Do you speak from experience? Do you or have you ever owned a Roland e-kit?
Roland make some things which are reasonably priced, e.g. an SPD-S (if you can pick it up second hand). Their top of the line kits aren't reasonably priced at all.
The TD-20 module is a joke for it's price. Compare the difference in size (data) between a TD-20 kit & a preset on SSD, SD 2.0, BFD 2, etc. It's ridiculous.
Roland
should have been doing deals with VST creators so that they could make a good transportable module (1tb+) containing their sounds, which could be upgraded with extra packages in the future. However they failed, and now high end vdrum users are buying (or making) units like the Muse Receptor for live play, or just using their computers for home play.
Thus, the reason I asked about how powerful his computer is (i.e. decent processor, decent amount of ram) is because using one of the above drum software would be infinitely better than any module roland has, and would allow for easy professional
sounding recording. The only module I have truly liked is the old ddrum (now discontinued).
Now, if you go down this software route then the TD20 module is a complete waste of money. Why? Because it just acts as a midi transmitter/receiver, you could buy an alesis trigger I/O that does the exact same thing for a fraction of the cost. Absolutely no difference, at all.
Then ask yourself why you're paying so much for their pads? There are custom drum makers that can make you a kit that feels as good (if not better) than a roland kit for at least half the price. I mean you could even build one yourself! (and people do, go and look at the projects on vdrum forums, some great D.I.Y drum makers out there).
To rub salt in the wounds, Roland kits don't even look like "real" drums either! No wonder most people don't take e-kits seriously if they think a Roland TD-20 is the best looking craftsmanship on offer!
That said, the Roland VH-11 is a good hi-hat (the best imo), but there's no reason to buy a kit just to get that hi-hat, buy one off e-bay and save yourself some money. There is one on e-bay now for £200. As for other cymbals buy some Alesis surge, or some harts.
Speak from experience? Yes, the experience of using various rolands (TD3, TD9, new TD9, TD10, TD-20) for hours, practicing over the years - compared with the experience of using my e-kit with software. Experience of owning one? I'm not someone who enjoys spending money for moneys sake, so no.
I do have a TD10-W module though, I got it cheap off eBay.
But don't get me wrong, I'm no fanboy, and have no real allegiance to any e-drum company, I just call bullshit when I see it and the TD-20 stinks. Compare them to offerings from jobeky, R.E.T, hart, etc. Then check the prices.
Don't take this post the wrong way, I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with Roland for making a product that isn't worth the money. I mean the TD3 isn't exactly great bang for the buck either, but at least it's somewhat affordable, and is relatively acceptable for quiet practicing. If used with software it becomes a better option.
As for the Yamaha I haven't tried that first hand (they aren't so popular in the UK), so I don't have any opinion.
/end