You’re paying for some of the best equipment in the business. I’ve been playing for twenty-plus years. It means that for around $4000 you can get a taste of the TD-27 drum module and the Prismatic Sound Modeling. This version from the Roland … Each pad has 6 lugs which are tensionable so as to control the feel and response of the mesh head. Starting with the KV, you get two CY-8 cymbal pads. If you’re interested in the TD-17, I’d at least start with the KV. The TD-17, for example, features two additional 1/4″ dual-trigger inputs, so in theory, you could add two dual-zone pads or four single-zoned pads. And while the TD-17KV or KVX probably won’t deliver an authentic acoustic feel when compared to a real kit, it will be an absolute joy to play and practice your chops. Search. Another incredible feature? As stated before, the KVX has a stand-mounted hi-hat pad. It’s also very simple to send different mixes to outboard gear such as live venue P.A. The frame included with the TD-17 is the MDS-COM drum stand. If you like the feel of the mesh snare head, imagine those on the toms. But where the TD-27 comes into its own is with the level of control you get over the individual and collective drum sounds. Just like the larger VAD-503 and VAD-506 kits available at Guitar Center, the Roland … V-Drums Acoustic Design is a brand-new V-Drums experience, blending the physical presence of acoustic drums with Roland’s world-leading digital percussion technology. It’s certainly worth a look if you find that you would prefer to have more drums and cymbals than the latest Roland drum modules. I do understand that would add much more of a cost to the kit, but it would be nice. I have a sneaking suspicion we may see something like the Strike shells on a new kit from Roland at NAMM 2020 (see my NAMM drums and percussion coverage here). The Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD306 Electronic Drum Kit, in particular, is a great option for those who want the look and feel of an acoustic kit but need the functionality of an electronic kit that won't take up too much room. The 12″ size is very nice, making it feel much more realistic than some cheaper options on the market. The HD-1 brain is about the size of a paperback book, making it one of the smallest on the market, and it’s designed to mount right in the middle of the frame. New from NAMM 2020 last year was the Roland TD-27KV. The tom pads included are Roland PDX-8s. If the price is a little steep, have a look at some of Alesis’s intermediate e kit models. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. I love having all mesh heads, but some people still like the feel of the rubber pads. The TD-17 is one of the best intermediate modules in this price range. I have two questions. The VAD503 comes with the high-rated TD-27 drum module. To me, it looks a little squished. They are more malleable than the older type of electronic cymbal and the net result is a smoother feel. They’ve recently launched their new Acoustic Design series which aims to combine cutting edge sound triggering with a traditional acoustic drum set look. These are great for whiling away the time and improving your skills on the instrument. I’ve been obsessed with drums and percussion (especially all the gear) since day one of playing. These drums are awesome! The playing surface is small in diameter but will accept both single and double pedals. Yet a streamlined profile — a collapsible … This is what’s often referred to as ‘fusion’ sizes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone scavenging for a rogue auxiliary cable to plug in my iPhone to play along to some songs. The module is impressive and features Bluetooth for playing along wirelessly (especially when most phones don’t feature a 3.5mm jack anymore). What essentially happens is that each sample is processed individually to work in the context of how and when it is being triggered. The TD-17KV and KVX are great kits, but they aren’t Roland’s best offering. Even more importantly, they DONT go out of tune!! I’ve chosen the Roland TD-27KV as the best overall electronic drum set. This has been replaced with good old-fashioned cymbal stands and tom mounts. It’s part of the reason why I started this website — to help drummers pick the gear best suited for their needs. Connectivity has also been made a priority with the aforementioned Bluetooth streaming ability. The Strike Pro SE is a 6-piece rack-mounted drum kit with 5 cymbals. These allow for far greater cymbal positioning. How To Play Polyrhythms Easily (With Audio Examples). Roland also offer a range of custom wraps for their shells, so you’re not just limited to the one finish. That said, COM is short for Compact, and the TD-17 is a smaller electronic drum set. Like all Roland V-Drum, the achiles-heel always comes down to the "Sound-Module". Call. The TD-27 module has a footswitch which can be used for a host of different functions. The CY-5 V-Hi-Hat has a 10″ playing surface and separate bow and edge zones. This is great for when working with toms, for example. There are also a bunch of training modes which are built into the unit. This is the entry-level kit to the Acoustic Design series and is priced around $2500. In this review, you will learn why V-drums … Indeed, the inclusion of mesh drum … It’s a bit more expensive than a kit like the Alesis Strike Pro SE, but is far better in quality and performance. The snare drum is whopping 14 inches in diameter and sits up a separate snare stand. I can’t recommend either kit to beginning players on good faith, but if you have the budget and want to try out the drums, by all means, go ahead. It won’t leave you wanting when it comes to kit sounds or customization tools. Roland doesn’t sell cheap. my review of the roland td-4 I've played drums for more than a quarter century now, and last October I made my first foray into the world of electronic drums when I purchased a TD-3 set on eBay. The KVX also features dual-zone cymbals, but they’re a little larger — 12″ in diameter. It’s never been easier to customize your sound, with a host of multi-effects such as studio-grade compression, EQ and reverbs. Outerwave Media, LLC / 3215 Golf Road #141, Delafield, WI 53018, United States Unfortunately, as is the case with all drum kits in the Roland Acoustic Design series, you will have to supply a snare stand, along with a hi-hat stand and kick drum pedal. NOTE: I swear this post isn't a troll! About Question 2: on my TD-9, I bought replacement pads on ebay, but their shelf life is already not resonating with hits after just 1-2 years replacing them. The Yamaha DTX760K retails for around the same price as the Roland VAD503 but it does come complete with full hardware. If one cable in the snake goes bad, you have to replace the entire cable for all the pads. The Roland TD-17KVX is no different. The fact that we can play and experience a top-quality drum set in the comfort of our homes, with little or no external noise, is something to behold. Roland’s new TD-07KV V-Drums is a compact and affordable kit that allows you to practice quietly, trigger sounds in software-based drum instruments for studio or live playing and … For example, the rim of your tom can have a clap sound, and the pad itself be an 808 sample. This article covers its basic features and the real playing experience and the innovations Roland has brought about in the … The display shows you what you are doing or where you want to be. Hypothetically, let’s say you’re a planet-straddling, snakeskin-booted, Ray-Banned rock god who wants it all and wants it now.Choosing your Roland V-Drums kit is a no-brainer. The VAD306 ships with the TD-17 drum module. The VAD503 looks great and is complete with full-depth wooden shells. It’s an all-black finish, and I’ll be honest, I don’t like the sizing of the center portion. Let's talk about what isn’t new: the excellent VH-10 hi-hat pad, KD-10 kick drum pad, and the CY-12C and CY-13R cymbal pads have been seen on other mid-range Roland … This module has all the bells and whistles, so to speak. The hardware frame reduces movement and minimizes sliding on rugs. A quiet, compact electronic drum set for beginners. This is useful for triggering background loops or changing kit sounds between live song performances. Filmed at Middle Farm Studios, November 2018. E kits have gotten so much better in the last decade. I bought a Roland TD-9 back in 2008, and I think most of its life is done. Still, the module is fine, and cymbals all work fine, and frame is fully functional, as is kick pad. You can apply effects to just the one drum, or group drums together. There’s a MIDI-out jack, a minijack mix input, a minijack audio output, and a minijack headphone output. And if you’re wondering, no, electronic drum sets do not feel the same as acoustic drums. Alesis offer the Strike Pro SE which is an upgraded version of the original Strike Pro. Paiste PST X Cymbal Series Review: Affordable Effect Cymbals. Cart. The two rack toms are 10 inches in diameter, while the snare and floor tom are both 12 inches. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Roland TD-1KPX2 V-Drums electronic kit folded in the lounge room Easy to navigate, the TD-1 module has tried and tested favourite V-Drums sounds to suit a wide range of playing styles. All drums are quite shallow, which keeps the weight down while allowing for that acoustic kit look. Regarding question 2, I would hang on to any pads, parts, the module, etc… and use them as additional pads if desired. The left edge of the brain contains all of the inputs and outputs. The high tom mounts to the cymbal stand which also can hold the crash cymbal or ride. Like the other TD-1 … This kit is a minimalistic version of the flagship VAD506. The drum sizes are: 14-inch snare, 10 and 12-inch front toms, 14-inch floor tom and a 20-inch bass drum. The KVX also does feature two larger crash cymbals. I think they’re just done, and replacement pads aren’t cheap. Sifting through them all is often a challenge. The realistic feel of the drum … Naturally stripping the kit back like this allows Roland to keep the price down to a manageable level for many consumers. Roland are celebrating over 20 years since the launch of their first ever electronic mesh drum set. If your buying drums, buy these! V-Drums Acoustic Design is a brand-new V-Drums experience, blending the physical presence of acoustic drums with Roland’s world-leading digital percussion technology. The most significant difference between the two is the stand-mounted hi-hat pad and an additional ride cymbal. Aside from those differences, the kits are identical in every other regard. Roland V-Drums Verified Customer Reviews. You now get two separate controls for controlling drum muffling and tuning. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Overview Compact electronic drum kit with shallow-depth wood shells and TD-17 module The Roland V-Drums VAD306 Acoustic Design Electronic Drum Kit is a unique electronic drum kit, purposefully … The cymbals on the Acoustic Design series are a lot softer than previous incarnations. It also means that should you wish to integrate the VAD into your acoustic setup then it won’t look too out of place. Browsing through kits is easy to do and you can view your navigation on the crisp display. They make excellent electronic drums and never shy away from the high-end player. The TD-1 DMK features many amazing drum sounds and can be played authentically, thanks to the famous Roland dual mesh … zZounds.com zZounds.com. The V-Drums TD-27KV packs the same 14" digital snare, 18" digital ride, and Prismatic Sound Modeling engine as Roland's top-of-the-line TD-50 kits. The coveted “V-Drums” brand name is the holy grail of electronic drums and is a favorite toy of many instrument-shop goers. I'm genuinely trying to decide between a Roland or an Alesis kit. The drum pads are shallow-shelled and do not have bottom heads, as we’ll see with the likes of the VAD506. The Roland 306 Acoustic Design V-Drums are a compact electronic drum kit designed to look and feel like acoustic drums. Both the KV and the KVX feature the larger PDX 12″ snare drum pad. There’s MIDI in/out, as well as USB, and you can even stream wirelessly. In the year 2020, it seems that Roland can't or is unwilling to start over and provide wold class drums sounds that can compete with virtual drum … I like the tom pads, but they’re a little small for my taste. If you want to sell it, you may need to tinker with it and try to fix it up to working order before selling it. Roland … Can,t beat em for the price. I’m not sure if it’s the cables or what, but I’m tired of doing surgery on the kit to try to fix the problems. The Roland td 11KV s module is intuitive enough to get any drummer where they want to be. This allows you to both send music to your monitor for play-along purposes as well as stream MIDI tracks to your computer or laptop. nick@drummingreview.com. Contact Us, Overall Thoughts on the TD-17KV and TD-17KVX, Alternate Mode malletKAT: An Excellent MIDI Percussion Controller For Drummers, Pearl malletSTATION Review – Read This Before You Buy, 8 Of The Best Electronic Drum Pads To Elevate Your Live Performance. The VAD503 is a nice kit, especially for fans of a 4-piece setup. Importing your own drum kit sounds is as easy as using an SD card. So the net effect is that you get more realistic sounding drum roll crescendos and cymbal swells. It’s got to be a gleaming Roland … I much prefer to have a stand-mounted pad. This is all good news for drummers, whether professional or part-time. Roland have designed the module with a clear and user-friendly look. These cymbal pads are only dual-zone, meaning you only can play the edge and bow of the cymbal. This is very beneficial to drummers and particularly if you’re prone to wrist injuries. Else, you’ll have to try to sell the pieces individually. The TD-17 features two additional 1/4″ dual-trigger inputs if you ever decide to add more pads in the future. Simply place your custom samples onto the drive and you’ll be able to build your own database of drum sounds. There are 55 preset kits with 45 user banks to store your custom iterations. This 5-piece drum set comes with a 12-inch hi-hat, 14-inch crash, 16-inch crash and an 18-inch ride cymbal. The DTX760K is a 5-piece with 4 cymbals, although the Yamaha drum pads are not tensionable by way of a drum key. There are a lot of options for electronic drum sets on the market. Terms of Use The improved TD-17 module is serious competition for other kits in this price range. With drum racks relegated to a thing of the past, Roland’s Acoustic Design series opts for standalone drum hardware such as cymbal stands with tom mounts. The next in line on the Acoustic Design series is the VAD503. Currently the Acoustic Design series offers a line of 3 different drum sets, the VAD306, the VAD503 and the VAD506. The two strong spurs on each side of the drum help to keep it in place during performances. The TD-17 is equipped with Roland’s flagship Prismatic Sound Modeling engine. Gone is the 4 post rack which was so common with electronic kits of the past. You can alter the mic positioning, drum muffling, tuning, room size, stick type and more. It’s one rubber pad and the control piece. Here's our review of a Roland TD-1DMK e-Kit. This kit is very good value as it features double-headed drums along with wooden shells. There are a few new features on the module which are a welcome addition. The FD-9 foot controller works in conjunction with the CY-5. The mesh snare feels … As the name implies, these are 8″ dual-zone triggers. Will never buy used, second hand again. The PDX-8 allows assignment of sounds to both the head and rim. Stream and play along to your favorite songs via Bluetooth. While the pad sizes are a little on the smaller side, the value outweighs this tiny con. I've spent hours (and hours, and hours) reading posts in forums before buying my first e-kit. It’s worth comparing the prices though, as currently on Sweetwater.com there is not much difference in price between the two. The upside is that if you already have an acoustic setup, then this is not much of an issue. Roland’s naming schemes tend to be a little complicated, so think of these three kits as basic, standard, and premium, in that order. The TD-17 is the first module in the line of Roland drum modules to include this feature. There may be affiliate links on this page and on others. As mentioned with the VAD503, the TD-27 drum module is an impressive piece of kit. Having the hi-hat on it’s own stand is a must for me. Disclaimer: Links in the table below and throughout the article are affiliated — some with Sweetwater and some with Amazon. The final kit of the V-Drum Acoustic Design series is the VAD506. Roland have made serious improvements to their modules of late. Most featured images provided by photographer Jake Maciosek. Best Overall Electronic Drum … Drum sizes range from 10 inches to 18. They even sound better than most acoustic drums, and you can play them in an apartment. This really is Roland’s flagship electronic drum set. Find Out More Featured Video Hybrid … Privacy Policy But don’t be fooled by looks alone. It’s smooth and quiet, so for those in playing drums in apartments, this might be a great option. Roland has a solid reputation with sample pads and electronic percussion. The combination of excellent build-quality, expressive pads and sounds, as well as a huge amount of functionality included on the sound … The TD-17 electronic drum set comes in three variants — the TD-17KL, TD-17KV, and TD-17KVX. Hardware with the VAD306 is similar to most regular acoustic drum sets. For the pro section, Roland's triggers are pretty top-notch; everything responds perfectly and the amount of variable sound you can get out of the cymbal triggers especially is impressive. Any drummer would love to have this in their home studio. The VAD306 is a good electronic kit for drummers who want to experience the latest Roland drum technology but are on a tight budget. ENTER ROLAND V DRUMS: V Drums SOLVE the stage volume problem. Don’t worry though, you can still use USB or 5-pin MIDI if you prefer that way. With the Acoustic Design series, Roland have recognized the importance of an organic looking drum set which feels good to play on. I’ve sung my praises towards Roland in other articles. Consordini is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. It’s quite possibly the best feeling electronic bass drum yet. Few folks can argue, that for many years now… Roland V-Drums have easily been TOP DOGS in the electronic drum industry.… Toms and snare pads all have separate triggering on the rims too. Alesis DM6 Review: A Pro Drummer’s Secret Weapon? The two-play mesh head is tunable with a drum key so you can change the amount of bounce/rebound. This is a brief review about the electronic drum kit Roland V- Drums. There is a lot more ‘give’ in the rubber cymbals and this is evident when you put a little pressure on them. While other models in the series have a few compromises to make them more affordable (we also cover the TD-17K-L ‘lite’ version and TD-17KV below in this review), the Roland … The KV and KVX feature different cymbal models. You can always upgrade to the specs of the VAD506 should you wish, at a later date. The primary V-Drums products are complete … The floor tom has the neat addition of having 3 old-school floor tom legs, which offers stability and convenience. Roland is known for its mid and high-level electric drums. You will miss out on the bell zone. The Roland TD-17KVX is the best mid-level entry to V-drum kits, hands down. You need not worry about losing resonance through contact with the ground, as is the case with a normal acoustic drum. For this article, I’m omitting the TD-17KL for the reasons laid out above. by Consordini Staff Last Updated May 13, 2020. You must be familiar with that having used the TD-9. How can I make some money selling it while knowing it’s not a fully working kit – albeit, with some fully functioning parts? The right edge of the unit, which contains only the DC input and the power on/off switch, is dedicated to power con… With these two knobs it’s pretty easy to tailor any kit sound just the way you like it, without having to navigate through a series of confusing folders and sub folders. One downside is that the VAD series does not supply hardware such as pedal or a snare stand. The additional ride cymbal pad is excellent. This is highly effective and makes the VAD503 look like a genuine acoustic drum kit. The kit is a 5-piece with 4 cymbals – a hi-hat, ride and 2 crashes. Launch price: $537/£409/€475 | … The sounds and features on the DTX drum module are a bit dated in comparison to the newer TD-27. Find Out More Featured Video … The PDX-12 snare pad allows for realistic buzz rolls and rim shots. Each kit offers something different and will suit a variety of budgets. This feature is a massive plus in my book. The rubber pads are outdated when compared to other options on the market. Today we will have an in-depth look into the TD-17KVX and help you determine if it’s the right electronic drum set for you. When it comes to live performance, a deep-shelled drum kit is what many people expect, and it quite simply, looks the part. Read user reviews for Roland TD8 V-Drum Sound Module and see over 325,000 product reviews at zZounds.com. While it’s only 13″ in diameter, you do get three zones allowing for bow, edge, and bell samples. The toms and bass drum even come with resonant heads, which are solely for appearance purposes. It’s going to a somewhat similar (the size in particular), but I think the KVX is a major step-up from the older TD-9. One huge feature that I love is the ball joint tilters for the cymbals. Overall, the Acoustic Design VAD506 is an amazing drum set and definitely one of the best electronic drum sets for how good it feels to play. I’m curious how the KVX plays compared to that model? Most notably it comes as a 4-piece, with a snare, bass drum and two toms, instead of the usual 5-piece setup. Home There are 30 multi-effects on the module and they’re all quite clear and easy to understand. In this review we’ve looked at Roland’s flagship Acoustic Design series of drum kits. I currently own the Alesis Strike kit, which features bigger tom pads, but the hi-hat is irredeemable — Roland wins every time in feel. Sign In. Sound design with the TD-27 is a pleasure. At the core of every drum set is the snare drum. The hi-hat controller included with the KV isn’t my favorite, but it’s usable. Roland has a solid reputation with sample pads and electronic percussion. I’m not entirely sure it would work with four, as I haven’t tried that. The drums are deep, and all but the snare are equipped with bottom heads. The Roland TD-25KV is a fantastic mid-range electronic drum kit. The Roland VAD306 is a unique V-Drums Acoustic Design kit, purposefully compact while maintaining the distinctive acoustic aesthetic of the series. The entry level e-drum set with the legendary V-Drums sounds and playing feel. The age-old issue of drum pads ‘machine-gunning’ has been eliminated. The TD-17KL isn’t worth it, in my opinion. The release of the TD-1DMK makes the electric drum experience more admirable. We’ll take a look at the 3 kits in greater detail and talk about some of the pros and cons that each kit offers as well as contrasting them with similar kits from competing manufacturers. Often times you can add additional pads to Roland modules. The development of Prismatic Sound Modeling means this kit does not just work with basic sample-triggering. The feedback while playing feels solid — it’s almost like a real bass drum head. This module has over 300 sounds and 50 preset drum kits. The VH-10 hi-hat requires a hi-hat stand (not included) and feels far more realistic than its non-mounted counterpart. Roland generally sticks out with their cymbal pads, both in performance and looks. Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design Series Review by Consordini Staff Last Updated May 13, 2020 Roland are celebrating over 20 years since the launch of their first ever electronic mesh drum set. The bass drum feels remarkably solid to play on. That said, it doesn’t have two pads as some other higher-end hi-hat controllers have. The TD-17 also has a wireless feature which uses Bluetooth. Drumeo Edge Review – Worth It For New Drummers? Roland includes 50 preset kits, and 310 drum/percussion sounds out of the box. It shows you the drummer set sound number … My new … Now here's the "landscape" as I see it now: 1) Roland … All three kits are five-pieces and utilize the TD-17 drum module as the name implies. There is a significant difference between the two, so don’t expect this to feel like your noisy five-piece drum set sitting in the garage. Which kit you choose determines whether you get mesh heads, a better and larger snare drum pad, a stand-mounted hi-hat, and an extra cymbal. I wish the TD-17KV (and the TD-25KV) went one step further, offering actual drum shells like the Alesis Strike. The major differences between the KV and KVX. Indeed, the inclusion of mesh drum heads was a huge advancement for electronic kits and once again Roland are leading the way in innovation. The biggest downside to the TD-17, though, is the fact that it uses a sub-snake pin cable for the module inputs (the part that looks like an old computer input). Roland’s TD-17KVX sits at the top of the TD-17 range of electronic drum kits. I’m wondering what I should with this half-usable kit? The VAD series kits however are all missing a snare stand, a hi-hat stand and a bass drum pedal, which you will have to supply. V-Drums is a variety of electronic drums, drum brain modules, and related electronic percussion product manufactured and trademarked by Roland Corporation.. The coveted “V-Drums” brand name is the holy grail of electronic drums and is a favorite toy of many instrument-shop … There’s a 10-inch high tom, a 14-inch floor tom and a 20-inch bass drum. Hi. The first kit that we’ll look at in the Acoustic Design series is the Roland VAD306. Disclaimer Also instead of 4 cymbals, with the VAD503 we get just the 3, a ride, hi-hat and crash. It’s plain to see that they have once again set the bar very high for electronic drums in 2020. You can perform all the different bass drum techniques which you would associate with acoustic drumming without feeling hampered. systems or studio desks. Drum Review – Roland TD-6 Electric V – Drum set (TD-6SW) With technology increasing daily, electric drum sets are becoming more and more popular, as well as realistic. This is their latest offering in drum triggering and gives the user complete control over every little detail of the drum sounds. You can add WAV samples via SD/HC card. The bass drum with the VAD306 is an 18 inch. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Most kits today have mesh heads. For the purposes of this article, I will primarily be discussing the KV and KVX only, as I’m not big on the KL. I play them more than my acoustic drums. If you can’t afford the TD-25 or TD-50, but still want that authentic V-Drums experience, the TD-17KVX may be a perfect option. For example, I have an SPD-SX that I use with two additional Roland pads. All three variants of the TD-17 utilize the KD-10 kick pad tower. I dont give a shit if you play DW's, GMS or ToysRuS brand … The TD-27KV kit, meanwhile, falls into the mid-priced bracket – at least for Roland – and presents a more traditional-looking electronic drum kit. It has 728 sounds in total with bucket loads of room to store your own custom kits. One of the most prominent selling features of Roland e kits is their drum modules. Roland TD-1KV.