Roland V-Drums

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KJ Sawka playing Roland Drums at the NAMM Show January 2020 Roland Drums 2020 by Glenn Francis.jpg
KJ Sawka playing Roland Drums at the NAMM Show January 2020
Expanded Roland TD-12S V-Stage set Roland V-Drum TD-12S V-Stage set + expansion.jpg
Expanded Roland TD-12S V-Stage set

V-Drums (Virtual Drums) are a line of electronic drums by Roland Corporation which were first launched in 1997.

Contents

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:

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 no longer include any rubber pads.

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. [1]

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. However, they are only available in small sizes, 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. [2]

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. [3]

Most Roland mesh-head V-Drums have a playable rim which have their own electronic sensors (and corresponding sounds) - exceptions being the PD-100, PD-80, and mesh head drums on the HD series of kits, which only have a single head sensor. V-Drums and other electronic drum products have taken substantial market share from acoustic drums [4] [5] due to advances in electronic drum technology that have improved the value proposition of electronic drums over acoustic. [6] Electronic drum kits, especially mesh-head based ones, make significantly less ambient noise than acoustic drum kits [7] and mesh heads provide a playing feel more similar to acoustic drums than non-mesh electronic pads (typically rubber). [1]

Mesh heads used in V-Drums kits today are made by the American drumhead company Remo. [8]

List of Roland drum and cymbal pads
Pad NameTypeYears

Available

DiameterZones/

Channels

TriggerPositional

Sensing

ColorsNotes
Head/BowRim/EdgeBell
BT-1

In Production

Bar-shaped Rubber Pad2013-–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack/GrayNeeds to be connected to a stereo input, despite being a mono pad
CY-5

In Production

Cymbal Pad (fixed)2006-10 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack, WhiteNo edge trigger on pads that shipped with the HD-1
CY-6Cymbal Pad (fixed)2001–200312 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack
CY-8

In Production

Cymbal Pad (fixed)2003-12 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack
CY-12C

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2011-12 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack
CY-12HHi-Hat Cymbal Pad (fixed)2000–200412 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack
CY-12R/C

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2001-12 Inches3 (Three-way)PiezoSwitchSwitchYesBlack
CY-13R

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2011-13 Inches3 (Three-way)PiezoSwitchSwitchLimited

(TD-50, TD-30, and TD-25 only)

Black
CY-14C

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2000-14 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack, Silver, Metallic Gray
CY-14C-T

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2020-14 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlackThinner version of CY-14C
CY-14R-T

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2022-14 Inches3 (Three-way)PiezoSwitchSwitchLimited

(TD-50, TD-30, and TD-25 only)

Black
CY-15R

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2000-15 Inches3 (Three-way)PiezoSwitchSwitchYesBlack, Silver, Metallic Gray
CY-16R-T

In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)2020-16 Inches3 (Three-way)PiezoSwitchSwitchYesBlackThinner, larger version of CY-15R
CY-18DR

In Production

Digital Cymbal Pad (movable)2016-18 Inches3 (Digital)DigitalYesBlack
KD-5Kick Drum Pad1994-199?2 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
KD-7

In Production

Kick Drum Pad1992-2 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlackPiezo polarity can be switched
KD-8Rubber Kick Drum Pad2003–20115 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlackNo dynamics when connected to HD-1
KD-9Cloth-head Kick Drum Pad2011-20206 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
KD-10

In Production

Cloth-head Kick Drum Pad2018-6 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
KD-80Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad1999–20038 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack, White
KD-85

In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad2003-8 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack, White
KD-120Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad1998-202112 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack, White, (Red), (Purple)
KD-140

In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad2008-14 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoSilver, Black Chrome
KD-180

In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad2018-18 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
KD-220

In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad2018-22 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
KD-A22

In Production

Acoustic Kick Drum Conversion Kit2016-22 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
KT-9

In Production

Kick Trigger Pedal2016-–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack/Silver
KT-10

In Production

Kick Trigger Pedal2014-–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoSilver/Black
PD-5Rubber Pad1994-199?8 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
PD-6Rubber Pad2001–20038 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––NoWhite
PD-7Rubber Pad1992-????7 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–YesWhitePiezo polarity can be switched
PD-8

In Production

Rubber Pad2003-8 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–YesBlack
PD-8A

In Production

Rubber Pad2012-8 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––YesBlackPad not available separately, ships with the TD-11K and TD-17K drum sets
PD-9Rubber Pad1994-????10 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–YesWhitePiezo polarity can be switched
PD-80Mesh-head Drum Pad1999–20038 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––YesBlack, White
PD-80RMesh-head Drum Pad1999–20038 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack, White
PD-85

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2003-8 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack, White
PD-100Mesh-head Drum Pad1997–200310 Inches1 (Mono)Piezo––YesBlack, White, Red, Purple
PD-105

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2003-10 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack, (White)
PD-105XMesh-head Drum Pad2008–201210 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesSilverReplaceable shell wraps
PD-108

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2012-10 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack ChromeReplaceable shell wraps
PD-120Mesh-head Drum Pad1997–200312 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack, White, Red, Purple
PD-125

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2003-12 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack, (White)
PD-125XMesh-head Drum Pad2008–201212 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesSilverReplaceable shell wraps; Also available as PD-125XS for snare stands (without rack mount)
PD-128

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2012-12 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack ChromeReplaceable shell wraps; Also available as PD-128S for snare stands (without rack mount)
PD-140DS

In Production

Digital Mesh-head Drum Pad2016-14 Inches2 (Digital)Digital–YesSilver
PDX-6

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2006-8 Inches

(6 inch head)

2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–NoBlack
PDX-8

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2006-10 Inches

(8 inch head)

2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–NoBlackNo rim trigger on pads that shipped with the HD-1
PDX-12

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2018-12 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–NoBlack
PDX-100

In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad2012-10 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–YesBlack
RT-3TAcoustic Tom-Tom Drum Trigger2003–2006–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoSilver
RT-5SAcoustic Snare Drum Trigger2003–2006–2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–NoSilver
RT-7KAcoustic Kick Drum Trigger2003–2006–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoSilver
RT-10KAcoustic Kick Drum Trigger2006–2015–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
RT-10SAcoustic Snare Drum Trigger2006–2015–2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–NoBlack
RT-10TAcoustic Tom-Tom Drum Trigger2006–2015–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
RT-30H

In Production

Acoustic Drum Trigger2015-–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
RT-30HR

In Production

Acoustic Drum Trigger2015-–2 (Stereo)PiezoPiezo–NoBlack
RT-30K

In Production

Acoustic Kick Drum Trigger2015-–1 (Mono)Piezo––NoBlack
VH-10

In Production

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable)2018-12 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack
VH-11

In Production

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable)2005-12 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlackOnly limited support of controller part by some drum modules (see list of hi-hat controllers below)
VH-12Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable)2004–201212 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoBlack, SilverController 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 Inches2 (Stereo)PiezoSwitch–NoMetallic GrayController part only compatible with the TD-50, TD-30, TD-20 and TD-12 drum modules
VH-14D

In Production

Digital Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable)2021-14 Inches2 (Digital)Digital–

Acoustic drum triggers

Roland also makes acoustic drum triggers, which can be mounted on the rims of standard acoustic drums to provide trigger signals 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. Some 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 is more similar to a traditional acoustic hi-hat. 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.

Roland drum modules

Roland drum modules range in features and price from the top-of-the-line TD-50X to the TD-50, TD-27, TD-17, TD-07, and TD-1. Higher model numbers denote more advanced models, while lower numbers are used for less expensive ones.

Available drum modules

Availability Timeline

Roland V-Drums

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References

  1. 1 2 "Rubber Pads vs. Mesh Drum Heads - Which are Better?". Andertons Blog. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  2. ↑ Roland Drums & Percussion Resource Guide, rolandus.com
  3. ↑ V-Drums History: How Roland Became the Biggest Drum Company in the World, Roland Users Group
  4. ↑ "Electronic drums retail sales value US 2020". Statista. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Drumsets retail sales value US 2020". Statista. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  6. ↑ "The History of Electronic Drum Sets - 1960s to the 2020s". Electronic Drum Advisor. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "Electronic Drums vs Acoustic Drums - Drumming Basics". www.drummingbasics.com. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Roland V-drum Replacement Heads" . Retrieved 15 March 2022.
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