The Yamaha EAD20 is an electronic acoustic drum module that takes the fuss out of miking a kit by folding microphones, cables, and mixing into a single unit you can set up in minutes. At its core sits the SWX100 sound engine, the same processing chip found in Yamaha's flagship EAD50, so the tones and effects here are drawn from a genuinely professional platform. A sensor unit clamps to the bass drum hoop to capture a clean stereo image of the whole kit, while a built-in kick trigger lets you layer samples in time with your acoustic playing. With 2,203 voices, 252 digital effects, and onboard looping and sampling, it works as a recording rig, a live miking solution, and a creative sandbox all at once. The EAD20 is aimed squarely at intermediate and advanced drummers who want studio-quality capture and electronic expandability without wrestling a rack of gear.
- SWX100 sound engine shared with the flagship Yamaha EAD50
- Stereo condenser microphone built around Japanese-made custom capsules for clarity and precision
- Sensor unit mounts to virtually any acoustic bass drum hoop
- Built-in kick trigger converts each bass drum strike into a precise trigger signal
- 512-note polyphony for dense, layered performances
- 2,203 voices and 252 digital effects onboard
- 251 scenes total, including 51 preset kits and 200 user kits
- Six inputs with room for up to nine triggers using splitters
- Four additional splittable trigger inputs plus foot trigger support
- Compatible with single-zone, dual-zone, three-zone, and multi-piezo pads, including non-Yamaha gear
- 8-in/10-out USB audio interface for direct multitrack recording to a computer
- Stereo 1/4 inch outputs or a single mono output
- MIDI out for quick connection to your DAW
- LED rotary fader knobs and assignable Kit Modifier knobs
- USB Trigger Link for loading samples, backing up scene data, and connecting external devices
- Looper, sampler, and playback features
- Free Rec'n'Share app for shooting, editing, and sharing performance videos
- Free EAD Touch app for on-the-fly adjustments and data management
One Box, No Cable Spaghetti - Mic Your Kit in Minutes
Miking a drum kit usually means a pile of stands, cables, and a mixer to juggle before you ever hit record. The EAD20 gathers all of that into a single module and sensor unit, so a full setup takes minutes instead of an afternoon. Whether you are tracking at home, running a virtual lesson, or plugging into a venue's system, the signal chain stays simple and repeatable. That means less time troubleshooting gear and more time actually playing.
Flagship Sound Engine at Its Core
The EAD20 runs on the SWX100 sound engine, the same processing found in Yamaha's top-tier EAD50, paired with 512-note polyphony for full, layered performances. A stereo condenser microphone built around Japanese-made custom capsules captures a detailed, well-balanced picture of your kit with real clarity. With 2,203 voices and 252 digital effects on tap, you can shape everything from natural room ambience to fully processed hybrid tones. The result is a professional sound whether you are recording, streaming, or performing live.
Smart Sensor Unit with a Built-In Kick Trigger
The sensor unit clamps onto virtually any acoustic bass drum hoop and pulls double duty. As a microphone it captures a clean stereo image of your entire kit, and as a trigger it turns every kick strike into a precise signal the module can read. That lets you layer electronic samples in perfect time with your acoustic playing, blending real and sampled sounds seamlessly. It is a genuinely clever piece of engineering that opens up hybrid drumming without committing to a full electronic conversion.
Built to Expand - Triggers, Interface, and MIDI
With six inputs onboard and room for up to nine triggers using splitters, the EAD20 grows alongside your setup as you add pads and cymbals. Its four additional splittable trigger inputs work with single-zone, dual-zone, three-zone, and multi-piezo pads, including gear from other brands, so you are not locked into one ecosystem. An 8-in/10-out USB audio interface sends multitrack audio straight to your computer, while MIDI out ties the module into your DAW of choice. Add USB Trigger Link for loading samples and backing up data, and this becomes the hub of a serious hybrid kit.
Tweak on the Fly Without Missing a Beat
Assignable Kit Modifier knobs and LED rotary faders put reverb, gain, and effects right at your fingertips, so you can reshape your sound mid-song without stopping. The free EAD Touch app for iOS and Android extends that control to your phone or tablet, making deeper edits and data management quick and painless. Adjustments feel immediate and intuitive rather than buried in menus. It is the kind of hands-on control that keeps you focused on playing.
Record, Loop, and Share Your Sound
Onboard looper, sampler, and playback tools let you build layers and chase ideas right from the module. The free Rec'n'Share app makes it easy to shoot, edit, and upload videos of your performances to your favorite platforms. Combined with 251 scenes across 51 preset kits and 200 user slots, you have plenty of room to save your own creations and keep the ideas moving. For anyone building a content library or refining original material, these tools turn practice into publishable work.
One Box, No Cable Mess - Mic Your Kit in Minutes
Flagship Sound Engine at Its Core
Smart Sensor Unit with a Built-In Kick Trigger
Built to Expand - Triggers, Interface, and MIDI
Tweak on the Fly Without Missing a Beat
Record, Loop, and Share Your Sound
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Yamaha EAD20 and what does it do?
The EAD20 is an electronic acoustic drum module that combines microphones, cables, and mixing into one easy setup, so you can mic your acoustic kit without the usual mess. A single sensor unit clips onto your bass drum hoop and captures a full stereo image of your kit while also acting as a kick trigger. It gives you clean recordings, amplified live sound, and access to thousands of electronic voices from one compact system.
Who is the EAD20 best suited for?
It is designed for drummers who want to record, perform live, or create content without building a complicated mic setup. It fits players moving between studios, stages, virtual lessons, and home recording. If you want professional drum sound with minimal gear and setup time, it is built for you.
How does the EAD20 compare to the EAD50?
Both modules run the same SWX100 sound engine and share creative tools like the looper, sampler, and playback, so the core sound quality and feel are closely matched. The EAD50 is the higher-spec flagship module, offering more trigger inputs and multiple balanced XLR outputs that let you send separate drum and effect channels to a PA. The EAD20 delivers that same flagship sound engine and many of the features through 1/4" stereo outputs plus an 8in/10out USB audio interface for recording. The primary reason to step up to EAD-50 is the need for more physical inputs and outputs.
How does the EAD20 compare to the EAD50?
Both modules run the same SWX100 sound engine and share creative tools like the looper, sampler, and playback, so the core sound quality and feel are closely matched. The EAD50 is the higher-spec flagship module, offering more trigger inputs and multiple balanced XLR outputs that let you send separate drum and effect channels to a PA. The EAD20 delivers that same flagship sound engine through 1/4" stereo or mono outputs plus an 8in/10out USB audio interface, making it a streamlined choice for intermediate to advanced drummers focused on recording, practice, and performance in smaller venues.
Can the EAD20 be used as a USB audio interface for recording to a computer?
Yes. It functions as an 8in/10out USB audio interface, letting you record sessions directly into your DAW without additional hardware. It also includes MIDI out for easy DAW integration and a USB Trigger Link function for loading samples and backing up your data.
How many trigger inputs does the EAD20 have and what kind of pads can I use?
The EAD20 lets you add up to nine total triggers using splitters, plus a foot trigger, giving you plenty of room to build a hybrid acoustic and electronic setup. The integrated trigger inputs work across a wide range of pads, including single-zone, dual-zone, three-zone, and multi-piezo types, even those from other brands. That means you can use the gear you already prefer without worrying about compatibility.
How many sounds and effects does the EAD20 have?
The module comes loaded with 2,203 voices and 252 digital effects, along with 512-note polyphony for rich, layered playing. It offers 251 scenes total, including 51 preset kits and 200 user kits you can customize. Built-in looper, sampler, and playback features open up new creative options for practice and performance.
What apps work with the EAD20 and what do they do?
Two free apps extend the module's capabilities. The Rec'n'Share app for iOS and Android lets you shoot, edit, and upload videos of your performances, making it easy to share your playing. The EAD Touch app simplifies editing settings and managing your data directly from a mobile device.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | YAM-EAD20 |
| Vendor | Yamaha |
| MPN | EAD20 |
| Number of Instrument Sounds | 2,203 Voices |
| Number of Drum Kits |
51 Preset Kits 200 User Kits |
| Trigger Inputs |
4 Splittable Trigger Inputs (expandable to 9 total triggers) Compatible with single-zone, dual-zone, three-zone & multi-piezo pads (including non-Yamaha) |
| Sequencer/Recording | Recorder, Looper, Sampler & Playback |
| Sampling | Yes |
| Audio Inputs |
Sensor Unit Input (Stereo Condenser Microphone + Kick Trigger) USB (8-in Audio Interface) |
| Audio Outputs |
(2) 1/4" Outputs (Stereo L/R, or single Mono) MIDI Out USB (10-out Audio Interface) |
This Warranty covers Yamaha Electronic Drum products to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for one year. Yamaha products are designed and manufactured to provide a high level of defect-free performance. Yamaha Corporation of America ('Yamaha') is proud of the experience and craftsmanship that goes into each and every Yamaha product. Yamaha sells its products through a network of reputable, specially authorized dealers and is pleased to offer you, the Original Owner, the following Limited Warranty, which applies only to products that have been (1) directly purchased from Yamaha's authorized dealers in the fifty states of the USA and District of Columbia (the 'Warranted Area') and (2) used exclusively in the Warranted Area. Yamaha suggests that you read the Limited Warranty thoroughly, and invites you to contact your authorized Yamaha dealer or Yamaha Customer Service if you have any questions.
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