Roland V-Drums

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V-Drums is a variety of electronic drums, drum brain modules, and related electronic percussion product manufactured and trademarked by Roland Corporation.

The primary V-Drums products are complete electronic drum kits. These vary in price and complexity, ranging from a few hundred dollars to approximately US$7,499 (MAP-Minimum Advertised Price). Components such as additional pads, cymbal pads, triggers, mounting hardware, and modules are also sold individually to augment an existing kit.

Like most electronic drum modules, V-Drums drum modules are MIDI-capable. This enables the player to use a V-Drums kit to control not only the kit itself, but other MIDI-capable instruments, such as digital samplers. MIDI also allows V-Drums kits to be controlled by other MIDI-capable instruments. V-Drums, like most electronic drum kits, can output to an amplifier, recording device, or headphones.

The Roland V-Drums System[edit]

Each V-Drums kit is composed of the following:

• Triggers which serve as an electronic alternative for acoustic drums, acoustic cymbals, and other acoustic percussion instruments.
• A module, the central processing unit to which all triggers connect. The drum module takes electronic signals from the triggers during play, synthesizes the sounds of percussion instruments of all types, and signals other MIDI-capable gear to perform various electronic tasks.
• A stand, upon which the triggers and module are mounted via clamps.

Trigger types[edit]

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:

• Mono Pads, using one Piezoelectric sensor for the head. Usually kick-drum pads or older and less expensive pads.
• Stereo Pads, using one piezo sensor for the head and an additional switch for the rim. If the rim switch is triggered, the signal strength is determined by the head's piezo sensor. Mostly rubber pads and cymbal pads.
• Stereo Pads using two piezo sensors, one for the head and one for the rim. Mostly mesh-head pads.
• Three-way Pads using one piezo sensor and two switches. Roland's three-way cymbal pads (CY-12R/C, CY-13R and CY-15R) work this way, the piezo triggers the bow, and the switches trigger edge and bell.

Rubber pads[edit]

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 don't include any rubber pads at all any more.

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.

Cloth-head pads[edit]

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. They are only available in small sizes though, and the head tension cannot be adjusted like on mesh-head pads.

Mesh-head pads[edit]

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.[1]

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.[2]

Roland mesh-head V-Drums have a playable rim which has its own electronic sensors (and corresponding sounds). Many drummers who formerly eschewed electronic drums because of their lack of authentic feel have adopted V-Drums and other mesh-head drum products due to the recent advances of mesh-head technology.[citation needed]

Mesh-head triggers have created an expanded market for electronic drum kits because electronic drum kits, especially mesh-head based ones, make little or no unwanted ambient noise.[citation needed]Mesh heads used in V-Drums kits today are made by the American drumhead company Remo.

Acoustic drum triggers[edit]

Roland also makes acoustic drum triggers, which can be mounted on the rims of standard acoustic drums and provide a trigger signal 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[edit]

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. Most 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[edit]

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 feels much more authentic. 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.

Available drum and cymbal pads[edit]

List of Roland drum and cymbal pads

Pad Name

Type

Years
Available

Diameter

Zones/
Channels

Trigger

Positional
Sensing

Colors

Notes Head/Bow

Rim/Edge

Bell BT-1
In Production

Bar-shaped Rubber Pad

2013-

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black/Gray

Needs to be connected to a stereo input, despite being a mono pad CY-5
In Production

Cymbal Pad (fixed)

2006-

10 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black, White

No edge trigger on pads that shipped with the HD-1 CY-6

Cymbal Pad (fixed)

2001-2003

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black

  CY-8
In Production

Cymbal Pad (fixed)

2003-

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black

  CY-12C
In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)

2011-

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black

  CY-12H

Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad (fixed)

2000-2004

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black

  CY-12R/C
In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)

2001-

12 Inches

3 (Three-way)

Piezo

Switch

Switch

Yes

Black

  CY-13R
In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)

2011-

13 Inches

3 (Three-way)

Piezo

Switch

Switch

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

Black

  CY-14C
In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)

2000-

14 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black, Silver, Metallic Gray

  CY-15R
In Production

Cymbal Pad (movable)

2000-

15 Inches

3 (Three-way)

Piezo

Switch

Switch

Yes

Black, Silver, Metallic Gray

  CY-18DR
In Production

Digital Cymbal Pad (movable)

2016-

18 Inches

3 (Digital)

Digital

Yes

Black

  KD-5

Kick Drum Pad

1994-199?

2 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  KD-7
In Production

Kick Drum Pad

1992-

2 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

Piezo polarity can be switched KD-8

Rubber Kick Drum Pad

2003-2011

5 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

No dynamics when connected to HD-1 KD-9
In Production

Cloth-head Kick Drum Pad

2011-

6 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  KD-10
In Production

Cloth-head Kick Drum Pad

2018-

6 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  KD-80

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad

1999-2003

8 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black, White

  KD-85
In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad

2003-

8 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black, White

  KD-120
In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad

1998-

12 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black, White, (Red), (Purple)

  KD-140
In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad

2008-

14 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Silver, Black Chrome

  KD-180
In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad

2018-

18 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  KD-220
In Production

Mesh-head Kick Drum Pad

2018-

22 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  KD-A22
In Production

Acoustic Kick Drum Conversion Kit

2016-

22 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  KT-9
In Production

Kick Trigger Pedal

2016-

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black/Silver

  KT-10
In Production

Kick Trigger Pedal

2014-

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Silver/Black

  PD-5

Rubber Pad

1994-199?

8 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  PD-6

Rubber Pad

2001-2003

8 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

White

  PD-7

Rubber Pad

1992-????

7 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

Yes

White

Piezo polarity can be switched PD-8
In Production

Rubber Pad

2003-

8 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

Yes

Black

  PD-8A
In Production

Rubber Pad

2012-

8 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

Yes

Black

Pad not available separately, ships with the TD-11K and TD-17K drum sets PD-9

Rubber Pad

1994-????

10 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

Yes

White

Piezo polarity can be switched PD-80

Mesh-head Drum Pad

1999-2003

8 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

Yes

Black, White

  PD-80R

Mesh-head Drum Pad

1999-2003

8 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black, White

  PD-85
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2003-

8 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black, White

  PD-100

Mesh-head Drum Pad

1997-2003

10 Inches

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black, White, Red, Purple

  PD-105
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2003-

10 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black, (White)

  PD-105X

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2008-2012

10 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Silver

Replaceable shell wraps PD-108
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2012-

10 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black Chrome

Replaceable shell wraps PD-120

Mesh-head Drum Pad

1997-2003

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black, White, Red, Purple

  PD-125
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2003-

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black, (White)

  PD-125X

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2008-2012

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Silver

Replaceable shell wraps; Also available as PD-125XS for snare stands (without rack mount) PD-128
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2012-

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black Chrome

Replaceable shell wraps; Also available as PD-128S for snare stands (without rack mount) PD-140DS
In Production

Digital Mesh-head Drum Pad

2016-

14 Inches

2 (Digital)

Digital

–

Yes

Silver

  PDX-6
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2006-

8 Inches
(6 inch head)

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

No

Black

  PDX-8
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2006-

10 Inches
(8 inch head)

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

No

Black

No rim trigger on pads that shipped with the HD-1 PDX-12
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2018-

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

No

Black

  PDX-100
In Production

Mesh-head Drum Pad

2012-

10 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

Yes

Black

  RT-3T

Acoustic Tom-Tom Drum Trigger

2003-2006

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Silver

  RT-5S

Acoustic Snare Drum Trigger

2003-2006

–

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

No

Silver

  RT-7K

Acoustic Kick Drum Trigger

2003-2006

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Silver

  RT-10K

Acoustic Kick Drum Trigger

2006-2015

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  RT-10S

Acoustic Snare Drum Trigger

2006-2015

–

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

No

Black

  RT-10T

Acoustic Tom-Tom Drum Trigger

2006-2015

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  RT-30H
In Production

Acoustic Drum Trigger

2015-

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  RT-30HR
In Production

Acoustic Drum Trigger

2015-

–

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Piezo

–

No

Black

  RT-30K
In Production

Acoustic Kick Drum Trigger

2015-

–

1 (Mono)

Piezo

–

–

No

Black

  VH-10
In Production

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable)

2018-

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black

  VH-11
In Production

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable)

2005-

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black

Only limited support of controller part by some drum modules (see list of hi-hat controllers below) VH-12

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller (movable)

2004-2012

12 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Black, Silver

Controller 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 Inches

2 (Stereo)

Piezo

Switch

–

No

Metallic Gray

Controller part only compatible with the TD-50, TD-30, TD-20 and TD-12 drum modules

Available hi-hat controllers[edit]

List of Roland hi-hat controllers

Hi-Hat Controller Name

Hi-Hat Pad

Type

Years
Available

Foot Pressure Sensing
(when closed)

Compatibility
(controller part) FD-6

any

Hi-Hat Controller Pedal

2001-2005

No

All Modules FD-7

any

Hi-Hat Controller Pedal

1992-2004

No

All Modules FD-8
In Production

any

Hi-Hat Controller Pedal

2003-

No

All Modules FD-9
In Production

any

Hi-Hat Controller Pedal

2016-

No

All Modules VH-10
In Production

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller

2018-

No

All Modules VH-11
In Production

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller

2004-

No

Full Support: TD-50, TD-30, TD-27, TD-25, TD-20, TD-17, TD-15, TD-12, TD-11, TD-9
Basic Support: TD-10 (with TDW-1), TD-8, TD-6/6V, TD-4
Raw Compatibility: All Modules VH-12

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller

2004-2012

Yes

TD-50, TD-30, TD-27, TD-20, TD-12 VH-13
In Production

Integrated Hi-Hat Cymbal Pad and Controller

2012-

Yes

TD-50, TD-30, TD-27, TD-20, TD-12

Pad/Module Compatibility[edit]

Generally, all Roland drum pads and cymbal pads can be connected to any input on any Roland drum module, and the head/bow zone will always work. However, when more capable pads are connected to less capable inputs, some zones (e.g. rim/edge or bell) on the drum pad cannot be used. Connecting less capable pads to more capable inputs usually lets you use all zones of the pad.

Drum pads and cymbal pads from other manufacturers are also generally compatible with Roland drum modules as long as they use a piezo as the head/bow trigger, but zones other than head/bow are sometimes problematic, especially on three-zone pads. Also, the module settings may need some tweaking. Hi-Hat controllers however are not usually compatible between manufacturers.

There are different kinds of stereo pads and stereo inputs. While all types of stereo pads and inputs do have two channels, they are still electrically different, so not all combinations of stereo pads and stereo inputs let you use all zones/features.

Roland Pad/Input Compatibility Chart

 

DRUM MODULE INPUT Mono Input

Stereo Input
Mono/Mono Input
when not split

Stereo Input
(piezo/switch)

Stereo Input
(piezo/piezo)

Three-Way Input
(piezo/switch/switch)

Digital Input DRUM
PAD
or
CYMBAL
PAD

Mono Pad

All Zones

All Zones

All Zones

All Zones

All Zones

Incompatible Stereo Pad
(piezo/switch)

Head/Bow only,
No Choking

Head/Bow only,
No Choking

All Zones

All Zones

All Zones

Incompatible Stereo Pad
(piezo/piezo)

Head/Bow
only

Head/Bow only
(all zones can be triggered,
but with serious crosstalk
problems and no rimshots)

Head/Bow
only

All Zones

Head/Bow
only

Incompatible Three-Way Pad
(piezo/switch/switch)

Head/Bow only,
No Choking

Head/Bow only,
No Choking

Head/Bow and
Rim/Edge only
or
Head/Bow and
Bell only

Head/Bow and
Rim/Edge only
or
Head/Bow and
Bell only

All Zones

Incompatible Digital Pad

Incompatible

Incompatible

Incompatible

Incompatible

Incompatible

All Zones

There's also a detailed compatibility chart for current Roland trigger devices and drum modules on one of the last pages of Roland's V-Drums catalog, which is also available as a PDF download[3] from their home page. Discontinued modules are not included in their chart though.

Roland drum modules[edit]

Roland drum modules range in features and price from the top-of-the-line TD-50 to the TD-27, TD-17, TD-4, TD-1 and HD-3 (although the TD-1 and HD-3 brains are not sold separately, as they connect with a proprietary 25-pin parallel connector to the frame and pads). Higher model numbers denote more advanced models, while lower numbers are used for less expensive ones. The TD-30, TD-25, TD-20, TD-15, TD-12, TD-11, TD-10, TD-9, TD-8, TD-7, TD-6, TD-5, TD-3 and HD-1 are out of production.

Available drum modules[edit]

List of Roland Drum Modules

Drum Module

Years
Available

Drum
Kits

Instruments

Trigger Inputs

Outputs[d] MIDI

Voices
(Polyphony)

Features/Notes Drum

Backing

TOTAL

MONO

STEREO

THREE-
WAY[b]

DIGITAL

Stereo
Pairs

Single
Channel

Positional Sensing

Other mono/
mono[a]

piezo/
switch

piezo/
piezo HD-1
Superseded by HD-3

2007-2012

10

70 –

7
(+ Kick) 7 – – – – –

1 –

Out

?

No Module not sold separately HD-3
In Production

2012-

20

? –

7
(+ Kick) 3 – 3 1 – –

1 –

Out

?

No Module not sold separately TD-1
In Production

2014-

15

? –

9 4 – 4 1 – –

1 & USB –

USB

?

No Module not sold separately TD-3
Superseded by TD-4

2004-2009

32

114 –

9 4 – 4 1 – –

1 –

In/Out

32?

No   TD-4
In Production
(Partially superseded by TD-11)

2009-2012
2012-

25

125 –

9 4 – 4[b] 1 –[b] –

1 –

Out

?

No Module was briefly out of production in 2012,
TD-4KP cable only allows up to 8 pads TD-5

1994-2001

32

210 –

8 – – 8 – – –

1 –

In/Out

14

No   TD-6

TD-6
Superseded by TD-6V

2001-2003

99

1024 262

9
(11[a]) 1 2 5 1 – –

1 –

In/Out

64

No   TD-6V
Superseded by TD-9

2003-2008

0–2[c] 5–7[c]TD-7

1992-1999

32

256 (512)

9 – – 9 – – –

1 2

In/Out

14

No   TD-8
Superseded by TD-12

1999-2005

64

1024 262

10
(12[a]) – 2 7 1 – –

2 –

In/Out

64

Yes   TD-9

TD-9
Updated to TD-9 v2.0

2008-2011

50

522 ?

10 1 – 3 5 1[b] –

1 –

In/Out

?

No USB Port (for USB Memory)[f]TD-9 v2.0
Superseded by TD-15

2011-2012

99

552

TD-9 Firmware Update, also adds support for MP3 backing tracks TD-10

TD-10
Updated with TDW-1

1997-2000

50

600 54

12 – – 11 1 – –

4 –

In/Out

56

Yes Proprietary Memory Card Slot[e]TD-10 with TDW-1
Superseded by TD-20

2000-2004

100

960 TD-11
Superseded by TD-17

2012-2018

50

190 –

9 1 – 3 4 1[b] –

1 & USB –

Out,
USB[g] ?

No Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio) 1x Memory[f]TD-12
Superseded by TD-30

2005-2012

50

560 262

11 – – 4 6 1[b] –

1 2

In/Out

64

Yes   TD-15
Superseded by TD-25

2012-2015

100

500 –

10 1 – 3 5 1[b] –

1 & USB –

Out,
USB[g] ?

No Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f]TD-17
In Production

2018-

50+50

310 –

10 1 – 3 5 1[b] –

1 & USB –

Out,
USB[g] ?

No SD Card Slot,
can trigger WAV samples,
available as TD-17 with Bluetooth or TD-17-L without Bluetooth TD-20

TD-20
Updated with TDW-20 /
Superseded by TD-20X

2004-2008

50

560 262

15 – – 6[b] 9 1[b] –

3 4

In/Out

64

Yes CompactFlash Slot[e]TD-20 with TDW-20
or TD-20X
Superseded by TD-30

2008-2012

100

920 TD-25
Superseded by TD-27

2015-2020

18+18

233 –

10 1 – 3 5 1[b] –

1 & USB –

Out,
USB[g] ?

Yes Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f]TD-27
In Production

2020-

100

728 –

12 1 – 3 7 1[b] 3[i] 2 & USB & Bluetooth –

In/Out,
USB[g],
Bluetooth

?

Yes USB port (MIDI[g]/Audio), SD Card Slot, can trigger WAV samples TD-30
Superseded by TD-50

2012-2016

100

1100 262

15 – – 6[b] 9 1[b] –

3 & USB 4

In/Out,
USB[g] 64

Yes Two USB ports: 1x PC (MIDI[g]/Audio), 1x Memory[f]TD-50
In Production

2016-

100

>400 –

14 1 – 3 9 1[b] 3[i] 4 & USB 4

In/Out,
USB[g] ?

Yes SD Card Slot TM-2
In Production

2014-

99

>100 –

2
(4[h]) – – – 2[h] _ –

1 –

In/Out

?

No SD Card Slot,
Can trigger WAV samples TMC-6
Discontinued

2002-2015

–

–

6 – – 5[b] 1 –[b] –

– –

Out

–

No Trigger-to-MIDI converter

^ a Two Mono pads can be connected to Mono/Mono inputs by using an insert cable (Tom2/Aux and Tom3/4 inputs on the TD-6, Kick1/2 and Aux1/2 inputs on the TD-8). ^ b Three-way (piezo/switch/switch) inputs can be used to connect a three-way cymbal like the CY-12R/C, CY-13R or CY-15R, or one non-three-way pad. On the TD-4, TD-10 with TDW-1, TD-20, TD-30 and TMC-6, three-way cymbals can be connected using two designated Piezo/Switch inputs. Connecting them to any two stereo inputs on any module works with some limitations and is not officially supported. ^ c On The TD-6V, two stereo inputs (Tom2/Aux and Tom3/4) can be configured to be either mono/mono inputs or piezo/switch inputs. ^ d Outputs excluding the headphone jack. ^ e Memory card slots can only be used to store module settings. ^ f USB Memory can only be used for wav/mp3 backing tracks, recording to MIDI files and to store module settings. The TD-9 writes proprietary MIDI files and the TD-9 v1.x only supports WAV backing tracks. ^ g MIDI In/Out is available through USB. ^ h On the TM-2, the inputs can also be configured to be mono/mono inputs, allowing up to two pads per input by using an insert cable. ^ i Enabling a digital trigger input disables an analog trigger input.

Availability Timeline[edit]

Drum module input capabilities[edit]

It is important to note that not all drum module inputs have the same capabilities. Besides the obvious differences between mono, stereo and three-way inputs, which support mono (single-zone), stereo (dual-zone) or three-zone pads accordingly, there are additional differences in the capabilities of stereo inputs. While some stereo inputs only support pads with a piezo and a switch (piezo/switch inputs), others also support pads with two piezos (piezo/piezo inputs). Also, some stereo inputs are only intended to be split into two mono inputs by using an insert cable (mono/mono inputs). Certain pairs of stereo inputs can be configured to form one three-way input.

On some drum modules, some inputs may support additional features such as positional sensing or brush sweeps.

The capabilities of drum module inputs are listed in the table below. For details about which type of trigger pads are compatible with which type of drum module input, see section Pad/Module Compatibility above.

The column 'Connector Type' shows the number of trigger inputs with audio jack sockets and the number of trigger inputs with audio jack plugs on a proprietary wiring harness. If a module uses a wiring harness, inputs that feature an audio jack socket are indicated with an asterisk (*) next to the input type.

Capabilities of Roland drum module inputs show

Drum sets[edit]

Roland V-Drums components are typically sold as drum sets, which are made up of drum and cymbal pads, a hi-hat pad and controller, a drum module and a drum rack. Sometimes, additional hardware such as a kick drum pedal and a hi-hat stand is also included (usually only as limited offers).

High-end V-Drums sets[edit]

Roland's most advanced and most expensive V-Drums sets include:

• V-Pro drum sets (Roland's flagship drum sets)
  • TD-50 Drum Module (previously TD-10, TD-20, TD-20X, TD-30) with all the advanced features, very extendable
  • Some digital pads (ride and snare)
  • larger diameter mesh-head drum pads
  • larger diameter mesh-head kick-drum pad
  • movable crash cymbals and three-way ride cymbal
  • movable two-piece hi-hat
  • large drum rack

In the past, Roland also sold V-Stage drum sets, which had smaller pads and came with a slightly stripped-down drum module (first TD-8, then TD-12) with fewer inputs, but still most of the advanced features of the flagship modules. The V-Stage drum sets were discontinued in 2012 when the TD-30 was introduced. Instead, Roland is now also offering a V-Pro drum set with smaller and less expensive pads.

Mid-tier V-Drum sets[edit]

Roland's mid-tier V-Drums sets include:

• V-Tour drum sets
  • TD-25 drum module (previously TD6/6V, then TD-9, then TD-15) with only some advanced features, only slightly extendable
  • medium-sized mesh-head pads, or simpler small mesh-head pads on less expensive sets
  • simple cloth kick-drum pad
  • movable crash cymbal and three-way ride cymbal
  • movable two-piece hi-hat, or fixed hi-hat and foot controller on earlier sets
  • medium-sized drum rack
  • (A TD-25KV model adds an extra crash cymbal)
• V-Compact drum sets
  • TD-11 drum module (previously TD-3, then TD-4) with no advanced features, only slightly extendable
  • simple small mesh-head drum pads, or only one simple mesh-head drum pad and three rubber pads on less expensive sets
  • simple cloth kick-drum pad
  • movable crash cymbal and three-way ride cymbal, or fixed cymbal pads on less expensive sets
  • fixed hi-hat and foot controller
  • small drum rack

Entry level V-Drum sets[edit]

Roland's entry level V-Drum sets include:

• V-Drums Portable drum set
  • TD-4 drum module with no advanced features, only slightly extendable
  • rubber pads for snare and toms
  • simple rubber kick-drum pad
  • fixed cymbal pads
  • fixed hi-hat and foot controller
  • very compact foldable drum rack
• V-Drums Lite drum set
  • HD-3 drum module (previously HD-1) with no advanced features, not extendable
  • one simple small mesh-head drum pad and three rubber pads
  • foot controller-based kick drum
  • fixed cymbal pads
  • fixed hi-hat and foot controller
  • very compact drum rack

Older drum sets[edit]

Older drum sets with the TD-7 and the (less expensive) TD-5 drum module had all rubber pads as drum and cymbal pads, simple kick-drum pads, and a rubber pad and foot controller for the hi-hat. Although they were not marketed as V-Drums at the time, they used the same technology and the trigger pads continued to be used in later V-Drum sets. TD-7 and TD-5 drum sets were discontinued in the late 1990s when the TD-10 and TD-8 were introduced.

Available drum sets[edit]

List of Roland drum sets show

Artists who use Roland V-Drums[edit]