June 6, 2017

Build Your Skills with All-New V-Drums Lessons

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Tips & Tricks cajon, drum instruction, drum lessons, drums, EC-10, EC-10M, ElCajon, Gregg Bissonette, Handsonic, Octapad, Percussion, percussion lessons, rudiments, SPD-30, SPD-SX, V-Drums

Free Drum and Percussion Instruction from Gregg Bissonette and Other Top Players

V-Drums Lessons

If you’re looking to improve your drum and percussion chops, we’ve got some great content you’re sure to be interested in. We’ve just relaunched our V-Drums Lessons series with eight new instructional videos by renowned stage and studio drummer Gregg Bissonette. Stay tuned, because we’ll be regularly adding more videos from other top drummers and percussionists. Read on to watch the videos and find out more!

November 4, 2014

Percussionist Pete Korpela Looping on the OCTAPAD

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Artists, Tips & Tricks drums, electronics, Josh Groban, looping, Octapad, pad, Percussion, Sampling, SPD-30 0 Comments

Video Demo: How to Use the SPD-30’s Onboard Phrase Looper

Pete Korpela on stage with Roland’s OCTAPAD SPD-30.

Percussionist Pete Korpela seems to be everywhere these days, heavily in demand as a touring sideman and studio session player with artists like Josh Groban, Robbie Williams, and Melody Gardot, to name a few. At the center of his percussion setup is Roland’s OCTAPAD SPD-30, which plays an important role alongside his large selection of traditional acoustic instruments. Pete visited the Roland AR office a few months back for an in-depth discussion about how he uses the OCTAPAD on stage and in the studio. While he was here, we also captured a great video of the percussionist demoing the OCTAPAD’s built-in looping function—check it out below.

April 8, 2014

Make the Perfect Kit with Drum Effects

Drew Armentrout [Roland US] Tips & Tricks drums, Octapad, Percussion, Sample Pad, sound module, SPD-30, SPD-SX, TD-30 4 Comments

Apply These Rules to V-Drums, Percussion Pads, & Sample Pads

Drum Effects on the TD-30 Sound Module

Author: Roland UK Features Team

A drummer’s sound is not just down to the tone of the drum itself. By using the built-in drum effects, it’s possible to just about recreate any drum sound you like and perform it with V-Drums.

Think of your favorite drummer. Now think of a favorite track (or album) they performed on, one that you know well. When you listen back to that track, it’s different to other tracks or albums they performed on, right? Sure, the drummer’s style, groove, and playing ability all define their sound – but that’s not what we’re discussing here. Part of the drum sound on that track is down to the actual kit they used, where it was recorded, how and even when they recorded it. More

January 24, 2014

Omar Hakim, The Drummer’s Drummer

Drew Armentrout [Roland US] Artists drums, Omar Hakim, Percussion, V-Drums 1 Comment

A Career Transcending Music Genres

Omar Hakim

Omar Hakim’s incredible groove and highly musical approach to drumming make him one of the most sought-after and talked about musicians the world over. In particular, his ability to play both jazz and pop with unrivaled authority – not to mention a groove that’s so deep you can’t help but fall in – puts his name at a near-legendary status. If he had stopped at Weather Report and Miles Davis, Omar Hakim would be marked as having a formidable career but that was just the beginning. Omar Hakim defined the groove for the groundbreaking Dream of the Blue Turtles, Sting’s first solo undertaking, as well as Sting’s Bring on the Night live CD and feature-length video. And his list of credits since is staggering: Madonna, Jewel, Tracy Chapman, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, David Bowie, Sophi B. Hawkins, Joan Osbourne, Everything But The Girl, Dire Straits, David Sanborn, and more. On top of all this studio and live drumming, Omar Hakim is also a gifted songwriter, producer, keyboardist and singer (“with a little guitar thrown in,” he notes). More

January 21, 2014

New Noise Eater Sound Isolation Products for V-Drums

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News drums, Percussion, sound isolation, V-Drums 2 Comments

Play V-Drums on Upper Floors Without Bothering Others

Roland NE-10 and NE-1 with Pedals and Stands

Roland NE-10 and NE-1 Noise Eater products placed under pedals and stand legs.

If you play V-Drums on an upper floor in a home, apartment, condo, or office, Roland’s innovative new NE-10 and NE-1 Noise Eater products are for you. Designed for use under kick pads/pedals and hi-hat controllers/stands, these unique drum sound isolation devices reduce noise transfer to rooms below by approximately 75 percent. With the NE-10 and NE-1, you’re able to enjoy playing V-Drums anytime without disturbing others, keeping your family members and neighbors happy and you from being evicted or worse! More

January 20, 2014

Explore the Power of Hybrid Drums

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News acoustic drums, drums, eDrums, electronic drums, Hybrid, Hybrid Drums, Kick, Percussion, Snare, V-Drums 1 Comment

New Drum Products: TM-2 Trigger Module and KT-10 Kick Trigger Pedal

TM-2 Trigger Module & KT-10 Kick Trigger Pedal for hybrid drums

Roland TM-2 Trigger Module and KT-10 Kick Trigger Pedal.

Roland’s latest E-percussion products make it easier than ever to supplement your acoustic drums with the powerful benefits of electronics. Compact and extremely affordable, the TM-2 Trigger Module provides two dual-trigger inputs, as well as over 100 ready-to-play sounds and the ability to trigger your own sounds, loops, and tracks via an SDHC card. With its low-profile design and pro feel, the KT-10 Kick Trigger Pedal integrates seamlessly alongside other pedals in your kit, and also works great as a low-noise pedal for use with V-Drums.

September 4, 2013

The New HandSonic HPD-20 has Arrived!

Jim Bybee [Roland US] Product News drums, Handsonic, HPD-20, Percussion 5 Comments

Dynamic Instrument and Pad Controller for Stage and Studio

Roland’s acclaimed HandSonic series invented the category of digital hand percussion over a decade ago, and the latest generation is now here! The all-new HandSonic HPD-20 seriously heats things up with its SuperNATURAL sound engine, user sound import and computer connectivity via USB, and many other enhancements. More versatile than ever before, the latest HandSonic is not just for percussionists and drummers—it’s also ideal for EDM performers, DJs, studio producers, and other modern music makers. More

April 8, 2013

Roland V-Drums World Championship 2 – Watch Live Online

Rebecca Eaddy [Roland US] Contests drums, Percussion, TD-30KV, V-Drums World Championship 0 Comments

16 Contestants Compete for V-Drums Crown

Roland V-Drums World Championship 2

Roland’s annual V-Drums® World Championship contest gives drummers a premier opportunity to explore their musical passion. Nearly 5,000 participants competed during the preliminary rounds in 2012! Each year, thousands of performances around the world feature musicians using TD-30KV, TD-15KV and TD-11KV drum kits and the OCTAPAD SPD-30 digital percussion pad. This year’s grande finale event will be streaming live on the V-Drums contest website, Thursday, April 11, 2013, starting at 10:30 a.m. PDT. The live broadcast will feature 16 international V-Drums finalists, behind the scenes interviews, expert judges and a performance by The Intersphere. More

March 28, 2013

V-Drums Friend Jam for Kids

OV Valle [Roland US] Product News drums, Family, HD-3, Percussion, TD-4KP, V-Drums 3 Comments

Interactive V-Drums Software for Kids

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. More

January 21, 2013

Add Triggering to Any Drum Set with the BT-1 Bar Trigger Pad

OV Valle [Roland US] Product News BT-1, Drum Trigger, drums, namm, namm 2013, Percussion 0 Comments

The new BT-1 Bar Trigger Pad makes it simple to add electronic triggering to any acoustic drum set or additional triggers to a V-Drums® set. With a compact, curved shape, it mounts quickly and easily to nearly any drum or V-Pad with the included hardware. More