Guide To Roland Electronic Drum Set Sound Modules

Well before the development of electronic drum sets, Roland was creating the drum and percussion sounds that drove popular music. From their extremely successful and even legendary drum machines and sound modules, Roland has taken those many amazing sounds and put them back where they rightfully belong, into the drum sound modules of a fantastic line of electronic drum sets.

Working hard with professional drummers, Roland has constantly found new ways to create the most natural and comfortable electronic drum set possible while continuing to add more and more great sounds and features. The Roland V-Drum series has been leading the way and has been “the one to beat” although they won’t stop moving forward.

Here’s a guide to the five drum sound modules that power the Roland V-Drums line-up:

Roland HD-1 V-Lite Electronic Drum Set: [ DISCONTINUED ] The most basic of Roland V-Drums sets, designed for portability and a small footprint, has five drums and three cymbals with no additional inputs. The HD-1 comes loaded with 108 sounds in 10 kits with 5 user kits. There are 40 patterns but no user pattern function. [ This product is no longer being offered. It has been replaced by the HD-3, described below. ]

Roland HD-3 V-Drums Electronic Drum Set: [ NEW! ] The entry-level model of the distinguished V-Drums series, the Roland HD-3 V-Drums Lite Electronic Drum Set is designed to fit in small spaces, such as a dorm room or small apartment. This set comes with five drums and three cymbals. (A basic configuration includes snare, kick, and 3 toms, plus ride, crash and hi-hat cymbals. But you can also choose from one of 20 preset kits, including Rock, Jazz, Latin, World and Electronic kits.) The HD-3 features a mesh snare head and new cloth-head tom pads that feel and respond like acoustic drums, plus a beater-less kick pad that provides incredibly quiet functionality, along with enhanced comfort and accurate playing response. You can even “choke” your cymbals with one hand, just like real cymbals. The HD-3 includes 20 drum patterns, an integrated metronome, MIDI out, plus a mix input jack for connecting CD-players, MP3 players, and other audio sources for jamming along with your favorite songs. And parents will love how quiet the HD-3 drum kit is, because when you’re playing privately through headphones you can play without disturbing anyone at all! And if that’s not enough, you can also get Roland’s DT-1 Drum Tutor software to learn to play drums on your computer. With the DT-1 Drum Tutor software, you can download songs from Roland’s website to practice with and you can even jam online with other Roland drummers using the Roland V-drums social network.

Roland TD-4: The Roland TD-4 module contains 125 sounds in 25 kits with a pattern accompanying each kit. The 25 patterns can be over-written into new patterns but will not be saved when the module is turned off. The TD-4 sets come with 5 drums and 3 cymbals and one additional dual-zone pad can be added.The TD-4 is the brains behind the Roland TD-4K2-S and TD-4KX V-Compact electronic drum sets.

Roland TD-9: There are two V-Tour sets built around the Roland TD-9 module, the TD-9K2-S and the TD-9KX2-S. The TD-9 contains 522 great sounds arranged into 50 preset kits. With 50 preset patterns, there are also 50 “real audio” songs onboard and you can play .wav or MP3 files through the module from a USB thumb drive. The sets come with 5 drums and 3 cymbals and the TD-9 module will accept 2 more dual-zone pads.

Roland TD-11: [ NEW! ] The SuperNATURAL-powered Roland TD-11 Drum Sound Module provides improved playabilty and performance with incredibly expressive and natural sounds. It also offers a variety of powerful features, including backing songs in variety of musical styles, Quick Record/Quick Play, a COACH function, and USB for MIDI/AUDIO and data storage. New sensing technology with Behavior Modeling provides a complete and natural drumming experience. COACH and QUICK REC functions help build skills effectively at home, school, or any place of practice. Large-sized LCD and simple user interface for easy operation. USB-MIDI/AUDIO can conveniently connect to computer applications.

Roland TD-12: The Roland TD-12 is the brain behind the mighty Roland TD12KX V-Stage set and is a mega-module that brings you 822 sounds in 50 preset kits, 150 preset patterns and 100 user patterns. The TD-12 V-Stage set has 5 drums and 4 cymbals, giving you an extra crash and will accept 2 more dual-zone pads.

Roland TD-15: [ NEW! ] Powered by Roland SuperNATURAL technology, this mid-range V-Drums sound engine provides top-tier playability, superb expressiveness, and pro-level operation. It’s a powerful-yet-affordable module for the live stage and recording studio. The Roland TD-15 sports new sensing technology with Behavior Modeling provides a complete and natural drumming experience. COACH and QUICK REC functions help build skills effectively at home, school, or any place of practice. Large-sized LCD and simple user interface provides easy operation. USB-MIDI/AUDIO can conveniently connect to computer applications. QUICK EDIT buttons provide instant editing control over tuning, muffling, and strainer. Assignable CLICK out and illuminated ring/kit buttons enhance professional live use.

Roland TD-20X: The Roland TD-2X0 is the astonishing mega-brain that powers the Roland top-of-their-line TD-20SX V-Pro set and will take up your entire vacation, listening to each of its 1182 sounds and 100 preset kits. 150 preset patterns, 100 user patterns, 6 drums (an additional tom) and 4 cymbals and 4 (that’s FOUR) additional dual-zone pad inputs.

Roland TD-30: The Roland TD-30 is Roland’s flagship drum sound module. Featuring SuperNATURAL® sounds produced by Behavior Modeling. The sound quality is superior, responding to a variety of natural drumming techniques and dynamics. From rim shots, rolls, flams, even ghost notes on the snare, to dramatic crash hits and sustained cymbal swells, every nuance is accurately and smoothly reproduced. For spatial depth, a dedicated ambience fader gives you immediate access to lush room ambience and overhead-microphone simulation. With over 1,000 onboard sounds, whether they are acoustic drums—kicks, snares, cymbals and percussion—or electronic drums and special effects sounds, the V-Edit possibilities combined with the powerful onboard effects make it easy to create a unique and personalized kit for any musical style.

Whatever electronic drum set features stand out for you, please remember that you can get your electronic drum set from Sam Ash Direct today, with fast, free shipping at the guaranteed lowest price. Sam Ash Direct gives you the security of more than 86 years of experience, 24/7 customer support and the Sam Ash Direct 45 day return and 60 day price protection policy. You can’t go wrong!