What is the hardest thing to do when it comes to buying an electronic drum set? Well, for many people, it’s the high price tag on these kits.
I have been in such a situation many times. The thought of spending a lot of money sends me back to my acoustic kits.
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No one would think you are wrong for doing such things. After all, e-kits don’t sound usually sound a good as their authentic counterparts.
Traditional pads don’t just have the tone and goodness of real drums – if you know what I mean.
But then, something changed inside of me a few years ago, and I decided to give it a try, thanks to Roland s V drums quality.
The company has really tried to bring out the authenticity of real drums in their e-kits. And now you can get one that feels and sounds as good.
One such product is the entry-level Roland TD1KV. It has set new standards in the realm of affordable electronic drums.
It is not just a quality product; it is also priced at the most convenient level. This means you get to enjoy the benefits of high-quality kits at low prices.
In this guide, I will be discussing:
- The goodness and limitations of the Roland TD1-KV
- Its comparison with other kits from Alesis and Yamaha at the same price range.
Come along.
Roland TD-1K Review
Roland is not a new brand in the market of electronic drum sets. It is easily the best company you will find out there.
When Roland introduced V-drums, they marked a whole new territory for themselves. And now these are the most popular kits around.
Ask anyone about the best e-drum kits, and they will not fail to mention Roland’s V-Drums.
The Roland TD-1K features among the best electronic drum sets from the manufacturer at affordable prices. The kit is made perfect for any modern drummer who needs genuine sounds without breaking the bank.
Who is the kit for?
There is no doubt that Roland makes the best drum kits. And even though their products are priced higher than other brands, it would be worth your investment.
The Roland TD-1K is not the best you can get from the manufacturer. It is designed to offer and affordable solution.
It is a good kit for any drummer:
Beginners
One good thing about entry-level kits is that they don’t have to be too expensive. But that does not also mean they should be poor in quality.
This one kit a beginner will find very convenient. It comes with everything you need to start playing right from the box.
Also, the drum kit is straightforward to assemble, which makes it ideal for learners. It is constructed with the best quality to withstand an aggressive beating. Hence, it will serve you for a long time before you think about getting a new one.
Experienced drummers
As an experienced drummer, you probably own a high acoustic and electronic kit that you use for gigging.
However, you still want to practice from home. Or perhaps run through your gig offstage before the real action.
For this reason, you should have a cheap kit. This is where the Roland TD-1K can come in handy.
Besides, you want to keep your real kit from damages that can happen from constant use. Instead, have a practice kit like the TD 1K at home just in case you need one.
Parents
If you are a parent who wants to surprise their kits with a perfect birthday present, this should be a good product. Perhaps you have noticed their interest in drums, and you wish to support their dreams.
It is not overly expensive, so it should be just fine. Roland has never disappointed when it comes to offering the best quality.
Configuration
When I first opened the TD 1K electronic drum set in this review, I was not sure it had everything as advertised. Sometimes I fear shopping from online stores.
But I was glad that my dealer was genuine.
The kit came configured with:
- One strong drum rack with a quick in and easy to adjust the height. Hence, good for all drummers
- One mesh head PDX-8 snare pad
- A beater-less kick drum pedal
- A beater-less hi-hat pedal
- Three rubber tom-toms
- TD-KV electronic drum brain
- Three pairs of sticks
- One audio cable
- A piece of cloth for polishing
As you can see, it comes with everything you need to start using.
Features
The first thing I noticed about the Roland TD 1K is the small footprint it leaves. It measures 37 by 18 by 12 inches, which makes it easy to transport.
It is also easy on your budget, and yet very good in terms of quality and functionality. The hi-hat is my favorite/
I also noticed that the frame that holds the components is very sturdy. Most beginner sets do not have such quality hardware, which keeps Roland at the top of the list.
It is easy and sweet to play on. The mesh snare head assures a different rebound and feel. It is not only realistic but comfortable too.
You will also like the kick and hi-hat pedal on the TD K1 electronic drum set. They are very easy to position, so any player can use them.
Also, the hi-hat and kick pedals have a great rebound, which makes every stroke count. It makes you feel the elaborate rhythms from every pad.
You can adjust the tension on the hi-hat, letting you play the perfect sound. And you don’t even have to struggle to do this. Simply touch the pedal without hitting the hat, and you get a different tone.
It creates sound from the cymbal’s top and bottom sides as if they are hitting each other. I am sure a lot of drummers will be satisfied with this quality.
Another aspect you will love is the choke-able ride and crash cymbals. And the ride gives out a bell sound when hit more aggressively.
Above everything, it is the mesh snare and the bass pedal that stand out. They are velocity-sensitive components, which is music to the ear of every drummer.
Play soft, and you will get a soft sound. Or play harder, and the kit will surprise you with a warm volume.
When I was trying it out, my curiosity led me to discover 15 very useful sound kit options on the module. They are of good quality and most of them very current.
But if you think these kits are not enough, adding custom kits through a USB connection is an option. It works with most DAWs, so this should not be a problem.
Electronic drums are all about experimenting with different options. And they TD-1K delivers than need.
You can use them for specific types of gigs. But for me, it is all about silent practice, where I find them very convenient. Hence, this drum set will be the perfect solution if you don’t want to disturb your family members.
As if that is not enough, you can still use it for intensive performance.
Connecting this kit to headphones lets, you play nicely even if kids are sleeping in the same room.
Roland TD-1K Electronic Drum set construction
I have used a lot of e-kits over the past few years. Hence, I know that having a reliable product is very important.
It is not worth anything having a super cool kit that cannot withstand an aggressive and constant beating. It would be best if you had something reliable for your endless practice sessions.
The Roland TD-1K is a portable kit that consumes a very small space. You can move the components around to let other players on board.
I used the Roland TD 1K in the most intense situation because I needed to know how much it can hand. It did not disappoint.
The Drum Pad
The rack toms and the floor toms on this kit are made from gum rubber. This is why they respond well, and hence, easy on your hands and wrists.
Some older e-drums pads have callous rubber pads, which are not very comfortable on your hands. Rubber pads are known for causing pain when you plain with bare hands, unlike a real drum kit, which is gentler.
The snare drum features a mesh head, which makes it more useful. One can adjust the tension to get the right tones.
The Module
Now to the most important part of any e-drum set – the module. The one on the Roland TD-1K comes with different useful functions.
First, it features 15 different kit sound options from a different genre. This feature is made more useful with a metronome, allowing you to play along with your favorite tones.
Record what you have played and listen to it later. This is all thanks to the coach function. This function can come in an experienced drummer as it lets you check your meter.
The module also features an easy time setting and Drop Out setting, which indicates where you are on the beat. Students will find this function very useful.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- 15 built-in kit sounds
- Easy to set up
- Durable
- Good connectivity
Cons
- Resistance on the bass and hi-hat pedals can be frustrating for more advanced drummers
- You cannot adjust volumes for the drums and the music separately when played together
- The mesh heads cannot withstand brushes
Alesis Nitro Mesh kit vs Yamaha DTX402K vs Roland TD-1K
Electronic drum sets have come a long way. And now it is very easy to find and affordable option, thanks to the advancement in the industry as witnessed over the past few years.
It was very hard to practice drums when space and noise were involved. But today, we can smile that there are lots of options to choose from.
It is amazing what $500 can get you today.
Alesis Nitro mesh kit, Yamaha DTX402K, and Roland TD-1K are the three top choices in this price range.
I was able to try out each of the kits, and I must admit manufacturers are really trying. Getting the winner was not easy.
The Alesis Nitro mesh kit delivers a semi-real feel, Yamaha’s D402 module offers the most apps, while the Roland is all about elegance and pedigree.
This makes it hard for anyone drummer to choose one. They are all good in their own rights, and each has something unique to offer.
Specifications
The Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit is configured with:
- One dual-zone 8-inch mesh snare
- Three 8-inch single-zone mesh tomes
- Three 10-inch cymbals
- A kick drum tower and pedal
- Integrated hat pedal
- A module with 40 kits, 385 sounds, stereo in/out, Aux-in, USB MIDI out, 5-pin MIDI in/out.
The Yamaha DTX402K comes with:
- Four single-zone 8-inch rubber pads on snare and toms
- Three 10-inch cymbals one for the hi-hat
- Beater-less kick drum pedal
- Integrated hi-hat controller pedal
- A drum module with ten kits, 287 sound, stereo headphones out, aux in, USB MIDI out
The Roland TD-1K features:
- Four single-zone rubber toms,
- One mesh snare pad
- Three cymbals
- Beater-less kick drum pedal
- Integrated hi-hat pedal
- Drum module with 15 kits, stereo headphone out, aux in, USB MIDI out
In terms of configuration, I would say the Alesis has won the day. The mesh heads, many kits, and sounds, and different connections on the module makes it an ideal drum kit for any drummer.
Build
Electronic drums are very useful in terms of portability and silence. But they also have the limitation of getting spoiled easily, especially when played with sticks.
However, I was very surprised at the quality products, $500 can get you from the three top manufactures. The e-drum manufacturing quality has greatly improved, and it’s not hard to see this.
The pads, racks, and pedals of these kits are designed to withstand hard times for many years. They come with the best construction to offer incredible services to the user.
On one side, the Roland carries a tree-style rack. This might not be as sturdy as the multi-post frames on the Alesis and Yamaha. But you will be surprised at how sturdy it gets in the action.
Another important aspect to consider when looking at the build quality of e-drums is the pads’ materials. Alesis has included all-mesh pads, which brings you even close to real acoustic drums.
But this does not mean the Roland and the Yamaha are any bad. Their rubber pads are just as effective.
For instance, Roland TD 1K has use gum rubber on the toms, which is softer than traditional rubber. The snare features a mesh material, which makes it stand out from the other components.
The Alesis Nitro Mesh kit comes with a standalone pedal, which most drummers will find very interesting as well.
These featured don’t have to be the decider, but you must agree they are quite attractive. They make all the difference.
I cannot fail to say something about the three modules. They come housed in plastic casings, and they are not complicated.
Features
This is perhaps the most crucial aspect of e-drums that most drummers look for. And in this case, each kit has something to be proud of.
Alesis’s Nitro mesh heads and the kick tower sets it apart from the other kits. But it appears to have some limitations concerning the noises it makes.
This kit carries 385 onboard sounds in 40 editable drum kits. You have more than 287 sounds and 10 kits on the DTX402, while you cannot edit the 15 kits on the TD-1K. This is where Roland seems to have lost the battle.
However, you may only need one or two kits from any of these drum sets. Or, if you need more, you can try running them from a software drum kit on your laptop.
You don’t need to put too much weight on the kits and sounds with this in mind. The TD-1K may have a few kits, but they are arguably the best you can get out there.
Connectivity is another crucial aspect of e-drum kits. It determines the performance that drummers record as MIDI using software like DAW.
You can improve the sounds greatly once triggered, allowing you to make good tuned. Connecting to tools like Superior Drummer 3’s Toontracks or BFD3 from FXpansion offers a wide range of useful features.
The three kits all come with MIDI to USB connection. Alesis Nitro Mesh hosts 5-pin MIDI DIN socket ins and outs. Yamaha’s DTX 402K allows sending audio through the USB port.
Other connections, including stereo headphones out and AUX minijack, are ubiquitous. Alesis has added them on the Nitro Mesh for connection to amps.
These three kits are built for beginners. Hence, you will find coach functions in each, helping you improve different aspects of your drumming.
Playability
As you would expect, the Nitro Mesh offers a more natural feel and sound due to the mesh pads. They are superior to the rubber pads.
Roland has upgraded the TD-1K with a mesh snare and gum rubber on the toms and cymbals. This makes them sound better.
With that said, do not think rubber pads on the DTX402K and TD-1K are not any good. You can get them to sound amazingly good.
The pads are well-calibrated with dynamic ranges, responsive pedals, and dual-zone choke-able cymbals. You will love how responsive they are.
Verdict
Which of these three electronic drum kits should you go for? They all have similar features and retail at the same price.
Everything from configuration to build quality to the I/O seems to agree. While none can pass real kits, they can give you a good performance.
In my opinion, you should go for the mesh heads. They have clearer tonic purity, all at a great price. But then, it all depends on what you find more convincing.