How to Set Up an Electronic Drum Kit
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure
Setting up an electronic drum kit means assembling the rack, mounting the pads and cymbals, connecting the pedals, and plugging in the module. The AKLOT kit includes a rack, throne, headphones and sticks, the Alesis kit adds a kick tower and pedal, and the LEKATO pad connects by USB and MIDI.
Unbox and lay out the parts
Open the box and lay out the rack, pads, cymbals, pedals, module, throne, headphones and sticks. The AKLOT kit includes 1 8-inch snare, 3 6.5-inch toms, 2 10-inch cymbals, 1 10-inch hi-hat, 2 controller pedals, a sound module, headphones, 2 drumsticks, a rack and a throne. Check the maker's manual for the parts list for your kit before you start.
Assemble the rack first
Build the rack before mounting anything on it. The AKLOT rack is an H-style frame that holds the pads, cymbals and pedals in place. The Alesis kit has a foldable 4-post rack. Tighten the rack clamps by hand and check that the rack stands level on the floor before you mount the pads.
Mount the pads and cymbals
Mount the snare, toms and cymbals on the rack arms and set each pad at a height you can reach without stretching. The AKLOT kit has 4 dual-zone mesh pads, 2 10-inch dual-zone cymbals and a 10-inch hi-hat. The Alesis kit has 8-inch toms and 10-inch cymbals on a foldable rack. Adjust the tension knobs on the AKLOT mesh pads to change the feel of each pad.
Connect the pedals and the module
Connect the pedals to the module and plug the module into power. The AKLOT kit has 2 controller pedals for bass and hi-hat, and the Alesis kit has a kick tower and a kick pedal. The LEKATO pad has trigger inputs for 2 dual-zone trigger pads and a 1/4-inch TS footswitch for kick drum and hi-hat. Plug headphones into the headphone output to hear the module.
Pick a kit sound on the module
Turn on the module and pick a preset kit. The AKLOT module has 20 preset drum kits and 360 built-in sounds, and you can save 10 custom kits. The Alesis module has 12 ready-to-play kits and 110 built-in sounds. The LEKATO pad has 30 drum kits and 592 preset percussion sounds, and you can save up to 20 custom kits on a 32GB SD card or a USB memory drive.
What you need
AKLOT Complete Electric Drum Set: 4 Dual-Zone
A complete kit with 4 dual-zone mesh pads, 2 10-inch cymbals, a 10-inch hi-hat, 360 built-in sounds, a throne, headphones and sticks.
- Pads: 4
- Mesh heads
- Built-in sounds: 360
- Headphone output
- 2-year warranty stated
Alesis Turbo Pro Electric Drum Set
An 8-piece kit with a kick tower and pedal, a foldable 4-post rack, 110 built-in sounds, Bluetooth, a throne, headphones and sticks.
- Pads: 8, the most here
- Mesh heads
- Built-in sounds: 110
- Bluetooth
- Headphone output
- 1-year warranty stated
LEKATO Percussion Sample Pad
A sample pad with 9 velocity-sensitive pads, 592 preset percussion sounds, 30 drum kits, 5-PIN MIDI I/O, USB MIDI and a looper.
- Pads: 2
- Preset kits: 30
- Built-in sounds: 592, the most here
- One year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Electronic Drums, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to set up an electronic drum kit?
You need the rack, pads, cymbals, pedals, module, throne, headphones and sticks. The AKLOT and Alesis kits include those parts in the box, and the LEKATO pad connects to a computer by USB.
How do I hear the drums without an amplifier?
Plug headphones into the headphone output on the module. The AKLOT kit includes headphones, and the Alesis kit includes headphones too. The LEKATO pad has an AUX input and a USB connection.
Can I add more pads to these kits later?
The AKLOT kit lets you add an optional second crash cymbal as your skills grow. The LEKATO pad takes 2 dual-zone trigger pads through its trigger inputs. Check the maker's manual for the parts that fit your kit.
Ranked electronic drum sets lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.