Roland TD-17 V-Drums Bluetooth and Coaching Functions

TD-17 V-Drums BLUETOOTH AUDIO

The Bluetooth feature of the Roland TD-17 V-Drums allows cable-free connection between smartphones to the TD-17 module.

Listen to sound from your mobile device together with your kit performance using the following simple steps below.

Contributed by Simon Ayton for the Roland Australia Blog

Recommended Article: Drummer’s Guide to the TD-17

Connecting V-Drums via Bluetooth

Connect the V-Drums kit via Bluetooth to hear audio stream directly through the sound module and out through the main and headphone outputs.

The sound of the selected kit you are playing will be blended together with the music which makes for fun and productive practice.

Watch drumming tutorials, performances and other content while listening with great sound quality.

No special app is required. The sound from your media device/phone will simply use the V-Drums sound module as the audio playback device.

Follow these simple steps to connect a Bluetooth device to the V-Drums sound module

Place the mobile device near the module or on the built-in dock Press the [SETUP] button.
Use the dial to select the “Bluetooth,” and press the [ENTER] button.
Press the [F1] (PAIRING) button.
The display indicates “Now Pairing…,” and this unit waits for a response from the mobile device. If you decide to cancel pairing, press [F1] (CANCEL)
Turn on the Bluetooth function of the mobile device.
Tap “TD-17 AUDIO” that is shown in the Bluetooth device screen of your mobile device.
When pairing succeeds, “TD-17 AUDIO” is added to the list of “Paired Devices” on your mobile device. In addition, this unit’s screen indicates “Connected.”
Press the [DRUM KIT] button to return to the KIT screen.

See the TD-17 Manual here for detailed info on this and many other features: TD-17 User Manual

Record and Save Your Performance

Once your mobile device is paired with the module, the real fun begins.

Press record on the module to capture the mobile device audio and your drums together in perfect quality directly into the module as a WAV recording.

Export this WAV file onto SD Card for further editing or layer it up with a video for a top quality performance video.

Follow these simple steps to connect a Bluetooth device and record the performance.

Turn on Bluetooth in the TD-17 Bluetooth function under SETUP-Bluetooth-ON
Turn on Bluetooth on your portable/streaming device and choose TD-17 AUDIO as the device
Confirm the TD-17 reports as “CONNECTED” and the Bluetooth indicator lights on the module
Start audio on the device and press the round [RECORD ‘O’] button on the module
When done, press [PLAY/STOP] on the module
Press the function button (EXPORT) to save the recording to SD Card to the ‘REC’ folder

TIP: “The TD-17 V-Drums Bluetooth feature allows transmission of MIDI performance note data too. “

Apps like GarageBand for iPhone can use this MIDI data to capture and trigger software at the same time as capturing the sound. Simply choose the TD-17 as both the MIDI and audio devices in the App.

COACHING FUNCTIONS

Arguably the most important role of the drummer is keeping time.

“Use these TD-17 coaching functions as training tools to push you to improve your timekeeping skills.”

The TD-17 coaching functions are designed to help improve your internal rhythm by providing real-time feedback on how you are doing.

Here are the modes and how they can help you make your technique shine.

TIME CHECK

Play along to the click monitoring your timing in real-time.

At the end of a user selected amount of bars, you are given a score.

“TIME CHECK helps you get a better understanding of your playing tendencies.”

In the TD-17 COACH MENU screen, press the [F1] (TIME CHECK) button

QUIET COUNT

“QUIET COUNT mode will help you develop a good sense of time and tempo. “

For the first few measures, the click is heard at the specified volume, but for the next few measures, the click is not heard. This cycle of several measures will continue until you stop it.

Mastering the quiet count mode involves finding a comfortable posture, aiming for a consistent stick height and hitting position and playing with a relaxed and repeatable groove.

In the TD-17 COACH MENU screen, press the [F2] (QUIET COUNT) button.

WARM UPS

In WARM UPS mode you’ll successively practice steps 1–3, be graded on your performance at each step and then receive a final evaluation.

You can choose one of three courses (5/10/15 minutes), ranging from easy to difficult.

You can also adjust the tempo according to your level of skill.

In the COACH MENU screen (p. 11), press the [F3] (WARM UPS) button.