Dear All,
This is my first post on any forum but given my experience using my new and innovative TD4-KP it is necessary. I'm a pro drummer and I bought my TD4-KP for small gigs and practise due to its brilliant design allowing unheard of levels of portability. Alas my experience has been less than satisfactory and there are some design flaws that Roland are aware of but, in my experience have done very little about.
My credentials: I am 48 years old. I have 4 kits. 2x acoustic, a Yamaha e kit (now retired from gig duty) and the new Roland. I have been gigging for 15 years or so, presently in a successful minor band and since retiring from my career I now play music full time.
My problem Number 1: Cymbal Arms. The cymbals arms are not sufficiently "gripped" to stop them swinging when playing. This drives me nuts! Every song I have to adjust the cymbals to bring them back into a playing position as they creep round. I looked online to find this problem was well known and one drummer managed to get some new parts from Roland to sort it out. I bought mine from Anderton's and, following a phone call to the in-house Anderton's Roland rep, I took delivery of these "redesigned" parts this morning. They are the same parts and therefore do not work. The cymbals still creep when played.
My Problem Number 2: Customer Service. Anderton's have been great. The Anderton's rep acted quickly. The Roland customer service telephone team at Roland HQ were very poor. For those of you that need to speak to Roland HQ please use this number 01792 702701 - I could not see this on their website and had to use "contact". It won't help you however as - and I find this unacceptable - they will point blank refuse to let you speak to a Roland human being. Every issue must go through the online, automated, one-way Q&A process. I wanted a quick answer regarding my cymbals - I was gigging that night - and know one cared even when I said I may have to return their product for refund. All I wanted was a 2 minute conversation with a product expert. This is not allowed.
My Problem Number 3: The drum sounds do not sound convincing - they will "do" but they just don't sound real. The brain has great adjustability - much better than Yamaha say - but with my Yamaha you didn't need to do it as it sounds so natural (in comparison). This may not be a problem in the bedroom and the extra "electronic sparkle" the Roland gives may be your bag. I play my e-drums through a Yamaha DXR15. All 1250watts of it. In my band this is necessary for the bass reproduction to penetrate through the mix and keep up with the keys and guitar. When amplified the drum sounds very "electronic" (no matter how you muffle, tune, change sounds etc etc.) and not as good as say a cheap Yamaha DTXplorer brain can deliver.
In conclusion then this kit is NOT GIGWORTHY. It is not made well enough. It is a classic case of style over substance. If you are a beginner and play slow, light and deliberate without a crowd and adrenaline it is great (I can ensure new drummers you will not always like this!). Then of course you would not need this portable kit would you!? I bought my Roland and a PDX8 mesh snare head. That's about £630. I don't think I have got value for money. This drum kit does not deliver the great portable gigging machine the Roland marketing says it is. This kit is under developed, lacks quality and Roland know about it and have know for ages. Even their "solution" does not work. In fact the "redesigned" parts look and behave exactly the same as the "duff" parts this kit comes with. The latest advice? Use gaffer tape! Seriously!!! It's a week old!!
The solution for the cymbals is easy. The black coating of the cymbal arms could be coated twice to thicken them or they could use a matt paint to create more friction to stop the cymbals swinging in use. My solution will be to drill the cymbal arms and the rack upright in which they slide up and down and use a split pin or motorcycle "R" clip to prevent any movement. I have been told that both of these solutions will invalidate my warrantee. Gaffer tape is fine it seems.
Oh Roland, come on! I genuinely thought I was buying the best. I wanted an e-drum kit as we are a 5 piece band and some stages are small. I want less gear due to my aging back. I wanted e-drums because my lowly first e-drum purchase, my Yamaha DTXplorer, was so good. I read the Roland marketing and the TD4-KP seemed the perfect instrument for me. Alas, the marketing blurb does not accurately describe the TD4-KP. It is a beginners kit not a kit for gigging drummers. I will alter the kit to make it better because I still need the portability the design offers and if Roland want to see my solution to the cymbal issue I will gladly share but really....should that be my job? I'm just a single customer not a global musical instrument manufacturing company and boy doesn't it feel like it!!!!
This product was released far too early. Let drummers play your kit before you release it Roland!