E-Drums in a cold garage and other random newbie questions!

I

IDunnoWhy

New Member
Alright, so “dual purpose” thread….Sorry in advance to the TLDR users…

First post here, and a few hopefully simple questions.

I’m just starting my drum journey at the youthful age of 53 :cool:, I’ve been a bass player for more than half of those years, and I’ll continue to be one, but I’ve really been taking an interest in the drums, so I figure why not have both around.

Here’s the question (and concern), I’ve got a budget kit coming on Sat., it’s an Alesis Nitro Pro, and due to the unfortunate size of my home, my kit will need to be in my garage, no big deal right? Well here in WI we have a quite bipolar mother nature, for example, yesterday it was 97 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees 🥵….6 months ago it was -11 with a wind chill of -27 🥶…

My garage has neither heat nor A/C (I do have a really nice space heater for working out…yeah the garage is also the gym 🤣).

So I know I’m getting a beginner kit, and I know the quality level will reflect that, but the YT vids I have watched have at least shown me it’s decent enough to noddle around with, I don’t need the best.

My concerns lay with the temperature fluctuations in the garage, have any of you veteran drummers rehearsed and stored your kits in similar conditions? Did you take any special steps to mitigate or lesson any issues? Maybe bring the module inside when not in use? Take extra time to “warm up” the kit before banging away?



Now, a couple more general drum questions, my new kit will come with a 90 day subscription to Drumeo, and a drummer friend has already offered to teach me, but I kind of want to do the Drumeo thing first, so I at least have some basics down before I have my buddy jump in, or before I burden him with a bunch of probably silly questions,

So, can someone suggest a size of drum sticks to start with 5A, 5B etc…? I’ve got large hands and I don’t want to hold chopsticks, but I don’t want axe handles either.

Do I “need” a drum pad right away? Or is having the kit available whenever I want going to be enough?

Do you prefer IEM’s or Closed back phones for practice, I have both, but I feel like the headphones would be more “in the way”?

Thanks in advance to those that got all the way through my post!
 
IDunnoWhy said:
Alright, so “dual purpose” thread….Sorry in advance to the TLDR users…

First post here, and a few hopefully simple questions.

I’m just starting my drum journey at the youthful age of 53 :cool:, I’ve been a bass player for more than half of those years, and I’ll continue to be one, but I’ve really been taking an interest in the drums, so I figure why not have both around.

Here’s the question (and concern), I’ve got a budget kit coming on Sat., it’s an Alesis Nitro Pro, and due to the unfortunate size of my home, my kit will need to be in my garage, no big deal right? Well here in WI we have a quite bipolar mother nature, for example, yesterday it was 97 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees 🥵….6 months ago it was -11 with a wind chill of -27 🥶…

My garage has neither heat nor A/C (I do have a really nice space heater for working out…yeah the garage is also the gym 🤣).

So I know I’m getting a beginner kit, and I know the quality level will reflect that, but the YT vids I have watched have at least shown me it’s decent enough to noddle around with, I don’t need the best.

My concerns lay with the temperature fluctuations in the garage, have any of you veteran drummers rehearsed and stored your kits in similar conditions? Did you take any special steps to mitigate or lesson any issues? Maybe bring the module inside when not in use? Take extra time to “warm up” the kit before banging away?



Now, a couple more general drum questions, my new kit will come with a 90 day subscription to Drumeo, and a drummer friend has already offered to teach me, but I kind of want to do the Drumeo thing first, so I at least have some basics down before I have my buddy jump in, or before I burden him with a bunch of probably silly questions,

So, can someone suggest a size of drum sticks to start with 5A, 5B etc…? I’ve got large hands and I don’t want to hold chopsticks, but I don’t want axe handles either.

Do I “need” a drum pad right away? Or is having the kit available whenever I want going to be enough?

Do you prefer IEM’s or Closed back phones for practice, I have both, but I feel like the headphones would be more “in the way”?

Thanks in advance to those that got all the way through my post!
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The temperature is not ideal but it should be ok in all honesty. I would be more concerned about an acoustic kit in those conditions.

I actually today was just thinking about how a practice pad has become useless for me since getting an ekit. It's 10pm here as I type this and I was just in tapping on the kit without even turning it on. An ekit is basically a full practice pad set that also makes noise when plugged in.

I typically use headphones but recently got a small amp I occasionally use.
 
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I have a 20+year old Roland TD-9 that has lived in the garden shed for at least 15 of those..... never had an issue.
I use IEM's exclusively for my A-kit playing live but have found full size headphones give a much better sound from my E-kit.
Never owned a practice pad in my life.
 
KEEF said:
I have a 20+year old Roland TD-9 that has lived in the garden shed for at least 15 of those..... never had an issue.
I use IEM's exclusively for my A-kit playing live but have found full size headphones give a much better sound from my E-kit.
Never owned a practice pad in my life.
Click to expand...
I've been playing for around 25 years now and still have my original practice pad, I think it's accumulated maybe 20 hours of total use in that time lol
 
I would be concerned about humidity (rust, vapors in the module).. As for a pad, how easily can you go out to the garage any time? Iin PJs, in snow? If your friend is a well trained drummer with good technique (and maybe teaching skills), I'd rather start with him or at least with the free drumeo videos that explain how to setup a kit ergonomically, proper throne height and grip etc. It's good to have a person to correct you.
 
Doraemon said:
I would be concerned about humidity (rust, vapors in the module).. As for a pad, how easily can you go out to the garage any time? Iin PJs, in snow? If your friend is a well trained drummer with good technique (and maybe teaching skills), I'd rather start with him or at least with the free drumeo videos that explain how to setup a kit ergonomically, proper throne height and grip etc. It's good to have a person to correct you.
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My garage is attached, so I can go out there pretty much anytime, I’d just have to fire up the heater about 30 mins prior, just like I do when I workout… In the summer I just leave the door to the house open with a fan blowing the A/C from the house into the garage…. Energy efficienct? Hardly, but it does cut the heat/humidity and make my workout “bearable”…

Maybe I’ll just bring the module inside when I’m done, especially since most of the sensitive electronics are in there anyway?

I obviously haven’t started my Drumeo subscription yet, but I guess I didn’t know they had videos explaining setup etc…, thanks for the suggestion!
 
IDunnoWhy said:
Alright, so “dual purpose” thread….Sorry in advance to the TLDR users…

First post here, and a few hopefully simple questions.

I’m just starting my drum journey at the youthful age of 53 :cool:, I’ve been a bass player for more than half of those years, and I’ll continue to be one, but I’ve really been taking an interest in the drums, so I figure why not have both around.

Here’s the question (and concern), I’ve got a budget kit coming on Sat., it’s an Alesis Nitro Pro, and due to the unfortunate size of my home, my kit will need to be in my garage, no big deal right? Well here in WI we have a quite bipolar mother nature, for example, yesterday it was 97 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees 🥵….6 months ago it was -11 with a wind chill of -27 🥶…

My garage has neither heat nor A/C (I do have a really nice space heater for working out…yeah the garage is also the gym 🤣).

So I know I’m getting a beginner kit, and I know the quality level will reflect that, but the YT vids I have watched have at least shown me it’s decent enough to noddle around with, I don’t need the best.

My concerns lay with the temperature fluctuations in the garage, have any of you veteran drummers rehearsed and stored your kits in similar conditions? Did you take any special steps to mitigate or lesson any issues? Maybe bring the module inside when not in use? Take extra time to “warm up” the kit before banging away?

Now, a couple more general drum questions, my new kit will come with a 90 day subscription to Drumeo, and a drummer friend has already offered to teach me, but I kind of want to do the Drumeo thing first, so I at least have some basics down before I have my buddy jump in, or before I burden him with a bunch of probably silly questions,

So, can someone suggest a size of drum sticks to start with 5A, 5B etc…? I’ve got large hands and I don’t want to hold chopsticks, but I don’t want axe handles either.

Do I “need” a drum pad right away? Or is having the kit available whenever I want going to be enough?

Do you prefer IEM’s or Closed back phones for practice, I have both, but I feel like the headphones would be more “in the way”?

Thanks in advance to those that got all the way through my post!
Click to expand...
As others have said, neither heat nor cold will affect an e-kit that much. I'd be more worried about you in the swinging temperatures than the kit! My garage is much the same, too hot for the summer and too cold for the winter. I used to have a little space heater for the winter days, but in the summer it got simply too hot (once the thermometer said it was over 110 in there). So maybe think about putting a small portable AC unit in there for summer and a space heater for winter.

For starting out it really depends on the size of your hands and what feels good for your grip. I would buy one set of 5As and one set of 5Bs, play for a while and see which feels better; then go in that direction. The more sticks you can try, the better. Keep in mind that other factors such as length, taper, and even the material (hickory, maple, etc.) can give you very different feels.

I would definitely check out everything your 90 days of Drumeo has to offer. There's plenty to offer for all skill levels. Once your subscription runs out, they still have a lot of good free content, plus there's so much stuff on the internet. Also, if you live close to a music store that hosts drum clinics and/or lessons, check that out. Even if it's just one lesson, clinic or class, the time you spend with a live drummer can be life-changing.

When I am practicing on my own, I prefer closed-back headphones for better isolation and fuller instrument sound. I recommend the Superlux HD667s, which offer excellent sound and isolation on a budget. I use KZ IEMs when playing live, for better comfort (closed ear headphones are bulky and hot).

Welcome and I hope you have SO much fun.
 
I think you can leave your brain... ummm... the drumset's brain in the garage year-round. I'd be more worried about condensation on the internals when quickly going from one extreme to the other. If you take a cold drink to the garage in the summer or a cold wrench from the garage to the house in the winter and you don't get much condensation, you're probably good to go. Your prior experience can confirm or deny my suspicions - just be cognizant of the possibilities.

My experience as a newbie was helped tremendously by a buddy who is a drummer. He lived too far away to be a teacher, but he did get me set up and pointed in the right direction so I could wobble off into the future on my own.

Another thing - anybody who offers to help a newbie is asking for a bunch of newbie questions and is willing to answer. You needn't worry about being a newbie. Everybody has to start at the beginning. I doubt that you were born walking and talking. ;) :) Shoot - you might even ask him to sit in on a couple of Drumeo lessons...

Stick sizes? You can hardly go wrong at first. Your hands, speed, targets (drum heads) and coordination are going to be so confused and learning so fast, the sticks will be the least of your worries. As you progress, your choice of longer/shorter, thicker/thinner, heavier/lighter, wood/nylon, etc., will start to reveal themselves. And if they don't, the curiosity will get you, as it did me. Likely, you'll end up with at least two different sizes for different applications, but that's a subject for the future and you can cross that bridge when it's appropriate. I found this website that may satisfy your stick curiosity for now.

FWIW, I started my drum journey at age 47 without the benefit of 25 years of playing bass. I never used a practice pad. Your mileage WILL vary.

Most of all, welcome to Drummerworld and enjoy the ride!
 
I'll do the sticks:

1. Choose the stick size that fits your hands and fingers and is comfortable to you. (we don't all have size 9 feet, similarly we don't all use 7A, 5A or 2B sticks)

Then

2. Pick the wood that gives you the weight you like for that size stick based on the density of material:
maple < hickory < oak

A maple 2B stick can weigh the same as a 7A oak stick.

The weight is a personal preference.

Furthermore - and just as important, flex:
maple > hickory > oak
More flex, less vibes and fatigue to your hands and wrists.

Tips: Use *any" tip you prefer - just as with acoustic drums, check the tips before and during play.

Ignore all the snake-oil sticks marketed for edrums. Don't need. Yes, I've tried 'em all over the decades.

Remember - sticks are consumables. You break them. Like a guitarist will break a string.

As a final note -

Me: I use non-big-branded maple sticks at the size that fit my hands and cost £20 for a brick of 12 pairs delivered 🙂
Nearly 40 years of bashing edrums - and my wrists still work and I've never broken a pad or head.
 
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IDunnoWhy said:
Alright, so “dual purpose” thread….Sorry in advance to the TLDR users…

First post here, and a few hopefully simple questions.

I’m just starting my drum journey at the youthful age of 53 :cool:, I’ve been a bass player for more than half of those years, and I’ll continue to be one, but I’ve really been taking an interest in the drums, so I figure why not have both around.

Here’s the question (and concern), I’ve got a budget kit coming on Sat., it’s an Alesis Nitro Pro, and due to the unfortunate size of my home, my kit will need to be in my garage, no big deal right? Well here in WI we have a quite bipolar mother nature, for example, yesterday it was 97 degrees with a heat index of 105 degrees 🥵….6 months ago it was -11 with a wind chill of -27 🥶…

My garage has neither heat nor A/C (I do have a really nice space heater for working out…yeah the garage is also the gym 🤣).

So I know I’m getting a beginner kit, and I know the quality level will reflect that, but the YT vids I have watched have at least shown me it’s decent enough to noddle around with, I don’t need the best.

My concerns lay with the temperature fluctuations in the garage, have any of you veteran drummers rehearsed and stored your kits in similar conditions? Did you take any special steps to mitigate or lesson any issues? Maybe bring the module inside when not in use? Take extra time to “warm up” the kit before banging away?



Now, a couple more general drum questions, my new kit will come with a 90 day subscription to Drumeo, and a drummer friend has already offered to teach me, but I kind of want to do the Drumeo thing first, so I at least have some basics down before I have my buddy jump in, or before I burden him with a bunch of probably silly questions,

So, can someone suggest a size of drum sticks to start with 5A, 5B etc…? I’ve got large hands and I don’t want to hold chopsticks, but I don’t want axe handles either.

Do I “need” a drum pad right away? Or is having the kit available whenever I want going to be enough?

Do you prefer IEM’s or Closed back phones for practice, I have both, but I feel like the headphones would be more “in the way”?

Thanks in advance to those that got all the way through my post!
Click to expand...
First congratulations on starting and second no question is a silly question when you are new and even less when you are experienced, anyone that tells you otherwise shouldn't be teaching anyone.

Ok, now my answers to your questions/ comments:

Yes the nitro is a budget kit, but it will serve you well and you can do some little upgrades to make it feel more "pro"

First upgrade I would do is get a dehumidifier and keep it running during the hot months, that way you would be able to leave your drums in the garage without worrying about humidity affecting them.


Next upgrades, get the Goedrum hi hats, The Simmons cymbals and the Simmons Bass drum
Your kit will be elevated to a much higher tier immediately.



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Simmons KP180 18" Kick Pad | Guitar Center

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Final upgrade get Superior Drummer or at the least Steven Slate Drums or GGD and hook your drums to your computer for much better sound.

About stick size... Get lighter sticks because you don't need regular heavy sticks on Edrums that's what the volume button is for.

About in ears vs headphones... Edrums have a lot of low frequencies (toms and bass drum) so if your in ears or your headphones distort I recommend getting the Alesis DRP100 very cheap but very good headphones for edrums.

You don't need a drum pad, you will have a set of drum pads, you can get one but it's not a priority, you can practice the same things on your kit.

Yes Drumeo is a great resource that you will definitely enjoy and get a lot from.

And finally, yes I know there are a lot of upgrades, but you don't have to do them all in one shot, you can do them one at a time until you get there.
This is where the rabbit hole starts. where does it end is up to you.
 
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