Yamaha EAD20: Mic, Record & Perform Your Whole Kit From One Unit — Now at LBS Music World

Posted by LBS Music World  ·  Drums & Percussion, Yamaha

Yamaha has just launched the EAD20, a new standard-model Electronic Acoustic Drum Module that folds microphones, cables and a mixer into a single clamp-on unit. Built on the same platform as the flagship EAD50, it brings a newly developed sensor unit, one-step whole-kit capture, studio-grade effects, and full USB recording to drummers who want to practise, record, stream and perform without a tangle of gear. Here's what's new, and how it compares to the EAD10.

One clamp, your whole kit captured

The EAD20 builds on Yamaha's proven Electronic Acoustic Drum concept: instead of setting up a forest of microphones, you attach a single newly developed sensor unit to your bass drum hoop, and it captures a clean stereo image of the entire kit. From there you can monitor through a PA or headphones, add effects like reverb, and shape your sound, all without the usual miking headache.

The sensor unit fits virtually any acoustic bass drum hoop and does double duty: beyond its stereo condenser microphone, it houses a dedicated kick trigger that turns every bass-drum strike into a precise trigger signal, letting you layer samples in perfect sync with your acoustic playing.

The big features

• Built on the flagship EAD50 platform. The EAD20 shares the same platform and sound chip as Yamaha's top-tier EAD50, so the core tones, effects and trigger linkage come from a genuinely professional foundation.
• 2,203 voices & studio-grade effects. A large PCM sound library designed to blend with acoustic drums, plus the same custom DSP as the EAD50 (reverb, delay, modulation, compression), with 256-note polyphony for full, layered performances.
• Built-in Looper, Sampler & User Voice. Layer phrases live, sample your own playing, and import custom audio samples to assign to pads and triggers.
• 8-in / 10-out USB audio interface. Record individual channels (mic, triggers, effects, backing tracks, click) straight into your DAW, or stream, with no extra interface needed.
• Expandable hybrid triggering. Connect up to 9 pads via Y-cable, plus a new USB Trigger Link to manage up to 10 pads through a single USB cable.
• Three Modifier knobs + free apps. Assignable knobs put reverb, EQ and compression within reach on the fly, while the EAD Touch (USB-C) and Rec'n'Share apps extend control, recording and content creation. A dedicated 1/8" output also feeds in-ear monitors for comfortable, hearing-safe monitoring.

A closer look at the EAD20, ready for practice, recording, streaming, and the stage.

Yamaha EAD20 vs EAD10: side by side

The EAD20 is the new-generation successor to the hugely popular EAD10. Both use the same one-clamp sensor concept, but the EAD20 is built on the same platform as the flagship EAD50, with a newly developed sensor unit, a much larger sound set, studio-grade effects, and a proper multi-channel USB interface. Here's how the two generations compare:

Note: the EAD10 remains a superb, wallet-friendly way to mic and record a kit. The EAD20's leap is the flagship EAD50 platform, roughly 3× the voices, 4× the polyphony, multitrack USB, onboard looping/sampling, and greater trigger expansion. Specs per Yamaha's official EAD20 (US) and EAD10 (Malaysia) product pages.

Which one is right for you?

Not sure whether the EAD20 fits your kit, room, or recording setup? Our team helps drummers choose every day. Visit a Penang showroom to see selected drum gear hands-on, and enjoy official Malaysia warranty and after-sales support on eligible products.