“Takes up too much space. Too loud. Too much to commit to.” If any of these excuses have been holding you back from giving drumming a go, air drumsticks may be a nice way to ease into what could become your favorite musical hobby.
Air drumsticks are electronic drumsticks that trigger drum sounds by detecting your movements, allowing anyone to play the drums, even if they don’t have access to a full drum kit. They also offer a silent and portable drumming experience that is handy for drummers of any playing level. While there are a couple of solutions in the market, Aerodrums, AeroBand’s PocketDrum, and Freedrum tend to be the most popular ones.
In this article, we’ll compare Aerodrums vs AeroBand PocketDrum, giving you a direct comparison of the most important features you should take note of when choosing the air drumsticks for your drumming purposes.
Aerodrums vs AeroBand PocketDrum: Comparison
If you’re shopping for air drumsticks, you may be scratching your head at the huge difference in their pricing. Both Aerodrums and AeroBand PocketDrum offer a portable, silent air drumming experience, but their underlying technology varies drastically, which affects how immersive your experience is.
In a nutshell, Aerodrums uses motion tracking to offer a realistic drumming experience that pairs well with VR tech and is suitable for drummers from hobbyist level to pros, while the AeroBand PocketDrum uses gyroscopes and accelerometers in its electronic drumsticks to trigger drum sounds and is more suitable for beginners.
Here’s a quick overview of the key differences between Aerodrums and AeroBand PocketDrum:
| Aerodrums | AeroBand PocketDrum | |
| Price | USD 249 (Aerodrums 1) USD 799 (Aerodrums 2) | USD179 (PocketDrum 2 Max) |
| What’s included? | Aerodrums 1: Drumsticks with reflectors, foot reflectors, lights for the camera. (Works with PS3 eye camera) Aerodrums 2: Drumsticks with reflectors, foot reflectors, infrared sensor. | Electronic DrumsticksFoot pedals |
| Technology: How it works? | Aerodrums uses a camera to track accurate movements and trigger the right drum sound. The new Aerodrums 2’s use of an infrared sensor makes it more accurate; the amplitude of hits and ghostnotes can be tracked too. | AeroBand PocketDrum uses sensors in its electronic drumsticks and its pedals to trigger drum sounds. |
| Latency (Delays) | Low | Obvious at faster tempos. |
| Ease of setup | Takes a little more time due to the camera/sensor. You’ll also need more space between the camera/sensor and the drummer. | Plug and play, though the AeroBand PocketDrum requires more frequent recalibration. |
| Drumming Experience | Lower latency, more accurate trigger of drum sounds. More realistic drumming experience with good feedback.Though you do lose the tactile feedback of a physical drum kit. | Significant delay at faster tempos can be a turn-off for more experienced drummers.But remains a great entry point for aspiring drummers who can’t or don’t want to invest in drum kits. |
| VR Compatibility | Yes | No |
| Do you need an app? | Yes with Aerodrum 1. The new Aerodrum 2 can be used as a standalone setup right out of the box. | Yes, you’ll need the Aeroband app. PocketDrum is also compatible with Garageband. |
| Ideal For | Drummers of any level. Serious drummers looking for a reliable portable drumming setup. Drummers have used it for gigs too. | Aspiring drummers who want to give the drums a go but don’t want to commit to any equipment. |
What is Aerodrums?
Aerodrums is one of the first air drumstick solutions in the market. Aerodrums makes use of cameras with high-speed motion sensors to capture movement from drumsticks and foot reflectors to provide an accurate air drumming experience with little delay, which is most accurate to the full experience.
Aerodrums was developed by drummers who are passionate about the musical instrument and the advocacy of air drumming’s role in the space.
Their attention to detail shines in the new Aerodrums 2, which offers an improved motion tracking accuracy with a less clunky setup, especially with the new foot reflectors. Aerodrums 2 is also compatible with the Meta Quest VR headset, offering an even more accurate virtual drumming experience.
What is Aeroband PocketDrum?
Aeroband PocketDrum is another popular air drumstick option. With many influencers mentioning the PocketDrum, you’ll probably have seen numerous videos on YouTube and TikTok.
The Aeroband PocketDrum has a lower price point and offers a portable, silent drumming experience that is suitable for the most entry-level drummers or aspiring drummers. This also makes a great gift for kids or children who show interest in drumming.
Key considerations when choosing between Aerodrums and Aeroband PocketDrum
If you’re still undecided between the Aerodrums and the Aeroband PocketDrum, here are 3 key considerations to work through.
- Purpose
Why are you considering a pair of air drumsticks? Are you interested in learning the drums but are not sure if you should commit to a drum kit yet? Or, are you a gigging drummer who needs a portable virtual drum kit to play in a venue with limited space?
The purpose of your air drumsticks will make a key difference to your ultimate choice. If you’re an aspiring drummer or maybe a hobbyist who is curious about drumming, the Aeroband PocketDrum is a more affordable option. If you’re a gigging drummer, a musician, or a serious drummer, the Aerodrums would be a better investment.
This leads us to the next point for consideration.
- Your Expectation of the Drumming Experience: Latency and Accuracy of Air Drumstick Triggers
While both Aerodrums and Aeroband PocketDrum offer a silent air drumming option, the Aerodrums’ sensor technology is better when it comes to reducing lag and being able to detect more subtle motions in the swing of your sticks and tap of your foot.
Their difference is akin to comparing a low-cost mass market electronic drum kit like the Alesis Nitro Max to a premium electronic drum kit like those from Roland. The former is great for beginners and most hobbyists, but the serious drummers would prefer the sounds, feel, and experience from the latter.
- Price
Your budget is another key factor. Would you be willing to spend up to $799 on air drumsticks? Or would you rather find a solution that would allow you to buy and own a second-hand drum kit for the same price?
Can you really learn the drums using air drumsticks?
Short answer: yes, you can.
After all, many old-school drummers air-drummed naturally; just closing your eyes and moving your limbs to the beat of the music was a fun experience. Though at that time, the drum sounds were only in our heads.
Jokes aside, beginners should spend time working on their technique and timing, and some exercises do not require the drums. Working on a drum pad or any hard surface allows you to practice your timing and your paradiddles.
With air drumsticks, you get the added benefit of feedback in terms of your timing and rhythm.
That said, let’s face it.
Air drumming will never replace the full experience of playing on a drum kit. The feel of your sticks bouncing off the taut head of the snare drum, learning to time that feel to catch a ghost note, the satisfying crack of a cymbal that sends vibrations back into your palms through the sticks, and the control of your hi hat to extend or kill the echoes that come from your beat.
Even if technology can trigger these subtle details someday, you may not be able to experience it through your body the way you would when you are behind the drum kit.
Conclusion: Aerodrums or AeroBand PocketDrum?
tl;dr Aerodrums offer a more immersive drumming experience due to the use of external cameras or infrared sensors to track your motion. However, it comes with a hefty price tag; hence, it would be suitable for serious drummers who are willing to make the investment. On the other hand, Aeroband PocketDrums are more affordable. However, its use of gyroscopes and accelerometers within the drumsticks limits its accuracy. Latency is also observed with the Aeroband sticks. That said, it would make a good option for beginners who want to clock more practice hours but do not have the space for a drum kit.