You can plug headphones directly into an electronic drum set, and nearly every model of these drums has an input for headphones. You might need an adapter, depending on which type of headphone cord you have.
This post will explore if you can plug headphones into an electronic drum set. I’ll explain all you need to know to listen to an electronic drum set through headphones and provide you with some other related information.
Let’s get started.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Electronic drum sets are designed to be listened to with an amplifier or headphones, and every electric drum set can work with headphones.
- You don’t need any special equipment to use headphones with an electronic drum set except for maybe an adapter.
- With most electronic drum sets, you can plug your headphones into the input, turn the set on and listen to the drums easily.
Can You Plug Headphones Into an Electronic Drum Set?
You can plug headphones into an electronic drum set, and that’s how this style of drums is intended to be used. As long as you have a set of headphones, all you need to do is plug them into the input of the drum set.
One big reason people like to use electronic drums is because of the ability to use headphones. This provides a way to practice without making noise, which can be a big benefit for drummers living close to other people.
Think of electronic drums like a keyboard. You can either plug them into an amp to get sound or use a set of headphones to hear everything. The headphones will produce sound as long as the drum set is turned on.
Using headphones with an electronic drum set is simple and is typically just plug-and-play. You don’t need any specialized equipment to make this happen. But you might need an adapter for the plug on your headphones if it doesn’t match the input on the drum set.
These adapters are cheap and easy to get, so you can use just about any type of headphones with your drum set. Keep reading to find out which style of headphones is best for this purpose.
Best Headphones for Electronic Drums
The best headphones to use for electronic drums are over-ear style. These will help you hear your drum parts better while isolating the sound coming from the drums rather than any outside noise.
Over-ear headphones are the style that you typically see used in the recording studio. These provide the best sound quality and are great for recording purposes. There are many different models of over-ear headphones that can work with electronic drums.
You can technically use any style of headphones as long as you have a way to connect them to the drum set. Some people use in-ear headphones, but I don’t think this gives you as good of a bass sound, so the kick drum might get lost.
Wireless Headphones for Electronic Drums
You should avoid using wireless headphones, even if the electronic drumset is Bluetooth-enabled. This is because there is the potential for latency or delay when you use wireless connections. And that’s a quick way to get you out of time.
Wired headphones are a more reliable choice when you want to make recordings, play with other people, or record music in real time. If you experience a delay or other issues with the wireless technology, it will prevent you from getting the most out of the drum set.
How to Choose the Best Headphones for Electronic Drums
Before you buy an electronic drum headphone, it’s vital to consider the following features:
Type of Headphone
If you want to buy headphones for an electronic drum set, it’s best to opt for the monitor or studio types.
Frequency Response
You should ensure that your headphones come with a balanced frequency response because it helps to mimic the sound that others will hear through the amp.
Noise Cancellation and Isolation
Headphones with noise cancellation and isolation features ensure that the only sound you’ll hear comes from your gear, not the acoustic noise your electronic drum pads produce.
Normal Drivers
Look out for headphones with medium proprietary drivers. If the drivers are too big, the headphones will suffer higher frequencies. While drivers that are too small may not provide clean bass.
Stable and Cushioned Headband
If you’re a professional who practices for hours, it’s vital for you to consider headphones with a comfortable fit—to enjoy every session.
Frequency Range
A good headphone for electric drums should have a frequency range of about 20Hz to 20kHz—to ensure that every sound from your electric drums reproduces accurately in audio form.
Impedance Rating
If you go for headphones with a low impedance, it’s easy to drive. Nevertheless, you may have to pay extra for separate amplification. And if your gear has a very high output, it may drive headphones of different input impedance ratings.
FAQs
Here are a few short answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to if you can plug headphones into an electronic drum set.
How can I listen to music while playing electronic drums?
You can listen to music while playing electronic drums by connecting a music player like a phone or computer to the auxiliary input of the drum set. When you play this music through the device, it will route through the drum kit, and you can hear it on headphones.
What headphones do I need for electronic drums?
You can technically use any type of headphones for electronic drums, but over-ear style works the best. These will help block out more sound so you can focus on your drum lines while providing enough volume to hear clearly.
How can I listen to my electronic drum without headphones?
You can easily plug an amplifier into an electronic drum set and listen to them that way instead of using headphones. The process for listening to the drums is essentially the same, and you just need to connect an amp to the drum set.
Can you use Bluetooth headphones with electronic drums?
Not all electronic drum sets have Bluetooth capabilities, so you can’t use Bluetooth headphones with all of them. Even if you get an electronic set that is Bluetooth enabled, hard-wired options are better because you won’t experience any delay or lag.
Final Thoughts
Plugging headphones into an electronic drum set is easy and one of the primary reasons why people like to use this drum kit style. You just need to ensure you have the proper cable to connect the headphones to the drum kit.
Hard-wired over-ear headphones work best with electronic drum kits. They will give you the best sound quality and reliability, which are both very important when you want to record or play along with others.
Have you ever used headphones with an electronic drum set? What kind did you use? Let me know in the comments below.
