Why Electronic Drums Break (And How To Fix Them)

There are dozens of things that can go wrong with an electronic drumset. The problems range from the simple (like a loose cable) to the catastrophic (like a plate cracking in half). In this video I go over about 15 common ways electronic drums stop working properly, and how to fix them. This won't cover everything, but should give you a good head start.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:38 How Electronic Drums Work
3:22 Problem 1: Sensitivity Problems
14:18 Problem 2: Cymbals Sustain Shuts Off
15:42 Ripping Through Mesh Heads
16:25 Hi-hat Control Problems

[jmstransit]

We need timestamps for the sake of convenience:
3:26 Cymbal is being less sensitive
4:43 Loss of sensitivity due to bad soldering
5:48 Internal cable becomes loose
6:11 faulty 1/4in cable
7:03 (Conversion sets only) Trigger has moved
7:43 (Conversion sets only) Trigger has been bent
8:56 (Conversion sets only) Old trigger foam
9:39 Piezo is damaged
10:19 Internal pad is damaged
12:21 Sensitivity knob is turned off
12:56 Bad input jack on module
13:20 Input settings issues
14:21 Cymbal choking itself
15:49 Kick drum head ripped off
16:30 hi-hat pedal issues
18:33 try factory resetting the module

[slowpokeproductions]

Justin, I just wanted to thank you for all your in-depth information. I bought a 2nd hand Roland TD-30K from a studio in Chicago (I posted a few vids) and while there are no problems with it, I learned everything I know about electronic drums from your channel. You're an invaluable resource, and your dedication to making videos for our knowledge is endless! You ROCK!

-Poke.

[barriew]

Thanks very much. Bought a second hand Roland PD 105 snare. It had a "bark" when hit in the middle. Undid the head, found that the Piezo cone (sponge) had deformed. Looks like the head had been over tightened and hit very hard. Worked the sponge cone back into shape and problem 90% fixed. Have ordered new cones to replace. Without your video, I'd have had no clue, so many thanks.

[djabthrash]

Great video !

One problem you didn't mention, common for Roland VH12 hihats owners : the hihat won't register the closed position anymore.
This is oftentimes due to the wires (connected to the hihat position sensor) being too short and snapping easily with time because the top hh cymbal turns a bit when hit.

AFAIK there is no YT video about it, but a lot of info about it on forums.

[the_rustydoornob]

as someone that owns a used nitro mesh this will come in handy

[JourneysByJay]

This is SUPER informative. I have learned a few things. Thanks for the shout out about the cymbals! I found that fix quite by accident. The cymbal was already broke... so tearing it open to see what could be wrong, was a no brainer. (I couldn't possibly make it worse!). But seeing all those chunks of rubber stood out to me... removing them seemed like a good place to go. Holy crap... It WORKED! I still get tons of feedback about that video. Literally hundreds of people saying "You saved me a couple hundred dollars!"... that was amazing. I really hope THIS video turns out to be the same for you. You've given me many ideas on how to solve many of the everyday issues I encounter. You're amazing, Justin! Keep doing what you do and all of us will keep loving you for it! I bow to you, Senpai!

[stevebarnes]

Broken Alesis Strike snare. Honestly I don’t know if I would even still be interested in drums if it were not for this guy. Totally relevant and easy to understand. He also gets right to the point. Very little blah blah blah.

[paulnavara]

This is a very thorough video on electronic drum problems and you've done some great research to put this together. Thank you!

[nixneato]

9:10 Hahahahahaha you do realize that mentioning it is worse than the joke itself, right? :D
But really, nice touch of humour, I wasn't expecting it :)

[geoffmarsted]

“Soldering metal material” I think you mean just solder my did 😂. Not making fun of you, just thought it was kinda funny, you did disclose you’re not an expert on it. Love ya man and all the things you do. Been a fan for a long time. Keep up the awesome work.

[Soverex]

I recently watched your videos so very much as I'm trying to attempt an A2E conversion that I feel like you're a family member now lol

[Fodolro]

Excelent video, Justin! Thanks for all the info provided! I had a small problem on my hi-hat. Sometimes when I closed it, it was still making the sound like it was opened. I simply dissembled all the cables and when I put them back, the problem stopped. It was probably the cable that was a bit out the right position (I guess). Cheers!

[nismozr]

Thank you so much for this video.
I fixed this whole kit i bought. I thought i got sold a lemon.
Thanks

[martinkawalec]

Hey Justin, your explanation with the circuit of the cymbals was very clear and helpful. Besides all the diagrams in the web, I finally got it!!! Thanks a lot:-)

[reubenk]

Great video Justin! Glad you mentioned using a bass drum patch, even on a KD-10, because I thought it was unnecessary with this kick pad!

[JaelleJaen]

"and i refuse to make a joke about this"
i wasnt even thinking about it like that till you said that lmfao

[drumsNstuff]

Thanks Justin! My old Roland td-6v Drums were bought used. They're a church kit and looked to be in great shape. But common wear and tear required replacements for a bad cymbal pad and the fd-8 hi hat controller. I tried fixing the rubber in the fd-8, but nothing really lasted. I didn't even think to buy a new one and just replace that part so I bought a whole new fd-8 pedal! I'll replace the part in the old one and sell it to get some money back. My cymbals started losing sensitivity and I'm totally going to open them up and see what is going on and rescue them. I have a newer one on my ir but I can sell off one of the older ones if I can fix it. Also another tip is to upgrade the rack clamps that hold it together. The original ones on mine were unfortunately the crack-able plastic ones and one on the bottom did crack. The later ones are so much more durable. My old kit is practiced on all the time and used for quick song demos, but still sounds and plays great. So happy to know there are quick fixes for many of the common problems on my loved old td-6.

[darcywilliams]

Very helpful!
Bought a second hand dtx, the kick drum is really crackly through the headphone on some of the channels, less so on others, and fine on others, going to work through these and see what we can see..
Big ups.

[chipzo]

Only found your channel recently but really appreciate your content Justin. Bought a Roland TD-27KV after spending a lot of time watching your videos.

[awcartermedia]

This is amazing. Can't wait to get home and check a few things. A few of my cymbals double (and sometimes quadruple) trigger and it's been driving me nuts.