Looking for a drum set that is ready for use immediately after assembling? Pearl has covered this request with its outstanding drum set.
- Constituent elements
Every drumming piece necessary for your gig is included in the package. This one includes 5 drum shells and 3 cymbals. Moreover, the set also contains a throne. It ensures that you will not worry about a place to sit when playing.
- Material
It is made of poplar material and the shells provide a tone that will impress your ears. You are guaranteed to enjoy the professional features of this item, like its hardware and a double-brace.
- Design
Additionally, it is quite impressive that this drum set has a locking stands on the pedal of its bass drum. This feature contributes to its firmness. Despite the qualified mounting, in case you need a boom stand, you will need to purchase one separately. The reason is the set does not include this element.
When purchasing this drum set from Amazon, you should expect that your package may be shipped in more than one box. Moreover, these boxes may be sent apart. Due to the mentioned reason, you will need to follow up to ensure your parcel is on the way.
- Complete Drum Set -The Pearl Roadshow drum kit comes complete with everything you need to start drumming right out of the box. This set comes with drums, hardware, cymbals, and drum throne. We even throw in sticks and a stick bag to complete the set
- Set Includes-22x16 bass drum, 14x5.5 snare, 10x8 & 12x9 rack toms, 16x16 floor tom, cymbal stand, Hi-hat stand, snare stand, Two rack tom holder, kick pedal, drum throne, 16" crash/ride cymbal, 14" Hi-hats, 2pair of maple drumsticks, and stick bag
- It has all the necessary equipment to start your gig right away.
- It includes matching snare.
- Optimum tonal power.
- No boom stand.
7. Gammon Percussion Full-Size Complete Adult Drum – Best Drum Set for Under 500 with an Impressive Design
If you had an experience of purchasing a drum set before, you would understand the importance of having all the essential parts in one product. Otherwise, owning a tight budget, you should consider this set by Gammon. Everything you require to start rocking is included in the package of this drum kit.
- Constituent elements
The set consists of 5 drums, cymbals, and even drum sticks. Pedals and stands are also part of this kit. Furthermore, it includes a throne that makes the musical process even more comfortable and increases the precision of playing.
- Material
The drums of the set by Gammon are made of real wood to withstand tears from frequent use. Also, if you are a drummer who likes colorful sets, the range of colors of this kit will surely impress you. You have the freedom to choose from a wide variety – black, wine red, metallic green, or metallic blue.
- Design
Putting aside the color variety, it’s worth mentioning that the finish of this drum set is striking. It has a high gloss finishing, which makes the kit very attractive to look at. The cost of this set is also reasonable, which means you will get value for your cash.
- Included Drums: 22"x14" Bass, 5 1/2" x 14" Snare, 16"x16" Floor Tom, 12"x10" and 13"x10 Mounted Toms with Adjustable Tilt Memory Locks
- Included Cymbals: 2-12" Hi-Hat, 1-14" Crash/Ride Cymbal
- All the necessary pieces are included.
- An attractive finishing.
- Quite affordable.
- Not suitable for children.
8. Pearl Roadshow Complete Drum Set – The Assembly with a Stick Storage Bag
If you are going to use 500 dollars on a drum set to kick start your roadshow immediately you unpack it, you will be pleased with the one by Pearl. Due to the following features, the tone from its shells is impressive.
- Constituent elements
The item is packed with all the essential pieces and accessories for drumming. With this kit, the storage of your drum sticks will be a non-concern. A Pearl stick bag is included for this purpose. Also, in case you lose some of the drum sticks, you will have an additional pair to replace them. The manufacturer has added this optional element to the package.
- Material
The set is made using high-quality poplar material. It enhances the tonality and durability of the whole musical assembly.
- Design
Another thing I like about this drum set is its stability. The brand has ensured that the hardware package is double braced to grant maximum support. So, no matter how hard you play, it will remain strong.
- Complete Drum Set -The Pearl Roadshow drum kit comes complete with everything you need to start drumming right out of the box. This set comes with drums, hardware, cymbals, and drum throne. We even throw in sticks and a stick bag to complete the set
- Set Includes-22x16 bass drum, 14x5.5 snare, 10x8 & 12x9 rack toms, 16x16 floor tom, cymbal stand, Hi-hat stand, snare stand, Two rack tom holder, kick pedal, drum throne, 16" crash/ride cymbal, 14" Hi-hats, 2pair of maple drumsticks, and stick bag
- An inexpensive set.
- Suitable for immediate use after the assembly.
- It includes a special bag for stick storage.
- No boom stand included.
9. Best Drum Set For 500 Dollars With an Attractive Design – Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack
When buying drum sets, you should inspect the pieces being sold to you very critically. The picture in the advertisement may show a full set, but actually, the vendor intends to sell only the shells. Look at the section below to ensure this case will never happen to you.
- Constituent elements
If you are hunting for high-quality shells at a low budget, consider these ones by Ludwig. Your package will include 4 drum shells and a 13-inch floor tom.
- Design
The shells and the snare drum of this set are quite attractive due to their appealing gloss finish. Furthermore, the snare drum features black and gold sparkles, which make it stand out. The package will make sense in case you are replacing your shells. Otherwise, you will have to buy other accessories separately.
- Material
The shells of this product are made of 7ply poplar material for boosting sound quality. Despite great workmanship, this set is quite affordable for those looking for low-priced drums. Besides, this item comes in a sizeable package, which is quite portable.
- 4-piece Hardwood Shell Pack with 10" Tom
- 14" Snare - Black Gold Sparkle
- Portable package.
- Attractive design.
- Reasonable price.
- The package consists of only a floor tom and drum shells.
10. Best Drum Kit Under 5000 For Superior Sound – Pearl EXX725S/C708 5-Piece Drum Kit
This set is the most suitable one if you have the intention to upgrade your shells. Consider it to get high-quality drum shells with a rich and warm sound.
- Constituent elements
The product under review is a 5-piece kit by Pearl. If you are the type of drummer, who prefers to buy the pieces separately – pay your attention to this particular set from a famous brand.
- Material
The shells are made using poplar and Asian mahogany materials, which ensure durability and a super sound of the kit. It is worth mentioning that the drum hoops of this set are made of steel. It is a remarkable feature because steel helps to minimize the muffling caused by die-cast. Also, the drum lugs of this set have a low mass. It further increases the resonance and boosts the sound quality.
- Design
Another advantage of this drum set is its availability in 6 durable and attractive finishes. Considering the hardiness of this set alongside the other features, it proves to be quite inexpensive.
- Asian Mahogany and Poplar blended shells for a rich warm sound
- 1.6mm Steel hoops
- Durable.
- It produces a rich sound.
- Available in a wide variety of finishes.
- Cymbals are not included.
11. Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit – Get the Best Electronic Drum Kit for Under 500 with Power Supply
Looking for modern drumming equipment of high quality and moderate cost? Try this one by Alesis for an exceptional drumming experience.
- Constituent elements
Every essential piece for that late-night practice session or concert is included in this set. It relates to 60 inbuilt tracks and a sequencer. If you love to track or evaluate your performance, this set will also let you do a recording.
When paying for this drum set, a hassle-free connection is guaranteed. The reason is connection cables, and power supply is present in the package. Also, the kit comes with more than 350 well-curated sounds to boost your practice. This item is ready for any sound genre you intend to play.
- Material
The heads of this kit are made of a mesh material. This woven fabric improves the drums’ responsiveness to sound. This way, a musician cannot differentiate his or her performance from one of an acoustic drum head.
- Design
Being a compact kit, it will require adjusting a throne to achieve comfort when playing. Also, the product varies significantly in size as compared to the auditory kit you may have got used to.
- Next generation mesh Performance: All-mesh drum heads deliver the most realistic, responsive and immersive playing experience modern drummers demand
- Premium 8-piece configuration: 8" Dual-zone snare pad, (3) 8" Tom pads and (3) 10” cymbals: Ride cymbal, hi-hat, crash with choke
- Ideal for the starters.
- It contains a lot of educational features.
- Quite affordable.
- Quite a small kit.
12. Alesis Turbo Mesh Electronic Drum Kit – The Best Electronic Drum Set For 500 With Headphones
This is another electronic set by Alesis under review. If you are a novice drummer, this drum kit will come in handy with 30 inbuilt tracks to boost your practice.
- Constituent elements
The package comes with additional accessories – the headphones. Supposedly, you will highly appreciate this option when all you want is silent practice. The product also has 30 built-in tracks alongside a wide array of impressive sounds.
- Material
This kit comes with mesh on its snare drum, as well as on its toms. This enhances the sturdiness of these pieces.
- Design
Due to the 3 toms and 3 cymbals of this kit by Alesis, you are ready to start drumming like a pro. Its pads have an 8-inch diameter, and this feature allows you to tune or replace the pads when the need arises. It is ideal for someone passionate about learning to drum without forking out a lot of money.
- This Deluxe Photo4less kit Inludes the Alesis Turbo Mesh 7 Piece Electronic Drum Kit and High-Quality Accessories
- TURBO MESH KIT HIGHLIGHTS: Mesh drum heads for a quiet yet natural response, Everything you need - 8” snare pad, (3) 8” tom pads, (3) 10” cymbals: hi-hat, crash, and ride; Kick pedal & Hi-hat pedal, and Connection cables, drum sticks, drum key, and power supply included
- Headphones included.
- It has 30 in-built tracks.
- Inexpensive.
- No power supply in the package.
| Name | Color | Dimesions | Weight | ASIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gammon Percussion Full Size Complete Adult 5 Piece Drum Set | Black | 30.3 x 24 x 22.1 inches | 84.4 pounds | B002RGPQJ0 |
| Pearl Drum Set, Bronze Metallic | Bronze Metallic | 24 x 24 x 18 inches | 50 pounds | B00NJVS32Y |
| LAGRIMA 5 Piece Full Size Drum Set | Black | 30 x 22 x 24 inches | 68.8 pounds | B01LX6VUOF |
| Best Choice Products 5-Piece Complete Full Size Adult Drum Set | Black | 30 x 23 x 22 inches | 74 pounds | B008J1TEQ8 |
| Ashthorpe 5-Piece Complete Full Size Adult Drum Set | Blue | 31 x 24 x 23 inches | 91.1 pounds | B07C72YYM3 |
| Eastar 22 inch Drum Set Kit | Blue | 30 x 23.5 x 22.5 inches | 77 pounds | B07W5VLRZ2 |
| Pearl Roadshow 5-piece Complete Drum Set | Blue | 24 x 24 x 18 inches | 49 pounds | B07D829PFB |
| Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-Piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum | Black | 23.5 x 22.5 x 18 inches | 49.1 pounds | B076FPX687 |
| Pearl EXX725S/C708 Export Series 5-Piece Drum Kit | Grindstone Sparkle | 24 x 24 x 20 inches | 37 pounds | B00UBSK3JO |
| Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit | Eight Piece All Mesh Electronic Drum Kit | Black | 24 x 38 x 43 inches | 29.5 pounds | B07BW1XJGP |
| Alesis Turbo Mesh 7 Piece Electronic Drum Kit | Black | 11.6 x 19.3 x 32 inches | 31 pounds | B07Y2GBDXQ |
What Makes Up a Drum Kit?
If you’re looking for a complete drum set with cymbals, you need to know what it should include. A standard drum kit consists of:
- Cymbals
- Crash – a cymbal with a hissing, powerful sound.
- Ride – a cymbal with a short sonorous sound that is used for accents.
- Hi-hat – two one-shaft-mounted cymbals that are controlled by a pedal.
- Floor tom-tom
- Tom-tom
- Bass drum
- Snare drum
- Bass drum
A bass drum is also known as a kick drum. It usually sits on the floor. All of them have legs since, unlike other drums, the bass model is in the horizontal position. It faces the listeners with one of the drumheads, on which the name of the drum kit brand is often written. It is played with a foot pressing the single or double pedal.
The kick drums’ sizes range from 18” to 24” in diameter and from 14” to 18” in thickness. Some of them are incredibly large custom drums. Bass drum beats are the basis of the rhythm of the whole band. And, as a rule, they are closely related to the rhythm of the bass guitar.
Snare drum
A snare drum is a metal, plastic, or wooden cylinder, tightened with leather (plastic in its modern form) on both sides. On one of its sides, strings or metal springs are stretched. This instrument has quite a unique rattling sound.
A snare drum is usually made of either metal or wood. Metals that are used for drums are steel, aluminum, brass, and some other alloys. They offer an exceptionally bright tone to their sound. However, lots of drummers prefer the warm, mellow sound of wooden snare drums. The traditional snare drum size is 14×5.5 inches. But, of course, you can find completely different models: from incredibly small ones, which look more like a tambourine, to extremely large options, like converted bass toms.
The weight of the drumsticks used to play on the snare drum depends on the acoustics of the room and the style of the musical piece being performed. The heavier the drumsticks, the stronger the sound.
Hi-Hats
Hi-Hats are considered to be the most basic type of cymbals now. They are pretty much the closest item in appearance to their ancestor – orchestral cymbals, as they consist of two cymbals. The lower cymbal weighs freely on the stand, and the upper plate is fixed with a special lock on the spire of the same stand. It is often called the most important kind of cymbals since a hi-hat retains its main rhythm in most modern music genres.
There are electronic counterparts, but it’s still hi-hat. Like all cymbals, a hi-hat differs in diameter, material, forging, and coating. However, with hi-hats, it is possible to have fun combining cymbals of different diameters and manufacturers (top and bottom).
Tom-Toms
If the kick and snare are practically an integral part of the drum kit, then the toms, on the contrary, are the most variable part of it. Their number and sizes also vary. They are mainly divided into rack tom and floor tom. They are usually called according to the register that they occupy (alto, tenor, and bass) – from high to low.
As a rule, a drum kit includes 3 or 4 toms. There are drummers who keep 10 toms in their kit. A floor tom is the largest one, and it stands on the floor. The rest of the toms are mounted to a bass drum. In some sets, a floor tom is not on the floor at all, but it is mounted to a separate stand.
Ride cymbal
When played, the ride cymbal produces a long ringing, a little hissing sound. They are mostly used in the diameter of 20”. But sizes from 18″ to 22″ are considered standard too. Major manufacturers make rides from 16″ to 26″, but it is possible to find rides up to 8″.
The larger and thicker the ride, the better it sounds in louder music, and, unlike crashes, the rim of the ride cymbal is usually quite thick. The ride is often the largest cymbal in a kit, but sometimes drummers use china or sizzle cymbals as a second ride, which, in this case, are larger but thinner than the ride.
Crash cymbal
Crash cymbals produce a powerful, wide-range atonal sound. The sound is basically produced by striking the cymbals against each other. The sound is most often produced by striking the shoulder of a drumstick against the edge of the cymbal. These cymbals are used primarily for accents.
Crash cymbals come in a wide variety of weights, from the thinnest one to the very heavy, but the edge of the cymbal needs to be reasonably thin. The typical sizes of crash cymbals are 16″ or 18″, although major manufacturers offer cymbals from 14″ to 20″. Custom-made ones may vary from 8″ to 28″.
Throne
A drum throne is very important: if you are not serious enough to choose it when buying a kit, you are likely to pay for it later not only with discomfort while playing, but also with a sore back. First of all, the throne should be stable. This is achieved due to its strong legs, rubber pads on them, and the weight of the throne itself. It should be adjustable in height as well. Most of them are comfortable and cushioned by air under the padding or springs.
Other items
Some of the other elements of a drum kit are bass drum pedals, hi-hat stands, racks, and stands. These, together with a drum throne, are called the drums hardware. You can find all of these items included in most of the kits.
What Makes a Drum Kit Great?
Some musicians think that the quality of a budget drum set is not as high as the expensive one. But actually, it’s quite possible to find a decent inexpensive model. Here is what makes a drum kit great:
Amount of drums
For beginner drummers, a 4-component drum set consisting of a snare drum, bass drum, high and floor volumes would be perfect. This kind of model provides all the basic sounds, takes up little space, is quite portable, and is suitable for rock, blues, and jazz. In 5, 6, and more elements drum settings tom-toms are added, which gives a wider tonal range. Such models are used for fusion, rock, and modern music styles.
Material
The material from which the drums are made is an important point to consider when choosing a percussion instrument. Most often it is a tree, and different types of wood have their own unique sound:
- oak gives brightness power to the sound
- maple makes the sound balanced and warm
- birch emits high and low frequencies, which is well-suited for recording in the studio
- redwood brightens mid and low frequencies
- poplar is an inexpensive alternative to birch or maple. The sound is similar to birch or redwood
Drumsticks
They come in different shapes and sizes, each type is designed for a specific musical style. For example, heavy sticks marked 2B are used in rock music or R&B because these styles require a high sound volume. And light 7A is intended for acoustics, folk, and jazz.
Most people looking for drum kits online usually become overwhelmed by the variety of products they can choose from. Each seller claims that his or her products are the best, even in case they are not. However, with adequate knowledge of what to look for, you can effortlessly settle on the most suitable kit. The reviews I have shared with you provide such kind of information about some of the best drum kits.
I insist that before buying a drum kit, you should confirm what the seller is offering. Some of the dishonest sellers post an image of a full set when, in reality, they sell the pieces individually. Don’t allow the low price to misguide you – it may lead you to forget to ensure what is being sold to you.
With that being the case, do not fret while picking out any of the drum sets I have reviewed. Remember, they go for below 500 dollars. All the mentioned products are reasonably priced and have many impressive features. What is your impression of these drum kits? Do you own a drum set worth less than 500 dollars? Do you think it deserves to be on my list? Please inform me in the comment section below, and be sure to get feedback on whatever you want to share.
