Thomas Lang using V-Drums with SuperNATURAL Technology

Author: Roland UK Features Team

In 2012, Roland launched an entirely new line-up of V-Drums featuring SuperNATURAL technology. The new line up gives drummers a more dynamic and natural playing experience than most electronic kits, but what does SuperNATURAL technology actually do, and how does it work?

6 reasons for choosing electronic drums

The V-Drums Lineup

First of all, what are the current models and which models do they replace?

• TD-11K/TD-11KV series replaces TD-4K2/TD-4KX2 series
• TD-15K/TD-15KV series replaces TD-9K2/TD-9KX2 series
• TD-30K replaces TD-12KX model
• TD-30KV replaces TD-20SX model

The TD-11, TD-15 and TD-30 modules all feature a SuperNATURAL sound engine. However, the SuperNATURAL experience becomes more obvious as you travel up the range. Paradoxically, it takes a lot of technology to keep things sounding simple and real.

SuperNATURAL Technology Explained…

In brief, SuperNATURAL technology improves the way the instrument responds to your playing, making it feel far more natural and authentic. For years, digital instruments have faithfully reproduced the sound of an acoustic instrument. But digital instruments usually feel different to their acoustic counterparts, due to the way they respond to your playing.

SuperNATURAL technology incorporates ‘Behavior Modeling’ which takes the playing experience a step further than just offering a ‘detailed’ sound. By accurately reproducing the behavior and responses of an acoustic instrument, it transforms the way a digital drum kit responds, therefore; giving the drums a dynamic and natural ‘feel’ that until now has not been possible.

SuperNATURAL technology was first introduced in Roland’s prestigious digital pianos and synthesizers. When developing the next generation of V-Drums, Roland’s engineers felt that SuperNATURAL technology could be developed further and adapted for V-Drums.

What are drum triggers? Find out here!

What is Behavior Modeling?

To understand how SuperNATURAL technology works, we first need to understand how an acoustic instrument behaves. Let’s consider a snare drum roll. If you play a single or double stroke roll lightly on the snare drum, it has a soft tone, a quiet volume and the drum responds in a certain way with less ‘attack’. As you play harder, not only does the volume get louder, but the tone changes too. It now responds differently, with the attack now a lot more pronounced. This transition in tone, volume and response happens in a smooth and seamless way. Every strike is different, and the drum reacts differently to each strike.

Okay, So How Does SuperNATURAL Technology Work?

SuperNATURAL processes many elements to model convincingly the behavior of acoustic instruments:

• It processes your playing input faster than ever before.
• It captures detailed sensing information, such as rim shot strength and the player’s position on the pad.
• The sound engine produces sounds that respond and change smoothly and dynamically.

Together, these elements create an authentic ‘behavioral reaction’, or to put it another way, the drums play and feel just how you’d expect them to. There are three distinct stages to modeling this behavioral reaction:

1. How the pad or cymbal physically feels when you hit it. For example, the Roland mesh head has a more natural feel when the drum stick hits it, responding with an acoustic like bounce and rebound that feels natural.
2. The sensing within the pad is high quality and accurately detects hit strength, position and interval (i.e. the time between each hit). This information is then sent to the module.
3. The sound engine within the module processes all of the information sent by the pad and then recreates the sound accurately and smoothly. This is the key to ensuring the transition in volume and tone is dynamic and natural.

Because the sound engine processes the player’s input very quickly, it means that every stroke can be processed individually. Therefore, dynamics, such as ghost notes, flams, buzz rolls and rim shots feel far more realistic. This removes the ‘machine gun’ effect associated with previous digital drum kits, where every hit can sound the same as the last.

So now, if you can think it, you can now play it – but only on a SuperNATURAL V-Drums kit.

Related links and articles:

• The Benefits of Electronic Drums
• What are Drum Triggers?
• Learn to Play Electronic Drums
• Pick Your Poison – SPD-SX versus SPD-30

V-drums Friend Jam

First, a bit of a disclaimer and a short story. I work for Roland as a sales rep and have been playing electronic drums since 1994. I was first introduced to V-Drums Friend Jam in Los Angeles at a Roland sales and product meeting. Steve Fisher, V-Drums innovator and drummer extraordinaire, showed us this innovative drumming program, which was already fairly popular in Japan. I immediately wanted to try it, so I jumped right in. After it was over, a number came up, something in the 600s. “What is that?” I asked. Steve said, “You’re ranked 600.” “600 what?” I asked. “600th best drummer,” said Steve. “Out of how many?” I asked. “Oh, I dunno, a couple thousand.” That’s all I needed to hear to light up my competitive chops.

V-Drums Friend Jam for Kids

In my experience, drummers are obsessed with two things: drumming and other drummers. We learn from other drummers, and we always want to get better. Every drummer wants to get better, but how do you know you’re improving? That’s where V-Drums Friend Jam can help. Not only does it shell out immediate feedback about areas of improvement, the program also monitors your workout time and progress. The thrill for me is when my score is posted, and I can see where I rank against other Friend Jam players worldwide.

V-Drums Friend Jam Explained…

Friend Jam is a free download program for Mac, PC or iPhone that analyzes your drumming while you play to your MP3s or included songs. The program is compatible with all V-Drum kits and measures your playing in five key areas of drumming: Kick, Beat, Stamina, Technique and Variation. Each area has a weight of 120 points for a total of 600 points. Your drumming score is automatically published on the V-Drums Friend Jam website via your Twitter account. See additional V-Drums Friend Jam features.

Roland TD-15 drum kit

Become a Better Drummer…

Friend Jam makes you a better drummer by measuring you against the program and other drummers. Friend Jam is not a video game, even though it has cool graphics of your playing in real-time. It’s your own personal drum trainer. One of the most interesting things about Friend Jam is how it stretches your abilities by getting you out of your comfort zone. For example, if you’re a Rock player, try the Jazz Songs. If you’re a Pop style player, try the World Songs.

So there you have it. Now you know what Friend Jam is, who’s is playing it and how to join in the fun. If you already play Friend Jam, or if you have questions, I want to hear from you. My Friend Jam user name and Twitter handle is @RolandSFlorida or drop me a comment below.

Related links and articles:

• V-Drums Friend Jam for Kids
• Choosing a Roland V-Drums Kit is Easier Than You Think!
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums

V-Drums World Championship 2 winners at the Frankfurt Musikmesse

During the recent 2013 Musikmesse music fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Roland held the international finals for the V-Drums World Championship 2. From a field of top drummers representing 16 different countries, Issah Contractor from Canada grabbed the crown with a masterful performance blending impressive drumming chops and a thorough command of the modern technology in Roland’s electronic percussion products.

The V-Drums World Championship 2 Explained…

Roland’s annual V-Drums World Championship gives drummers everywhere a unique opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against other Roland electronic percussion players. This year’s contest was the biggest yet, with nearly 5,000 participants competing during national preliminary rounds in countries around the world. The grand finale took place on April 11, 2013 at the prestigious Südbahnhof music club in Frankfurt, with well-known German drummer Dirk Brand serving as the host for the evening. The event was also streamed live to Internet viewers around the globe on the V-Drums World Championship international website.

The night featured inspired drumming by players from the United States, Sweden, Italy, Mexico, Hungary, Switzerland, China, Turkey, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Spain, and Canada. Each earned a trip to the finals by winning national V-Drums competitions in their home countries. In Frankfurt, every finalist played an original drum performance using the TD-30KV V-Pro® Series V-Drums, OCTAPAD® SPD-30 Percussion Pad, and SPD-SX Sampling Pad.

A group of seven judges assembled for the finals included noted drummers Brand, Craig Blundell, Tommy Snyder, and Florian Alexandru-Zorn, plus music journalists Mark Van Schaik, Rich Chamberlain, and Axel Mikolajczak. They scored the contestants’ performances in areas of technique, style, stage presence, overall creativity, and creative use of technology.

See the V-Drums World Championship 2 slide show

V-Drums World Championship 2 winner: Issah Contractor

Naming a winner was a tough call, as all the players delivered jaw-dropping displays of drumming prowess. When the smoke had cleared, Issah Contractor came out on top with a performance that featured looping on the SPD-30, sample playback from the SPD-SX, multiple meter shifts, impressive double-kick chops, and unique playing of melodies with the V-Drums’ pads.

V-Drums World Championship 2 runner-ups Jaime Edwin de la Rosa & Lars Nijman

Second Place went to Jaime Edwin de la Rosa from Mexico, while Third Place went to Lars Nijman from the Netherlands.

In an interview after his win, Issah talked about how he’s excited to use the powerful technology in V-Drums to forge a new melodic direction in drumming. “One cool thing about the TD-30 is the step sequence function,” said Issah. “I believe that can be utilized very uniquely in the future. I’d like to see if I can push that boundary. It could be really something that is groundbreaking. Although there are notes on the drums, it feels a little devoid over the harmony aspect, and I think the V-Drums would be awesome for trying to put that forward.”

If you’re a drummer based in the United States and want to enter for the V-Drums World Championship 3, check the V-Drums contest page at RolandUS.com.

Check out our V-Drums World Championship 2 playlist on YouTube to see final performances from all the contestants, plus interviews with the top three players.

V-Drums World Championship 2 Performances

Do you agree with the judges? Tell us who you think the winner should be.

Related links and articles:

• Pat Kennedy V-Drums Training Camp
• Brendan Buckley Judges V-Drums Semi Finals
• Meet the V-Drums U.S. Finalists
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums

Netsky Live at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles, CA.

A celebrity in his native Belgium and growing in popularity worldwide, Boris Daenan—better known as Netsky—has received numerous awards and accolades for his new-school brand of drum and bass. In 2009, Hospital Records signed him to an exclusive deal, and his first release with the influential UK label was the highly successful single “Memory Lane,” followed soon after by the chart-topping debut album “Netsky.” In 2012, sensing that he could take his show to another level, the DJ and producer put his turntables aside and unveiled Netsky LIVE!, an EDM stage show featuring a complete band.

What’s the difference between the SPD-SX and the SPD-30? Find out here!

Netsky LIVE uses a full arsenal of Roland gear

Netsky plays the SPD-30 and A-500 PRO, keyboardist Babl plays the JUPITER-80, VP-770, and A-800 PRO and drummer Michael Schack plays the TD-30KV V-Drums and SPD-SX Sampling Pad. Michael has a long history with Roland, both as as a product demonstrator and advisor. We caught up with him at a recent show date in Los Angeles for some insight into his gig with Netsky, including how the band uses Roland gear to deliver a more rich and dynamic live EDM experience than a one-man DJ show can.

Q. How do you prepare your V-Drums set for the Netsky show?

A. Actually, there’s this incredible thing that happened a few years ago: I was playing V-Drums with Kate Ryan, who is really popular in Eastern Europe. We arrived with the tour bus, and I see all kind of microphones set up close to the V-Drum pads. So, a very strange situation, because the guy didn’t actually realize that it was an electronic drum set!

With electronic drums, and especially the TD-30 today—which is fast, low-latency, the best SuperNATURAL [sounds]—you can go single outs for everything. For instance, I’m using the kicks and snares in stereo, layered with the TD-30, but they’re coming out of the SPD-SX. So [they’re] triggered at the same time. And then we have the toms on separate channels, we have the hi-hat on a separate channel, the ride on a separate channel, and the two crashes on a separate stereo channel. [With] so many separate channels, [the sound engineer] can actually make it sound very wide.

You can adjust the panning to every concert hall. You can totally go wild in making the sound as broad as possible, which is much more impressive than a USB stick just playing a stereo out through a DJ mixer. Same for the keyboards—it’s hardware and software combined. So all the synth sounds, all the pianos [have] separate stereo channels, so that’s really a very important main difference with any DJ set, which actually sounds a little bit more compressed, and not so wide-spectrum, not so dynamic.

Q: With all that Roland gear on stage, how long does the sound check usually take?

Michael Schack, drummer for Netsky Live

A: Actually, we have a very good system. First of all, we don’t have to put mics on the V-Drums, which is already a big time saver. We have all the sounds and patches very well prepared, [and] everything connects very easily to the laptops. We have a flying rack with us, which holds some very nasty sound cards and everything, so it’s actually jut a matter of getting the engine started and then really tweaking the PA for what’s coming out of these instruments for the front of house. Frank, our sound guy, is a champion in tweaking a PA for really good drum and bass vibes. It’s very important with electronic music that everything is very consistent and very glued together, and that makes the people dance. It takes us not too much time to really get going.

Q: What’s your involvement with Roland V-Drums?

A: My involvement with Roland V-Drums has been a love story [for] 20 years. Before the V-Drums came out, I became a demonstrator in Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg through Roland Benelux, when the TD-7 came out. I was a very young guy, but I was interested in electronic drums. Most of my colleague musicians, they named me “Mr. Tupperware” because they didn’t believe in the potential of electronic drums. Then the V-Drums came out [in 1997], and in 2001, for the very first time, I was invited by Roland Japan to play at the Frankfurt Musikmesse.

Netsky Live on stage

From then on it took off—I got to know the engineers more personally, [and] they were asking me things about the music I was playing. They found it really strange that as a drummer I was also interested in using samples and triggering samples, and not just playing along with linear tracks from a CD or whatever. I’m really a little bit freaky on how it sounds and how it’s compressed and how fat you can go, and it took off from there.

I [also developed] a very good relationship and [friendship] with Steve Fisher from Roland U.S., who has been a main guy in getting the V-Drums program going, [and] also Tommy Snyder, another very important Roland demonstrator. I learned so much from them. In 2004, I had the incredible opportunity to play together with Steve when the first TD-20 set came out, and then again the success story continued.

I’m so happy that I could serve along on this wave of continuous development. The engineers in Japan, they’re just great, and they dig electronic music, acoustic music, old-school blues—they really have their thing together. I try to [advise] them [based on my experience]: “Hey, this kick sound, you need to make the people dance, this needs to be a little bit more punchy, more in the face, less effects, more compression,” and so on. Johnny Rabb is also a very important contributor. Through all these people working together, the presets in a V-Drum set are actually very representative of what it already can do, and then the user, the drummer, can go as far he wants. That’s my role in this story.

Related links and articles:

• Michael Schack looping on the Octapad
• Michael Schack – Drumeo Edge (FULL DRUM LESSON)
• Omar Tavarez: How I Use my SPD-SX
• Aaron Rossi on how to land a gig like Ministry

Wes and the Mob Dawgs with Sammy Hagar at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

At the 2013 Winter NAMM Show, Roland Corporation U.S. invited its valued dealers to enter a drawing for the opportunity to attend an all-expenses-paid weekend retreat at the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas. Wes Faulconor, the owner of Explorers Percussion in Kansas City, Missouri, had his name drawn randomly from the many entrants, winning a three-day experience at the camp’s permanent home near the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on the Vegas Strip. From March 7-9, 2013, Wes enjoyed a jam-packed schedule of rehearsals, performances, recording sessions, and clinics, topped off with the chance to drum with legendary rockers Sammy Hagar and Steve Vai.

Special-Edition Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps, Powered by Roland

Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas provides musicians and music fans a unique opportunity to jam with renowned rock stars, write and record original songs, and perform live before large audiences at Rouge, a lounge in the MGM Grand. Campers get to play pro gear from Roland and BOSS during their stay, including TD-30KV and TD-15KV V-Drums kits, the RD-700NX stage piano, GA-series guitar amps, ME-70 guitar effects, and more.

Wes is a lifelong drummer and percussionist with over 40 years experience, and he plays some piano and guitar as well. He opened Explorers Percussion in 1984, which quickly became one of the leading drum and percussion shops in the Kansas City metro area. Explorers carries a full line of major brands, including the electronic percussion lineup from Roland. They also offer educational events, private drum lessons, and regular drum clinics led by national and local artists.

Wes Faulconer and Sammy Hagar at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

Quickly after arriving at the camp, Wes was put together in a group with three guitarists, with one of the guitarists also handling lead vocal duties. Michael Lardie, a multi-instrumentalist who plays with Great White and Night Ranger, served as camp counselor for the group, and played bass and sang backup as well.

During their three-day stay, Wes’ band—calling themselves the Mob Dawgs—wrote an original song, worked up a selection of cover tunes, and performed every night alongside other campers’ groups at the Rouge. “Everybody played different orders every night,” says Wes. “We were one of the most natural bands that were there, I think. There was a big NASCAR race in Las Vegas that weekend. There were a lot of fans there to see that, and the club was always packed.” Rouge features a top-flight sound system with gear from Roland Systems Group, including the M-300 V-Mixer and a REAC Digital Snake setup. Pro roadies are also on hand to help the campers as they perform. “They were really on it,” says Wes. “They were at the ready to assist everybody, such as adjusting drums and swapping out guitars when someone broke a string.”

Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on the RD-700NX

Throughout the weekend, Wes and the campers got to hobnob with many famous players. “Joe Vitale was there, and Billy Sheehan was there too,” he relates. “That was pretty cool. Lita Ford and Tony Franklin came in as well. On Friday, Sammy Hagar came in. Each band got to go in and play one song with him. We learned one of his songs, ‘I’ll Fall in Love Again,’ within about an hour. That was a little bit of pressure, but it worked out pretty good. We jammed with him, and it was a lot of fun.

“On Saturday, it was the same thing with Steve Vai,” Wes continues. “Everybody played a song with him. After that, he jammed with Billy Sheehan and Joe Vitale, and he did a little clinic where he talked for about an hour. His clinic was really inspirational.”

Wes at the Rouge lounge for Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

Wes and his group also got to record their original song at one of the camp’s two studios in the MGM Grand, which are outfitted with Cakewalk’s SONAR X2 DAW software and Roland’s OCTA-CAPTURE audio interfaces, plus V-Mixers, Digital Snakes, and M-48 personal monitoring systems from Roland Systems Group. The band’s guitarists tracked with BOSS ME-70 guitar effects, while Wes played the flagship TD-30KV V-Drums. “They were great, with lot of nice sounds,” Wes relates. “I really like the new features and the sensitivity, which allows your drumming to be more expressive, just like on an acoustic drum kit. It was really nice. We recorded really quickly, and got a great sound. The Roland and BOSS guitar gear sounded really, really good too.”

TD-30KV V-Drums in the studio at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

Overall, Wes simply had a great time. “It was a real positive experience, and first-class all the way,” he says. “I really thank Roland for giving me the opportunity. I feel lucky and really grateful that I won it. I went out there without any agenda or high goals; I just played as good as I can play, and just gave it all I had. I wanted to make it more like a vacation, you know, and just play my butt off, just play for the music, and have a really good time. And that’s pretty much what I did.”

Wes’ stay at the camp happened to fall on his birthday weekend, making it even more special. “It was probably the best birthday I’ve ever had,” he enthuses. “On Saturday night, Billy Sheehan and a bunch of the other people at the camp sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me, and that was really cool. It was a nice fitting end for the weekend.”

Wes with Billy Sheehan at Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp

For more information about Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, visit RockCamp.com.

For details about Roland and BOSS gear used at the camp, check out our Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp gear list.

Related links and articles:

• Special Edition Rock and Roll Fantasy Camps, Powered by Roland Gear
• Roland Insider: Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Giveaway Winner
• Behind the Scenes at Rock Camp

Roland V-Drums just won a Grammy! Well, maybe not exactly a Grammy, but in our industry (musical instrument industry), a MIPA award is just as prestigious. MIPA stands for Musikmesse International Press Award, and it’s determined by more than 100 members of the music industry press from all over the world.  They get together each year and vote for the best musical instruments and audio equipment in more than 40 categories. This year, Roland’s TD-4KP V-Drums Portable drum kit was honored with a MIPA award for the electronic drums category.

Watch U.S. Champ Pat Kennedy train for the V-Drums World Champion 2

TD-4KP V-Drums Portable earns a MIPA at Musikmesse

The TD-4KP V-Drums Portable is one of Roland’s newest and most unique members of the V-Drums family. Unlike any drum kit, acoustic or portable, the TD-4KP features a small footprint and an innovative folding design for fast set-up/breakdown and easy transport/storage, and it is perfectly suited for mobile drumming and small spaces. When you want to play, simply unfold everything and adjust the pad positions, and then you’re ready to roll! With it’s custom-design case, shoulder strap and detachable pouches, drummers can now break down just as fast as the guitar and bass players in the band. Its powerful TD-4 sound module is equipped with a wide range of expressive, editable sounds and essential practice features, and its integrated pads provide a very natural playability.

“Even though this drum set is pint-sized compared to some of the others in the category, it doesn’t mean it can’t pack a punch,” said Roland Corporation U.S. Vice President of Sales Brian Alli. “It’s spectacular to be able to offer a kit that can be used pretty much anywhere and still deliver premium sounds and playability.”

TD-4KP V-Drums Portable

Related links and articles:

• Choosing a Roland V-Drums Kit is Easier Than You Think!
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums
• Learn to Play Electronic Drums
• What are Drum Triggers?
• SPD-SX Vs. SPD-30: What’s the Difference?

This is an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at U.S. National Champion Pat Kennedy preparing for the V-Drums World Championship 2. He’ll be representing the U.S. during the V-Drums World Championship in Frankfurt, Germany on Thursday, April 11, 2013. And Roland is giving everyone around the world a front row seat to watch the event live, online! Check the V-Drums contest website for all the streaming details, and join us for the show if you can. Go Pat!

Patrick Kennedy (USA)

Like Pat Kennedy, each contestant is already a champion, having won their respective national V-Drums contests, but climbing to this level has been far from easy. In order to adhere to an interesting twist in Roland’s V-Drums contest rules, contestants had to learn and incorporate an additional piece of Roland gear for their national championship showdown. Each regional finalist won the opportunity to choose his or her prize, an SPD-30 or an SPD-SX. (Pat chose an SPD-SX.) Then, each national champion went on to win a TD-30KV V-Drums flagship electronic drum kit. With the playing field as level as possible for the world championship event —  TD-30KVs, SPD-SXs and SPD-30s at each drummers’ disposal — the pressure to shine creatively and technically will be higher than ever, and the competition will be fierce.

What’s the difference between the SPD-SX and the SPD-30, any way?

The first V-Drums World Championship contest attracted hundreds of talented drummers from around the world. These were narrowed down to 16 finalists who traveled to the world final in Anaheim, California during Winter NAMM 2012. After a night of spectacular performances, the top honor finally went to drummer Baard Kolstad of Norway who beat out the U.S. national champion JP Bouvet.  Judges were impressed not only with Baard’s drumming ability but also with his use of the technology available on his Roland V-Drums kit.

Based on the contestant lineup below, the judges have a tough job on their hands trying to choose a winner for this year’s V-Drums World Championship. Meanwhile, each drummer must impress the panel of judges with technique, creative rhythm, use of technology, and of course, great showmanship.

What are your thoughts on the U.S. national champion Pat Kennedy’s preparation? Do you have a favorite drummer from the list below? Will Pat bring home the world title?

Judges:

Dirk Brand – Musician, V-Drums Specialist (event host as well)
Craig Blundell – UK Songwriter, Producer, Journalist, V-Drums Clinician
Tommy Snyder – Drummer, Singer
Florian Alexandru-Zorn – Drummer, Lecturer, Journalist
Mark Van Schaik – Journalist
Rich Chamberlain – Journalist
Axel Mikolajczak – Journalist

Related links and articles:

• V-Drums Contest U.S. Finals Results
• Pick Your Poison: SPD-SX Versus SPD-30
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums
• Roland on Stage with American Idol

The V-Drums Friend Jam Kids is a free software download for children to build drumming skills and compare their progress with other V-Drums users around the world. A special version of Roland’s acclaimed V-Drums Friend Jam software designed for young drummers, V-Drums Friend Jam Kids provides a fun way to practice and enjoy playing drums.

Available for both Windows and Mac OS X, V-Drums Friend Jam Kids helps young drummers improve their skills with enjoyable songs and fun practice evaluation features. It offers a friendly and inviting user interface, plus a continuously growing library of play-along songs that can be downloaded directly within the application from the web. Included are traditional children’s tunes like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” classic pieces such as “Air on the G String,” and a variety of musical grooves in popular styles, all specially arranged for playing along on the V-Drums. Users can also add MP3 files stored on their computer to jam with their favorite songs.

Since its release two years ago, V-Drums Friend Jam has become an extremely popular social networking tool for drummers, with over 30,000 users to date in 175 countries and regions worldwide. The software allows players to share scores and interact with each other via their Twitter accounts while practicing the drums.

V-Drums Friend Jam Kids is a completely self-contained application that does not require Twitter to share scores. Its practice features and functions are similar to V-Drums Friend Jam, but are tailored more to children who are just starting to learn the drums. The software supports 13 different languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Polish, Russian, Turkish, and more.

By connecting a computer to a V-Drums kit, such as the compact and kid-sized HD-3 or TD-4KP, players can capture and evaluate individual performance elements such as rhythm, technique, and variation, then see how their results compare with other V-Drums Friend Jam Kids users around the world via the Internet.

Related links and articles:

• V-Drums Friend Jam Kids
• Press Release: New Roland V-Drums Software Designed for Kids
• Choosing a Roland V-Drums Kit is Easier Than You Think!
• The Benefits of Electronic Drums

American Idol season 12 is underway with a new slate of contestants vying to reach the top spot and international stardom. Led by music director Ray Chew, the American Idol house band backs up every performer on live television, covering an enormous range of musical styles to perfection throughout the year. Working without a net before TV audiences of 20 million and beyond is a pressure-packed gig, for sure. To help get their jobs done, keyboardist Russell Graham and drummer Rex Hardy Jr. rely on Roland instruments to instantly deliver the top-level sounds and versatility they need every time, without fail.

In his duties as second keyboardist on American Idol, Russell Graham uses two JUPITER-80 synthesizers, plus a VP-770 Vocal & Ensemble Keyboard for vocoder sounds. “Over the course of the past year I’ve come to lean very heavily on the JUPITERs, not only for their sound quality and sonic richness, but also for the speed of programming,” he says. “I find the touchscreen navigation to be extremely intuitive and well thought out. I can do simple tweaks quickly, or I can go a few levels deeper and really get ‘under the hood’ of the sound.”

The impressive sounds that Russell achieves with his Roland rig are regularly noticed at rehearsals and on the set. “Without fail, every time we begin the rehearsal process for a TV show or live artist performance, someone asks me what these keyboards are and how I’m getting the sounds I’m getting,” he relates. Russell appreciates the great versatility of his Roland keyboards, and also their ability to achieve unique sounds. “As general-usage keyboards, the JUPITERs and the VP hold their own against anything else out there,” he says. “But aside from that, I’d say it’s about once a week that I do something keyboard-wise that simply wouldn’t have been possible with any other keyboard currently available.”

Drummer Rex Hardy Jr. employs the flagship TD-30KV V-Pro Series V-Drums set while working on American Idol. In addition to its great feel, he loves the ability to have quick and easy access to an incredible variety of drum and percussion sounds. “Using the Roland TD-30 gave me more versatility with sounds,” he says. “Considering we play so many different styles of music on American Idol, the TD-30 allows me to explore all types of sounds and feels that make each song sound authentic.”

Rex has expanded his TD-30KV with an additional PD-108-BC V-Pad for a side snare, plus a PDX-8 V-Pad for even more triggering options. “I have three to four main kits that I’ve set up to fit what we normally do on American Idol,” he says. “There are a few times where I may have to set up an ‘80s rock kit or an electronic disco kit, depending on the songs week to week. Being able to have options is amazing! When the kit is going through the house mains, it sounds killer.” Rex also plays an SPD-SX Sampling Pad, which he loads up with custom drum loops and auxiliary sounds that he triggers for song intros and other applications.

With his success using V-Drums, Rex readily encourages drummers to discover their many benefits. “Other pro players should definitely get into the TD-30 because it’s limitless,” he relates. “There is nothing you can’t do with this kit. I even implement it within my acoustic setups as well. The sounds are amazing, and you can tweak them to what you feel works. My advice is to try it and see what you think—you’ll love it.”

Russell is equally enthusiastic in recommending Roland gear to other keyboardists. “Playability, sound quality, versatility, reliability. They sound great, they play great,” he says. “Especially in TV situations, where deadlines are tight and everything is moving fast, they can be programmed and edited very, very quickly.”

Related links and articles:

• Russell Graham Interview on Roland Users Group
• Russell Graham Talks About His Roland Rig at the BET Awards
• Learn to Play Electronic Drums

At their permanent home in Las Vegas this spring, Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp will be hosting two special edition camps featuring some legendary names in music. Brit rockers Def Leppard will lead a four-day camp from April 4-7, 2013, while renowned guitarist Jeff Beck and Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson will guest star from April 18-21, 2013. A wide selection of top-line Roland musical instruments and recording gear will be featured as well, at the ready for campers to use as they explore their inner rock star yearnings.

In a rare event involving one entire band, Def Leppard fans can spend four days with members of the group, jamming out to their biggest hits. Two weeks later, campers will have the opportunity to meet and play with Beck, one of the most influential guitarists of all time, and Wilson, writer of some of the most celebrated songs in American music history.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas gives music fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to jam nightly with legendary rock stars, write and record original songs, and perform on stage before live audiences at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Campers also have an exclusive opportunity to use world-class music equipment from Roland and BOSS.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp main facilities are located two minutes away from the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. There are 12 rehearsal studios, plus a “Big Room” with a professional stage, large-scale sound system, and concert lighting. Each space features Roland instruments, including TD-30KV and TD-15K V-Drums, GA-212 and GA-112 guitar amps, BOSS ME-70 and ME-50B multi-effects, and the RD-700NX stage pianos. Additionally, the studios all feature pro recording setups with SONAR X2 Producer music production software and Roland OCTA-CAPTURE audio interfaces.

RRFC Rehearsal Room

The camp also has two professional recording studios, located on the main casino floor at the MGM Grand. These are outfitted with Roland gear throughout as well. The studios feature large windows that allow casino visitors to watch as campers record tracks and jam with famous rockers.

RRFC Recording Studio at the MGM Grand

RRFC Recording Studio at the MGM Grand

Both the main facilities and the studios at the MGM Grand feature a full slate of professional sound gear from Roland Systems Group. This includes V-Mixers, REAC Digital Snakes, and M-48 personal monitoring systems. An M-300 V-Mixer and Digital Snake setup is also in use at the Rouge Lounge in the MGM Grand, where campers perform nightly during their stay.

RRFC “Big Room” (Roland M-480 V-Mixer in the Foreground)

Stop by our Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Flickr gallery to see more of the camp’s impressive facilities.

For more information about Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, including the upcoming special edition camps, visit RockCamp.com.

For details about Roland and BOSS gear used at the camp, check out our Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp gear list.

Related links and articles:

• Roland Insider: Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Giveaway Winner
• Behind the Scenes at Rock Camp
• Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis on the RD-700NX
• Rock Fantasy Camp’s New Home
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Gear List

With the ever increasing popularity of electronic drums, and the seemingly endless variety of choices in the market, choosing the correct kit for not only your budget but for your needs can be daunting. Roland offers a complete family of V-Drums kits from beginning sets to full professional models to simplify your decision-making process. Lets have a look at the current V-Drums line-up.

 HD-3 V-Drums Lite

Designed primarily for beginners, the HD-3 V-Drums Lite features a unique all in one design that is easy to set up and operate. The modern, clean look makes it a welcome addition to any household, and it is also compact enough to fit in the corner of a bedroom. The components are easily adjusted and can be set low or high, making this an ideal choice for the reach of small children. The quiet, integrated pedal design includes a great playing feel and minimizes noise and vibration through floors and ceilings, making this the most family and neighbor-friendly kit around. A dual-trigger mesh head snare pad, responsive cloth style tom pads, dual zone cymbal pads with choke, and expressive hi-hat pedal control enhance the playability. The HD-3 includes 20 preset drum kits, clearly marked function buttons, a built-in metronome with tempo control, and an easy to read display. Like all V-Drums kits, connectors include a headphone jack, an audio-output jack, a Mix-in jack (for connecting a MP3 or CD player), and a MIDI-out connector for interfacing with a home computer* to access optional software like Roland’s DT-1 Drum Tutor or the Free application, V-Drums Friend Jam.

*Requires a MIDI to USB interface. Sold separately.

TD-4KP V-Drums Portable

For the drummer on the go, the TD-4KP V-Drums Portable is the ultimate mobile kit. The innovative folding design allows for quick set-up, rapid breakdown and easy transport/storage. When collapsed, the entire drum kit can fit in the optional CB-TDP bag and be placed easily in a car trunk or the back seat. The TD-4KP is outfitted with responsive rubber pads for the snare and toms, dual-trigger cymbal pads for crash, ride, and hi-hat, and a hi-hat control pedal. The compact and innovative kick pad mounts directly to the stand and uses a standard acoustic kick pedal. The included TD-4 Drum Module features 125 expressive sounds and 25 different kits to cover any musical style. The tuning and muffling for kick and snare sounds can be quickly edited using the front panel controls, and you can also assign any sound to any pad within a kit, allowing you to quickly customize your sound.

TD-11K/ TD-11KV  V-Drums Compact Series

The V-Drums Compact Series has been a staple in the Roland line-up for years, and the latest incarnation is no exception. SuperNATURAL powered with extremely expressive sounds and great playability, the included TD-11 Drum Sound Module features 190 quality sounds and 50 internal kits. Additional customization includes, tuning, muffling, snare buzz, tone color, ambience type and 4 band EQ. Built-in Coach exercises, play-along songs, and the push-button ease of Quick Record makes practice sessions effective and fun. USB and MIDI connectivity allow for even more creativity possibilities.

Mounted on the sturdy MDS-4V stand, the V-Compact Series comes in two different configurations: the TD-11K which includes a mesh-head dual trigger snare pad, three gum rubber tom pads, and two dual-trigger cymbal pads. The TD-11KV is Roland’s most affordable all-mesh-head kit and includes larger V-Cymbals with a 3-way trigger capable ride cymbal pad. Both versions offer the KD-9 kick trigger pad and an expressive hi-hat combination that includes a dual-trigger pad and hi-hat control pedal.

TD-15K/KV V-Drums Tour Series

Consisting of the TD-15K and TD-15KV drum sets, the venerable V-Tour Series adds professional features to this range of the V-Drums family. Featuring 500 expressive sounds and 100 internal kits, the SuperNATURAL powered TD-15 Drum Sound Module also adds a Quick Edit function to instantly access sound-editing parameters, a separate headphone volume knob, two additional trigger inputs for adding more pads or cymbals, and more. The metronome can be routed to headphones only, making it ideal for on-stage use.

Mounted on the rugged MDS-9V stand, both kit models include dual-trigger mesh pads, with the TD-15KV utilizing larger diameter mesh pads and the expressive VH-11 V-Hi-Hat, which mounts on a standard acoustic hi-hat stand.

TD-30K/KV V-Drums Pro Series

For over 15 years, the V-Drums V-Pro Series has set the standard by which all other brands of electronic drum sets are measured. The latest models, the TD-30K and TD-30KV take expressive and dynamic drumming to a new level. The series is centered around the SuperNATURAL TD-30 Drum Sound Module, with over 1000 sounds, extensive editing, and a host of professional features, including 15 lightning-fast, dual-trigger inputs, multiple audio outputs, and physical faders that feature a dedicated Ambience fader for real-time control of overhead and room microphone simulation, plus reverb for stunning results.

The TD-30K includes mesh V-Pads for kick, snare, and three toms, along with V-Cymbals that feature a pair of dual-trigger crash cymbals, a three-way ride, and the V-11 V-Hi-Hat. The flagship TD-30KV includes all-mesh pads for snare, four tom pads, and the ultra-rugged KD-140 kick pad. The snare and tom V-Pads include an improved rim sensor for increased sensitivity. All V-Pads include the ability to interchange the shell wraps to customize the look of the kit. The TD-30KV also includes a full array of V-Cymbals, and the advanced VH-13-MG V-Hi-Hat. Both kits are mounted on road-worthy stands with an internal cabling system for a clean professional look and quick set-up.

Take the V-Drums Challenge

With all these great choices, features and product specifications are just a part of the story. With any drum set, playing is believing. We invite you to play Roland V-Drums. Compare the feel, responsiveness, sound quality, and construction to other brands of electronic drum sets. We’re confident that you’ll agree that Roland makes the finest and most versatile electronic drums and percussion available.

Related links and articles:

• The Benefits of Electronic Drums
• Learn to Play Electronic Drums
• What are Drum Triggers?

Considering playing drums or adding an acoustic drum set to your household, lesson room, or house of worship? Take a look at the unique benefits provided by electronic drums and percussion, especially Roland V-Drums.

Quick Access to a Wide Variety of Sounds
Electronic drum kits allow you to change the sound of your drum kit with a touch of a button. Studio-quality acoustic kits, huge arena rock kits, world and orchestral percussion, electronic and techno kits, funky hip-hop kits, and more are all immediately accessible. With hundreds of drum, percussion, and effects sounds at your fingertips, an electronic kit will let you play authentic sounds in wide variety of musical styles.

Volume Control
One of the main challenges with acoustic drums, cymbals, and percussion is the extreme volume levels these instruments can produce. An electronic drum kit’s drum and cymbal pads make very little acoustic noise when played, and the volume of the sounds can be easily controlled with the volume knob. This makes electronic kits a great choice for small stages, churches, or anywhere stage volume may be a problem. At home, the sound can be monitored with headphones making late night and apartment drumming practical. And for recording enthusiasts, electronic drums make it easy to achieve professional sounding tracks by eliminating the need for multiple microphones and preamplifiers.

Practicing, Play-along, and Built-In Recording
Roland electronic drum sets include valuable practice, play-along and recording tools. All models feature a built-in metronome with adjustable tempo, and a mix-in jack for connecting to an MP3 or CD player so you can jam with your favorite songs. Some also include Roland’s Coach, a unique tool that helps improve drumming skills with challenging exercises and drills, providing feedback on your performance. With many models you can explore different drumming styles by playing along with onboard songs and musical patterns, or access MP3 and WAV files with a USB thumb drive. Even record and play back your drumming performances with easy-to-use recording features, now a common built-in feature with nearly every current model of Roland V-Drums. And for the TD-30, TD-15, and TD-11 series V-Drums Kits, the optional Roland Wireless Connect allows you to record or just have fun jamming using the FREE apps Air Recorder and V-Drums Friend Jam for iPhone.

MIDI
You can also expand your sound palette and recording capabilities by connecting your electronic drum set to computers and software, external sound modules, samplers and other electronic musical instruments via MIDI. MIDI is the worldwide standard for connecting electronic musical instruments and computers. All Roland V-Drums models include a standard MIDI out connector that requires a separate MIDI interface, and many also include USB for simple connection to a computer with a single cable. Either method allows you to utilize any number of software applications including Roland’s DT-1 Drum Tutor and V-Drums Friend Jam.

Familiar Playing Feel
You’ll experience a great acoustic drum feel when playing Roland V-Drums, and all your acoustic drumming techniques translate seamlessly to V-Drums, from rim shots on the snare to grabbing a cymbal to choke its sound. Even nuanced techniques such as buzz and press rolls, brush play, hi-hat heel splashes, and more are easily performed on virtually all Roland electronic drum sets.

Take the V-Drums Challenge
We invite you to play Roland V-Drums. Compare the feel, responsiveness, and sound quality to other brands of electronic drum sets. We’re confident that you’ll agree that Roland makes the finest and most versatile electronic drums and percussion available.

Related links and articles:

• Learn to Play Electronic Drums
• What are Drum Triggers?
• V-Drums Contest U.S. Finals Results

Get Schooled in V-Drums!

There are over 50 video V-Drums lessons available for you to learn and improve your drumming technique. Choose by demonstrator, playing style or even V-Drum kit.

You can start by taking a lesson on single paradiddles and then jump to “Texas” Blues shuffle. You learn at your pace and you choose the courses! Here’s the best part, these lessons are completely free. Owners of the  Handsonic-10 or Handsonic-15 can also participate as there are dedicated V-Drums lessons for you too!

Lessons by artist and clinician include:

• Gregg Bissonnette
• Johnny Rabb
• Brad Dutz
• Mike Snyder
• Steve Fisher

Drum kits featured:

• TD-20SX V-Pro® Series
• TD-9SX V-Tour® Series
• TD-9KX2 V-Tour® Series
• HD-1 V-Drums® Lite
• RMP-5 Rhythm Coach
• HandSonic® 10
• HandSonic® 15

Drumming style and categories:

• Latin/World
• Jazz/Swing
• Rock
• Funk/R&B
• Beginner
• Rudiments
• Hand Percussion
• Double Bass

Here is the first video of the series featuring Johnny Rabb.

News from our Roland brothers around the world

Top UK drummers battle it out for a chance to represent the UK in the V-Drums World Championship 2013

Last year’s V-Drums World Championship competition attracted hundreds of talented drummers from every corner of the globe. These were narrowed down to 16 finalists who traveled to the World final in Anaheim, California to perform in the renowned House Of Blues club. After a night of spectacular performances the top honor finally went to drummer Baard Kolstad (Norway), who impressed judges not only with his drumming ability but also with his use of the technology available on Roland V-Drums.

Back in August, entry for the 2013 competition opened and Roland UK began the search for the next V-Drums World Champion. It was a difficult task choosing participants for the regional finals from the wealth of great video entries submitted but after much consideration, six drummers were invited to participate in a live show at the Birmingham Jam House on 23rd October.

It was a great night of varied live music with each performer bringing something unique to the stage. The participants had the new flagship Roland TD-30KV V-Drums, SPD-SX and OCTAPAD SPD-30 at their disposal. The competition was intense with all drummers getting five minutes to demonstrate their skills whilst the performances were judged by a panel of industry experts like V-Drums demonstrator Craig Blundell, V-Drums Product Manager Jules Tabberer-Stewart and Chris Barnes, editor of Rhythm Magazine.

The judges had a tough job on their hands trying to choose a winner but in the end drummer Geoff Fry emerged victorious, impressing judges unanimously with a mix of impressive technique, creative rhythm and great showmanship. He had a clear grasp of how utilizing Roland technology could raise a performance up to the next level. For his stellar effort he was awarded a brand new Roland SPD-SX sampling pad. Check out the video below to see his performance from the night.

Geoff will travel to Frankfurt in March 2013 during the Mussikmesse 2013 trade show to compete against drummers chosen by Roland branches around the World. He will spend the coming months preparing his performance with an aim to win the V-Drums World Championship crown for the UK. We are sure he will give a performance that will do the UK proud.

Related links and articles:

• U.S. V-Drums Contest Results
• Pick Your Poison – SPD-SX Versus SPD-30
• Meet The V-Drums Finalists

U.S. National Finals

Live Performances by Thomas Lang an Johnny Rabb

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Pasic – Austin Convention Center – Exhibit Hall 5 – Austin, TX

• Doors at 6pm
• Event at 7pm
• Free and open to the public
• All ages welcome

Enter for a chance to win a free V-Drums kit an other prizes, or tune in here for the live webcast and follow the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #vdrumscontest. In the meantime check out these four videos that Roland put together of last year’s event and previous performances by Thomas Lang and Johnny Rabb.

2011 Highlight Reel

More videos

JP Bouvet – 2011 U.S. Finals Winner

Thomas Lang – Previous V-Drums Contest Appearance/ Performance

Johnny Rabb – Previous V-Drum Contest Appearance/ Performance

Have a comment? Drop us a line.

Related posts and links: