Roland Electronic Drums
Roland is a Japanese company, founded in 1972, that manufactures electronic musical instruments. Today, it is one of the most recognised, respected, and widely used brands in the electronic music industry, including by no exception its electric drum sets. Although Roland is a Japanese company, the name Roland was chosen by the founder, for simplicity and easy pronunciation by his worldwide marketplace. In 1997 they produced the revolutionary V-Drum line, which were true Roland Electronic drums that used a patented silent mesh drumhead, which could accurately simulate the feel of a real drumhead as well as the sound of real acoustic drums.
The Roland V-Drum line is the trademarked name for all of Roland's electronic musical drum equipment, including the electronic drum kits, the drum brain modules, and the electronic accessories classified as percussion. The drum brain kits can vary greatly in price depending on the complexity of the set, and all of the sets are modifiable for each individual drummers needs. The electronic drum sets can be played through amplifiers or headphones and also have the capability of being plugged directly into a digital recording device for studio recordings and such.
Each Roland V-Drum set includes triggers, which are the simulated drumheads, cymbals, and other acoustic drum attachments. There are three main types of triggers for the Roland drum sets including the mesh-head, rubber pad, and cymbal. Roland refers to its cymbals as the V-Cymbal. The mesh-head pads are the most realistic feeling, while the rubber pads are more generic and therefore also command a lower price. Each set will also have the drum brain, which is the main computerized processing center that the triggers connect to. The brain uses the electronic signals coming from the triggers and transforms those signals into audible sounds that sound like real acoustic drum beats. Many of the drum brains will have multiple sound selections and synthesizing capabilities.
The Roland HD-1 is considered to be a V-Drums Lite model because of its smaller size than many of the other Roland electronic kits. This is considered to be a great beginner set because it maintains the same V-drum technology, but is less costly and more simple to use than many of the larger more costly models. The drum set is also relatively quiet due to the kick beater technology, tom pad cushioning, and snare head design. It has a compact size that can fit in many living areas of the home. The components are played using a single stand mount, which also makes it easier to setup and move around. This compact size also gives it a clean image, and it could potentially be taken right out of the box and played. This model also features an external input jack allowing for an external device such as a CD player, iPod, or other variation of a MP3 player. This kits main features are 9 triggers and the drum brain with controls such as volume and tempo. Also included in the kit are an owners manual, instructional DVD, initial setup tutorial, AC adapter, and trigger cables.
The TD-4K is the upgrade from the previous TD-4 V-Drum kit. Like many other models, this kit allows for customization while maintaining an affordable price tag. The kit features the TD-4 brain module, which has many new sounds, and has increased sensory precision. It also features a re-designed drum stand that maintains a light and stable balance. It is compatible with the VH-11 V-Hi-Hat cymbals for an even more realistic feel. The new module also has increased memory capacity and other new additions such as ambience effects. This model also features 'Coach Mode' which trains a player in speed, accuracy, and stamina. There are warm-up drills and tempo checks as well, to help build skill. This kit features 9 triggers and the drum brain. It also includes the setup and instruction manuals, initial tutorials, AC Adapter, and cables from Roland.
The Roland TD-4KX electronic drum set is an enhancement to the TD-4K model. It takes the best aspects of the TD-4K and improves upon them by adding 6.5 inch high tom pads, and it also incorporates the PDX-8 floor tom. This set also features the "Coach Function" for enhanced learning and practice drill training. Another feature of this set is that it is expandable to include an additional pad, and can have the CY-12R/C ride-cymbal replaced as well. This version is also compatible with the VH-11 V-Hi-Hat cymbal upgrade. This kit like many others features dynamic sound generation, and includes the standard instruction, setup, and tutorials, the AC Adapter, and the cable harness and DB-25 connector from Roland.
The TD-9KX is considered to be a mid-range V-Drum set with an advanced sound engine behind it. It offers an even more enhanced array of sound, song, and pattern options and the most advanced trigger technology Roland has created to date. Some of the highlights of this set are that the ride cymbal utilizes 3-way triggering, the brain module incorporates an easy to read LCD display with graphics capabilities, it adds in a USB port, it includes a specially designed cable for easier pad connecting, and lastly it offers an upgraded mount that allows for flexible arrangement. This kit also includes the setup and instruction manuals, initial tutorials, AC Adapter, and cables from Roland.
To get the most out of a Roland electronic drum set, a device that is equally capable of playing back the sounds being produced by the kit is important. Roland therefore also produces monitors, which serve as amplifiers to go along with its electronic drum sets. One of these monitors is the Roland PM-01. This monitor was designed to be a companion device to the HD-1 drums set. It is a small sized portable monitor designed to keep the portability factor that makes the HD-1 V-drum lite set so great. It features a full-range 4' speaker and has a 15W power output. Roland also produces a more advanced PM-10 Monitor which features a 10' 2-way speaker and 30W of power output. This model is also compatible for external audio use such as a CD or MP3 Player with its built in input jack.
Roland electronic V-Drum sets are considered to be industry leaders, and have been for a long time. They continue to improve upon their designs by adding new useful features and making their improvements with the player in mind. With their upgradeable and flexible systems and crisp, dynamic sound quality and accuracy, Roland is sure to continue to be an industry leader in the electronic drum music industry for a long time to come.
Article by David Fletcher, online marketing manager at Drum & Strum, Nottingham.
The Roland V-Drum line is the trademarked name for all of Roland's electronic musical drum equipment, including the electronic drum kits, the drum brain modules, and the electronic accessories classified as percussion. The drum brain kits can vary greatly in price depending on the complexity of the set, and all of the sets are modifiable for each individual drummers needs. The electronic drum sets can be played through amplifiers or headphones and also have the capability of being plugged directly into a digital recording device for studio recordings and such.
Each Roland V-Drum set includes triggers, which are the simulated drumheads, cymbals, and other acoustic drum attachments. There are three main types of triggers for the Roland drum sets including the mesh-head, rubber pad, and cymbal. Roland refers to its cymbals as the V-Cymbal. The mesh-head pads are the most realistic feeling, while the rubber pads are more generic and therefore also command a lower price. Each set will also have the drum brain, which is the main computerized processing center that the triggers connect to. The brain uses the electronic signals coming from the triggers and transforms those signals into audible sounds that sound like real acoustic drum beats. Many of the drum brains will have multiple sound selections and synthesizing capabilities.
The Roland HD-1 is considered to be a V-Drums Lite model because of its smaller size than many of the other Roland electronic kits. This is considered to be a great beginner set because it maintains the same V-drum technology, but is less costly and more simple to use than many of the larger more costly models. The drum set is also relatively quiet due to the kick beater technology, tom pad cushioning, and snare head design. It has a compact size that can fit in many living areas of the home. The components are played using a single stand mount, which also makes it easier to setup and move around. This compact size also gives it a clean image, and it could potentially be taken right out of the box and played. This model also features an external input jack allowing for an external device such as a CD player, iPod, or other variation of a MP3 player. This kits main features are 9 triggers and the drum brain with controls such as volume and tempo. Also included in the kit are an owners manual, instructional DVD, initial setup tutorial, AC adapter, and trigger cables.
The TD-4K is the upgrade from the previous TD-4 V-Drum kit. Like many other models, this kit allows for customization while maintaining an affordable price tag. The kit features the TD-4 brain module, which has many new sounds, and has increased sensory precision. It also features a re-designed drum stand that maintains a light and stable balance. It is compatible with the VH-11 V-Hi-Hat cymbals for an even more realistic feel. The new module also has increased memory capacity and other new additions such as ambience effects. This model also features 'Coach Mode' which trains a player in speed, accuracy, and stamina. There are warm-up drills and tempo checks as well, to help build skill. This kit features 9 triggers and the drum brain. It also includes the setup and instruction manuals, initial tutorials, AC Adapter, and cables from Roland.
The Roland TD-4KX electronic drum set is an enhancement to the TD-4K model. It takes the best aspects of the TD-4K and improves upon them by adding 6.5 inch high tom pads, and it also incorporates the PDX-8 floor tom. This set also features the "Coach Function" for enhanced learning and practice drill training. Another feature of this set is that it is expandable to include an additional pad, and can have the CY-12R/C ride-cymbal replaced as well. This version is also compatible with the VH-11 V-Hi-Hat cymbal upgrade. This kit like many others features dynamic sound generation, and includes the standard instruction, setup, and tutorials, the AC Adapter, and the cable harness and DB-25 connector from Roland.
The TD-9KX is considered to be a mid-range V-Drum set with an advanced sound engine behind it. It offers an even more enhanced array of sound, song, and pattern options and the most advanced trigger technology Roland has created to date. Some of the highlights of this set are that the ride cymbal utilizes 3-way triggering, the brain module incorporates an easy to read LCD display with graphics capabilities, it adds in a USB port, it includes a specially designed cable for easier pad connecting, and lastly it offers an upgraded mount that allows for flexible arrangement. This kit also includes the setup and instruction manuals, initial tutorials, AC Adapter, and cables from Roland.
To get the most out of a Roland electronic drum set, a device that is equally capable of playing back the sounds being produced by the kit is important. Roland therefore also produces monitors, which serve as amplifiers to go along with its electronic drum sets. One of these monitors is the Roland PM-01. This monitor was designed to be a companion device to the HD-1 drums set. It is a small sized portable monitor designed to keep the portability factor that makes the HD-1 V-drum lite set so great. It features a full-range 4' speaker and has a 15W power output. Roland also produces a more advanced PM-10 Monitor which features a 10' 2-way speaker and 30W of power output. This model is also compatible for external audio use such as a CD or MP3 Player with its built in input jack.
Roland electronic V-Drum sets are considered to be industry leaders, and have been for a long time. They continue to improve upon their designs by adding new useful features and making their improvements with the player in mind. With their upgradeable and flexible systems and crisp, dynamic sound quality and accuracy, Roland is sure to continue to be an industry leader in the electronic drum music industry for a long time to come.
Article by David Fletcher, online marketing manager at Drum & Strum, Nottingham.