As a drummer, you want to keep your skills sharp when you can’t make it to your kit. Practice pads allow you to do just that while not causing a huge disruption in your day-to-day life. Especially for people who live in highly populated areas where noise is a big issue, drum pads provide a great way to practice in a non-disruptive manner.
Essentially, drum pads are drumming surfaces that simulate the feel of real drums without the need to setup your entire set up. Typically, they come with different playing surface options, and a variety of features that add to their overall playability. Ultimately, it’s up to the user to decide what they need and how much they are willing to spend.
There are a number of reasons that one may need to invest in a drum practice pad, such as being a full-time traveler or having limited space at home. For some, they might be able to use their practice pad beside their desk during their breaks at work or at their home in the evenings. These are the types of users that will find that the portability aspect is a big plus with the ability to practice anywhere without having to bring along their entire drum kit.
The Vic Firth Realfeel Drum Pad is a favorite among many players because it offers more versatility than most other drum pads. In fact, it features four separate playing surfaces on a single 12-inch pad. The bottom blue surface resembles gum rubber and mimics the feel of a drum. The white is softer and feels more like a tom, while the orange is a harder surface designed to feel like a cymbal or marching snare drum.
In addition, it has a tunable feature that allows for the adjustment of how tight or loose the head is on the pad. This can be a big help for beginners who need to learn how to properly strike the head of the drum with a drum stick. This is important because it will help them develop better control of the stroke and avoid hitting the drums too hard, which can damage them over time.
Another advantage to this particular pad is that it can be mounted on a snare stand or even played on your lap. This is ideal for those who are new to drumming and don’t want to bother their neighbors or family members with loud practicing. It also helps to keep the noise level down and will encourage you to continue working on your skill set as you won’t have to worry about disrupting anyone else.
Compared to mylar and rubber, the mesh on this drum practice pad is quieter. It is also a lot more lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport. In addition, it is a little less expensive than some of the other pads on this list. This makes it a good option for someone who is on the go and needs a portable drum practice pad that will fit into their bag or suitcase.