Roland V-Drums

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V-Drums is an electronic drumkit produced by Roland Corporation . The electronic drums are connected to electronic processors that produce a wide variety of sounds. The V-Drums can be played through an amplifier and used for performance or through head phones for quiet practice. The sound module incorporates many drum kits into one, including actual samples of drum kits, synth drum kits or ethnic drums.

[edit] Models

The drums/pads themselves come in two basic forms: rubber and mesh head. The rubber heads are usually smaller round units and are found in the cheaper models. The more expensive mesh head units are typically larger and feature a woven mesh of man-made fibres that responds to the drumstick much like an acoustic drum head. Also, because air can flow through the mesh, these heads are much quieter than the rubber units.

Models range in style and price from the top-of-the-range TD-20, through TD-12, TD-10, TD-8, TD-7, TD-6, TD-5 and TD-3. The TD-20 and TD-12 feature the mesh heads for snare bass drum and all the toms; the cheaper kits have a mesh snare drum but the toms and bass drum are of the rubber pad variety. Also the TD-20, TD-10 and TD-12 are the only models with a hi-hat based on a conventional pedal stand. However, the TD-10 requires the expansion card to support hi-hats based on a conventional pedal stand, but not all features are supported.

[edit] Expansion sounds

V-Drum kits can also be used to trigger larger sample libraries, such as 'Big Fat Drums' (BFD), or 'Drum Kit from Hell Superior' (DFHS). In conjunction with each other, a very realistic and 'drummer compatible' option can be used for situations where an acoustic drum kit, drum mic set, or mic placement skill is missing from a live or studio situation.

Both BFD and DFHS are considered viable options, and are generally considered equals, with some pro's and con's discerning the two, however BFD has been said to have some possible compatibility issues with the Roland V-Drum kits.