Roland V-Drums

V-Drums is a variety of electronic drums, drum brain modules, and related electronic percussion product manufactured and trademarked by Roland Corporation.

KJ Sawka playing Roland Drums at 'The NAMM Show' January 2020
Expanded Roland TD-12S V-Stage set

The primary V-Drums products are complete electronic drum kits. These vary in price and complexity, ranging from a few hundred dollars to approximately US$7,499 (MAP-Minimum Advertised Price). Components such as additional pads, cymbal pads, triggers, mounting hardware, and modules are also sold individually to augment an existing kit.

Like most electronic drum modules, V-Drums drum modules are MIDI-capable. This enables the player to use a V-Drums kit to control not only the kit itself, but other MIDI-capable instruments, such as digital samplers. MIDI also allows V-Drums kits to be controlled by other MIDI-capable instruments. V-Drums, like most electronic drum kits, can output to an amplifier, recording device, or headphones.

The Roland V-Drums System

Each V-Drums kit is composed of the following:

  • Triggers which serve as an electronic alternative for acoustic drums, acoustic cymbals, and other acoustic percussion instruments.
  • A module, the central processing unit to which all triggers connect. The drum module takes electronic signals from the triggers during play, synthesizes the sounds of percussion instruments of all types, and signals other MIDI-capable gear to perform various electronic tasks.
  • A stand, upon which the triggers and module are mounted via clamps.

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.

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.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
List of Roland 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 – – Yes 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

Available hi-hat controllers
List of Roland 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.

Roland Pad/Input Compatibility Chart
  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
List of Roland 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 ? NoModule not sold separately
HD-3
In Production		 2012- 20 ?– 7
(+ Kick)		3–31–– 1– Out ? NoModule not sold separately
TD-1
In Production		 2014- 15 ?– 94–41–– 1 & USB– USB ? NoModule not sold separately
TD-3
Superseded by TD-4		 2004-2009 32 114– 94–41–– 1– In/Out 32? No 
TD-4
In Production
(Partially superseded by TD-11)		 2009-2012
2012-		 25 125– 94–4[b]1–[b]– 1– Out ? NoModule 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 1024262 9
(11[a])		1251–– 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––– 12 In/Out 14 No 
TD-8
Superseded by TD-12		 1999-2005 64 1024262 10
(12[a])		–271–– 2– In/Out 64 Yes 
TD-9 TD-9
Updated to TD-9 v2.0		 2008-2011 50 522? 101–351[b]– 1– In/Out ? NoUSB 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 60054 12––111–– 4– In/Out 56 YesProprietary 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– 91–341[b]– 1 & USB– Out,
USB[g]		 ? NoTwo USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio) 1x Memory[f]
TD-12
Superseded by TD-30		 2005-2012 50 560262 11––461[b]– 12 In/Out 64 Yes 
TD-15
Superseded by TD-25		 2012-2015 100 500– 101–351[b]– 1 & USB– Out,
USB[g]		 ? NoTwo USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f]
TD-17
In Production		 2018- 50+50 310– 101–351[b]– 1 & USB– Out,
USB[g]		 ? NoSD 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 560262 15––6[b]91[b]– 34 In/Out 64 YesCompactFlash 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– 101–351[b]– 1 & USB– Out,
USB[g]		 ? YesTwo USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f]
TD-27
In Production		 2020- 100 728– 121–371[b]3[i] 2 & USB & Bluetooth– In/Out,
USB[g],
Bluetooth		 ? YesUSB port (MIDI[g]/Audio), SD Card Slot, can trigger WAV samples
TD-30
Superseded by TD-50		 2012-2016 100 1100262 15––6[b]91[b]– 3 & USB4 In/Out,
USB[g]		 64 YesTwo USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f]
TD-50
In Production		 2016- 100 >400– 141–391[b]3[i] 4 & USB4 In/Out,
USB[g]		 ? YesSD Card Slot
TM-2
In Production		 2014- 99 >100– 2
(4[h])		–––2[h]_– 1– In/Out ? NoSD Card Slot,
Can trigger WAV samples
TMC-6
Discontinued		 2002-2015 – – 6––5[b]1–[b]– –– Out – NoTrigger-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.

Availability Timeline

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

References

  1. Roland Drums & Percussion Resource Guide, rolandus.com
  2. V-Drums History: How Roland Became the Biggest Drum Company in the World, Roland Users Group
  3. http://www.roland.com/V-Drums/downloads/index.html
  4. Corporation, Roland. "Roland - CRAIG BLUNDELL ON TOUR WITH ROLAND V-DRUMS". Roland. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  5. Australia, Roland (17 April 2017). "Electronic Drums Q&A - Roland Australia". Roland Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  6. Australia, Roland (17 April 2017). "Electronic Drums Q&A - Roland Australia". Roland Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  7. http://www.neilpeart.net/index.php/articles/modern-drummer-07/
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. Corporation, Roland. "Roland - RTV - Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)". Roland. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
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gollark: Doing lockdowns has quite a wide range of problematic knock-on effects and should be avoided if possible.
gollark: Not that the government seems competent enough to manage it sensibly.
gollark: There are more options than "ignore it and hope it goes away" and "lockdown entirely".
gollark: I mean, I would, inasmuch as I am studying for A-levels (which actually somewhat matter), and also the economy would be totally <:bees:724389994663247974>ed.
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