DRUMS
THE ADVANTAGE OF ELECTRONIC AND HYBRID KITS IN MODERN WORSHIP | Carl Albrecht
Yes , you read the title correctly . There is an advantage to playing digital or hybrid drum kits . Some drummers don ’ t often like to admit that , but it ’ s true … or at least it can be . Let ’ s take an honest look at the issue .
We all love to play our “ real ” ( acoustic ) drums . There ’ s something so “ organic ” and powerful about that contact with an acoustic instrument . Every musician feels this … the connection and vibration we feel from real drums , acoustic guitars , pianos ( not keyboards ), etc . But there ’ s a world of sound , texture and color that electronics make available to us that would be very difficult and maybe even impossible to create with only acoustic sources . If you keep an open mind the world of electronic / digital drums opens up unlimited possibilities to your creativity .
In many churches I know the drummers must play digital drums just to deal with the challenges of small venues or bad acoustics . You also might be dealing with playing with an orchestra and choir ; so acoustic drums just don ’ t work . I ’ ve been there . The latest digital kits from companies like Yamaha , Roland , ddrums and others are pretty amazing options . My favorite is the Yamaha DTX series . The feel of the pads and the new sampling technology makes them unbeatable in the digital drum market . ( Bruce the editor is very fond of the EFNOTE Digital Drums at his church ).
The key with all of these types of kits is working on your set up to be totally comfortable with the feel and liking the sounds you choose . Take the time to dial everything in to the best of your ability . There are so many sample and “ effects ” options that it can be a bit overwhelming , but it ’ s worth the time to build your favorite kit . Be patient … and just do it . Keep experimenting and discovering what digital drums can do . I ’ ve been impressed that the DTX series has awesome kits ready to go without much editing .
Job number two - Working on the sound mix with your house engineer is super important ! This applies to any electronic setup you use . Especially when you blend acoustic and digital sources together . * We call this a “ hybrid kit .” Be sure your house engineer is aware of what you ’ re doing and how the sounds work together . Triggered sounds can easily get lost if the engineer is not paying attention to the total sound of a drum kit . And when adding electronics to acoustics they have to be extra careful to incorporate those sounds into what they already hear from the real drums so it sounds like one full set up . You don ’ t want anything to get lost in the complexity of the set up .
The “ hybrid drum kit ” is what I enjoy the most . Using drum-triggers on my kit , a kick pedal trigger , and a multi-pad set up allows me to incorporate a little bit of everything along with the feel and power of acoustic drums and cymbals . I ’ ll use a trigger kick pedal just to the right of my real kick pedal for any electronic bass drum or low sound needed . I may even use a snare trigger to add extra snare samples to either one of my snares . Placing other pads
at different places around the kit is also an option ( See photo – the pad to the right of the floor tom .) And last but not least , the multi-pad . I like to use the Roland SPD-20 , but I also love the Yamaha DTX-Multi 12 . I usually put it to the left of my hi-hat … but it could also go over the kick drum if I use only one mounted tom . If you look on YouTube at various worship bands , you will see that this has become very popular .
As always let the music determine what you need to use . There are so many options in this world of modern drum technology that it ’ s easy to forget that it still about serving the music and the people . Don ’ t just become a “ tech geek ” to show off your creative chops . Keep “ serving the music ” as your prime directive and you ’ ll be good to go . That is always the 1 st commandment of great musicianship .
Blessings as you continue to grow in all that the Lord has made you to be .
Carl Albrecht Professional drummer for 30 + years , playing with Paul Baloche , Don Moen , Ron Kenoly , Abe Laboriel , LeAnn Rimes and others . He ’ s also a clinician , author & pastor . Contact Carl for coaching , online lessons , producing , or sessions . I ’ m still growing too ... www . CarlAlbrecht . com carlralbrecht @ gmail . com
78 March 2025 Subscribe for Free ...