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How Quickly Can You Set Up A Tiny Drum Kit?

Jared Falk  /  UPDATED May 31, 2023

Drum kits can take a while to set up. Thankfully, some smart people invented portable kits that are meant to be easy to carry and quick to set up.

How portable are they really? How quickly can you actually set them up and tear them down?

Four drummers. Four tiny kits. Watch as they race against the clock to see how practical these compact kits really are!

Here’s the challenge:

  1. Run to the studio with kit in hand.
  2. Set up as fast as you can.
  3. Mic up the kit.
  4. Play 8 bars.
  5. Tear down the kit.
  6. Get back to the finish line as soon as possible.

We’ve been missing gigs so much, we decided to recreate the experience! Who do you think will get the best time?

(P.S. If you like drummers racing around to complete challenges, you should see this drummer play 101 styles in just 10 minutes.)

Compact, portable drum kits you should try

If you’d like to know more about the kits featured in the video above, here are the details! Dave and Jared both used GigPigs (Standard for Dave and Extendable for Jared). Brandon used a SmackPac, and Kyle used a Wizzdrum All-In Kit.

GigPig Standard ($1299 USD) and Extendable (~$1999 USD)

  • Made in Sweden
  • Innovative chambered main box design (the ‘v’ shape is also ergonomic for foot pedal placement)
  • Very easy to transport and set up (it has wheels!)
  • Add-on toms are optional
  • Both the standard and extendable models come with cymbals designed for the kit’s specific sound/size needs, but you can add on extras
  • The extendable kit features a more adjustable hi-hat, an upgraded 10″ snare drum, and more
  • Only downside: it could use a gig bag

SmackPac – $1495 USD

  • Made in the US
  • The DS model featured in the video is a 4 piece kit
  • Very compact and has no wheels
  • It weighs about 60 lbs
  • Unique storage system
  • Innovative hi-hat design
  • Cymbals not included
  • Different versions available

Wizzdrum All-In Kit ($1350 USD)

  • Made in Holland
  • Almost completely 3D printed!
  • Sets up two ways: standing and sitting
  • Unique tuning method – uses a gear and screw style tensioning system, which lets you uniformly adjust head tension with just one turn
  • Comes with case that can also hold the cymbals
  • Other drum accessories for your acoustic kit
  • Cymbals not included


Jared Falk is a lifelong drummer, drum teacher, and the co-founder of Drumeo. For over 18 years, Jared has been a leader in the online music education industry, publishing his first online video lessons in 2003 and founding Musora in 2005.

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