Electronic drums are a wonderful addition to a home project studio. Offering compact size and volume control, electronic kits incorporate contemporary triggers and samples, which provide astonishingly realistic results. Sound modules provide audio flexibility as well. Mono or stereo audio feeds are output for recording or live sound use. Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) data can drive sound modules or supply sequencing software.
Things You'll Need:
- 1/4-Inch Mono Phone Plug Instrument Cable(S)
- Xlr Audio Cable(S) (Optional)
- Direct Injection Box(Es) (Optional)
Connect one or two quarter-inch instrument cables to the electronic drums' sound module. Use one cable if mono sound is desired and two for stereo. Most modules will have one output marked for use as a mono feed.
Connect the other end of your instrument cables to an amplifier or PA system if the cable run is comparatively short, under 25 feet. Connect the drum module as you would a keyboard or other line level sound module. If your PA is equipped with stereo channels, these are ideal for use with stereo feeds from the drum module.
Use a direct input (DI) box if cable runs will exceed 25 feet. Two DI boxes or a special stereo DI box will be needed for stereo operation. Connect your quarter-inch cables to the input of the DI boxes, and connect XLR cables between the outputs and the PA or amplifier that can accept XLR input.
Tip
Most electronic drum sound modules have headphone jacks available. While this incorporates an amplifier suitable for driving headphones, it will not have enough power to run speakers. An amplifier, or an active speakers which incorporates an amp, is required.
References
Writer Bio
A full-time content creation freelancer for over 12 years, Scott Shpak is a writer, photographer and musician, with a past career in business with Kodak.
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