Aside from RSAD, cabling, speaks and all things audio, another of my passions is percussion. Ha! You wouldn't want to be inside my head a lot of times when music's playing. I've built this internal clock thing and I'm always counting. It's just a habit now..."where's the '1' and what could I put in space to make it grove?" I drive my students nuts with three things:
Love this kit. Re-worked all the bearing edges. Tone and Sustain are now exceptional. Kit as I use it now.
Too Damned big.... ...especially when I had to haul it
Set up when I first got 'em. Big kit = lots of options :)
Another shot.... Kind of a cool image
The big Sabian Thunder Sheet in the upper left corner is pretty cool!
Movin on... Roland TD-20k w/Expansion Brd
For electronic drums the latest TD-20 is absolutely incredible! They feel like real drums and sound as good. Even the latest cymbals and brass sound convincing. Most elect.drums sound like SH%T. Plus, the different drum kit and percussion options are almost endless.
Hi Shadorne. (Sorry 'bout messing up spelling your name last post.)
Quiet practice is ben'y for sure but I've already got a small pad kit for at home practice. I've got a set of Shure SE110 Ear buds too - Those will be nice to use with the TDs.
I'll have to check out the V forum. Thanks for the tip!
Hey Grant.
One of the aspects of the electronic kit.... What found after going briefly to an acoustic set...
Yep - Although I will set these up similar to my acoustic kit. Really don't have an issue or need about getting a more compact playing space. I use the distance between stuff to kinda set up a feel or allow myself to time to 'breath' the groove. You might be able to "dance" faster in a smaller, more compact space but you can "dance" with more freedom and efficiency when you have the appropriate space. I really look for a kit set up to be more about promoting facility rather than so much quickness or even speed. If the facility is right for a given playing style, speed and quickness kind of take care of themselves. Does that make sense?
I do love the fact that I won't need a rodie team to haul the TDs. Not that I've had a rodie but it gets real old hauling, setting up, tearing down and hauling the acoustic kit or some variation of it.
One of the aspects of the electronic kit that I liked was the compactness. Everything is in very close proximity (if you want it to be so), so moving quickly around the kit was easier.
What found after going briefly to an acoustic set after exclusively playing an electronic set for two years was that I had to adjust to the distance to each drum and cymbal, and rather than "knowing" where they were and being able to play instinctively, I had look and think about how far to reach.
I know exactly what you're saying Grant and I know there will be some regret. I wrestled with this for over a year. Wished I could keep both but I can't.
I agree with Tvad. Electronic drums are convenient, flexible and sound awesome but they are still only a pale shadow of the real thing. But hey, it allows you to practice at all hours of the day and night and it makes it easy to make a great sounding amateur recording - so I'm all for V-drums! (Recording acoustic drums well is a real PITA)
You'll also benefit from hanging out in the V-drums.com forums and learn all the little tricks (unapproved mods) to get the most out of whatever brain & extras you decide on. There are hi-hat foot pedal and CY ride trigger mods that you may need to get the best sensitivity and feel out of your kit - nothing that you can't fix with a bit of felt, plastic and duct tape!
I know exactly what you're saying Grant and I know there will be some regret. I wrestled with this for over a year. Wished I could keep both but I can't.
I've actually played the 20 on several occasions so I understand about the trade offs. In my situation it's like six of one and half dozen of another. If my situation was strictly based on what I want I'd stick with the acoustic kit for sure. And I'd have to add that 42" concert bass - I just think that would be so cool to have and there's been plenty of times where I could have used it to great affect.
But, it's more practical to consider what I need instead of want. TD-20 fits that bill very well.
LOL!...I see some of the retail stores on YouTube (and maybe on one of Roland's demo's) who are promoting these to sell. In some of these, one of their MAIN selling points is, with the expansion board, you have over 10,000 different kits to choose from!" I'm thinkin' "...Yea, right! I'm gonna run right out and buy one of these because I need 10,000 drum kits! and I have a frantic obsessive need to school Bozzio." LOL! In one respect kinda reminds me of THIS. Funny stuff.
Robert, don't do it! Don't sell the acoustic kit. You'll regret it, IMO.
I owned a Roland/Pintech kit based on the Roland TD-8 brain. All the drum triggers had mesh heads (essential). The hi-hat trigger was Roland as was the snare (great design). I used a DW double bass drum pedal.
Playing the electronic kit was a blast, but it didn't approach the feel, reach, and connection to a real kit.
You'll have a ball with the Roland kit, but I predict you'll miss the Ludwig birch drums and real cymbals in short order.
BTW...I have a 1978 Ludwig Big Beat kit in Blue Vistalite w/24" bass drum. Five Zildjian cymbals, and one Paiste ride. Ludwig hardware and Speedking pedal. Drums are in Incredible condition. Original owner. I should sell it as I never play anymore.
...in case anyone might know of someone whose interested. I'm in LA, CA.
I have the Roland TD-9 with all mesh pads and love it. You can see the kit on my virtual system. I was lucky enough to get one of the firsts of these new kits brought into Canada (March 2008). I'd recommend V Expressions as a good source to get ready made great sounding kits. I love the versatility of V-drums - at the touch of a button you can have a totally different sound. They are not quite as dynamic sounding as a real acoustic kit but are extremely useful for practicing quietly.
