Pros of Electronic Drums

Sound


• Can trigger any sound - drum, other instrument, or sound effect.
• Can use dozens of different sounds in a single song.
• Easy to alter the pitch and put effects (reverbs, delays) on a sound.
• Many sounds are professionally pre-EQed and compressed.
• Can change sound of the kit to suit a particular song.

  Volume
  

• Quieter for practicing - can be played with headphones.
• Less chance of hearing damage.
• Can play in apartment or late at night.
• Less amplification needed for band practice - so you can hear your star kazoo player.
• Separate volume control for each drum.
• You can play as loud as you want without feedback if you have a good monitoring system or PA. In fact you could drown out you favorite grunge metal guitarist with 4 Marshall amps if you have enough power!

  Size
  

• More compact - takes up less space in the bass player's van or your room.
• Lighter and more portable.

  MIDI
  

• Can record a sequence on a computer.
• Can store exact sounds parameters using MIDI.
• Can put MIDI drum tracks online.

  Recording and Gigs
  

• No hastle setting up mics for recording or gigs.
• Easier to sound check at a show - no moving mics.
• Can perform in quiter environments, like a church or coffee shop.
• Much easier for a sound engineer to control the volume.
• Easier to record - you will always get "exact" sound during different sessions.

  Practice
  

• Easy to practice along with CDs with many modules.

  Maintenance
  

• No broken heads (except, perhaps, with V-drums).
• No tuning hastle (though you can change the pitch of each sound).
• Fewer broken drumsticks.

  Looks
  

• Electronic set looks better (?).

Cons of Electronic Drums

Sound


• Some modules don't sound like acoustic drums, especially cymbal sounds.
• Don't have full range of dynamics (volume) and expression.
• Most systems don't have full range of positional sound (rim to center).
• Some systems don't have hi-hat open-closed range.

  Volume
  

• While playing live you won't be able to hear yourself unless you have a good monitoring system.
• Your audience won't be able to hear you unless you have a good PA or amplifier.

  Triggering
  

• False (double) triggering.
• Missed triggers.
• Harder to play rolls on some systems.
• Harder/impossible to play with brushes.

  Feel
  

• Most pads don't feel like acoustic drums - different stick bounce.

  Looks
  

• Acoustic set looks better (?).

  Size
  

• Smaller pads - harder to hit (okay, this only matters if you suck).

  New Revisions
  

• Gets outdated quicker -- newer, better, cheaper modules come out.

Send me email if you can think of any other pros or cons.