Did a gig on some Roland V-Drums!

Bo Eder

Bo Eder

Platinum Member
Took a tribute band into the Yaamava Casino and played inside a Rock n Brews restaurant. Due to their open location, it was a requirement that the drummer play their V-Drum kit and use in-ear monitors so as to cut down volume.

Being a modern guy, I get it. My in-ear mix was pretty good after soundcheck so I had no complaints with hearing what I needed to hear. This was the top flight V-drum kit which has an actual 22x20 bass drum and four realistic-looking toms and a snare with three rubber cymbals and hi hats.

It was nice not having to play so hard, but I have to say, the feel and dynamics are still something to work on. I’m just used to things immediately speaking when struck. The dynamic range is definitely limited - but I’m sure the manufacturer is making great strides in this on their quest to replace acoustic drums. But I’ve been watching this scene since the advent of the Syndrum and dynamics is always lagging behind (apparently even with the latest and greatest pads and triggers).

Too bad I couldn’t just use my Zendrum….60D19CB5-CD4C-4E99-BF1A-47121061D888.jpegD28F57FC-18C1-414E-AADA-A5307658A104.jpeg
 
Nice looking set, though I don't get the idea of schlepping a 22x20 for a V drum.
I haven't played such high end V kit, but yes, dynamics aren't great and frankly, tweaking all day long the menus, curve, threshold, sensitivity, and so forth... in the hope of getting something we're use too, is a pain.
Even getting nice rim / head reaction, or pseudo realistic hi hat opening is useless. It does the job, but still it's frustrating.
 
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Bo Eder said:
Too bad I couldn’t just use my Zendrum
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Whew! When I read the title I thought you might be bailing on your Zendrum.

Did you ask about playing it? There's a good chance they don't even know the Zendrum exists.
 
I'm more curious to know what you thought of the sound. Do you feel it lacks when compared to your acoustic kit?. I know it will be different, but I have never found the Roland E-kits to sound bad going through a PA with a full band. About Dynamics... I spend a little (and I mean very little time) fiddling with my module, and I can get every nuance of the snare, the hats and the ride just fine, (Granted I have the digital pads which have more sensors). Also the TD-27 module is very easy to adjust just using the 4 buttons on the front so no need to dig through menus to change a lot of parameters.
 

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Well that is cool as hell.
looks a lot like my A-E kit, though I don’t have the second floor tom.
and yes, the big kick is is a hassle to tote around. My plan was to keep it for the home only, but now that I have to lug it around, I’m thinking of a small acoustic kit for that action.
cool pics. Thanks for sharing.
 
Those look way nicer than any other e-kit. Sorry to hear they still struggle with e-kit things from the years of yor! A 22x20 kick is just annoying. It’s annoying enough on an acoustic set. Mind numbing when the size has no value. I’m great with the 22 part…
 
I'm a little surprised that you don't use an ekit with your Devo band. I'm glad it was a good experience for you!
 
Did you use the 4 PD-8 on your right ? Were they used as octobans / percussions?
 
PorkPieGuy said:
I'm a little surprised that you don't use an ekit with your Devo band. I'm glad it was a good experience for you!
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Spending $7k for a faked acoustic kit that you schlep like a real acoustic kit with only maybe 40% of the nuance you’re used to doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

Realize, when you have one of these high-end V-Drum kits, you better be out playing them so they can pay for themselves. And it better sound good. If the venues you play don’t provide sound, now you’re hauling a GOOD PA system for yourself too. I’m not ready to own a STEP VAN to haul all that stuff out for a $300 gig.
 
doggyd69b said:
I'm more curious to know what you thought of the sound. Do you feel it lacks when compared to your acoustic kit?. I know it will be different, but I have never found the Roland E-kits to sound bad going through a PA with a full band. About Dynamics... I spend a little (and I mean very little time) fiddling with my module, and I can get every nuance of the snare, the hats and the ride just fine, (Granted I have the digital pads which have more sensors). Also the TD-27 module is very easy to adjust just using the 4 buttons on the front so no need to dig through menus to change a lot of parameters.
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Well, I play my Zendrum with the ancient TD-10 module and that works great for that. So I don’t have a problem with the sounds. In this case, I had no access to the sound module - the venue doesn’t allow that. You play it how it’s programmed. So I didn’t get to find anything out about it. But really, if you’ve played enough acoustic drums as I and mostly everybody else here has, you really want to attempt a discussion on dynamics and nuances? Come on now 😉
 
Tamaefx said:
Nice looking set, though I don't get the idea of schlepping a 22x20 for a V drum.
I haven't played such high end V kit, but yes, dynamics aren't great and frankly, tweaking all day long the menus, curve, threshold, sensitivity, and so forth... in the hope of getting something we're use too, is a pain.
Even getting nice rim / head reaction, or pseudo realistic hi hat opening is useless. It does the job, but still it's frustrating.
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I concur. But kudos to the venue for deciding to buy their own and making it a requirement. At least they did all the work. A friend of mine came and saw the show who also plays there says he hates it - and he hates how I made it work 😉
 
Bo Eder said:
Well, I play my Zendrum with the ancient TD-10 module and that works great for that. So I don’t have a problem with the sounds. In this case, I had no access to the sound module - the venue doesn’t allow that. You play it how it’s programmed. So I didn’t get to find anything out about it. But really, if you’ve played enough acoustic drums as I and mostly everybody else here has, you really want to attempt a discussion on dynamics and nuances? Come on now 😉
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I have also played both for about 36 years so I know what both are capable of, I was just asking how you felt about it since its not what you usually gig with.
 
doggyd69b said:
I have also played both for about 36 years so I know what both are capable of, I was just asking how you felt about it since its not what you usually gig with.
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Ah. I feel it is what it is. The casino obviously doesn’t the band to interfere with the gambling and other things going on, so controlling the band seems like a no brained. I just roll with it. A buddy of mine who also plays there literally hates it and can’t seem to get his around the fact that it is what it is, so at least I’m not a complete curmudgeon about it. But I’m always impressed when I see what guys like Omar Hakim and Will Kennedy can do on them.
 
Tamaefx said:
Nice looking set, though I don't get the idea of schlepping a 22x20 for a V drum.
I haven't played such high end V kit, but yes, dynamics aren't great and frankly, tweaking all day long the menus, curve, threshold, sensitivity, and so forth... in the hope of getting something we're use too, is a pain.
Even getting nice rim / head reaction, or pseudo realistic hi hat opening is useless. It does the job, but still it's frustrating.
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I believe that kit Bo played is a Roland VAD 706. The kick drum is 22x18 not 22x20.

I own the Roland TD-50X drum module and have used it live and at home; it performs very well. It is true you DO have to spend time with the trigger presets to get it to respond how you play - mine is perfectly dialed in to where I can play all the drums and cymbals with just my fingers. Typically the higher-end modules like the 50 allow for more fine adjustments - I think some end users get frustrated on the lower end modules where you can't do it all.

I do agree that with most e-drums the hi-hat is the weakest link. I also have the EFNOTE 14" hi-hats which are probably the best out of all the manufacturers.
 
I played a lot of casino gigs in the 80's.
So Mr. Bo......where do they keep the "Secret Module Box"......and where did you plug in your pads?
 
As a couple of others have mentioned. You really need to work on your set up to get the nuance and dynamics spot on. Then if you were playing someone else's brain you'd want to load your own preset data in.
I find v-drums vs acoustics the same as acoustic vs electric piano. Almost a different instrument.
The guys who sound very realistic and seem well at home on their v-drums have worked on the settings and dialled in the sensitivity perfectly.
 
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