Yamaha EAD20 Electronic Acoustic Drum Module

The EAD20 is the new core model of the EAD lineup, built on the same advanced platform as the flagship EAD50 while focusing on rich high-quality sound and practical USB-based connectivity in a streamlined, cost-effective package. With an updated sound engine and improved sensor unit, EAD20 delivers an incredibly natural, well-balanced drum sound with clear definition. It enables drummers to achieve high-quality results with minimal setup.

EAD (Electronic Acoustic Drum Module) is Yamaha’s unique system that captures the natural sound of an entire drum kit with an exceptionally simple setup, while opening up new possibilities for drumming by combining effects and electronic sounds. The innovative EAD20 makes this concept more accessible than ever, featuring a newly developed sensor unit and a main unit powered by the same advanced sound chip found in the flagship EAD50. Blending the authentic resonance of acoustic drums with powerful hybrid sounds, the EAD20 elevates performance in every situation—from creating performance videos and recording to daily practice and online lessons.

Compact and simple configuration for high-quality recording, featuring a wide range of hybrid sounds. Greatly expands the possibilities of drumming and other musical activities.

• Includes a newly developed sensor unit in order to capture the sound of acoustic drums in a more natural and three-dimensional way.
• Equipped with a wide range of drum/percussion sounds (Voices), high-quality effects, and reverb, it features versatile hybrid performance capabilities for combining acoustic drums and electronic sounds.
• USB audio interface function supports a wide range of applications, including recording, streaming, online lessons, and DAW production.
• Compatible with the Rec’n’Share and EAD Touch apps. From video capture and audio recording, editing, and making detailed settings, it can be intuitively operated using a smartphone.

New Vistas in Drumming

The EAD20 preserves the authentic feel and character of acoustic drums while giving you an easy, intuitive way to shape your ideal sound. Simply attach the sensor unit to your bass drum and instantly achieve an optimized, balanced sound—without the need for complex mic placement. Layer built-in PCM sounds and effects to create powerful hybrid performances that seamlessly blend acoustic drum tones with electronic elements. Even advanced hybrid setups are easy to control thanks to Auto Settings, which optimize trigger sensitivity and mic levels simply by playing the drums, along with the intuitive interface of the dedicated EAD Touch app. The EAD20 also enables clear monitoring through in-ear monitors in loud drumming environments, helping reduce ear fatigue while keeping you focused on your playing.

Simple yet powerful, the EAD20 is an essential tool that transforms the modern drumming experience.

Features

• Equipped with 8-in/10-out USB audio
• Up to 9 trigger inputs
• Supports mul channel recording flexible rou ng
• Built in Looper and Sampler func ons
• Over 2000 voices and 250 effects
• Free EAD Editor App for iOS / Android

Unleashing Your Potential

What is truly amazing about the EAD20 is that the moment you play the drums it instantly transforms your performance into finished content you can share. The optimally balanced sound can be used directly for recording and video production, and the device’s seamless integration with the Rec'n'Share app allows you to smoothly complete the entire video process—from shooting and editing to posting. The advanced capabilities of the EAD20 mean that you can immediately output your adlibbed fills and quickly create drum “cover” videos, without losing any of the energy in your performance. Moreover, the EAD20 accurately monitors your own sound, letting you realistically experience subtle changes in your playing, enabling steady improvement. And since you can accurately hear and understand your own sound as you play, it provides exceptional stability in performance situations. In fact, the EAD20 completely changes how you get your drumming out into the world, beyond just playing. Whether you’re recording, practicing, or performing—the EAD20 is virtually limitless.

Social Media and Recording

The smartphone-based Rec’n’Share app connects with the EAD20 via USB, making it easy to add metronome clicks to backing tracks stored on your device and adjust mixes directly from your smartphone. From video capture to editing, the app streamlines the entire workflow, allowing you to share your daily performances as high-quality content with family, friends, and audiences online. What’s more, the built-in USB audio interface enables independent multitrack recording of microphone and electronic sounds, giving drummers greater flexibility for recording and sound creation within DAW-based workflows. Flexible output routing also supports streamlined streaming setups and precise control over each sound source, helping deliver polished drum sound for recording, streaming, and content creation.

Shoot. Refine. Share. The EAD20 makes the entire creative process smarter, faster, and more intuitive.

Easy, high-quality video creation with Rec’n’Share
When paired with the Rec’n’Share app, the EAD20 connects easily over USB to your smartphone, allowing you to capture high-quality music videos directly from your device. Rec’n’Share lets you play along with your favorite songs, add clicks, record audio, film performances, edit the results and upload your content—all in one smooth, streamlined workflow. It’s an easy way to share the EAD20’s high-quality sound on social media or for teaching purposes. The app also features a proprietary source-separation algorithm that lets you strip the track to stems, and adjust the levels of drums, vocals and other elements within the original track, giving you control over the balance of your band mix. From practice logs to fully produced videos, you can create polished, performance-ready content using only your smartphone—making the EAD20 and Rec’n’Share a uniquely convenient combination for any drummer.

Record all drum, trigger and track channels via USB
The EAD20 functions as an 8-in/10-out USB audio interface, enabling full multitrack input and output when connected to a computer and DAW. Windows users will need to install the dedicated driver. You can assign and record individual channels for the drum microphone signals from the sensor unit, trigger-based electronic sounds, effects, backing tracks, click tracks and more—depending on your workflow.

Flexible routing for performance and production
EAD20 gives you flexible routing for Main Out, Phones, and USB Audio, letting you send microphone audio, trigger sounds, processed signals, and more wherever you need them. Send the click only to your headphones, route trigger sounds directly to the PA, or create the ideal audio setup for recording, streaming, and live performance. With up to eight individual USB audio channels available for recording, you can capture separate tracks for greater flexibility during editing and mixing.

Practicing and Online Lessons

Want to really feel as if you’re in a band? Connect the EAD20 to your smartphone, rehearse along with your favorite songs, and experience amazing unity in your playing and sound. Enjoy monitoring with a natural balance, and experience an immersive feeling as if you were right there with the rest of the group. Moreover, the essential click track function is fully customizable. You can set the sound of the click, time signature, and accents exactly as you like, enabling practice that is specifically tailored to your level and goals, from basic exercises to advanced rhythm training. The convenient Talk function lets you instantly switch between playing and speaking, conveying both the dynamic nuances of your performance and the clarity of your speech, making online lessons and remote communication smoother. Whether you’re practicing alone or connecting with others, the EAD20 transforms every moment you play drums into a more satisfying musical experience.

Play along with your favorite music
The EAD20 features an AUX IN jack for quick connection to smartphones and music players using a single cable. No pairing. No complicated setup. Simply connect your device and mix your favorite tracks naturally with your own performance for clear, immersive monitoring. You can also connect a commercially available Bluetooth® receiver to enable wireless audio playback. Simple, reliable connectivity keeps you focused on playing.

A fully customizable click for every practice need
You can import your own click sounds and tailor their EQ, letting you shape the tone, meter and accents exactly how you like them. Click settings can be saved per Scene, giving you up to 200 fully programmable setups. Whether you’re practicing odd time signatures or locking in with backing tracks, the customizable click fits smoothly into your workflow.

Seamless one-touch switching between performance and speaking
The EAD20 includes a Talk function that lets you switch between your performance microphone (such as the sensor unit or an external mic) and a dedicated voice input with a single touch. You can trigger it from the main unit or assign it to a pad or foot controller for quick access without interrupting your playing—making it especially useful for online lessons and remote sessions. During performance, the microphone focuses on your drum sound, and when you need to speak, activating the Talk function delivers your voice clearly to the listener. It also lets you add narration while recording videos, giving you smooth, seamless transitions between playing and speaking.

Protect your hearing while enjoying acoustic drumming
Drumming can expose players to sound levels exceeding 100 dB, placing long-term stress on hearing. The EAD20 features a standard 1/8-inch output compatible with most in-ear monitors, allowing you to block external sound while monitoring your performance at a comfortable volume. By combining sound isolation with clear monitoring, the EAD20 helps reduce listening fatigue so you can stay focused on playing and enjoy drumming comfortably for years to come.

Performance

For live performance situations, having a setup where you can accurately hear your own sound is crucial. The EAD20 easily allows you to accurately monitor with consistently clear sound, regardless of the venue’s acoustics—letting you completely focus on your playing. Moreover, intuitive operation via pads and foot controllers enables seamless, on-the-fly sound control while you perform. And by incorporating the flexible Looper and Sampler functions, you can elevate the expressiveness of your drumming to new levels. Bringing you the confidence of being able to hear yourself clearly and the freedom of control just as you wish, the EAD20 provides a stronger foundation for your drum performance.

Hit the drums. Control your performance
Functions such as scene changes, tempo control, and effects can be assigned freely to electronic pads and triggered with a simple hit. Pads can control functions as well as produce sound, allowing performance and operation to work together seamlessly — without reaching for manual controls. Multiple controls can also be layered, much like layering Voices, enabling flexible real-time control of clicks, effects, and more during performance.

Control your performance with your feet
Connect footswitches or foot controllers to trigger sounds, control effects, and adjust click tempo hands-free. Because control functions can be operated without taking your hands off the drums, you can make real-time changes without interrupting your performance flow. Support for hi-hat control also enables more natural expression and detailed playing nuances. By integrating control directly into performance, the EAD20 enables a more natural and flexible playing experience.

Create and layer phrases live.
Using the microphone, triggers and any other connected device , the Looper function lets you select a loop length, and then record over and over, layering up the pattern as required. This lets you create dense rhythmic feels or interesting sonic patterns.

Capture and reuse your own drum sounds
You can sample your own playing directly into the EAD20 and turn those recordings into playable sounds for performance. Sampling can be done right on the unit, and the recorded files can be edited in Cubase or any other DAW before being imported back into the module. You can sample through any attached microphone, and can also sample external sources—such as electronic instruments or other audio gear—using the line input. If required, any pad played can also be included in the sample recording. This makes the EAD20 a great choice for drummers who want to bring their own uniquely crafted tones into any performance.