Roland V-Drums

black aspirin · February 03, 2013, 04:57:57 PM

Really thinking about getting one these. Since I'm back home, I can't play my real kit in this neighborhood, and I would like the added bonus of being able to play late at night with headphones on, play along with tracks I'm trying to learn, etc.

Any advice you can give would be appreciated...they have several sets and get really expensive. I definitely want the ones with the mesh heads. Played one previously, and it had much better feel than the old rubber ones. Been checking out what's on Ebay so far, but I'm really not informed enough to know why I want one module over the other, etc., or what is simply overkill.

da_qtip · February 03, 2013, 07:06:57 PM

I don't have too much experience with V-Drums but I'll try to help.

I agree about getting the mesh heads, the rubber ones don't feel drum-like at all. You can buy them separately so you could scout about buying used pieces. I noticed that the cheaper sets all seem to have that crappy hihat pedal while the expensive ones actually have a hihat stand. As for the brains, I personally would one of the lower end ones and use MIDI with Superior Drummer or something like that. It sounds better than the high end brains anyway.

black aspirin · February 03, 2013, 07:19:28 PM

Quote from: da_qtip on February 03, 2013, 07:06:57 PM
I don't have too much experience with V-Drums but I'll try to help.

I agree about getting the mesh heads, the rubber ones don't feel drum-like at all. You can buy them separately so you could scout about buying used pieces. I noticed that the cheaper sets all seem to have that crappy hihat pedal while the expensive ones actually have a hihat stand. As for the brains, I personally would one of the lower end ones and use MIDI with Superior Drummer or something like that. It sounds better than the high end brains anyway.

Thanks for the reply. I wondered about buying it in pieces, too...I have a drum kit and all the stands, a bass pedal and hi-hat pedal...so maybe I would be better off by not buying the whole thing. Of course, I still need to sell my drum kit, which would be harder to do if it's only in pieces (it's an entry-level kit, anyway).

I dunno; I like the idea of having tons of kit options at my disposal, but I really don't know the differences between the 'brains' available. One good thing is that I already have the BFD drum software that I've used before to record stuff...it's real drum sounds recorded in a studio on a real kit, and it should be easy to incorporate those into the Roland module. It's a great fucking program.

Do they make different cymbals that aren't just rubber, and perhaps provide a bit more realistic feel like the mesh heads? Also, there are plenty of used kits available on Ebay, but I'm wary of not having a warranty on the purchase.

Thanks again for the input.

VOLVO))) · February 03, 2013, 10:31:12 PM

Well, the TD-20 module is a grand flat. That's fucking nonsense. A lot of these drums end up being crazy over priced, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why. The pad technology is primitive as all hell, the module technology isn't anything you couldn't do with a cheap laptop. I guess you're just paying for the packaging. I feel like a lot of these fall flat in terms of dynamics and real feel, but I'm grumpy and particular.

Used is definitely the way to go in this situation, lest you load up your real drums with pillows and padding, then trigger them. It'd be cheaper, but wouldn't be as usable in terms of rimshots and shit

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roland-TD-6V-Drum-Module-V-Drums-/121059946813?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2fbc313d

^^Probably all you'd need...

What's yer budget?

da_qtip · February 03, 2013, 10:38:46 PM

As far as the brains go, the more expensive ones have more/better sounds, greater expandability, I think the top of the line ones have individual volume controls etc. I would probably go for something like the TD9, myself.

The only non rubber cymbals I'm aware of are the Zildjian GEN16 ones. They're electric/low volume acoustic cymbals. I don't really know anything about them. They aren't cheap though.

black aspirin · February 03, 2013, 10:41:48 PM

I would like to stay in the realm of a few grand, which I've seen some of the decent Roland kits go for on Ebay. As long as I get the mesh pads, which felt great when I played them, then my BFD software should provide incredibly realistic sounds (it does when I sequence it in Tracktion 2), so perhaps I don't need a top-notch module. And you wouldn't have any worries about buying a used set, where there isn't a warranty? Just asking.

VOLVO))) · February 03, 2013, 11:06:50 PM

If you've ever used a drum key, there isn't anything you can't fix on these. Depending on the module, there are either mono connections, or stereo connections. Both are simple to fix if futzed. The mesh heads are replaceable, but they don't tend to wear as bad as regular drum heads. The TD-9 module is about as far as I'd go in terms of that, the TD-6 has two midi outs, which is all you'll ever need anyways. I wouldn't use the supplied rack, ever, they're clunky and pretty shitty in terms of setting up things how you want them. I'd get a legit tom stand, mount your two rack toms on it, snare in a real snare stand, mount the floor tom to the stand holding the ride, etc. If you can get a full TD-12 for... 2k? Get it...

Drama · February 04, 2013, 02:35:35 PM

Although I'm a guitarist myself and don't have any drummer sensibilities, I've got a Roland TD30KV and a Yamaha TDX950 at the studio for those that prefer that sorta thing and they both seem to be well regarded by clients.

I do tend to use SSD 4 for sounds in those situations though. They mix nicer. Live though, I think the Roland brains hold up real well.

I assume you're not in London but if you are you'd be welcome to come try em out.