Kit variations come along with different playing styles and levels of playing. Some drummers may add a second bass drum (played by whichever foot that controls the hi-hat), double bass pedals (a single unit setup employing two pedals hooked together and two beaters fixed up to a single bass drum, which is played with both feet), additional toms, auxiliary drums, more cymbals, tambourines, wood blocks, cowbells, electronic pads that trigger sampled sounds, or any of a whole galaxy of accessory instruments. Some drummers, such as Billy Cobham, Dave Lombardo, Virgil Donati, Neil Peart, Terry Bozzio, Keith Moon and Mike Portnoy have gone to extreme lengths and built massive kits including features such as ranges of tuned tom-toms, allowing them to contribute melodically as well as rhythmically. These huge kits reached their zenith in the arena rock of the 1980s, and the trend since then has been towards a smaller instrument such as John Bonham's five-piece set. To this day, Dale Crover epitomizes the use of the massive kit, using large 18" floor toms as rack toms, and bass drums for floor toms; As heard best on the Melvins "Bullhead" recording.

The first electronic drums were used in the early 1970's (and recorded by Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer) with the development of the synthesiser, it was inevitable that the drums would eventually be incorporated into the electronic sound. During the early 1980's drummers such as Bill Bruford of King Crimson incorporated large electronic setups within their acoustic setups and in Bruford's case almost completely diminished the need for acoustic drums. These drums were primarily made by the now defunct Simmons company and later by Tama of Japan. Although many criticised the use of electronic drums; there is a wider level of acceptance now and indeed some drummers such as Akira Jimbo and Tony Verderosa incorporate electronics into their sets in an interesting and innovative way.

Yamaha, Roland and many others have created electronic drum sets which use pads or triggers (mounted on acoustic drums) to play sampled or synthesized sounds (see DTX). The trend in electronics since the late 1980s has been away from overtly electronic sounds and more towards an intensified acoustic sound.

Not only has the sound of electronic drums changed considerably towards a more naturalistic approach, indeed the 'feel' of electronic pads has also changed. With companies like Roland and Pintech offering their popular 'Mesh' or 'V-drum' pads; designed to emulate the 'feel' of a real drum head. Yamaha offers rubber pads also designed to mimic the feel of 'real' drums. Originally, the feel of electronic pads was very hard and unforgiving and as a result many drummers suffered from wrist pains and other related injuries. On the plus side, these surfaces offered a high level of rebound, making it easier to play double stroke rolls up and down the toms. Some drummers looked down upon this, while others took advantage. Drum pads are smaller than real drums, so the drummer can be more visible than behind a kit of traditional drums for greater prominence on stage.


Rick Allen, drummer of hard rock band Def Leppard, had a custom electronic drum kit made after a car accident in 1984 in which he lost his left arm. A later kit was made, one that played back the sound of the pre-recorded components of his acoustic drum kit whenever he struck each respective pad.

Omar Hakim (Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, Mariah Carey, Madonna, David Bowie, etc) was one of the first mainstream drummers to really take the electronic drums seriously. He toured to promote Roland's vDrum line of electronic drums for several years, and continues to promote them to this day.