Roland has released two all-new electronic drum kit lineups based around the new V31 and V51 sound modules.
These next-generation modules are part of a unified ecosystem with the flagship V71 from the V-Drums 7 Series, providing full cross-compatibility across V-Drums modules for the first time. The new modules feature the same onboard sound library as the top-end drum brain and are paired with newly developed pads, updated hardware, wireless app integration, and more.
V-Drums 5 Series
The V-Drums 5 Series delivers pro-level performance for home, studio, and stage. The V51 module offers full Roland digital pad support and comes in pad-style and acoustic design kit versions.
The VAD516 V-Drums Acoustic Design heads the V-Drums 5 Series, combining the immersive look, feel, and stage presence of an acoustic drum set with Roland’s digital snare (PD-14DSX), ride (CY-18DR), and hi-hat (VH-14D) pads and advanced V-Drums features. Outfitted with attractive Midnight Sparkle wraps, this five-piece kit includes two rack toms (PDA100-MS and PDA120-MS), a floor tom (PDA140F-MS), and the newly developed KD-20-MS, a full-size 20” kick drum with the same high-res triggering as the KD-22 from the V-Drums 7 Series.
As the mid-level kit in the V-Drums 5 Series line-up, the TD516 combines premium sound and flexibility with a spacious footprint, enhanced playability, and digital pad integration. Equipped with digital snare (PD-140DS), ride (CY-18DR), and hi-hat (VH-14D) pads and a large kick pad (KD-12), it’s made for drummers who want a refined playing experience without the flagship expense.
The TD513 is the entry point into the V-Drums 5 Series, offering high-end expression and performance in a streamlined, accessible setup. Featuring redesigned tom pads (two PD-8H and one PD-10H) for enhanced feel, a highly responsive 12” snare pad (PD-12P), and the new MDS-Standard 3 stand, the TD513 provides an authentic drumming experience coupled with serious customisation tools to personalise the sound.
V-Drums 3 Series
The V-Drums 3 Series is based around the streamlined V31 module, each kit featuring updated components for enhanced playability and powerful tools for skill development and jamming. The V31 also includes a dedicated digital trigger input that allows users to upgrade their set-up with a high-resolution Roland digital snare, ride, or hi-hat pad.
Headlining this series is the VAD316, with Acoustic Design shells. With a 12” snare (PDA-120LS), shallow-depth wood tom shells (two PDA100L-BK and one PDA120L-BK), and a full-size kick drum (KD-18-BK), this kit offers the stage presence, feel, and familiar layout of a traditional acoustic set – but with complete volume control.
The mid-level TD316 pairs the module with a 12” snare pad (PD-12P), upgraded tom pads (two PD-8H and one PD-10H), three cymbal pads (two CY-12C-T crashes and one CY-14R-T ride), and stand-mounted VH-10 hi-hats, offering a familiar, acoustic-style feel, while the new MDS-Compact 2 stand features a wider layout for increased setup flexibility.
The TD313 is more compact, with a 12” snare pad (PDX-12), upgraded tom pads (two PD-8H and one PD-10H), and a KD-10 kick pad.
It is worth noting that Roland has trickled down the V71 technology to the two lower modules and the main ‘sacrifices’ are the numbers of inputs and outputs. Both the V51 and V31 use the DB-25 cable snake in place of individual input jacks. The V51 has fewer direct outs than the flagship module (two Master and two Direct) while the V31 has only two Direct Outs.
digitalDrummer attended a pre-release demonstration, where we noted that there are also differences in the instrument sliders and onboard editing and FX, but all of the V71’s editing functionality is accessible through the new free software editor.
US pricing starts at $1,699.99 for the TD313, rising to $5,799.99 for the VAD516. The modules go for $1,899.99 for the V51 while the V31 retails for $999.99.
According to Roland, all the kits and modules are now available for shipping and dealers already have stock.
Specification | V31 | V51 |
Drum Kits | 200 (Preset: More than 70) | 200 (Preset: More than 70) |
Instruments | More than 1,000 | More than 1,000 |
Display | Graphic color LCD 4.3 inch | Graphic color LCD 4.3 inch |
Faders | None | 6 (KICK, SNARE, TOMS, HI-HAT, CYMBALS, AMBIENCE) |
External Memory | SD card (SDHC supported) | SD card (SDHC supported) |
AUX TRIGGER IN (1/4″ TRS) | 2 (CRASH 2, AUX/TOM 4) | 4 (CRASH 2, AUX 1/TOM 4, AUX 2, AUX 3) |
DIGITAL TRIGGER IN (USB A) | 1 port | 3 ports |
MASTER OUT | 1/4-inch phone type, unbalanced (L/MONO, R) | 1/4-inch phone type, unbalanced (L/MONO, R) |
DIRECT OUT | None | 2 (1/4-inch TRS phone type, unbalanced) |
PHONES Jack | 1 (Stereo miniature phone type) | 2 (Stereo 1/4-inch phone type, Stereo miniature phone type) |
MIX IN Jack | 1 (Stereo miniature phone type) | 1 (Stereo 1/4-inch phone type) |
MIDI Connectors | MIDI OUT connector | MIDI (IN, OUT/THRU) connectors |
FOOT SW Jack | None | 1/4-inch TRS phone type |
USB Audio (Vendor Mode) Record Channels | 30 channels | 32 channels |
Current Draw | 1,100 mA | 1,700 mA |
Dimensions (H) | 97 mm (3-7/8 inches) | 103 mm (4-1/16 inches) |
Weight | 2.2 kg (4 lbs 14 oz) | 2.4 kg (5 lbs 5 oz) |
V51 vs V31: Key Differences at a Glance
The V51 module is a more advanced unit, primarily offering more connectivity and real-time control compared to the V31.
- Real-time Control: The V51 includes 6 Faders for quick, on-the-fly volume adjustment of different kit components.
- Connectivity: The V51 offers a significant increase in input/output options:
- It supports more digital pads (3 digital trigger ports vs. 1 on the V31).
- It has more auxiliary analog inputs (4 vs. 2).
- It provides dedicated Direct Out jacks for routing individual drums to an external mixer for more flexible recording/mixing.
- It includes a full MIDI IN, OUT/THRU setup and a dedicated FOOT SW jack.
- Recording: The V51 supports 32 recording channels over USB (in Vendor Mode), compared to 30 channels on the V31.
- Physical Size/Power: The V51 is slightly taller and has a higher current draw due to the extra features.
All other core sound features, such as the number of instruments, drum kits, effect types, sample import capacity, display size, and recorder formats, are the same between the two modules.