Gear recommendations for finger drumming in 2026

So you want to get started with finger drumming but you have no idea what pad controller to buy?
Here’s a list of the gear I recommend. Most importantly the pad controllers with the most responsive, sensitive pads that accurately react to soft and subtle touches, but all the other necessary components of a finger drumming setup are included in the recommendations as well.

My free beginner course deals with setting things up, including step by step guides for lots of different controllers and software, so make sure to check that out if you’re just getting started.

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My current finger drumming gear recommendations

Latest update: January 2026. Check out the Equipment & Setup Category as well for all articles and (Youtube) video's related to gear and setup. Below you'll find the most basic summary of my findings so far so you can quickly make a decision.

(*) Make sure there's an option to return items and get your money back and test them soon after you get them so returning and trying something else is still possible.

My main budget recommendation

• ESI / Artesia Pro Xjam ($150)
• Focusrite scarlett solo (3rd gen) ($100)
• The (best) computer you currently own ($0)
• The (best) headphones or earbuds you own ($0)
• Powerdrumkit (FREE) ($0).
• OR Steven Slate Drums 5.5 Free (FREE) ($0).

Estimated cost: $250,- You can check out a detailed video review over here on my Youtube channel.

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A cheap option that's been around for a while and is still pretty good (but not great):

• Presonus ATOM ($150)* You cannot edit the notes the device puts out. This is not a problem when using something like Addictive Drums or Steven Slate drums, because you can use "midi learn" to assign sounds to pads, but this will be a problem with for example older versions of EZ Drummer, like the still popular version 2.
• Focusrite scarlett solo (3rd gen) ($100)
• The (best) computer you currently own ($0)
• The (best) headphones or earbuds you own ($0)
• Powerdrumkit (FREE) ($0).
• OR Steven Slate Drums 5.5 Free (FREE) ($0).

Estimated cost: $250,-

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Better (and more) pads for only slightly more money:

• Novation Launchpad X ($200)
• Focusrite scarlett solo (3rd gen) ($100)
• The (best) computer you currently own ($0)
• The (best) headphones or earbuds you own ($0)
• Powerdrumkit (FREE) ($0).
• OR Steven Slate Drums 5.5 Free (FREE) ($0).
• Please pay extra attention! Based on user feedback combined with some testing of my own I think there is a chance the pad responsiveness between different Launchpad X'es might vary. I explain more about this in the video that accompanies this blogpost. I don't think it's something to worry about that much (problems might be more rare than they seemed to be for a while) but make sure you can return the device so you can see if you like the way the pads respond!

Estimated cost: $300,-

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64 pads and standalone? Some thoughts on the Ableton Push 3

• The onboard kits sound very decent, so standalone drumming is finally a possibility with this thing!
• The MPE on the pads is a bit weird for drums because the pads are so small that you always accidentally play all kinds of variations. Like accidental rimshots or hitting the hi hat more with the shaft. Cool for "variety" but it's more of a randomiser than a chosen variation most of the time.
• The new pad sensor system responds well. It's a subtle difference with other devices, but I think it's a matter of personal preference whether you think the push responds better or worse than something like the Maschine or Launchpad. The response curve is also very tweakable. I would be able to get used to these pads for sure.
• There seems to be a small latency in the detection of the hits. Very small, but together with the 4ms output latency of the onboard audio interface it's just that tiny bit audible.. or maybe not even actually audible, but I think I can feel it when I play. Could be placebo though. Again something I could get used to if this was my only device.
• Latency of the built in interface is very acceptable. I did notice that the input and output latencies in Ableton are about 4ms in and 4ms out when I use the Push audio interface. When I switch over to my RME interface, with the same 32 sample buffer size, this latency goes towards 1.5ms in and 1.5 ms out.

Some thoughts to help you decide

• If you have 2000 bucks to spend, want a standalone unit, you love creating in Ableton and you have no problem with smaller pads, you'll probably love the Push 3. The onboard studio drum kits finally sound real in their response... really cool that we have something like that available now.
• Setting up a great sounding drumkit with all the right sounds in the right places will not be easy. If you have no experience in Ableton and you think this device is a "Plug and Play acoustic drumkit in a box" you will be disappointed. You need to be willing to dive deep into the Ableton Drum rack and spend some time learning Ableton, both on your computer and in standalone, to get everything the way you want it.
• That said, for me personally, I know I will hardly ever use this thing because I like all my stuff just a bit more. I like my Maschine pads more, I like the latency of my RME interface more, I like the sound and workflow of Addictive drums more, I like the workflow in my Reaper DAW more, I own a Linnstrument with great MPE functionality for melodic playing, and I hardly ever leave my studio. 2000 bucks is just too much for me to "just keep this for fun maybe once in a while". So I'm probably not keeping the device.
• It's not bad at all. On the contrary, it actually is a great achievement by Ableton. It just does not blow everything I use already out of the water and it's expensive. So that's what I ended up with, but my guess is a lot of people will have a blast with this thing. 🙂

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If you want a great 8x8 controller for less money than the Ableton Push:

• Launchpad Pro mk3 ($350)
• Focusrite scarlett solo (3rd gen) ($100)
• The (best) computer you currently own ($0)
• The (best) headphones or earbuds you own ($0)
• Addictive Drums 2 Custom ($170)

Hardware cost: $450,- Hardware + Addictive Drums 2: $620,-

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An alternative 4x4 option in case you really don't want a Maschine:

• Nektar Aura / Aruba ($350)
• Focusrite scarlett solo (3rd gen) ($100)
• The (best) computer you currently own ($0)
• The (best) headphones or earbuds you own ($0)
• Addictive Drums 2 Custom ($170)

Hardware cost: $450,- Hardware + Addictive Drums 2: $620,-

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What I personally use at the moment (insane overkill for just finger drumming... I'm a music production professional):

• Maschine mk3 ($550) AND...
• Yamaha FGDP-50 (mostly for practicing on the couch 🙂 ) ($350)
• RME Babyface Pro FS ($999)
• Macbook pro 16 (2020) ($4500)
• Calibrated Sennheiser HD600 Headphones ($500)
• ATC SCM-20 Studio Monitors ($5000)
• ATC SCS-70 Subwoofer ($3000)
• Addictive Drums 2 Custom XXL ($500)

I'm not going to calculate the price for this. Don't buy what I have... If you're not a studio pro you won't need it and if you are, you should buy the stuff that suits your needs and workflow. So yeah... I just put this here in case you're curious. Also... it took me 15 years to accumulate this gear, sometimes waiting for a very long time to get a nice cheap second hand option (like with the ATC ACM-20 speakers).