Expanding And Customizing Your V-Drums

EXPANDING AND CUSTOMIZING YOUR V-DRUMS

Drummers love expanding and customizing their acoustic and V-Drums kits. Upgrading V-Drums is easy too as you’ll see in this helpful guide.

Customization helps to reflect a drummers personality, as well as assisting them to fit into any musical situation.

Already well known for their huge possibilities for great sounds and playability, Roland’s V-Drums are also capable of some fantastic customizing.

Apart from making sure you have the latest software updates for your instrument, there are many ways of adding new possibilities and excitement to your drumming and your sound.

Let’s look at the expansion options for the current range of V-Drums instruments.

Contributed by Simon Ayton for the Roland Australia Blog

 

Monitoring

playing drum

Before we start on all the things you can add to your kit, you need to be able to hear it first!

To enjoy playing electronic percussion, some form of monitoring system is required.

For a great experience, it’s critical to choose a monitoring system designed specifically for electronic drumming. 

Amplifiers designed for electronic drums are able to reproduce mono and stereo instruments and have the power and durable, efficient speakers to push air and reproduce the huge dynamic and frequency range of drums and the music drummers play to.

Roland has been designing speakers and amplifiers for musicians in mind for decades and has several models to suit any style and player.

In conjunction with headphone specialists V-Moda, Roland has designed the world’s first headphones especially made for electronic drummers. Long cable, ear covering dual drivers, holder clip and with low impedance and EQ to give drums the power and presence drummers love.

Headphones

vmhd1 headphones

 

Roland V-Moda VMH-D1 Headphones
Roland V-Moda VMH-D1 Headphones
VMH-D1 Headphones designed for electronic drums and percussion
 

Amplifiers

pmamp player
PM-200
Roland PM-200 Drum Amplifier

 

PM-100 80 Watt powered monior wedge
PM-200 150 Watt powered montior wedge with direct outs
PM-03 2.1 Stereo monitoring system 
 

Expanding the SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad

Trigger inputs: 4x Head and Rim triggers (Dual zone) or splittable using an insert cable

STP-200

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
PDS-20: Stand

VH-10: V-Drums Hi-Hat

FD-9: Controlling HH open and close or switching layers

RT-30K: Triggering an acoustic kick drum

RT-30HR: Triggering an acoustic snare drum or tom
BT-1: Externally triggering samples or loops
KT-10: For triggering a sound
FS-6: Dual foot-switch for changing kits, triggering sounds or controlling parameters
FC-300: Foot Controller 

EV-5: Expression Pedal 

Expanding the SPD-SX Special Edition Sampling Pad

Roland SPD-SX Special Edition
 Roland SPD-SX Special Edition Sampling Pad

STP-200Trigger inputs: 2x Head and Rim triggers (Dual zone) or splittable using an insert cable

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13 & HH controllers, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
PDS-20: Stand
RT-30K: Triggering an acoustic kick drum
BT-1: Externally triggering samples or loops
KT-10: For triggering a sound
FS-6: Dual footswitch for changing kits, triggering sounds or controlling parameters
FC-300: Foot Controller

Related Articles:
EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITIES WITH YOUR SPD-SX
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE SPD-SX SAMPLE PAD
HOW TO ADD SAMPLES TO YOUR V-DRUMS
ROLAND SPD-SX SAMPLING PAD VS ROLAND OCTAPAD SPD-30

Expanding the OCTAPAD SPD-20PRO Percussion Controller

Trigger inputs: 4x Head and Rim triggers (Dual Zone) or splittable using an insert cable. HHC input (hi-hat control)

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR & VH12/VH13, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
PDS-20: Stand
KT-10: For triggering a kick drum
KD-7: Kick trigger
FD-9: Controlling HH open and close or switching layers
CY-12C-T: Crash cymbal
CY-5: Small crash or Hi-Hat

Expanding the OCTAPAD SPD-30 Percussion Controller

Roland OCTAPAD SPD-30
 Roland OCTAPAD SPD-30

Trigger inputs: 4x Head and Rim triggers (Dual Zone) or splittable using an insert cable. HHC input (hi-hat control).

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR & VH12/VH13, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
PDS-20: Stand
KT-10: For triggering a kick drum
KD-7: Kick trigger
FD-9: Controlling HH open and close or switching layers
CY-12C: Crash cymbal
CY-5: Small crash or Hi-Hat

Related Article:
ROLAND SPD-SX SAMPLING PAD VS ROLAND OCTAPAD SPD-30

Expanding the TM-1 Trigger Module

 Roland TM-1 Trigger Module

STP-200
 Insert Cable for splitting dual trigger inputs

Trigger inputs: 1x Head and Rim trigger (Dual Zone) or splittable using an insert cable (HOSA STP-204RR)

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13 & HH controllers, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
RT-30K: Triggering an acoustic kick drum
RT-30HR: Triggering an acoustic snare drum or tom

BT-1: Externally triggering samples or loops

FREE TM-1 samples available from Roland artist 
Chris Whitten through CP Samples

Expanding the TM-2 Trigger Module

Roland TM-2 V-Drums Trigger Module
  Roland TM-2 V-Drums Trigger Module

Trigger inputs: 2x Head and Rim triggers (Dual Zone) or splittable using an insert cable (HOSA STP-204RR)

STP-200

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13 & HH controllers, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
PDS-20: Stand
RT-30K: Triggering an acoustic kick drum
RT-30HR: Triggering an acoustic snare drum or tom

Expanding the TM-6 PRO Trigger Module

Roland TM-6 PRO Trigger Module
 Roland TM-6 PRO Trigger Module

STP-200

Trigger inputs: 6x Head and Rim triggers (Dual Zone) or splittable using an insert cable (HOSA STP-204RR)

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
PDS-20: Stand
RT-30K: Triggering an acoustic kick drum
RT-30HR: Triggering an acoustic snare drum or tom
KD-10: Kick trigger
FD-9: Controlling HH open and close or switching layers
CY-14C-T or CY-16R-T & MDY-STD or MDY-12: Crash cymbal & mount
BT-1: Externally triggering samples or loops

 

Chris Whitten
 Roland Artist Chris Whitten
Additional TM-6PRO samples available from Roland artist 
Chris Whitten through CP Samples

Expanding the TD-1K/KV V-Drums

Roland TD-1KV V-Drums Kit 

Roland TD-1K V-Drums Kit

Trigger inputs: 1x additional crash for TD1K

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
TDM-3: Mat
KD-10: Kick trigger for conventional kick pedal
OP-TD1C: Extra crash cymbal for TD-1K

Expanding the TD-1DMK V-Drums

Roland TD-1DMK V-Drums Kit
 Roland TD-1DMK V-Drums Kit
 

Trigger inputs: 1x additional crash

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
TDM-10: Mat
MDY-12 or MDY-STD: Cymbal arm

CY-5: Extra crash cymbal

Expanding the TD-02 Series V-Drums Kits

Roland TD-02 Series
Roland TD-02K
Roland TD-02KV

Additional Trigger inputs: 1x CRASH2 input

Trigger compatibility: All except digital trigger: PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13/VH14D

Typical Add-ons:
OP-TD1C: Additional Crash
KD-10: Upright, double kick compatible trigger. Mechanical kick pedal(s) required. Available separately (Swap with supplied silent kick pedal)

CY-13R: 3 way edge, bow, bell Ride (SWAP with current ride. Uses the CRASH2 as the bell control)

BOSS BT DUAL Bluetooth MIDI/Audio Adaptor

Expanding the TD-07KV V-Drums

 
 

Trigger inputs: 1x additional crash

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13, VH-14D

Typical Add-ons:
TDM-10: Mat
MDY-12 or MDY-STD: Cymbal arm

CY-5: Extra crash cymbal

Expanding the TD-17KL/KV/KVX V-Drums

Roland TD-17KVX V-Drums Kit
 Roland TD-17KVX V-Drums Kit

Trigger inputs: 2x additional dual head & rim (1x KVX)

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13

Typical Add-ons:
CY-12C-T or CY-16R-T & MDY-STD or MDY-12: Crash cymbal & mount
PDX-100 & MDH-STD or MDH-12: 10″ Mesh head trigger pad
TDM-10: Mat

Expanding the TD-25K/KV/KVX V-Drums

Roland TD-25KVX V-Drums KIt
 Roland TD-25KVX V-Drums KIt

Trigger inputs: 2x additional dual head & rim on TD-25K, 1x additional dual head & rim on TD-25KV/KVX

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13

Typical Add-ons:
TDM-20: Mat
CY-14C-T or CY-16R-T & MDY-STD or MDY-12: Crash cymbal & mount
PDX-100 & MDH-STD or MDH-12: Extra tom pad & mount

 

Expanding the TD-27KV/KV2

 

Roland TD-27KV2
 

Trigger inputs: 3x additional dual head & rim AUX1-3

(1 additional Digital Trigger in on the TD-27KV for digital HH etc)

Trigger compatibility: All

Typical Add-ons:

VH-14D 14″ digital hi-hat (TD-27KV) 

TDM-20: Mat

KD-180 or KD-220 18″ or 22″ Kick Triggers

CY-14C-T or CY-16R-T & MDY-STD or MDY-12: Crash cymbal & mount
PDX-100 & MDH-STD or MDH-12: Extra tom pad & mount

Related Articles:
HOW TO ADD SAMPLES TO YOUR V-DRUMS
SUPERCHARGE YOUR DRUMMING WITH A HYBRID KIT

Expanding the VAD-706 V-Drums

Trigger inputs: 4x additional dual head & rim

Trigger compatibility: All

Typical Add-ons:

TDM-20: Mat
KD-222: Additional 22″ Maple kick drum with integrated trigger (K/KV)
PDA-140F Additional 14″ Floor Tom
Additional crash CY-14C-T or CY-16R-T & DBS-10 Cymbal boom stand

MDS-STAGE2 Rack System

Expanding the TD-50K/KV/KVX & K2/KV2 V-Drums


Trigger inputs: 4x additional dual head & rim

Trigger compatibility: All

Typical Add-ons:

VH-14D 14″ digital hi-hat 
TDM-20: Mat
KD-220: 22″ Maple kick drum with integrated trigger (K/KV)
SPD-SX: Sampling pad
BT-1: Externally triggering samples or loops
CY-14C-T or CY-16R-T & MDY-STD or MDY-STG or MDY-25: 14” Crash & mount

Related Article:
SUPERCHARGE YOUR DRUMMING WITH A HYBRID KIT

Expanding the V-Drum Acoustic Design 1, 3 and 5 series Kits 

VAD-103
Roland VAD103

Trigger inputs: 1x Tom2 head & rim input

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13

Typical Add-ons:

PDA100L-BK 10″ Tom

OR

PDA120L-BK 12″ Tom

DCS-10 Combo Tom & Cymbal stand

TDM-20: Mat
CY-16R-T Upgrade to 16″ crash/replace the standard 12″ crash

MDS-GRAND2 Rack System

Roland VAD307

Trigger inputs: 1x additional dual head & rim

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13

Typical Add-ons:
TDM-20: Mat
CY-12C-T or CY-16R-T 

DBS-10 Cymbal Boom Stand

MDS-GRAND2 Rack System

Roland VAD504

Trigger inputs: 3x additional dual head & rim AUX1-3

Trigger compatibility: All

Typical Add-ons:

VH-14D 14″ digital hi-hat (VAD503)

TDM-20: Mat

PDA-120-MS 12″ Tom and clamp stand

DCS-10 Combination Stand and clamp

DBS-10 Cymbal Boom Stand
CY-14C-T or CY-16R-T 14″ Crash or 16″ Crash/Ride

MDS-GRAND2 Rack System

Roland VAD507

Trigger inputs: 3x additional dual head & rim AUX1-3

Trigger compatibility: All

Typical Add-ons:

VH-14D 14″ digital hi-hat (VAD506)

TDM-20: Mat

PDA-140F-MS 14″ Floor Tom

KD-200 20″ Kick Trigger

DBS-10 Cymbal Boom Stand

CY-14C-T or CY-16R-T 14″ Crash or 16″ Crash/Ride

MDS-GRAND2 Rack System

Trigger inputs: 1x additional dual head & rim

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH11/VH12/VH13

Typical Add-ons:
PDS-20: Stand
KT-9: For triggering a kick drum
KD-7: Kick trigger
FS-5U: Footswitch

EC-10m

Trigger inputs: 1x Head and Rim triggers (Dual Zone) or splittable using an insert cable

Trigger compatibility: All except PD-140DS, CY-18DR, VH12/VH13 & HH controllers

Typical Add-ons:
KT-9: For triggering a sound
KT-10: For triggering a sound

Upgrading your V-Drums kit

Exchanging your V-Drums module for a higher level model is the most effective way to boost functionality, playability and enjoyment.

Thanks to compatibility between components in the V-Drums range, it is easy to upgrade your kit to a newer model by simply replacing the sound module.

Modules and components are available separately, so simply choose the upgrade path that suits you. Here are some typical upgrades.

1. TD-12 | TD-20 | TD-30 | TD-27 | TD-50=> TD-50X
TD-50X Module or TD-50X upgrade 

2. TD-9K/KV | TD-11K/KV | TD-15K/KV => TD-17 or TD-27
TD-17 Module  or TD-27 Module + CY-16R-T Ride

3. TD-4K/KV => TD-17
TD-17 Module + CY13R Ride + PDX-12 Mesh Snare Pad

4. TD-1K/KV
PDX-8 Mesh Snare Pad
(L-Rod needed from Roland spares-Contact your dealer)

5. TD-25=> TD-27
TD-27 Module + PD-140-DS Digital Snare + CY-18-DR Digital ride + VH-14D 14″ Digital hi-hat 

Related Articles

blueprint kit
Build Your Dream Kit!

Related Posts

Scroll to Top

SIGN UP TO DOWNLOAD
THESE TD-17 CUSTOM PATCHES

TD-17 Patch

Created by Roland V-Drums specialist Simon Ayton, these patches were designed using the internal factory sounds and many of the techniques covered in the TD-17 guide. Enjoy exploring the possibilities!

download

SIGN UP TO DOWNLOAD
THIS TD-50 CUSTOM PATCHES

Created by Roland V-Drums specialist Simon Ayton, these patches were designed using the internal factory sounds and many of the techniques covered in the TD-50 guide. Enjoy exploring the possibilities!