It’s no secret that Roland is the leading manufacturer of electronic drums in the world.
You can’t have a conversation about e-kits without mentioning Roland. All their products are seriously high-quality and they make many different kits for every kind of drummer.
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced player, Roland has a kit that will work just for you. We’re going to look at some of their best kits and see what makes them so good.
When I sat behind the Roland VAD716, it was easy to forget I was playing an electronic kit. The full-sized wooden shells and chrome hardware make it feel and look like a premium acoustic drum set. The build quality is incredible, and I was especially impressed by the attention to detail in both the shell finishes and hardware.
Playing the VAD716, I immediately noticed how responsive the mesh heads were. They feel just like acoustic drums, and the TD-50X sound engine delivers over 900 sounds with impressive dynamics. During my test, I loved the positional sensing on the snare and the multi-zone cymbals. They allowed me to get the nuances and expression I’m used to from acoustic kits, especially when playing complex snare rolls or cymbal swells.
While setting it up was straightforward, I will say the kit is bulkier than other electronic kits I’ve played, making transport a bit tricky. But honestly, the added size is worth it if you’re looking for a kit that’s as close to an acoustic drum experience as possible.
I had a chance to sit behind the Roland TD716, and it didn’t disappoint. The TD-50X sound engine immediately stood out, offering over 900 sounds that felt dynamic and rich. Whether I was going for subtle ghost notes or hard-hitting rock fills, the kit’s responsiveness was on point.
The mesh heads provided a very natural feel, and the multi-zone cymbals allowed for a smooth transition between different playing techniques. The setup was relatively easy, though this kit leans more towards a professional studio environment due to its bulk.
Even though the TD716 is bigger than some other kits, its sound quality and overall playability are what really sold me. The positional sensing on the snare was a game-changer, making it feel like I was playing an acoustic set.
Roland has pushed boundaries even further with this kit, creating an electronic drum set that looks almost identical to an acoustic kit. The idea behind this kit is to have an acoustic aesthetic with all the electronic features of an e-kit.
The full-depth wooden shells are equipped with Roland’s classic mesh heads. They’re tunable, allowing you to get the tensions that you’re accustomed to from your acoustic drum set.
The kit also uses Roland’s Prismatic Sound Modeling technology. The kit comes with the Roland TD-27 module. It’s not as advanced as the TD-50 module. However, it still packs a serious amount of features and sounds.
The kit has full-sized cymbals, meaning the only difference it has from an acoustic set is that the sounds are electronic.
It’s a fantastic kit for anyone wanting the stage presence of an acoustic set with the innovation of an electronic one. In this line there’s also the Roland VAD706, the Roland VAD306 and the smaller VAD103.
The TD-27KV2 is advertised as Roland’s mid-level flagship kit. It has most of the features of the upper-tier kits, yet it comes at a more affordable price. It has the classic look of the electronic kits that everyone has come to know and love.
The two best features of this kit are the snare drum and the ride cymbal. The snare drum has 8 sensors, allowing you to play all kinds of dynamics and accented notes. It even sits on a snare stand. The ride cymbal is one of Roland’s best cymbal pads, having multiple playing zones and great responsiveness.
This kit is great for anyone who wants the professional quality of a high-end kit but doesn’t want to pay the excessive price of the top models. It’s still fairly expensive.
The TD-17KVX is another kit from Roland that is packed with many great features. It comes with the TD-17 module which has many sounds that derived from the TD-50. With 50 preset kits and over 300 onboard sounds, you have a lot to work with.
The kit has a fairly standard electronic setup with mesh heads. However, the three notable parts are the PDX-12 snare drum head, the KD-10 kick pad, and the VH-10 hi-hat. The snare pad has dual-triggers and produces lifelike responsiveness. The kick pad feels very similar to an acoustic kick even though it’s small. The hi-hat pad mounts to a standard hi-hat stand, something that isn’t commonly seen in electronic kits at this price.
Overall, it’s a great intermediate kit that will work in most professional situations.
A great Roland drum set will fit your situation. If you need a quiet kit that won’t bother anyone, a great Roland kit will have pads that don’t make a noise and user-friendly controls to make sure sound isn’t an issue. Thankfully, all Roland kits follow these designs.
A great Roland kit will also have great sounds. Roland creates their samples from scratch instead of sampling them from acoustic studio drum kits. This gives you more control over how they sound. Every Roland kit has some immaculate sound quality and fantastic preset drum kits.
In our pursuit of a comprehensive and unbiased review of Roland’s respected line of electronic drum sets, we employed a rigorous testing methodology that aimed to evaluate every aspect of performance, feel, and overall quality. Here’s a glimpse into our process:
The results of these meticulous testing methods provided us with an in-depth understanding of what Roland’s electronic drum sets have to offer.
It allowed us to present a balanced view, containing both the achievements and potential areas of improvement for each kit, ensuring that our readers can make informed decisions based on their unique drumming requirements and aspirations.
The best Roland kit would be their flagship electronic drum set, the Roland TD-50KV. It’s packed with a serious amount of useful functions as well as quality sounds.
It also feels extremely realistic to play on, blending the worlds of electronic and acoustic drumming. It’s very expensive, yet the quality is well worth the hefty price.
The best electronic drum sets are the ones with many features and good sounds. They also have realistic mesh pads that are responsive and tuneable. They’re durable, lasting you many years of use.
Every company that sells electronic kits have top-quality models on offer. The most popular brands of electronic kits are Roland, Yamaha, and Alesis. Some other companies that sell electronic kits are Pearl and Medeli.
This is a great debate that will never have a concrete answer. Roland and Yamaha are undoubtedly the two main players in the electronic drum kit market. The two companies have some differences in their product designs.
Firstly Roland kits have mesh heads while Yamaha kits have silicone heads. Both are intended to feel like acoustic drum heads and have realistic response. Mesh and silicone heads feel fairly different from each other, but they have the same goal.
The second big difference is that Roland creates their own samples while Yamaha uses samples from their established lines of acoustic drums.
Some drummers prefer Yamaha kits while others prefer Roland kits. There’s something for everyone from both brands. So, it comes down to personal preference.
Electronic drum kits aren’t as good as acoustic drum kits. However, they’re great tools for quiet practicing and using sounds that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to produce. Every drummer would benefit from having an e-kit. They’ll allow you to practice late into the night.
Hybrid drumming has become a huge thing in modern drumming. Mixing electronic and acoustic drums seems to be the way of the future. So, electronic drum sets are great for getting into that.
Yes, Roland is widely recognized as one of the leading brands in electronic drum technology. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Roland offers a range of drum kits that cater to beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals alike. Their V-Drums series is particularly praised for its responsiveness, realism, and robust build.
For beginners looking to enter the world of electronic drumming, the Roland TD-1KV is often considered a superb starting point.
It offers an affordable entry without sacrificing quality, allowing newcomers to explore various drumming styles and techniques. With user-friendly features and a design that can grow with the player’s skills, it’s an investment that provides both value and lasting enjoyment.
The Roland TD-50X drum module stands out as one of the best in the lineup, particularly for professionals and serious enthusiasts.
It’s utilized across Roland’s top-tier kits and offers a vast array of customizable sounds, precise control, and unparalleled connectivity. This module’s extensive capabilities enable drummers to tailor their sound to perfection, making it an excellent choice for both live performance and studio recording.
Both Roland and Alesis are reputable brands, but they often cater to different needs and preferences. Roland is generally seen as the industry standard for electronic drum kits, known for their high-end quality, innovation, and professional-grade features.
Alesis, on the other hand, offers a wide range of options with great value, particularly for those on a budget or just starting out. While Roland might be preferred by professionals and those seeking top-tier performance, Alesis can be an excellent choice for those looking for affordability without compromising too much on quality. The “better” choice will ultimately depend on individual needs, preferences, and budget.
Electronic drum kits have become a lot more accessible in recent times. Although the products on this list have been very expensive, there are a lot of affordable high-quality electronic drum kits out there.
They won’t offer the same sound quality and features though. So, if you’re looking for the best of the best from Roland, consider buying one of the kits from the list above.
Once you decided what drum kit is for you check a good amp and this guide con amplification.
Drum Teacher
Brett Clur has a Drum Performance Diploma from Trinity College London has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.
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