Electronic drums are not meant to completly replace real acoustic drums. They
simulate acoustic drums and are a different musical instrument, albeit
a very closely related instrument. Lets take a look at
electronic drums vs. acoustic drums.
Advantages of electronic drums:
You can play them without disturbing your neighbors as much.
You can learn to play drums, and no one will hear you
if you suck.
They are compact and fit in a small room.
Electronic drums can generate all sorts of weird
sounds.
You can easily practice playing with a CD by
plugging the player into the sound module, and not have to worry
that the drum sound will overwhelm the music.
You don't have to tune them.
Electronic drums are much easier to record. Just plug them into your mixing
board, and don't worry about having to carefully arrange multiple microphones.
Disadvantages of electronic drums:
Electronic drums don't have the volume range of acoustic drums.
They don't have expressive range of acoustic drums
either, especially with the hi-hat and other cymbals.
Brushes are not as effective on electronic drums,
particularly with rubber pads.
They do not look as good as acoustic drums, unless you
play on a high end electronic kit that includes large mesh type drum pads.
If you perform on stage, you are at the mercy of the
stage monitor speakers to hear yourself play.
They are more expensive.
Electronic drums are much more of a hustle to assemble and
take apart than a standard acoustic kit because they have
many more parts and wires.
