Aerodrums is an electronic drum kit that lets you play drums using just your hands and feet, with no drum sticks or physical drums required. The company was founded in 2012 and their flagship product, the Aerodrums Air Drum Controller, launched in 2014 via a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $260,000. Since then, Aerodrums has continued to innovate and release new versions of their electronic drum controller. But with a relatively high price point compared to traditional drum sets or other electronic kits, a common question from potential buyers is “What is Aerodrums worth?”. In this article, we’ll analyze the key factors that contribute to the value proposition of Aerodrums to help you determine if the investment is worth it for your needs.
Key Factors in Aerodrums Value
There are several important considerations when evaluating the value of Aerodrums:
– Cost – The upfront investment for Aerodrums starts at $599 for the basic kit. This is certainly more expensive than a basic physical drum setup. But it’s comparable or cheaper than many other high-end electronic drum kits.
– Features – Aerodrums packs an impressive array of features into their controller, including drum and cymbal pads, built-in sounds and samples, connectivity options, drum lessons, and more. The features compete with premium electronic drum sets.
– Convenience – The portability and ease of use offered by Aerodrums is a major advantage over traditional drum kits, which require much more setup space, physical drums, and accessories. Aerodrums sets up in minutes wherever you want.
– Quality – From the drum pads to the sounds produced, Aerodrums delivers professional quality for both home drummers and live performers. The quality rivals expensive physical drum kits.
– Innovation – Aerodrums’ unique approach to electronic drumming, using infrared sensors instead of physical drums, sets them apart. Their continued innovation also keeps them ahead of competitors.
By weighing all of these important factors, we can determine if the value is there for the Aerodrums investment based on your specific needs and budget.
Aerodrums Costs
The first thing most buyers will look at is how much Aerodrums will cost them. Here is a breakdown of the pricing structure:
– Aerodrums Starter Pack – $599
– 2 Kick Pads, 2 Hands Pads, 1 Seat Pad
– Built-in sounds, samples, effects
– Connectivity: USB-MIDI, Aux output
– Up to 80 drum kit presets
– 5 user profile slots
– Aerodrums Pro Pack – $899
– 2 Kick Pads, 2 Hands Pads, 2 Seat Pads
– Upgraded pedal sensors
– More connectivity: MIDI in/out, sustain pedal
– Unlimited user profiles
– Priority product support
– Accessories:
– Extra seat pad – $49 each
– Travel case – $179
The Pro Pack with accessories can cost over $1200 to acquire the full Aerodrums setup. While not cheap, this pricing is comparable to many premium electronic drum kits from other brands like Roland or Alesis. And cheaper than truly high end e-drum sets.
Financing Options
Aerodrums does offer financing options to split the cost over time, which helps make the investment in their products more affordable:
– PayPal Credit – 0% APR financing for 6 months
– Affirm – 3, 6, or 12 month payment plans at 10-30% APR
Utilizing one of these financing options can allow buyers to get access to Aerodrums without the huge upfront cost. Spreading the payments out over several months may be the ideal way for many customers to purchase Aerodrums.
Aerodrums Feature Set
Aerodrums differentiates themselves from other electronic drum options by offering a robust feature set optimized for drummers:
**Main Pads & Sensors**
– Kick pads x2 – Sturdy pads with pedal sensors to detect kick drum motion
– Hand pads x2 – Padded hand controllers with infrared sensors track hand drumming motion
– Seat pad – Detects motion from drum throne for hi-hat and percussion
**Sounds & Samples**
– Lifelike drum, cymbal, percussion sounds and samples
– Up to 80 different customizable drum kit presets
– Quality sounds rivaling $1000+ e-drum sets
**Connectivity**
– USB-MIDI and Aux output on all kits
– MIDI in/out connections on Pro model
– Pedal input for sustain pedal compatibility
**Software Features**
– Aerodrums Air Enabler software unlocks the full potential
– Drum lessons and games to learn with the app
– VST plugin downloads to expand your drum sound library
**Customization**
– Create your own drum kits with different sounds
– Tweak sensitivity and velocity response
– Ambience, FX, EQ controls available
**Portability**
– Modules are lightweight at just 2-3 lbs each
– No big acoustic drums required
– Easy setup in minutes virtually anywhere
The features built into Aerodrums rival what you’d find on professional-level electronic drum sets from other major brands. You get excellent playability, expansive sounds, and versatility to play drums anywhere.
Aerodrums Convenience
A major selling point of Aerodrums is the increased convenience compared to traditional acoustic drum kits. Some of the key advantages:
**Minimal Setup**
– Modules are small and portable
– No drums, cymbals, stands to setup
– Start playing in just minutes
**Play Anywhere**
– Use Aerodrums in home, studio, stage, or outdoors
– No noise complaints from apartment neighbors
– Practice drums without disturbing others
**No Storage Hassles**
– Modules tuck away in a closet or under a bed
– Avoid clutter of a giant drum kit
– Easy transportation to gigs or practice spaces
**Flexibility**
– Use with headphones for private practice
– Connect to speakers/PA system for live playing
– Easily record drums by connecting to a DAW
**Accessories**
– Affordable add-ons like extra seat pad or travel case
– Use pedal for added dynamics
– Expandability as your skills improve
The hassle-free nature of Aerodrums makes drumming more convenient than ever. You can start playing faster, use them anywhere, and easily transport them wherever needed.
Aerodrums Quality
In order to justify the price tag, Aerodrums delivers excellent quality that rivals premium electronic drum kits:
**Responsiveness**
– Ultra-sensitive sensors precisely detect subtle motions
– Realistic dynamics translate motions into great drum sounds
**Sounds**
– Clean, crisp samples across full drum kit
– Customizable samples, FX, ambience controls
– Rivals $1000+ drum module sounds
**Build Construction**
– Hands pads made of durable rubberized material
– Kick pads withstand thousands of hits
– Sturdy enough for live playing
**Dynamic Range**
– Wide velocity range captures soft to loud drum strokes
– Consistent tracking from gentle taps to aggressive hitting
**Intuitive Design**
– Thoughtfully designed for natural drumming motions
– Aerodrums Air Enabler software unlocks features
– Easy setup right out of the box
**Reliability**
– Built to last with quality components
– Good traction on brand reputation
– 6 month warranty offers peace of mind
The excellent quality across all aspects of Aerodrums makes them a worthwhile investment for serious drummers. They are built to withstand regular practice and live playing.
Aerodrums Innovation
As an innovator in electronic drumming, Aerodrums differentiates themselves from competitors in a few key ways:
**Unique Infrared Sensing**
– No mesh heads, rubber pads, or piezos needed
– Precise infrared optics detect 3D motions
– More accurate and nuanced than standard e-drums
**Hands Free Approach**
– Drum with your hands and feet, no sticks required
– Natural feel reminiscent of acoustic kits
– Expressive playing styles enabled
**Proprietary Technology**
– Patented sensor arrangements and techniques
– Custom signal processing algorithms optimize tracking
– Advanced software unlocks capabilities
**Ongoing Improvements**
– Regular firmware updates enhance functionality
– Future accessories and expansions planned
– Listens to users for product refinement
**Creative Applications**
– Use for drumming education and games
– Unique MIDI controller for producers/electronic musicians
– Inspires creative musical approaches
Aerodrums stands apart from the competition by using technology in new ways to shape the future of electronic drumming. Their innovative spirit drives value.
Comparing Aerodrums to Acoustic & Electronic Drums
To further understand the value proposition of Aerodrums, let’s compare them to traditional acoustic drum kits and more standard electronic drum sets.
Acoustic Drum Kits
| Aerodrums | Acoustic Drum Kit |
| Compact and portable | Bulky, heavy, difficult to transport |
| Volume easily controlled | Loud acoustic sound may disturb others |
| Use with headphones privately | Hard to contain acoustic noise |
| Costs ~$600 to $1200 | Drum kit costs $600+, cymbals extra $100s |
| Minimal setup time | Long setup time for kit and mics |
| Use anywhere | Hard to use outside controlled room |
Aerodrums provides advantages in portability, volume control, and quick setup compared to traditional acoustic kits. While lacking the pure acoustic drum sound and feel, the tradeoffs Aerodrums offers will appeal to many players.
Standard Electronic Drum Kits
| Aerodrums | Standard E-Drum Kit |
| Unique hands-free drumming | Uses drum sticks on mesh pads |
| Precise infrared tracking | Rubber pads and piezo sensors |
| Highly portable | Bulkier with module & pads |
| Intuitive setup | More involved setup |
| Proprietary technology | More generic experience |
Compared to traditional electronic drum kits, Aerodrums offers a more unique approach and advanced technology. But standard e-drums provide a familiar drumming experience that some may prefer.
Based on your needs and preferences, the comparison to other options can further clarify Aerodrums’ value.
Customer Reviews
Aerodrums has earned generally very positive reviews since their drum controllers launched. Here are some excerpts from customer reviews that highlight the value:
*”Even as an experienced drummer, I found the Aerodrums incredibly fun and intuitive to play right away. The portability means I can practice anywhere without having to lug around a bunch of equipment.”*
*”I live in an apartment so can’t use a regular drum kit without getting noise complaints. Aerodrums let me learn drums without disturbing the neighbors, huge plus.”*
*”The sounds you can get out of Aerodrums rival my $2000 Roland electronic kit. And it’s so much easier to incorporate into my electronic music setup. The possibilities are endless.”*
*”High quality construction and durable design means these can withstand regular use for practicing and gigging. Plus the segmented setup makes transportation a breeze.”*
*”The infrared tracking technology is really impressive. It accurately picks up all my drumming motions and nuances, translates them into great sounding drums and percussion.”*
Overall, customers are very pleased with the quality, capabilities, convenience, and design of Aerodrums electronic drum controllers. User reviews reflect the strong value offered by the product.
Conclusion
Determining the value of Aerodrums requires assessing their unique benefits against the cost. Key factors that drive the value include:
– Competitive pricing versus high-end electronic drum kits
– Robust features on par with premium e-drums
– Major convenience advantages over acoustic kits
– Excellent construction quality and sounds
– Cutting-edge infrared sensing technology
– Unique hands-free drumming experience
Aerodrums isn’t the cheapest option for getting started with electronic drums. But the quality, innovation, and convenience justify the price tag for drummers who want access to a high-end electronic experience in a supremely portable form factor. Based on your budget and needs as a drummer, Aerodrums delivers strong value, capabilities, and versatility to enhance your musical enjoyment.