Roland V-Drums Buying Guide

If
the sheer number of Roland V-Drums products sold at Sweetwater — kits, modules,
pads, and accessories — has you scratching your head, then you’re not alone.
Questions about the differences between V-Drums products are among the most
common eDrum questions our drum experts receive.

To
help guide you in your next V-Drums purchase, Sweetwater has broken down the
V-Drums product line into a breezy Q&A-style format. By the end, you should
have a good idea of which electronic kit or module is right for you.

Which V-Drums Module Is Right for Me?

The heart of every Roland V-Drums drum kit is the sound module, or “brain,” that generates the sounds and supplies the tools inside. Quality of sounds, onboard features, and numbers of kits/instruments vary significantly from one module to the next. Here’s an overview of each of the major players.

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Roland TD-1

TD-1 Electronic Drums Sound Module

Preset kits: 15

User kits: N/A

Instrument sounds: N/A

Audio over USB: No

MIDI: USB (transmitting only)

Trigger inputs: DB-25

Outputs: 1/4-inch headphones

Bluetooth: No

Pads expandable: No

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Roland TD-07

TD-07 Electronic Drums Sound Module

Preset kits: 25

User kits: 25

Instrument sounds: 143

Audio over USB: Yes (2-channel record/2-channel playback)

MIDI: USB

Trigger inputs: DB-25

Outputs: 1/8-inch headphones

Bluetooth: Song streaming, MIDI send

Pads expandable: No

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Roland TD-17

TD-17 Electronic Drums Sound Module

Preset kits: 50

User kits: 50

Instrument sounds: 310

Audio over USB: Yes (2-channel record/2-channel playback)

MIDI: USB, 5-pin DIN out

Trigger inputs: DB-25; 2 x 1/4-inch

Outputs: 1/4-inch L/R master; 1/8-inch headphones

Bluetooth: Song streaming, MIDI send (TD-17L only)

Pads expandable: Yes

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Roland TD-27

TD-27 Electronic Drums Sound Module

Preset kits: 55

User kits: 45

Instrument sounds: 728

Audio over USB: Yes (28-channel record/4-channel playback)

MIDI: USB, 5-pin DIN in/out/thru

Trigger inputs: DB-25; 4 x 1/4-inch; 3 x USB

Outputs: 1/4-inch L/R direct; 1/4-inch L/R master; 1/4-inch headphones

Bluetooth: Song streaming, MIDI send

Pads expandable: Yes

Explore All Roland TD-27 Electronic Drums

Roland TD-50X

TD-50X Electronic Drums Sound Module

Preset kits: 70

User kits: N/A

Instrument sounds: 900+

Audio over USB: Yes (32-channel record/32-channel playback)

MIDI: USB, 5-pin DIN in/out/thru      

Trigger inputs: 16 x 1/4-inch; 3 x USB

Outputs: XLR L/R master; 1/4-inch L/R master; 8 x 1/4-inch direct; 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphones

Bluetooth: No

Pads expandable: Yes

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Roland V-Drums FAQ

As
you can see, there’s a range of budgets and needs covered by the V-Drums
product family. Now that you’ve got a module in mind, you need to consider
whether you want the full kit or just the brain on its own.

Full Kit or Piecemeal?

By
far, the most common way to step up to a new V-Drums series is in a kit, or
set, bundle. V-Drums kits include the sound module, drum and cymbal pads, a
rack stand, and all the hookup cables you’ll need. Buying kits tends to make
the most sense for most players since it’s a completely integrated system whose
parts are designed to work harmoniously together.

In
addition to being sold in kits, several of our Roland V-Drums modules are
available a la carte. If you already have pads you enjoy playing* and
are just looking for a sound and feature upgrade, then a module on its own can
be the way to go. Remember: you can always buy the pieces you need today and
add pads and hardware down the road as long as your module supports it.

Zone-Compatible Roland drum padsOnly zone-compatible Roland drum pads are guaranteed to unlock the full expression of your V-Drums sound module. Contact Sweetwater for more information.

Rubber Pads or Mesh Heads?

Roland
V-Drums drum pads are available in two varieties: those with rubber playing
surfaces and those with tunable mesh heads. Roland’s rubber pads are some of
the best in the industry with a high rebound, dependable triggering, and a
reasonably quiet and comfortable feel under sticks. Rubber pads are generally
reserved for Roland’s lower-cost V-Drums kits. The star performers of the
V-Drums series are Roland’s PowerPly mesh heads. These micro-perforated
drumheads stretch over a shell/resonating body much like traditional drumheads,
allowing players to fine-tune how much stick rebound and “give” each pad
produces. Mesh heads are not only more customizable than rubber pads, but they
also tend to be quieter and easier on the wrists. And, if you and your V-Drums
occupy a shared living space or a quiet stage, you need all the sound reduction
you can get.

Important!For maximum sound isolation, pair your V-Drums with Roland Noise Eater drum hardware and isolation pads from Sweetwater.

Hybrid Kit or Fully Electronic?

Upscale V-Drums kits have long been regarded for their acoustic-like visuals and approach to the instrument. It generally holds true today that the higher you move up the V-Drums ladder, the more of a traditional, acoustic look you get. With that said, if you’re looking for the ultimate in hybrid design, then you’ll want to consider Roland’s VAD (V-Drums Acoustic Design) electronic kits. These hybrid kits blend Roland’s impressive electronics and stage-silent mesh heads with wrapped wood shells and traditional acoustic-kit hardware to provide an uncommonly authentic look and playing response.

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Traditional or Digital Trigger Pads?

One
additional option to consider is whether you want traditional “analog” trigger
pads — those with one, two, or three internal sensors to capture performances —
or Roland’s industry-leading multi-trigger digital pads found on its TD-27,
TD-50X, and VAD kits. These digital pads up the ante by incorporating as many
as eight internal sensors into their playing surfaces for zone realism and
dynamics unlike anything else on the market.

Which V-Drums Kit Should I Buy if I’m
Just Starting Out?

Sweetwater understands that electronic drums are a big purchase. We want you to carefully consider your budget and required criteria before you pull the trigger on your next set of V-Drums. With that said, for the money, we feel that the TD-17KV has the most features, sounds, and value to offer both a student and a semiprofessional drummer. This kit has a low-latency response; great-feeling pads and cymbals; a well-rounded selection of drum kits; a large, 12-inch snare with a tunable mesh head; a collapsible 4-post V-Drums stand; and several important, grow-with-you features: MIDI control for virtual instruments, onboard training tools, and Bluetooth streaming for jamming along to songs.

Got V-Drums Questions? Call
Sweetwater!

We hope this information has helped you narrow down your Roland V-Drums search. If you still have questions, then remember that your Sweetwater Sales Engineer is just a phone call away. Give us a buzz at (800) 222-4700, or shoot us an email, and let us know what you’re looking for in your next V-Drums purchase.

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