Another update from one of the biggest names in electronic drums...
A couple of issues ago we had the pleasure of spending some time with the latest upgrade to Roland’s TD9 range, the TD9K2 & TD9KX2, both of which are great kits to play, with the upgraded features adding quite a lot to the playability of the already popular range. Not a company to rest on their laurels, Roland have also recently upgraded their TD4 range of affordable V-Drums, so let’s see how they fare.
Construction
Both the TD4K2 and TD4KX2 come with the sleekly designed MDS-4 rack as standard, which provides an extremely sturdy mounting system without being overly fussy – a trait that is common throughout Roland’s range of e-kits, and as such is a breeze to set up in, with clear, easy instructions making the process particularly speedy. Onto the first upgraded feature, and from the ground (literally) up, the first change for both kits is the inclusion of the KD9, Roland’s new(ish) kick drum pad, which like its predecessor, the KD8, is a stand-alone unit – the difference being that the KD9 offers a more realistic response and playing surface via a cloth head as opposed to a hard rubber pad. Onto the pads, and from here on in both kits are slightly different. The TD4K2 comprises a mesh head PDX8 for snare duties, while the toms are all rubber PD8 pads, accompanied by a CY-5 cymbal pad for hi-hat and two CY-8 pads for crash and ride. The TD4KX2 differs in that it comprises all-mesh pads (PDX8 for snare/floor tom and PDX6 pads for rack toms), as well as benefiting from a CY-12C dual-zone (bow and edge) crash cymbal pad with choke control feature, and a CY-13R triple-zone (bell, bow and edge) ride pad, although the CY-5 is still the favoured pad for hi-hat in this configuration. Both kits use the FD-8 remote hi-hat pedal. The colour-coded and clearly labelled leads make easy work of wiring up the kit.
TD-4 module
The TD4 module is a straightforward affair: 125 good-quality sounds covering traditional kit sounds (kicks, snares, toms), cymbals and percussion, many of which offer both head and rim sounds for snare and toms along with bow and edge sounds for cymbals (as well as bell where ride is concerned). Each sound can be tuned as well as dampened and the overall ambient sound of each kit can be controlled also. Each pad can be adjusted for volume (as can the rim of each pad), panning, crosstalk, threshold etc., along with a host of other editing functions, and this is all done in a basic and very unfussy way. The module also contains a comprehensive metronome and ‘rhythm coach’, which encourages you through a series of options to work on your timing and groove playing, checking against the on-board timekeeping functions – a very important feature for any practising student. Connections-wise, the TD4 uses a serial connector for connecting the pads to the brain, and also features two main outputs, headphone out, MIDI out and a mix input to connect an auxiliary sound source (MP3 player) so that you can play along with your favourite tracks.
In Use
Both kits perform really well, with the TD4 brain providing good-quality sounds, along with excellent response and easily accessible functions. Through both headphones and PA system, these kits sound great. Obviously the full-mesh pad configuration of the KX2 feels a whole lot more natural to play than its rubber-padded companion, but for the money, the TD4K2 is a more than capable beast; it’s merely that mesh heads are physically closer to the ‘real thing’ than rubber pads. The positioning of the TD4 module strikes me as not being quite in the right place: while having the brain mounted on the front bar of the MDS-4 rack does save a lot of space, in use it can be slightly awkward to access the module (the two tom pads get in the way), and it certainly can’t be done while playing without contorting yourself into some pretty odd postures. This is only a minor point, however, as this kit can be edited very quickly so that when used live, sounds and kits could easily be changed between tunes.
Conclusion
The TD4K2 and KX2 have a good stick feel (particularly the all-mesh TD4KX2), and with a host of clever functions and good-quality sounds to aid any drummer’s practice regime perfectly, these kits are ideal for student drummers of any level – those that want a competent practice tool, or even those looking for an affordable semi-professional kit. While they don’t offer the host of functions available from Roland’s higher-priced offerings, if you’re looking for a first e-kit, or you are simply budget-conscious but want a good-quality e-kit, the TD4 range should certainly be on your shortlist.
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