Ride pads in electronic drum kits mimic the sound of ride cymbals and offer a wide range of sonic possibilities, from subtle pings (sounds that are created by striking the mallet on the ride cymbal) to strong accents, allowing musicians to incorporate sophisticated rhythmic patterns into their compositions. The number of ride pads in an electronic drum kit determines how many different ride cymbal sounds a musician can use. Ride pads provide a stable rhythmic foundation, and a larger number of pads also offers more variety.