Traps Drums Experience? Anyone?

Hello All,

I am finally going to start learning the drums (always wanted to). I could use some advice though.

I own a house in a close neighborhood and don

I know they are good for a quieter situations, but as far as space goes, they will take up almost the same real estate as a small acoustic kit. Then you have cymbals to deal with.

If I was in a tight living situation, the best way for me to make the most of the situation is with an e-kit.

I know you can muffle down an acoustic, or convert it to an e-kit eventually but still...if you bang on *anything* acoustic it cuts though walls.

My vote goes to an e-kit where you can have "e-cymbals" and play 24/7 with no outside worries. Not to mention the e-kit will have songs/metronome built in.

Ok, do the skills learned on an e-kit transfer over to an acoustic kit?

Yes they do, up to a point. E-kits aren't that great for ghost notes/grace notes and other subtle dynamics. Also, he would have to work on acoustics for feel. But we are talking beginner here, he's not about to dive into the finer points of Art Blakey's playing for a while.

No experience with Traps but I think I'd go with an acoustic kit and mufflers which would give you less than half the volume of a non-muffled acoustic kit but also give you a set to take over to a buddies and jam at full volume when you want. This, under the assumption that you are dead set against an e-kit. Restore is correct, you can play those things all night and no neighbor would be the wiser and they also have some cool features (metronome etc) that can help your progress.

Good luck!

He'd definitely have to invest in muffling/damping products for everything acoustic. IF he has the space. A 6-pc e-kit with e-cymbals takes up less floorspace than a 4-pc acoustic if room is that tight. Personally, I find an acoustic kit making no tone very frustrating.

I am shying away from an e-kit slightly because 1) they are FAR more expensive and 2) I want something that will translate to a "real" kit better.

I have also read that some people have gigged with a traps kit.

take a look at this review:

Neil Peart uses one in hotels while on tour. But it really sounds like no matter what any of us say, you have already made up your mind and are waiting for corroboration. Good luck with the traps, they don't translate to jam sessions very well.

Understood and for Livid and others new to drums probably even more so but for me I don't mind it. Especially when I'm just doing drills or practicing out of a book. You don't need sound to develop coordination/muscle memory. But I definitely hear what you're saying.

It's nowhere as near as frustrating as a rubber practice pad .

But if space allows, a muffled acoustic or an e-kit will adapt to a jam session, and a flats type kit won't (without mics).

Oh OK. see these types of things I didn't know. Thank you. I will give them both a try when I am at the store.

could try like I do, muffled acoustic kit with hot rods or basticks by regaltip. Yes you will have some bleed out of sound through the walls but may work for early evening hours drumming. thick curtains, mattress and mattress top foam on the walls and ceiling could help. blankets and such over the drums would help as well. Flat walls that bounce sound and square rooms are bad on reverbing sound. Burlap sacks, etc and other treatments may also help. Controlling the Bass sound will be the biggest thing. Hope this helps.

Is there room to build a garage in the backyard? Then do a room within a room technique.