Electronic drums can be an excellent choice for drummers looking to practice without being a menace to society. They\u2019ll allow you to jam out pretty much anytime while not disturbing anyone, and you can even use them during band rehearsals. Therefore, it is vital to learn how to play your electronic drums with headphones so you can utilize their potential to the maximum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few tips for playing electronic drums, both during band rehearsals and alone:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Headphones can help elevate your playing and get you fast-tracked to make your killer performance. Let\u2019s take a closer look at what you must do to play your electronic drums with the headphones plugged in efficiently. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to play your electronic drums with headphones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you start honing your drumming skills while using headphones, you must choose the right ones<\/a> for the job. Theoretically, you could take pretty much any headphones and use them, but the sound quality you\u2019ll get would probably be nothing to write home about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few things to consider when picking your headphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cheap headphones will usually not do a great job getting all the frequencies to you, at least not without a significant loss of quality. This lack of quality is especially troubling if you want to play electronic drums this way, as they will produce a wide array of different frequencies. There is a vast difference between the kick drum and the high hat; for example, you\u2019ll need to hear both crystal clear for superior performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing to pay attention to is isolating yourself from the rest of the world while playing. This isolation won\u2019t directly influence your sound quality but will allow you to hear your drums much better without interference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, if you feel isolated, you\u2019ll get into the right headspace more easily and focus much better, leaving behind all other matters for the time being. Therefore, getting on-ear headphones with thick padding might be the best option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The cable’s length will help you be comfortable while playing. If the cable is too short, you might feel glued to the drum set, and it might get in the way. It\u2019s also essential to place it properly so that it won\u2019t bother you. Some good advice is to run it through your shirt, and you can tape it to your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pretty much every electronic drum set is going to have an input for headphones. Plugging your headphones into the drum set will be enough if you simply wish to hear your drumming. However, you should probably take time to play around with the EQ to get the most out of your drum set\u2019s capabilities and create a perfect mix for the headphones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the time, this will be enough for some basic drills and practicing your technique. You won\u2019t be able to hear anything apart from the drum set, but if you\u2019re not trying to practice a song but simply to work on a specific skill, it will be enough. You’ll need to get inventive if you want to hear another audio track, for example, a particular song you wish to practice or use a metronome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step should be pretty self explanatory, but it\u2019s to plug your headphones into your electronic drum set. The only thing you need to keep in mind is what type of input jack your electronic drums use. For most electronic drum sets, it\u2019ll either be a standard 3.5mm headphone jack or a \u00bc inch headphone jack. Most headphones will have the standard 3.5mm input jack. Many higher end studio headphones will come with a \u00bc inch adapter right in the box, but if not, you can always buy a separate \u00bc inch head adapter<\/strong><\/a> for under $10 on Amazon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All modern electronic drum kits have aux inputs. These come in handy because you can use them to plug in a phone, CD player, or any audio device and hear the music you want to practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most straightforward option is to use your phone with a pre-made playlist of tracks you want to play, so you can just let it rip and imagine you\u2019re on stage with a real rock band. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d also advise looking for drumless tracks, so you can fill in the gap without the original drum track getting in the way. Tracks without drums are an excellent option if you\u2019re well-versed in playing those songs and know the track by heart, so you don\u2019t need to hear it. If you\u2019ve just started learning a song, it\u2019s probably best to keep the drum track going until you\u2019ve learned it well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, you can visit websites such as Karaoke-version<\/a>, where you can buy tracks and control the mix. You can mute things, turn down the volume, or simply leave a click track. You\u2019ll need some knowledge of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for this, but it\u2019s something you can easily learn. While these tracks are not official tracks, they\u2019re great tools for learning and practicing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you wish to elevate your playing experience, you can invest in a cheap mixer with a couple of inputs and use it to simultaneously hear your drums and the track you\u2019re trying to play. You don\u2019t need an expensive mixer for this; almost anything will do. Of course, the more you invest, the better sound you\u2019ll get, but if you\u2019re only playing on your own, you don\u2019t need much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To use a mixer this way, you\u2019ll need to follow a few steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Incorporating a mixer is an excellent way to practice like a pro, as you\u2019ll get complete control of every single detail, and you\u2019ll get to adjust everything you hear and set it up just the way you like it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, if you want to play with another musician or a band, you might consider investing in a bigger mixer with more line-ins and line-outs. This system will allow all the band members to hear each other while keeping the noise to a minimum. It might require some trial and error, but once you figure it out, it might be perfect for your rehearsals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Aviom system is a great way to hook up everybody\u2019s in-ear monitors and create a separate mix for each band member. Doing so will allow everyone to hear what they need while blocking out all the outside noise and interference. It\u2019s like using a mixer but raised to a more professional level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Manufacturers designed this system for playing live concerts, but you may also use it for rehearsals with excellent results. Sadly, it is not a particularly cheap option, so it is not the wisest idea if your band is just starting or playing as a hobby. If you\u2019re planning to make it big, investing in such a system might be an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n JamHub<\/a> is a device specifically made for noiseless rehearsals. It is similar to the Aviom System but not made for live performances. It is an exquisite tool for bands who rehearse in flats or somebody\u2019s basement, and it can also be a great option for any band that utilizes electronic drums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n JamHub comes in a few different varieties at different prices, and you can connect up to seven musicians to it, allowing them to play simultaneously. Unfortunately, it is not the most affordable piece of equipment, so you should only go for it if you\u2019ve got a lot of extra cash or need to practice for something big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use Bluetooth headphones with your electronic drums, but it is not advisable. The latency you get with Bluetooth headphones is too high to play drums in sync with what you hear, so it is best to use wired headphones. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I get it; Bluetooth headphones are fantastic for listening to music without those pesky cables getting in the way. This versatility might give you the idea that they might also be great for playing electronic drums since cables getting in the way while playing can be pretty annoying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technically speaking, it is possible to use your Bluetooth headphones for this. You can find an adapter, plug it in, and play. Well, you can only sort of play because the latency is likely too high to play comfortably, so you would be better off with wired headphones, even if the cable bothers you so much you\u2019d like to get rid of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s see how you can use your Bluetooth headphones with your electronic drums and why it\u2019s not the best idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you wish to try this out for yourself and see if you can do it, you only need to follow a few steps: <\/p>\n\n\n\n This process is super simple, as you can see. However, there are several reasons why it shouldn\u2019t be your primary option. Let\u2019s check out why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though Bluetooth has progressed significantly in the last couple of years, and Bluetooth headphones have become increasingly better, they still can\u2019t compete with wired headphones regarding latency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply speaking, latency is the time between you hitting a drum and hearing the sound. Or, more generally speaking, the time between an action and hearing the sound it produces. Basically, with Bluetooth headphones, you hear the sound much later than you do with wired headphones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While this is not a noticeable problem when listening to music or watching movies (at least most of the time), it can be problematic when playing electronic drums. Most people who play electronic drums agree that latency starts being noticeable around 10 ms. Some claim they can hear it earlier, while some may hear it later, but this is a rough average. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bluetooth headphones usually have a latency between 100 and 200 ms, which is significantly more than what you\u2019d need to play your drums comfortably. Even high-end, low-latency Bluetooth headphones don\u2019t have a latency below 19 ms, almost twice as much as the acceptable level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, you shouldn\u2019t use your Bluetooth headphones with your electronic drums. Someone out there can probably pull it off well, but it\u2019s challenging and not worth the effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can play electronic drums even if you don\u2019t have headphones. Ideally, you\u2019ll need a dedicated amp, but you can also use a keyboard or bass amp. Alternatively, you could use your computer speakers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While playing with headphones is a convenient way to use your electronic drums, it is not a must. Manufacturers of electronic drums typically make dedicated amps and monitors for electronic drums, so the best option is just to use that. You just plug in and play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there are some other things you can use instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s take a look at how you can utilize this equipment to jam on your electronic drums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should use a dedicated amp for each instrument to achieve the best performance. Ideally, if you\u2019re playing electronic drums, you should use an amp made for electronic drums. However, if this is not available, you could potentially use a keyboard or bass amp. Using a keyboard amp instead of a bass amp is advisable, as it can usually reach a broader range of frequencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Pick the Right Headphones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Headphone Quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Isolation Enhancement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cable Length <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Pick the Right Headphones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Plug the Headphones into the Electronic Drum Set<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Use the Aux Input for Your Headphones <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Get a Mixer To Elevate Your Headphone Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Use an Aviom System To Block Out Ambient Sound <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Get a JamHub Device for Your Headphones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones With Electronic Drums?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How To Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Electronic Drums<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why You Shouldn\u2019t Use Bluetooth Headphones With Electronic Drums<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can You Play Electronic Drums Without Headphones?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keyboard or Bass Amps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n