New Roland VAD Acoustic Design Electronic Drum Kits - NAMM 2020

Posted on Tue 21 January 2020 in 2020NAMM

VAD - 306

The VAD306 is a unique V-Drums Acoustic Design kit, purposefully compact while maintaining the distinctive acoustic aesthetic of the series. The footprint is the same as a mid-level V-Drums set, making it ideal for home use and tight stages. Cutdown shallow shells save space and weight—but from the playing position, they feel instantly familiar to any drummer. Double-braced stands with tom mounts and cymbal boom arms complete the layout and further enhance the acoustic theme. And with its organic, expressive sound, the TD-17 module provides all the acoustic tone and playability you could ask for, whether drumming for yourself at home or out gigging on the local bar circuit.

Powerful Sound and Realistic Expression
The heart of the VAD306 is the TD-17 module, filled with sounds derived from the acclaimed TD-50 sound engine. It features a vast collection of vintage and modern drums, cymbals, and percussion, all sampled in ultra-high audio detail with every possible velocity and head strike captured. Roland's unique Prismatic Sound Modeling is then married with these samples to deliver complex, true-to-life tonal range and smooth dynamic transitions between hits. The result is an experience that doesn't just sound faithfully acoustic—it behaves acoustically too.

Create (and Craft) Your Signature Drum Kit
The TD-17 module features a wide range of ready-to-play kits, including 10 new acoustic-focused presets created for the VAD306. While the preset kits sound fantastic, it's easy to dive deeper and build your ultimate drum setup with intuitive editing tools. Think of the module as a huge warehouse of drums and cymbals from different eras, which you can mix and match in any combination. After that, swap the heads, change the tuning, add muffling, and even change the virtual space you're playing in. Take things even further by loading your own samples and combining them with onboard instruments, crafting personalized kits that no other drummer can claim.

Larger Pads and a Wider Playing Spread
Acoustic drums are usually bigger than electronic drum pads. The size of each drum adds to the overall experience, not just visually but also in stick feel and physical layout. Which is why the VAD306 features a 12” snare and floor tom, two 10” rack toms, and an 18” kick, creating a naturally wide playing spread. The shells are made of wood too, enhancing the authentic acoustic feel under the sticks and beater.

The Natural Feel of Acoustic Drums
Roland's legendary multi-ply, tension-adjustable mesh heads contribute significantly to the authentic playing feel, giving you stick rebound that's customizable for your individual playing style. And when you bury the beater into the specially designed kick drum, you physically move air inside the shell, creating air pressure and resistance that feels remarkably like playing an acoustic kick.

Shallow Shells, Deeper Performance
While the shallow-depth tom and kick shells in the VAD306 kit save space and weight, they don't scrimp on performance. Each drum features custom sensors engineered to provide natural response and premium feel in an amazingly compact size.

Double-Braced Chrome Drum Stands
The way acoustic drums and cymbals are mounted not only projects a classic image—it also influences the playing feel. The tom pads mount on the same stands used for acoustic toms—so they feel just right when they're hit. And every stand is double-braced for rock-solid stability, and easily adjusted to suit your preferred layout.

Powerful Practice Tools and Bluetooth Connectivity
The TD-17 module is packed with practice features to help you become a better drummer. Built-in Bluetooth allows smartphones and laptops to stream audio to the module without a cable, perfect for immersive jam sessions with headphones. Play along with favorite music tracks or mix the sound from a YouTube lesson video with the kit. It's also possible to play songs direct from an SD card and record your playing at any time. Onboard coach functions help you focus on skill building, and even track your progress over time. And the metronome can be set for different time signatures and note values, helping improve your inner clock.

VAD - 503

When you need the glamour and presence of a full acoustic drum set on stage—but with the convenience and control of electronic drums—the VAD503 is the perfect solution. This premium 'one-up, one-down' kit features wooden shells with full depth and diameter, exquisitely finished and mounted on double-braced chrome stands for a look that will have the audience convinced you're playing acoustic drums. Roland's advanced digital sensor technology and dynamic TD-27 drum module provide the sound and response to match, making sure every stroke, ghost note, roll, and swell is fully expressed in incredible detail.

• 14” PD-140DS digital snare and 18” CY-18DR digital ride cymbal with high-resolution, multi-sensor triggering for unparalleled dynamics and accurate positional detection
• 10” PDA100-MS rack tom, 14” PDA140F-MS floor tom, and 20” KD-200-MS kick with custom chrome hardware and Midnight Sparkle wraps
• Drum in inspiring sound spaces with newly developed PureAcoustic Ambience Technology
• Hands-on interface for quick-and-easy selecting and personalizing drum sounds
• Import your own WAV samples via an SD card
• Stereo mix output and two assignable outputs for sending individual drum sounds to a PA mixer
• Integrated 28-channel USB audio interface for professional computer music production
• Three auxiliary trigger inputs for easy kit expansion
• Onboard Bluetooth for drumming with music from a smartphone or laptop
• Built-in practice functions for developing drumming skills

An Immersive Acoustic Drumming Experience
With the impressive looks, familiar layout, and inspiring playability of a high-end acoustic kit, the VAD503 makes any drummer feel instantly at home. There's a 14” stainless steel snare, plus 10” rack tom, a 14” floor tom, and a 20” kick constructed with full-depth wood shells, adding to the authenticity and providing genuine acoustic feel under the stick and beater. A full complement of cymbals includes a 12” V-Hi-Hat, 14” crash (with thin profile and textured finish), and an 18” ride for superior playability and natural appearance on stage.

14” Digital Snare and 18” Digital Ride Cymbal
Roland's cutting-edge digital pad technology brings even deeper realism to the V-Drums experience. The digital snare and ride pads connect to the TD-27 module via USB cables, working together with the sound engine to deliver the most natural expression, allowing your drumming skills to be heard in incredible detail. Multiple sensors and lightning-fast processing provide amazing response, enabling you to play genuine techniques in the most natural way. Ghost notes, rim shots, and cross stick playing on the snare are precisely detected and translated, while the ride offers wide tonal range and the ability to subtly mute with just a touch of the bow or bell.

Go Deeper with Prismatic Sound Modeling
Derived from the flagship TD-50, the TD-27 sound module is filled with drums that live and breathe like acoustic instruments. We start by sampling the finest drums, percussion, and cymbals—both vintage and modern—in world-class recording studios. Roland's unique Prismatic sound modeling is then applied to the samples, bringing them alive with proprietary behavior modeling refined over two decades. Every time you strike a drum or cymbal, you're not simply triggering a canned sound—you're playing a full-bodied instrument that responds like its acoustic counterpart in every way, with an unprecedented sonic range at your command.

Create (and Craft) Your Signature Drum Kit
With acoustic drums, you make the sound your own by swapping head types, adjusting the tuning, applying damping, tweaking the snare wire tension, changing out the kick beater, and more. This is all possible with the TD-27 module, allowing you to craft customized kits for any situation. Just strike a pad to select it, and then use the hands-on controls and intuitive editing tools to get the sound just how you like it. Your edits are saved automatically too, so you always stay focused on playing. It's even possible to load your own samples and layer them with the internal sounds to personalize kits even more.

Double-Braced Chrome Drum Stands
The way acoustic drums and cymbals are mounted not only projects a classic image—it also influences the playing feel. The tom pads mount on the same stands used for acoustic toms—so they feel just right when they're hit. Newly developed thin V-Cymbals also attach to the stands with a special pivot mount, for a natural acoustic-style 'swing' when played. And every stand is double-braced for rock-solid stability, and easily adjusted to suit your preferred layout.

PureAcoustic Ambience Technology
New PureAcoustic Ambience Technology optimises each kit, creating an incredibly natural and immersive sound field when playing. But you can go deeper too, and adjust the mic position on each drum kit, and dial in the overall sound with the newly developed overhead mic simulator. Finally, advanced onboard multi-effects and mixing capabilities give you the power of a full-scale studio console, with transient, parametric EQs, compressors, reverbs, delays, and more at your command.

Powerful Connectivity for Stage and Studio
The VAD503 delivers fantastic sound for live performance or recording, thanks to a wealth of connectivity options. The TD-27 module features stereo outputs for the overall drum sound, plus two direct outputs for sending kick, snare, and other sounds to an audio console for independent mixing. In the studio, the built-in USB audio interface makes computer music production easy, with up to 28 audio channels available over a single cable. MIDI is also supported via USB and dedicated I/O, allowing you to sync with other MIDI devices and trigger sounds in computer software.

Kit Expansion Made Easy
With the VAD503, you're not stuck with a static setup. Using the TD-27 module's three auxiliary trigger inputs, it's easy to add tom and cymbal pads to bolster your arsenal. Or you may go for maximum impact with an imposing double-kick setup. Whatever you're thinking, the auxiliary trigger inputs are the gateway to your ideal drum setup.

Bluetooth Connectivity and Built-In Coaching Tools
Built-in Bluetooth lets you wirelessly stream audio from a phone or laptop to the module, ideal for jamming with headphones. Play along with favorite music tracks or mix the sound from a YouTube lesson video with the kit. Onboard coach functions develop skills and track your progress, while the advanced metronome helps improve your inner clock. And at any time, you can record your playing and listen back to highlight what you need to work on.

VAD - 506

When you need the glamour and presence of a full acoustic drum set on stage—but with the convenience and control of electronic drums—the VAD506 is the perfect solution. This premium five-piece kit features wooden shells with full depth and diameter, exquisitely finished and mounted on double-braced chrome stands for a look that will have the audience convinced you're playing acoustic drums. Roland's advanced digital sensor technology and dynamic TD-27 drum module provide the sound and response to match, making sure every stroke, ghost note, roll, and swell is fully expressed in incredible detail.

• Five-piece V-Drums Acoustic Design kit with full-size wood shells and double-braced chrome stands
• TD-27 sound module with advanced Prismatic Sound Modeling derived from the flagship TD-50
• 14” PD-140DS digital snare and 18” CY-18DR digital ride cymbal with high-resolution, multi-sensor triggering for unparalleled dynamics and accurate positional detection
• 10” PDA100-MS rack tom, 12” PDA120-MS rack tom, 14” PDA140F-MS floor tom, and 20” KD-200-MS kick with custom chrome hardware and Midnight Sparkle wraps
• Additional cymbal pads include 12” VH-10 V-Hi-Hat, 14” CY-14C-T crash, and 16” CY-16R-T crash/ride
• Drum in inspiring sound spaces with newly developed PureAcoustic Ambience Technology
• Hands-on interface for quick-and-easy selecting and personalizing drum sounds
• Import your own WAV samples via an SD card
• Stereo mix output and two assignable outputs for sending individual drum sounds to a PA mixer
• Integrated 28-channel USB audio interface for professional computer music production
• Three auxiliary trigger inputs for easy kit expansion
• Onboard Bluetooth for drumming with music from a smartphone or laptop
• Built-in practice functions for developing drumming skills

An Immersive Acoustic Drumming Experience
With the impressive looks, familiar layout, and inspiring playability of a high-end acoustic kit, the VAD506 makes any drummer feel instantly at home. There's a 14” stainless steel snare, plus 10” and 12” rack toms, a 14” floor tom, and a 20” kick constructed with full-depth wood shells, adding to the authenticity and providing genuine acoustic feel under the stick and beater. A full complement of cymbals includes a 12” V-Hi-Hat, 14” and 16” crashes (both with thin profiles and textured finishes), and an 18” ride, for superior playability and natural appearance on stage.

Go Deeper with Prismatic Sound Modeling
Derived from the flagship TD-50, the TD-27 sound module is filled with drums that live and breathe like acoustic instruments. We start by sampling the finest drums, percussion, and cymbals—both vintage and modern—in world-class recording studios. Roland's unique Prismatic Sound Modeling is then applied to the samples, bringing them alive with proprietary behavior modeling refined over two decades. Every time you strike a drum or cymbal, you're not simply triggering a canned sound—you're playing a full-bodied instrument that responds like its acoustic counterpart in every way, with an unprecedented sonic range at your command.

Double-Braced Chrome Drum Stands
The way acoustic drums and cymbals are mounted not only projects a classic image—it also influences the playing feel. The tom pads mount on the same stands used for acoustic toms—so they feel just right when they're hit. Newly developed thin V-Cymbals also attach to the stands with a special pivot mount, for a natural acoustic-style 'swing' when played. And every stand is double-braced for rock-solid stability, and easily adjusted to suit your preferred layout.

Powerful Connectivity for Stage and Studio
The VAD506 delivers fantastic sound for live performance or recording, thanks to a wealth of connectivity options. The TD-27 module features stereo outputs for the overall drum sound, plus two direct outputs for sending kick, snare, and other sounds to an audio console for independent mixing. In the studio, the built-in USB audio interface makes computer music production easy, with up to 28 audio channels available over a single cable. MIDI is also supported via USB and dedicated I/O, allowing you to sync with other MIDI devices and trigger sounds in computer software.

Kit Expansion Made Easy
With the VAD506, you're not stuck with a static setup. Using the TD-27 module's three auxiliary trigger inputs, it's easy to add tom and cymbal pads to bolster your arsenal. Or you may go for maximum impact with an imposing double-kick setup. Whatever you're thinking, the auxiliary trigger inputs are the gateway to your ideal drum setup.