Roland V-Drums
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V-Drums (Virtual Drums) are a line of electronic drums by Roland Corporation. Introduced originally in 1997, Roland's V-Drums have evolved over the years since with many sound module improvements and dramatic changes to their drum and cymbal pads. The Roland V-Drum lines are industry leaders in their respective tiers, including some of the most expensive and high-end electronic drums that one can buy.
Trigger types[]
V-Drums trigger devices are of four major types: mesh-head drum pads, rubber pads, cymbal pads and acoustic drum triggers. Mesh-head pads look very similar to acoustic drums, and attempt to emulate their feel. The simpler, more generic type is a rubber pad, which is less expensive, but also looks and feels less like an acoustic drum. There are several models of cymbal pads (also called V-Cymbals). The more expensive ones attempt to emulate the physical properties of acoustic cymbals of various types (e.g.: hi-hat, crash, ride), while the simpler, less expensive cymbal pads are less realistic. Acoustic drum triggers can be used to provide trigger signals from standard acoustic drums.
From an electrical point of view, trigger pads can be of the following types:
- Mono Pads, using one Piezoelectric sensor for the head. Usually kick-drum pads or older and less expensive pads.
- Stereo Pads, using one piezo sensor for the head and an additional switch for the rim. If the rim switch is triggered, the signal strength is determined by the head's piezo sensor. Mostly rubber pads and cymbal pads.
- Stereo Pads using two piezo sensors, one for the head and one for the rim. Mostly mesh-head pads.
- Three-way Pads using one piezo sensor and two switches. Roland's three-way cymbal pads (CY-12R/C, CY-13R and CY-15R) work this way, the piezo triggers the bow, and the switches trigger edge and bell.
Rubber pads[]
Round rubber pads were introduced with the TD-7 drum module in 1992 (previous Roland pads were polygonal) and were universally used as trigger pads for drums and cymbals. Since the introduction of mesh-head drum pads and cymbal-shaped trigger pads, standard rubber pads are only used as tom-tom and (until recently) bass drum trigger pads on Roland's less expensive drum kits. More expensive kits don't include any rubber pads at all any more.
The downsides of rubber pads are their less realistic rebound and their relatively high ambient noise level (compared to mesh-head pads), but their lower price, and increased durability, still makes them a better choice in some cases.
Cloth-head pads[]
Cloth-head drum pads were introduced with the KD-9 in 2011, using a cloth-like material as the drum head with an underlying, relatively thick layer of foam. These pads are softer than rubber pads and feel more realistic, while producing less ambient noise. They are only available in small sizes though, and the head tension cannot be adjusted like on mesh-head pads.
Mesh-head pads[]
Roland V-Drums mesh-head triggers resemble acoustic drums in both appearance and feel. The striking surface is a two-layer taut woven mesh of fibers fitted with several electronic sensors. This allows the mesh-head trigger to respond to the play of a drumstick in a manner that feels more like real drums than their earlier rubber predecessors. Roland developers have stated that the design of the mesh-head V-Pad was inspired in part by a small toy trampoline.[1]
In 1997, Roland developed and patented an updated version of mesh-head drum triggers, a key feature of the V-Drums line. As such, the name "V-Drums" sometimes refers specifically to Roland's mesh-head based drum triggers. The company began marketing the mesh-head triggers under the "V-Drums" name in 1997, in conjunction with the TD-10 drum module.[2]
Roland mesh-head V-Drums have a playable rim which has its own electronic sensors (and corresponding sounds). Many drummers who formerly eschewed electronic drums because of their lack of authentic feel have adopted V-Drums and other mesh-head drum products due to the recent advances of mesh-head technology.[citation needed]
Mesh-head triggers have created an expanded market for electronic drum kits because electronic drum kits, especially mesh-head based ones, make little or no unwanted ambient noise.[citation needed]Mesh heads used in V-Drums kits today are made by the American drumhead company Remo.
Acoustic drum triggers[]
Roland also makes acoustic drum triggers, which can be mounted on the rims of standard acoustic drums and provide a trigger signal from those drums, effectively turning them into trigger pads. The acoustic drumhead can either be left on the drum, to get the acoustic sound as well as a trigger signal, or the drumhead can be replaced with a mesh-head to lower ambient noise, if only the trigger signal is needed.
Cymbal pads[]
In the early 2000s, Roland moved away from using standard rubber pads as cymbal triggers and introduced new cymbal-shaped trigger pads with a rubber surface, which they call V-Cymbals.
The more expensive cymbal pads can swing freely after being hit (only rotation of the pad is prevented by a special cymbal mount), so they feel more like real cymbals, while the less expensive cymbal pads are not movable and always stay in their fixed position, thus feeling less realistic. Most of the movable pads also feature a third bell zone, which is triggered when hitting the bell area of the cymbal pad. These cymbal pads are called three-way cymbals because of their three trigger zones (bell, bow and edge).
Electronic hi-hats[]
Electronic hi-hats are always made up of two components: a trigger pad to detect hits, and a variable resistor-based hi-hat controller to detect the foot position, so the drum module can determine whether the hi-hat is supposed to be open or closed (or somewhere in between).
The simpler, less expensive solution uses a simple fixed V-Cymbal pad in combination with a separate foot pedal controller, which allows the drum module to replicate the sound of a hi-hat, but does not emulate the feel and scope of expressiveness of acoustic hi-hats.
The more expensive V-Hi-Hats integrate trigger pad and controller into a set of two opposing pieces, designed to be mounted on a conventional hi-hat stand. Because the hi-hat pad moves with the position of the pedal and can swing freely when the hi-hat is opened, this solution feels much more authentic. The most complex and most expensive VH-13 V-Hi-Hat and the older VH-12 can also detect different amounts of foot pressure in the closed position, but they are only compatible with the TD-30 and the older TD-12 and TD-20 drum modules. The simpler VH-11 can be used with more modules, but it cannot sense foot pressure in the closed position.
Available drum and cymbal pads[]
Pad Name | Type | Years Available |
Diameter | Zones/ Channels |
Trigger | Positional Sensing |
Colors | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head/Bow | Rim/Edge | Bell | ||||||||
BT-1 In Production |
Bar-shaped Rubber Pad | 2013- | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black/Gray | Needs to be connected to a stereo input, despite being a mono pad |
CY-5 In Production |
Cymbal Pad (fixed) | 2006- | 10 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black, White | No edge trigger on pads that shipped with the HD-1 |
CY-6 | Cymbal Pad (fixed) | 2001–2003 | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black | |
CY-8 In Production |
Cymbal Pad (fixed) | 2003- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black | |
CY-12C In Production |
Cymbal Pad (movable) | 2011- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black | |
CY-12H | Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad (fixed) | 2000–2004 | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black | |
CY-12R/C In Production |
Cymbal Pad (movable) | 2001- | 12 Inches | 3 (Three-way) | Piezo | Switch | Switch | Yes | Black | |
CY-13R In Production |
Cymbal Pad (movable) | 2011- | 13 Inches | 3 (Three-way) | Piezo | Switch | Switch | Limited (TD-50, TD-30, and TD-25 only) |
Black | |
CY-14C In Production |
Cymbal Pad (movable) | 2000- | 14 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black, Silver, Metallic Gray | |
CY-15R In Production |
Cymbal Pad (movable) | 2000- | 15 Inches | 3 (Three-way) | Piezo | Switch | Switch | Yes | Black, Silver, Metallic Gray | |
CY-18DR In Production |
Digital Cymbal Pad (movable) | 2016- | 18 Inches | 3 (Digital) | Digital | Yes | Black | |||
KD-5 | Kick Drum Pad | 1994-199? | 2 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
KD-7 In Production |
Kick Drum Pad | 1992- | 2 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | Piezo polarity can be switched |
KD-8 | Rubber Kick Drum Pad | 2003–2011 | 5 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | No dynamics when connected to HD-1 |
KD-9 In Production |
Cloth-head Kick Drum Pad | 2011- | 6 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
KD-10 In Production |
Cloth-head Kick Drum Pad | 2018- | 6 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
KD-80 | Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad | 1999–2003 | 8 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black, White | |
KD-85 In Production |
Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad | 2003- | 8 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black, White | |
KD-120 In Production |
Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad | 1998- | 12 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black, White, (Red), (Purple) | |
KD-140 In Production |
Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad | 2008- | 14 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Silver, Black Chrome | |
KD-180 In Production |
Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad | 2018- | 18 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
KD-220 In Production |
Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad | 2018- | 22 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
KD-A22 In Production |
Acoustic Kick Drum Conversion Kit | 2016- | 22 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
KT-9 In Production |
Kick Trigger Pedal | 2016- | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black/Silver | |
KT-10 In Production |
Kick Trigger Pedal | 2014- | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Silver/Black | |
PD-5 | Rubber Pad | 1994-199? | 8 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
PD-6 | Rubber Pad | 2001–2003 | 8 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | White | |
PD-7 | Rubber Pad | 1992-???? | 7 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | Yes | White | Piezo polarity can be switched |
PD-8 In Production |
Rubber Pad | 2003- | 8 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | Yes | Black | |
PD-8A In Production |
Rubber Pad | 2012- | 8 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | Yes | Black | Pad not available separately, ships with the TD-11K and TD-17K drum sets |
PD-9 | Rubber Pad | 1994-???? | 10 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | Yes | White | Piezo polarity can be switched |
PD-80 | Mesh-head Drum Pad | 1999–2003 | 8 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | Yes | Black, White | |
PD-80R | Mesh-head Drum Pad | 1999–2003 | 8 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black, White | |
PD-85 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2003- | 8 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black, White | |
PD-100 | Mesh-head Drum Pad | 1997–2003 | 10 Inches | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black, White, Red, Purple | |
PD-105 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2003- | 10 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black, (White) | |
PD-105X | Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2008–2012 | 10 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Silver | Replaceable shell wraps |
PD-108 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2012- | 10 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black Chrome | Replaceable shell wraps |
PD-120 | Mesh-head Drum Pad | 1997–2003 | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black, White, Red, Purple | |
PD-125 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2003- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black, (White) | |
PD-125X | Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2008���2012 | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Silver | Replaceable shell wraps; Also available as PD-125XS for snare stands (without rack mount) |
PD-128 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2012- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black Chrome | Replaceable shell wraps; Also available as PD-128S for snare stands (without rack mount) |
PD-140DS In Production |
Digital Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2016- | 14 Inches | 2 (Digital) | Digital | – | Yes | Silver | ||
PDX-6 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2006- | 8 Inches (6 inch head) |
2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | No | Black | |
PDX-8 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2006- | 10 Inches (8 inch head) |
2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | No | Black | No rim trigger on pads that shipped with the HD-1 |
PDX-12 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2018- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | No | Black | |
PDX-100 In Production |
Mesh-head Drum Pad | 2012- | 10 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | Yes | Black | |
RT-3T | Acoustic Tom-Tom Drum Trigger | 2003–2006 | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Silver | |
RT-5S | Acoustic Snare Drum Trigger | 2003–2006 | – | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | No | Silver | |
RT-7K | Acoustic Kick Drum Trigger | 2003–2006 | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Silver | |
RT-10K | Acoustic Kick Drum Trigger | 2006–2015 | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
RT-10S | Acoustic Snare Drum Trigger | 2006–2015 | – | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | No | Black | |
RT-10T | Acoustic Tom-Tom Drum Trigger | 2006–2015 | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
RT-30H In Production |
Acoustic Drum Trigger | 2015- | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
RT-30HR In Production |
Acoustic Drum Trigger | 2015- | – | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Piezo | – | No | Black | |
RT-30K In Production |
Acoustic Kick Drum Trigger | 2015- | – | 1 (Mono) | Piezo | – | – | No | Black | |
VH-10 In Production |
Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable) | 2018- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black | |
VH-11 In Production |
Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable) | 2005- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black | Only limited support of controller part by some drum modules (see list of hi-hat controllers below) |
VH-12 | Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable) | 2004–2012 | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Black, Silver | Controller part only compatible with the TD-50, TD-30, TD-20 and TD-12 drum modules |
VH-13 In Production |
Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable) | 2012- | 12 Inches | 2 (Stereo) | Piezo | Switch | – | No | Metallic Gray | Controller part only compatible with the TD-50, TD-30, TD-20 and TD-12 drum modules |
VH-14D In Production |
Digital Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable) | 2021- | 14 Inches | 2 (Digital) | Digital | – | Yes | Black |
Available hi-hat controllers[]
Hi-Hat Controller Name | Hi-Hat Pad | Type | Years Available |
Foot Pressure Sensing (when closed) |
Compatibility (controller part) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FD-6 | any | Hi-Hat Controller Pedal | 2001–2005 | No | All Modules |
FD-7 | any | Hi-Hat Controller Pedal | 1992–2004 | No | All Modules |
FD-8 In Production |
any | Hi-Hat Controller Pedal | 2003- | No | All Modules |
FD-9 In Production |
any | Hi-Hat Controller Pedal | 2016- | No | All Modules |
VH-10 In Production |
Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller | 2018- | No | All Modules | |
VH-11 In Production |
Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller | 2004- | No | Full Support: TD-50, TD-30, TD-27, TD-25, TD-20, TD-17, TD-15, TD-12, TD-11, TD-9 Basic Support: TD-10 (with TDW-1), TD-8, TD-6/6V, TD-4 Raw Compatibility: All Modules | |
VH-12 | Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller | 2004–2012 | Yes | TD-50, TD-30, TD-27, TD-20, TD-12 | |
VH-13 In Production |
Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller | 2012- | Yes | TD-50, TD-30, TD-27, TD-20, TD-12 |
Pad/Module Compatibility[]
Generally, all Roland drum pads and cymbal pads can be connected to any input on any Roland drum module, and the head/bow zone will always work. However, when more capable pads are connected to less capable inputs, some zones (e.g. rim/edge or bell) on the drum pad cannot be used. Connecting less capable pads to more capable inputs usually lets you use all zones of the pad.
Drum pads and cymbal pads from other manufacturers are also generally compatible with Roland drum modules as long as they use a piezo as the head/bow trigger, but zones other than head/bow are sometimes problematic, especially on three-zone pads. Also, the module settings may need some tweaking. Hi-Hat controllers however are not usually compatible between manufacturers.
There are different kinds of stereo pads and stereo inputs. While all types of stereo pads and inputs do have two channels, they are still electrically different, so not all combinations of stereo pads and stereo inputs let you use all zones/features.
DRUM MODULE INPUT | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mono Input | Stereo Input Mono/Mono Input when not split |
Stereo Input (piezo/switch) |
Stereo Input (piezo/piezo) |
Three-Way Input (piezo/switch/switch) |
Digital Input | ||
DRUM PAD or CYMBAL PAD |
Mono Pad | All Zones | All Zones | All Zones | All Zones | All Zones | Incompatible |
Stereo Pad (piezo/switch) |
Head/Bow only, No Choking |
Head/Bow only, No Choking |
All Zones | All Zones | All Zones | Incompatible | |
Stereo Pad (piezo/piezo) |
Head/Bow only |
Head/Bow only (all zones can be triggered, but with serious crosstalk problems and no rimshots) |
Head/Bow only |
All Zones | Head/Bow only |
Incompatible | |
Three-Way Pad (piezo/switch/switch) |
Head/Bow only, No Choking |
Head/Bow only, No Choking |
Head/Bow and Rim/Edge only or Head/Bow and Bell only |
Head/Bow and Rim/Edge only or Head/Bow and Bell only |
All Zones | Incompatible | |
Digital Pad | Incompatible | Incompatible | Incompatible | Incompatible | Incompatible | All Zones |
There's also a detailed compatibility chart for current Roland trigger devices and drum modules on one of the last pages of Roland's V-Drums catalog, which is also available as a PDF download[3] from their home page. Discontinued modules are not included in their chart though.
Roland drum modules[]
Roland drum modules range in features and price from the top-of-the-line TD-50 to the TD-27, TD-17, TD-4, TD-1 and HD-3 (although the TD-1 and HD-3 brains are not sold separately, as they connect with a proprietary 25-pin parallel connector to the frame and pads). Higher model numbers denote more advanced models, while lower numbers are used for less expensive ones. The TD-30, TD-25, TD-20, TD-15, TD-12, TD-11, TD-10, TD-9, TD-8, TD-7, TD-6, TD-5, TD-3 and HD-1 are out of production.
Available drum modules[]
Drum Module | Years Available |
Drum Kits |
Instruments | Trigger Inputs | Outputs[d] | MIDI | Voices (Polyphony) |
Features/Notes | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drum | Backing | TOTAL | MONO | STEREO | THREE- WAY[b] |
DIGITAL | Stereo Pairs |
Single Channel |
Positional Sensing | Other | ||||||||
mono/ mono[a] |
piezo/ switch |
piezo/ piezo | ||||||||||||||||
HD-1 Superseded by HD-3 |
2007–2012 | 10 | 70 | – | 7 (+ Kick) |
7 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | Out | ? | No | Module not sold separately | |
HD-3 In Production |
2012- | 20 | ? | – | 7 (+ Kick) |
3 | – | 3 | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | Out | ? | No | Module not sold separately | |
TD-1 In Production |
2014- | 15 | ? | – | 9 | 4 | – | 4 | 1 | – | – | 1 & USB | – | USB | ? | No | Module not sold separately | |
TD-3 Superseded by TD-4 |
2004–2009 | 32 | 114 | – | 9 | 4 | – | 4 | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | In/Out | 32? | No | ||
TD-4 In Production (Partially superseded by TD-11) |
2009-2012 2012- |
25 | 125 | – | 9 | 4 | – | 4[b] | 1 | –[b] | – | 1 | – | Out | ? | No | Module was briefly out of production in 2012, TD-4KP cable only allows up to 8 pads | |
TD-5 | 1994–2001 | 32 | 210 | – | 8 | – | – | 8 | – | – | – | 1 | – | In/Out | 14 | No | ||
TD-6 | TD-6 Superseded by TD-6V |
2001–2003 | 99 | 1024 | 262 | 9 (11[a]) |
1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | In/Out | 64 | No | |
TD-6V Superseded by TD-9 |
2003–2008 | 0–2[c] | 5–7[c] | |||||||||||||||
TD-7 | 1992–1999 | 32 | 256 (512) | 9 | – | – | 9 | – | – | – | 1 | 2 | In/Out | 14 | No | |||
TD-07 | 2020- | 25 | 143 | 10 | 4 | – | 5 | 1 | 1[b] | – | 1 & USB | – | USB,
Bluetooth |
? | No | One extra stereo input for a second crash or a three-zone ride. | ||
TD-8 Superseded by TD-12 |
1999–2005 | 64 | 1024 | 262 | 10 (12[a]) |
– | 2 | 7 | 1 | – | – | 2 | – | In/Out | 64 | Yes | ||
TD-9 | TD-9 Updated to TD-9 v2.0 |
2008–2011 | 50 | 522 | ? | 10 | 1 | – | 3 | 5 | 1[b] | – | 1 | – | In/Out | ? | No | USB Port (for USB Memory)[f] |
TD-9 v2.0 Superseded by TD-15 |
2011–2012 | 99 | 552 | TD-9 Firmware Update, also adds support for MP3 backing tracks | ||||||||||||||
TD-10 | TD-10 Updated with TDW-1 |
1997–2000 | 50 | 600 | 54 | 12 | – | – | 11 | 1 | – | – | 4 | – | In/Out | 56 | Yes | Proprietary Memory Card Slot[e] |
TD-10 with TDW-1 Superseded by TD-20 |
2000–2004 | 100 | 960 | |||||||||||||||
TD-11 Superseded by TD-17 |
2012–2018 | 50 | 190 | – | 9 | 1 | – | 3 | 4 | 1[b] | – | 1 & USB | – | Out, USB[g] |
? | No | Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio) 1x Memory[f] | |
TD-12 Superseded by TD-30 |
2005–2012 | 50 | 560 | 262 | 11 | – | – | 4 | 6 | 1[b] | – | 1 | 2 | In/Out | 64 | Yes | ||
TD-15 Superseded by TD-25 |
2012–2015 | 100 | 500 | – | 10 | 1 | – | 3 | 5 | 1[b] | – | 1 & USB | – | Out, USB[g] |
? | No | Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f] | |
TD-17 In Production |
2018- | 50+50 | 310 | – | 10 | 1 | – | 3 | 5 | 1[b] | – | 1 & USB | – | Out, USB[g] |
? | No | SD Card Slot, can trigger WAV samples, available as TD-17 with Bluetooth or TD-17-L without Bluetooth | |
TD-20 | TD-20 Updated with TDW-20 / Superseded by TD-20X |
2004–2008 | 50 | 560 | 262 | 15 | – | – | 6[b] | 9 | 1[b] | – | 3 | 4 | In/Out | 64 | Yes | CompactFlash Slot[e] |
TD-20 with TDW-20 or TD-20X Superseded by TD-30 |
2008–2012 | 100 | 920 | |||||||||||||||
TD-25 Superseded by TD-27 |
2015–2020 | 18+18 | 233 | – | 10 | 1 | – | 3 | 5 | 1[b] | – | 1 & USB | – | Out, USB[g] |
? | Yes | Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f] | |
TD-27 In Production |
2020- | 100 | 728 | – | 12 | 1 | – | 3 | 7 | 1[b] | 3[i] | 2 & USB & Bluetooth | – | In/Out, USB[g], Bluetooth |
? | Yes | USB port (MIDI[g]/Audio), SD Card Slot, can trigger WAV samples | |
TD-30 Superseded by TD-50 |
2012–2016 | 100 | 1100 | 262 | 15 | – | – | 6[b] | 9 | 1[b] | – | 3 & USB | 4 | In/Out, USB[g] |
64 | Yes | Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f] | |
TD-50 In Production |
2016- | 100 | >400 | – | 14 | 1 | – | 3 | 9 | 1[b] | 3[i] | 4 & USB | 4 | In/Out, USB[g] |
? | Yes | SD Card Slot | |
TM-2 In Production |
2014- | 99 | >100 | – | 2 (4[h]) |
– | – | – | 2[h] | _ | – | 1 | – | In/Out | ? | No | SD Card Slot, Can trigger WAV samples | |
TMC-6 Discontinued |
2002–2015 | – | – | 6 | – | – | 5[b] | 1 | –[b] | – | – | – | Out | – | No | Trigger-to-MIDI converter | ||
^ a Two Mono pads can be connected to Mono/Mono inputs by using an insert cable (Tom2/Aux and Tom3/4 inputs on the TD-6, Kick1/2 and Aux1/2 inputs on the TD-8).
^ b Three-way (piezo/switch/switch) inputs can be used to connect a three-way cymbal like the CY-12R/C, CY-13R or CY-15R, or one non-three-way pad. On the TD-4, TD-10 with TDW-1, TD-20, TD-30 and TMC-6, three-way cymbals can be connected using two designated Piezo/Switch inputs. Connecting them to any two stereo inputs on any module works with some limitations and is not officially supported.
^ c On The TD-6V, two stereo inputs (Tom2/Aux and Tom3/4) can be configured to be either mono/mono inputs or piezo/switch inputs.
^ d Outputs excluding the headphone jack.
^ e Memory card slots can only be used to store module settings.
^ f USB Memory can only be used for wav/mp3 backing tracks, recording to MIDI files and to store module settings. The TD-9 writes proprietary MIDI files and the TD-9 v1.x only supports WAV backing tracks.
^ g MIDI In/Out is available through USB.
^ h On the TM-2, the inputs can also be configured to be mono/mono inputs, allowing up to two pads per input by using an insert cable.
^ i Enabling a digital trigger input disables an analog trigger input.
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Availability Timeline[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/ef5f2d78fc47257e27301d5df7168cf0.png)
Drum module input capabilities[]
It is important to note that not all drum module inputs have the same capabilities. Besides the obvious differences between mono, stereo and three-way inputs, which support mono (single-zone), stereo (dual-zone) or three-zone pads accordingly, there are additional differences in the capabilities of stereo inputs. While some stereo inputs only support pads with a piezo and a switch (piezo/switch inputs), others also support pads with two piezos (piezo/piezo inputs). Also, some stereo inputs are only intended to be split into two mono inputs by using an insert cable (mono/mono inputs). Certain pairs of stereo inputs can be configured to form one three-way input.
On some drum modules, some inputs may support additional features such as positional sensing or brush sweeps.
The capabilities of drum module inputs are listed in the table below. For details about which type of trigger pads are compatible with which type of drum module input, see section Pad/Module Compatibility above.
The column 'Connector Type' shows the number of trigger inputs with audio jack sockets and the number of trigger inputs with audio jack plugs on a proprietary wiring harness. If a module uses a wiring harness, inputs that feature an audio jack socket are indicated with an asterisk (*) next to the input type.
Drum sets[]
Roland V-Drums components are typically sold as drum sets, which are made up of drum and cymbal pads, a hi-hat pad and controller, a drum module and a drum rack. Sometimes, additional hardware such as a kick drum pedal and a hi-hat stand is also included (usually only as limited offers).
High-end V-Drums sets[]
Roland's most advanced and most expensive V-Drums sets include:
- V-Pro drum sets (Roland's flagship drum sets)
- TD-50 Drum Module (previously TD-10, TD-20, TD-20X, TD-30) with all the advanced features, very extendable
- Some digital pads (ride and snare)
- larger diameter mesh-head drum pads
- larger diameter mesh-head kick-drum pad
- movable crash cymbals and three-way ride cymbal
- movable two-piece hi-hat
- large drum rack
In the past, Roland also sold V-Stage drum sets, which had smaller pads and came with a slightly stripped-down drum module (first TD-8, then TD-12) with fewer inputs, but still most of the advanced features of the flagship modules. The V-Stage drum sets were discontinued in 2012 when the TD-30 was introduced. Instead, Roland is now also offering a V-Pro drum set with smaller and less expensive pads.
Mid-tier V-Drum sets[]
Roland's mid-tier V-Drums sets include:
- V-Tour drum sets
- TD-25 drum module (previously TD6/6V, then TD-9, then TD-15) with only some advanced features, only slightly extendable
- medium-sized mesh-head pads, or simpler small mesh-head pads on less expensive sets
- simple cloth kick-drum pad
- movable crash cymbal and three-way ride cymbal
- movable two-piece hi-hat, or fixed hi-hat and foot controller on earlier sets
- medium-sized drum rack
- (A TD-25KV model adds an extra crash cymbal)
- V-Compact drum sets
- TD-11 drum module (previously TD-3, then TD-4) with no advanced features, only slightly extendable
- simple small mesh-head drum pads, or only one simple mesh-head drum pad and three rubber pads on less expensive sets
- simple cloth kick-drum pad
- movable crash cymbal and three-way ride cymbal, or fixed cymbal pads on less expensive sets
- fixed hi-hat and foot controller
- small drum rack
Entry level V-Drum sets[]
Roland's entry level V-Drum sets include:
- V-Drums Portable drum set
- TD-4 drum module with no advanced features, only slightly extendable
- rubber pads for snare and toms
- simple rubber kick-drum pad
- fixed cymbal pads
- fixed hi-hat and foot controller
- very compact foldable drum rack
- V-Drums Lite drum set
- HD-3 drum module (previously HD-1) with no advanced features, not extendable
- one simple small mesh-head drum pad and three rubber pads
- foot controller-based kick drum
- fixed cymbal pads
- fixed hi-hat and foot controller
- very compact drum rack
Older drum sets[]
Older drum sets with the TD-7 and the (less expensive) TD-5 drum module had all rubber pads as drum and cymbal pads, simple kick-drum pads, and a rubber pad and foot controller for the hi-hat. Although they were not marketed as V-Drums at the time, they used the same technology and the trigger pads continued to be used in later V-Drum sets. TD-7 and TD-5 drum sets were discontinued in the late 1990s when the TD-10 and TD-8 were introduced.
Available drum sets[]
Artists who use Roland V-Drums[]
- Craig Blundell of Steven Wilson[4]
- Omar Hakim[5]
- Thomas Lang
- Marco Minnemann
- Travis Barker
- Michael Bellusci
- Gregg Bissonette[6]
- of UB40
- Omar Abidi of Fightstar
- Adrian Young of No Doubt
- Stephen Morris of New Order
- Neil Peart of Rush[7]
- Dave Mackintosh
- Zach Hill of Death Grips
- Dead P.A.[8]
- Jason Bittner
- Adrian Belew of King Crimson
- Pat Mastelotto of King Crimson
- Paul Kodish
- Roger Taylor of Duran Duran[9]
- Rafa of Aurthohin
- Larry Mullen, Jr.
- Steve Honoshowsky
- KJ Sawka of Pendulum and DestroidJean-bernard Merlot td12kx and td17
- Paul Davidson (level., Manetto Hill, BPC and PD)
References[]
- ^ Roland Drums & Percussion Resource Guide, rolandus.com
- ^ V-Drums History: How Roland Became the Biggest Drum Company in the World, Roland Users Group
- ^ http://www.roland.com/V-Drums/downloads/index.html
- ^ Corporation, Roland. "Roland - CRAIG BLUNDELL ON TOUR WITH ROLAND V-DRUMS". Roland. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
- ^ Australia, Roland (17 April 2017). "Electronic Drums Q&A - Roland Australia". Roland Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
- ^ Australia, Roland (17 April 2017). "Electronic Drums Q&A - Roland Australia". Roland Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
- ^ http://www.neilpeart.net/index.php/articles/modern-drummer-07/
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Corporation, Roland. "Roland - RTV - Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)". Roland. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
External links[]
- Drums
- Electronic musical instruments