When it comes to electronic music, you may think of drum machines rather than live drummers. But when it comes to live performance, those programmed electronic beats still need to be played on stage—and for that you need a drummer and a drum kit. While some drummers prefer electronic drums for the job, many use a hybrid acoustic-electronic setup to get the sound they need.

ENHANCE YOUR ELECTRONIC KIT

Drummers use various methods in the studio to make acoustic drum sounds seem more ‘electronic’. Detuned snare drums with tons of dampening, cymbals or shakers on top of drums, or even white noise sounds added during pre-production can all create a drum sound with an electronic feel. Any of these sounds can then be used with acoustic drums to enhance the acoustic sound when playing electronic music live.

LAYER YOUR ELECTRONIC KIT

Some of the most popular drum sounds associated with electronic music are classic 808 and 909 sounds (from Roland’s TR drum machines). From house to hip-hop and drum and bass, these timeless sounds are used by composers, and therefore drummers, in electronic music. An 808 kick sound or 909 claps can be simply layered on top of the acoustic kick and snare and triggered in perfect sync, just by adding a drum module and trigger to the drum setup.

EXPAND YOUR ELECTRONIC KIT

Acoustic drums still play a part in electronic music—which is why they’re used on stage with electronic acts. But many of the original electronic drum and percussion sounds can’t easily be created using an acoustic kit. By introducing electronic drum pads and a module into the setup, those extra electronic sounds can easily be played. Beanie Bhebhe of Rudimental explains how he’s using the TM-6PRO drum module and pads to expand his drum kit on tour.