Tag: roland

Gear

Roland releases update for SPD-SX PRO

Roland has released a free Version 2.0 firmware update for its SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad, adding several new features and workflow improvements. The most significant addition for existing Roland users is support for SPD-SX back-up files, allowing owners of the standard SPD-SX to load their existing performance set-ups directly into the SPD-SX PRO when upgrading. The update expands the unit’s time-stretching capabilities, enabling users to tempo-match samples in a manner similar to a DAW. Two modes are available — a real-time option for immediate results and an offline processing mode for higher-quality output. Other new features include per-kit master effects assignment, which previously operated only at a global level. Users can now assign master effects within individual kits and control […]

Gear

Roland launches TD-27, TD-17 replacements

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 […]

Gear, Performance

Jobeky powers The Who tour

American drummer Scott Devours has turned to Jobeky for triggers for his Sonor kit on The Who’s 2025 Final US “The Song is Over” Tour. Devours was named as the replacement drummer after the controversial sacking of Zak Starkey earlier this year. According to the official The Who website, Devours has played with Roger Daltrey since 2009 and also played with The Who for 20 or more shows in 2013. “So he’s a familiar person to all around here,” the site adds. For the tour, Devours is using “a new sparkling silver Sonor drum kit, which has a kind of vintage look”. Devours has a strong connection with Sonor, dating back to the first house kit he used in 1985 […]

DIY, Gear

Don’t skimp on the cone

We get this question all the time: “What’s the right foam density for making DIY trigger cones?” It’s a fair question, but it also signals a bigger debate. Let’s get real: apart from the piezo itself, the foam cone is the most critical part of an e-drum trigger. It’s the bridge between your stick hitting the mesh head and the piezo capturing that impact. The cone transmits the energy — responsively and uniformly — so your drum performs as you intended. What Happens with a Poor Cone? Inconsistent sensitivity — Too stiff or soft, and you’ll experience hotspots, dead zones, poorly defined ghost notes, or sluggish response. Inaccurate velocity response — The wrong density dulls dynamics; your module receives a […]

Gear, Performance

How I Use E-drums: Al Provan

After lugging gear around, UK-based drummer Al Provan decided less is more! I retired a short while ago from a career in the UK tech sector. I still love to play with technology, and when I’m not drumming, I do a bit of sound engineering and video production. I also co-host regular singer-songwriter evenings and an open mic night. I started to learn drums about 12 years ago at the age of 50. I wasn’t sure I could do it, so I bought a cajon and found a teacher. After a few weeks, we agreed I should learn drums and he’s been teaching me ever since. I started off with an acoustic kit but I felt guilty about practising at […]

Gear, Performance

Big Names, Big Ideas: E-drum Labs Return to the UK Drum Show

If you’re passionate about electronic drums, the E-drum Labs at this year’s UK Drum Show is the place to be. On October 18 and 19, head over to the digitalDrummer Room (Hall 12) ACC Liverpool for two full days of pure e-drum inspiration, innovation and interaction. With e-drums gaining ground in music stores and on stages around the world—and so many exciting new models launching lately — there’s never been a better time to dive into the electronic side of drumming. And we’ve lined up some of the biggest and brightest names in the game to help you do just that. Who’s in the Spotlight? Adam Tuminaro – The Orlando Drummer (Alesis) He stole the show at last year’s European […]

Gear, Performance

Tony Le Rhodes: How I Use E-drums

As the drummer of a touring synth pop tribute band, Tony Le Rhodes uses a vintage Simmons kit – but with some  contemporary add-ons. We have a very complicated kit set-up, which results from a lot of engineering. Firstly, we’ve got a custom-designed rack with a floating hi-hat. I even had the cable specifically designed for me by a hydraulics company. Then, we have the Simmons SDS 9 pads from 1983 and a Roland SPD-SX SE limited edition multipad. For cymbals, we’re running the Efnote cymbals. Behind the original Simmons kick drum, I’m using the Roland KT-10 trigger pedal, which feels and responds much better and is totally reliable. In this production for (‘80s synth pop band) Voxneon, we’re using […]

Gear, Review

Roland digital handpan: first impressions

With plenty of competitors nibbling at its core market, it’s not surprising to see Roland venture beyond traditional instruments for new offerings, but no-one would have predicted the Mood Pan, an electronic handpan, background music source and Bluetooth speaker system – all in one. What’s in the box The Mood Pan is a 12” convex playing surface mounted on what looks like an inverted salad bowl. Inspired by traditional handpans, it has a ring of eight dents surrounding a larger central indentation – each one being a separate trigger zone. The casing is also triggered, so you can add slaps and taps while you play the notes on the top. In action The Mood Pan is powered by six AA […]

Uncategorized

Rubber meets wireless: Roland’s DrumLink System expands DWe potential

Allan Leibowitz tests Roland’s new wireless cymbal pack. ROLAND CONTINUES TO reap the benefits of its DW acquisition, bringing more DWe innovations into its mainstream line-up. The latest evolution is the DrumLink wireless system, which incorporates DW’s wireless triggering technology into Roland’s broader e-drum ecosystem. We first saw DWe tech in action with Roland’s latest digital snare drums, introducing a virtual throw-off for the first time. Now, that same wireless tech is front and centre in Roland’s new WT-10 Wireless Trigger Adapter and DH-10 DrumLink Hub — the latter being a rebadged version of the DWe hub, used to receive signals from wireless drums and cymbals. Wireless expansion begins Roland’s first official foray into wireless expansion comes in the form […]

Gear, Uncategorized

My Monster Kit

Dave Plumb from Manchester in the UK shows off his kit. Dave’s kit:  Roland VAD 503 Roland TD-27 module ddrum DDTi interface Yamaha DTX Multi 12  DTXplorer module Additional drums: Three PD-85 toms; 8”, 12”, 14” A2E toms Additional cymbals: Lemon and Roland  Dave’s story: I started playing the drums at 13 years old when I discovered prog rock. The bands I listened to and which influenced me were Rush, Genesis and The Doors.  I was gigging in clubs and pubs around Manchester every weekend from the age of 14 in the early ’80s with lots of different bands. I used to gig with a Pearl acoustic drum kit. In my 50s, I turned to electronic drums, starting with a […]