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Drumming accessories are useful tools and can instantly improve the playability, sound, or efficiency of your setup.
Drum accessories come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs, but they’re all made for one specific purpose – to improve your drumming and your sound.
In this guide, I analyze the finest drum accessories available, providing you with detailed breakdowns of their capabilities and purposes. Whether you’re looking for devices that can make recording drums easier or simply gadgets to streamline live performances, you’ll find many suitable options in this guide.
What are the Best Drum Accessories?
| Image | Recommended ProductsProduct | Features | Price |
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Best Snare Accessory
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Best Kick Accessory
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Best Vibrational Metronome
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Best for Drum Tuning
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Best for Reading Music
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Best Rhythm Block
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Best for Practice
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Accessories
While this is quite a broad topic, there was one main thing that I looked for when testing different options. I wanted to make sure that each accessory was highly beneficial to a drummer, enhancing their drum kit sound, making practicing easier or benefiting them in some way.
With each option, I played the drums for a while to see how it would help. If it was a muffling tool, I tuned the drums in various ways to see what sounds it could bring out.
If it was a practice tool, I worked on a few patterns while using it to see how much it helped in the process.
I ended up with seven accessories that I highly recommend. They’re things that definitely aid in your drumming experience and help you in some way.
In-Depth Reviews
Big Fat Snare Drum Snare-Bourine
Big Fat Snare Drum Snare-Bourine Review
The Big Fat Snare Drum Snare-Bourine is a killer drum accessory that you can hear on hit records as well as on professional live stages around the world.
This cool drum accessory has truly taken the drumming world by storm thanks to its ability to deliver powerful and fat snare drum sounds, as well as tambourine jingles.
The Big Fat Snare Drum Snare-Bourine is a budget-friendly tool that works exceptionally well in the studio while recording drums. Simply place it on top of your existing snare drum head, and it will add a punchy, vintage tone as well as a tambourine sound.
I’ve realized that low, fat, and deep sounds have become incredibly popular in recent years, and this accessory will give that sound to your snare drum.
Recording engineers have been blending tambourine sounds with snare drum backbeats for decades, and this cool drum gadget will give you the very same sound combination.
The Snare-Bourine is super easy to use, and it’s way more effective than traditional snare muffling tools with wallets, towels, or moongels.
For a punchy, deep, and irresistible snare drum tone, the Snare-Bourine is one of the best drum accessories to buy.
Pros
- Killer sounding snare and tambourine combo
- Will not damage drumheads at all
- Thumb cutout for quick removal
Cons
- None
KICKPRO Weighted Kick Drum Pillow
KICKPRO Weighted Kick Drum Pillow Review
The innovative KICKPRO Weighted Kick Drum Pillow is the best drum accessory for achieving the perfect kick drum tone. This drum pillow rests inside the bass drum and helps to create the optimal balance of tone, focus, and power.
This high-quality bass drum pillow significantly improves the tone of any bass drum. This cool drum accessory is the real deal! It’s also supremely flexible, and you can choose how you like to position it with as little or as much contact to the bass drum head as you like.
The weighted bass drum pillow has a non-skid, rubber fabric underside that keeps it firmly put inside the bass drum. It’s a really well-designed drumming product that will improve the tone of any bass drum both live and in the studio.
I personally use this pillow, and I’ve always found that it gives my bass drum much better tones than if I were to place regular pillows or blankets inside.
It’s simply an amazing drum accessory and it’s the perfect product for any drummer wanting complete control of their bass drum sound, while looking to yield deeper, tighter, and punchier kick tones.
Pros
- Produces amazing kick drum tones
- Can be positioned to alter amount of dampening
- High-quality design and construction
Cons
- None
SoundBrenner Core Musician’s Smart Watch
SoundBrenner Core Musician’s Smart Watch Review
The SoundBrenner Core Musician’s Smartwatch is quite simply one of the most innovative drum gadgets around! It’s a super practical tool that functions as a wearable metronome, smartwatch, dB meter, and magnetic guitar tuner.
What’s particularly useful for drummers is the wearable metronome function. The device boasts a large 7G ERM motor that delivers a pulse that’s 7 times more powerful than an average smartphone or smartwatch.
I found operating the Soundbrenner Core to be a breeze. It has a twist dial that is used to change the tempo, as well as scroll through the watch menus. It’s easy to pair to a smartphone and receive notifications such as texts and calls.
I really enjoyed using this, and I found it a lot more rewarding than using a typical metronome to practice and stay in time.
This stylish smartwatch combines an awesome range of functions in a lightweight, streamlined, and easy-to-use package. It also boasts a long 3-day battery life on a single charge and a well-designed USB magnetic charging cable to top it up with power.
Overall, the Soundbrenner Core is one of the coolest drum accessories that has become a popular tool in the music world. This useful timekeeping tool serves great as an everyday smartwatch too.
Pros
- Practical and versatile range of functions
- Easily pairs with any smartphone
- Powerful vibrations for metronome
Cons
- I've found it hard to pay attention to the feeling of the vibrations whilst playing really hard
- It's easier to play in time to an audible click metronome
DrumDial Precision Drum Tuner
DrumDial Precision Drum Tuner Review
If you’ve been following my blog for a while now, then you’ll already know that I’m a huge fan of the DrumDial Precision Drum Tuner!
This amazing drum gadget allows you to achieve amazing sounding drums each and every time by measuring tympanic pressure around the drum with the dial.
Using the DrumDial makes my life so much easier when it comes to tuning drums, especially in the studio.
It saves a lot of time and hassle, and it’s very easy to use thanks to the easy-to-read analog display and moveable locators that help to mark tuning ranges.
This tuner changed my life when I got it. It made tuning my drums to sound amazing so much easier, and it sped up the process as well.
If you are looking for a cool drum accessory to buy for yourself or as a gift, then the DrumDial is without a doubt one of the very best drum gadgets around. I recommend it to everybody who wants to yield the best tones from their drums!
Pros
- Helps you to achieve great drum tones quickly
- Excellent build quality - made in USA
- Great value for money drum gadget
Cons
- None
Gibraltar Smartphone Gooseneck Mount
Gibraltar Smartphone Gooseneck Mount Review
The high-quality Gibraltar Smartphone Gooseneck Mount is an excellent gadget for the modern drummer.
Drummers nowadays are taking advantage of technology on smartphones for practice sessions, studio recordings, and live on stage.
The Gibraltar Smartphone Mount easily mounts onto any piece of drum hardware, such as a hi-hat stand, and can be easily positioned for your desired view.
The robust and high-quality gooseneck offers secure mounting for your phone. Whether you’re live streaming your performances or reading a setlist, this drum gadget will ensure you have access to your smartphone whilst you’re in the zone behind the drum set!
There are lots of ways you can use your phone to your advantage while playing the drums, including reading drum tabs or notation or triggering backing tracks for live performances.
I used this to watch a few videos while I was practicing. I just loved how useful it was, and it was easy to place anywhere on my kit.
However you intend on using your phone while playing drums, the Gibraltar Gooseneck Mount is the ideal drum accessory to keep it in place!
Pros
- Flexible positioning and remains solid
- Securely mounts onto drum hardware
- Versatile and practical for live performances
Cons
- A little pricey
Native Tongue Percussion RhymBlock In Walnut
Native Tongue Percussion RhymBlock In Walnut Review
The Native Tongue Percussion Walnut RhymBlock is another absolute must-have gift for drummers!
This awesome and innovative product can be mounted onto any drum, and it’s perfect for allowing you to explore new sounds and rhythms!
I loved playing world grooves with this block. It had a strong sound that worked really well within mambo and salsa patterns.
The RhymBlock attaches to a drum with the two height-adjustable RhymClips, and they allow for easy positioning however you choose to incorporate it into your drum set.
Constructed from solid walnut, the RhymBlock boasts an excellent build quality and produces a rich and powerful tone. The natural, hand-oiled finish also looks fantastic.
It can be positioned to allow for easy playing between the drum and the block for awesome sound experimentation. It also produces great rimshots and cross sticks too.
Pros
- Perfect for finding exciting, new sounds
- Great build quality and construction
- Very easy to set up and position
Cons
- No negatives
DW Practice Pad Set With Stand
DW Practice Pad Set With Stand Review
The DW Practice Pad Set is the ultimate practice drum kit for quiet and portable practice. It’s the complete practice solution for drummers who want to build their chops either at home or anywhere at all!
This high-quality practice pad set includes five durable pads that simulate the feel of a real drum set, and the pads feel great to play on. The pads all mount onto an included double-braced tripod stand, and there’s lots of adjustability for flexible positioning.
The rubber practice pads are durable, responsive, and quiet. The set includes a snare drum pad, three tom pads, and a kick drum pad to be used with a bass drum pedal.
While there are many practice pads out there, I’ve always seen this option as the best choice, thanks to how durable and reliable it is.
This DW practice drum set is the best drum accessory for building technique, control, and speed on the drum set. The pads provide a good rebound, and they are also quiet enough to play on without disturbing others.
Professional drummers and students around the world love this drumming tool because it is well-designed and can be transported anywhere with ease.
Pros
- Brilliantly designed drumming tool
- Excellent value for money
- Favored by professionals
Cons
- Does not include carry case
Drum Accessories Buyer’s Guide
There’s no denying that the most important part of your drumming setup are your actual drums, cymbals and hardware, but accessories have the potential to unlock a new realm of possibilities.
There are many devices that fall under the umbrella term of “drum accessories,” but some of them are nothing more than mere gimmicks.
The ones we’ve featured in this guide all improve a specific aspect of your playing or enhance the performance of your existing gear.
Accessories are simply useful add-ons that can streamline your drum recordings, make your performances more captivating, or help you develop a specific technique, skill, or style of drumming.
Drum accessories can be split into three categories:
- Practice/rehearsal accessories
- Recording accessories
- Live performance accessories
Drum Accessories for Practicing and Rehearsing
Certain accessories are great for improving your skills as a drummer. Perhaps the most obvious and most popular example is practice pads, which are essentially designed to mimic the feel of real drums without making a loud noise.
Practice pads also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. While harder, plastic models are often the most affordable option, rubber pads can offer a more realistic feel when striking them.
Another type of accessory that can help you to practice your skills is digital devices, like specifically designed watches that make it easy to play along with metronomes.
Drum Accessories for Recording
When it comes to recording, there’s no denying the importance of good-quality mics and preamps, but having the right accessories can make a huge difference in getting the best results from your drum recordings.
For example, drum tuning tools help you to achieve an even, balanced sound across your kit.
They work via reading tympanic pressure (drumhead tension) or they work similarly to guitar tuners and display a frequency or pitch, which you can then use to make the necessary adjustments.
Drum Accessories for Live Performances
Live performances require their own set of specialist accessories that allow you to create an engaging and interactive show for your audiences or make your setup more efficient when playing.
For example, electronic triggers – small pads made of a soft rubber material that are placed on the drum skin or rim – can be used to trigger sound samples from a device. This allows you to add layers of sound that would otherwise be difficult to recreate with just acoustic drums alone.
Drum accessories like smartphone gooseneck mounts and tablet holders can also be useful for live shows.
These attachments make it easy to view charts, lyrics, or video footage during your performance without having to look away from your drums – plus, they save the use of paper when reading sheet music!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It Important to Tune Drums?
Tuning your drums is essential if you want to create a specific sound and ensure that your drum set sounds as good as possible. Just like any other instrument, drums produce a pitch when you hit them, and the pitches of each individual drum should ideally sound good together.
If the drum set is not tuned, then certain frequencies produced by the toms, snare, or kick may clash, causing unwanted overtones that can ruin a recording or live performance. A drum tuning accessory makes it easy to avoid this problem and improve the sound of your drum set.
Is a Metronone Important for Drummers?
Using a metronome is an excellent way to improve your ability to stay on time when drumming. It’s recommended that drummers practice with a metronome so that they become accustomed to playing at different tempos and in different time signatures.
