Back to navigation


The Next Generation of Roland Hybrid V-Drum Versatility





This article was


Written By





Our Product Research Team





Get to know them!





Traditional looks, authentic acoustic response, and unlimited sonic possibilities: Roland’s VAD hybrid drum sets meet at the crossroads of natural feel and electronic versatility! Real wooden shells with tunable mesh heads capture the lively feedback of an acoustic drum, with a customizable response that’s easily tuned to your personal playing preferences. Next, a flexible array of multi-zone V-Cymbals are thinned down from previous generations to provide enhanced expressive potential. However, what truly takes the VAD504 to the next generation is the updated TD-27 sound module, now loaded up with 75 kits and an entire library of sound-shaping tools. If you’re after an electronic drum set that excels equally onstage, in the studio, or simply in the practice room, then Roland’s VAD drums are the kits to beat!





Note: Set does not include snare stand, kick pedal, or hi-hat stand. Make sure to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 to outfit your kit with all the necessary gear.





Related Videos: V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD504 Electronic Drum Set





NOW PLAYING:


Roland VAD504 V-Drums: Electric Evolution in Hybrid Performance





Roland V-Drums TD-27KV2 and VAD504 / VAD507 Overview





Roland TD-27 V-Drums Kit Pack | Roland Cloud Greatest Funk/R&B Tracks Vol. 1 Sound Demos


What's included with the Roland VAD504:


Second Generation TD-27 Sound Module


14-inch PD-140DS snare


14-inch VH14D hi-hat


18-inch CY-18DR ride


14-inch CY-14C-T crash


10-inch PDA100-MS Rack rack tom


14-inch PDA140F-MS floor tom


20-inch KD-200-MS kick


DBS-30 drum boom stand


DCS-30 drum combination stand


Generation 2 TD-27 Sound Module


The power of Prismatic Sound Modeling





Just like Roland’s top-of-the-line TD-50 sound module, the TD-27 is powered by Roland’s cutting-edge Prismatic Sound Modeling. This system’s exceptionally deep editing capabilities allow you to shape and tune just about every facet of your kit, from the shell’s tone and tuning to cymbal size and articulation. Moreover, Prismatic Sound Modeling features virtual mic placement to dial in liveliness and room ambience ? there’s even a library of new effects including roomy reverb, compression, and more to effortlessly capture a studio-quality sound!





PureAcoustic Ambience Technology





Apart from your shells, one other sonic component shapes every element of your kit’s tone: the room. In the past, electronic kits could sometimes have the feeling of playing in a vacuum, which is why Roland developed their innovative PureAcoustic Ambience Technology to create a natural and immersive foundation for your eDrum sound. PureAcoustic imbues every strike of the set with life-like roominess to take your kit’s tone to a whole new level of realism.





10 all-new kits





Generation Two of the TD-27 amps up the sonic versatility, delivering a vast array of 75 preset kits developed with professional drummers. 10 of these kits are all-new to the TD-27, and many of the legacy kits were fine-tuned and tweaked by Roland, sounding better than ever before! As if that wasn’t enough, improved integration with Roland Cloud makes it a breeze to download fresh new kits from Roland’s ever-expanding library, including many signature artist sets that put the power of the world’s top players directly into your hands.





Craft a custom kit





In addition to the vast collection of preset drum kits, the TD-27 allows you to import your own WAV sounds via SD card to build your own personal instrument or integrate a specific sample into a preset kit. From lo-fi percussion samples to full-length audio loops, the TD-27’s customization possibilities are truly endless!





Simplify your recording setup





If you’re building up a home studio, an electronic drum kit is just about the easiest way to lay down your drum tracks ? no mics, interface, or excessive noise required! The TD-27 outputs a whopping 28 channels of multitrack audio to your DAW via a single USB cable for near-silent recording of studio-quality beats. Plus, the TD-27 can be rigged up as a USB MIDI interface, allowing you to re-track or trigger parts using virtual instruments in your DAW. Lastly, the stereo mix output and two assignable outputs are a must-have feature for performing musicians who regularly hook up their set to a PA mixer.





Expand your potential





While the VAD504 comes with just about everything a drummer could ever want, we more than understand the never-ending need to tinker and build upon your setup. Fortunately, Roland includes three extra auxiliary trigger inputs on the TD-27 sound module to further upgrade your kit!





Bluetooth MIDI and song streaming





The TD-27’s built-in Bluetooth transceiver is sure to elevate your practice and recording sessions. Music can be streamed directly from your device to the module, allowing you to practice with your favorite grooves and fills.





VAD504 Pads and Cymbals


14-inch digital snare plays like the real deal





The VAD504's snare drum is sophisticated as its sound module. Eight sensors across the 4.3-inch x 14-inch Roland PD-140DS's head and rim accurately translate your performance into the electronic realm. This means fat backbeats, cutting rimshots, delicate ghost notes, brush sweeps, and natural cross-sticks that connect every time. And because of its 14-inch diameter, the Roland PD-140DS transitions seamlessly between your acoustic kit and back. Particular about your tuning? So are we at Sweetwater. Fortunately, the PD-140DS's 8-lug design and 3-ply mesh head make it easy to dial in whatever level of tightness or sponginess you desire.





Top-of-the line VH-14D hi-hat





The crown jewel of the VAD504’s impressive set of pads is the VH-14D, a 14-inch pad that sets the standard for acoustic-like realism. A two-piece design, open/closed resolution, and touch-sensitive multi-sensor system delivers unmatched expression potential, tracking every subtlety of your stick’s strike. Foot splashes sound better than ever, and you can even mute the cymbal with a quick grab ? just like a real cymbal! It might not be made out of bronze, but you’d be hard-pressed to tell the VH-14D apart from the real thing.





18-inch digital ride is Roland's most convincing V-Cymbal yet





Electronic cymbals have a reputation for being utilitarian ? a means to end. But the Roland CY-18DR invites players to bring their acoustic touch back to their eKit. This 18-inch V-Cymbal sways and plays like a real cymbal. Multiple sensors across the playing surface eliminate the feeling of zones; distinct edge, bow, and bell tones melt into one another seamlessly. And the Roland CY-18DR's multi-touch technology not only lets you choke crash attacks with your hand, but also even soften cymbal attacks with a finger's touch. If you have trouble getting the full emotion of a performance to translate through traditional eCymbals, Sweetwater recommends putting the Roland CY-18DR V-Cymbal digital ride through its paces. You won't be disappointed.





Thinned-down CY-14C-T crash cymbal





This generation of Roland V-Drums features a thinner, more sensitive CY-14C-T crash cymbal. In addition to its new low profile, this cymbal offers a choke control that functions just like a traditional cymbal ? just grab the edge! A dual-trigger design is designed with sensors on both the bow and edge for a wide variety of configuration options.





Full-size wood shells, tuneable mesh heads





Nothing looks and plays like a wood drum. The VAD504's full-sized wood shells and tuneable mesh heads supply the feel of your favorite acoustic kit, all with an easy-to-control acoustic output that's easy to control onstage or in a residential setting. Shells come decked out in a premium Roland Midnight Sparkle wrap and feature chrome hardware for an unmistakable look from the platform or in the studio.





Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD504 4-piece Electronic Drum Set Features:


Updated TD-27 Sound Module loaded with 75 kits


Prismatic Sound Modeling lets you tweak tone, tuning, muffling, and more


PureAcoustic Ambience Technology creates lifelike soundstages through virtual microphone placement


Intuitive hands-on module interface


8-sensor PD-140DS snare trigger picks up meaty backbeats, delicate grace notes, and accurate buzzes and flams


5-sensor CY-18DR ride trigger offers distinct edge, bow, and bell tones without the feeling of zones


Thinned-down CY-14C-T crash cymbal unlocks enhanced expression capabilities


Top-of-the-line VH-14D 2-piece hi-hat


Full-depth PDA100-MS rack tom, KD-200MS kick, and PDA140F floor tom deliver the feel and response of a traditional acoustic shell


Tunable mesh heads to dial in your sound


Importable .WAV files over SDHC card


Audio over USB ? export 28 simultaneous drum tracks to your computer over a single cable


MIDI over USB ? capture your performance in flawless detail and shape with virtual instruments


3 additional analog trigger inputs let you expand your kit down the line


Free Melodics software allows you to develop your playing and timing


Download new sounds, samples, and signature artist kits from Roland Cloud


Coach mode provides daily practice tools and progress tracking to sharpen up your chops


Road-ready DBS-30 drum boom stand and DCS-30 drum combination stand