V-Drums TD-20

[Vdrummer]

I've used electronics successfully in the studio, but I made a point of playing simpler to disguise I was using them. Most of the time it's pretty obvious when I hear a demo that was played with electronic drums.

[Craig Simpson]

Hi pgroover. I bought the Roland TD20 around ten months ago and all I can say is that you will have no worries with this kit. I have been playing now for 22 years and this is the best set up I have ever had. I make my living as a drummer in Lanzarote and play live and with backing tracks in different gigs and regardles of what I do the kit performs amazingly. As for the cymbals, I have put my Zildjian set to rest as the V-cymbals are fantastic. You will not be dissapointed and the fact that you can change all the settings for each and individual pad helps so much too. I do however use my own PA, the HK Audio LUCAS 1000 and yes its more to carry about and it does take me around 45 mins to set up but it is WELL worth it. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Craig Simpson]

Hi Vdrummer:
What kind of kit are you using in the studio as Its a shame that you need to play simpler to make it sound concincing. I use the Roland TD-20 live and I have also recorded with it and I can honestly say that I never or have had to hold back. I have played the Roland TD-8 for a while and I must admit that with that kit, I could not get into playing well as the response and feel just was not there. However the TD-20 lets you play as you always have. I dont think I would ever go back now to a normal kit. I have also read other people talking about not being able to do rolls or dynamics, all I can say to that is that I can easily. Try the TD-20 if you can and let me know your opinion.

[Vdrummer]

I've played electronic drums on dozens of projects, demo's live and have owned a variety of rigs. Don't get me wrong, when I mentioned dynamics, I was referring to units that switch between different samples. That I can usually hear as not sounding real. So if a keyboardist has you trigger his sampler and it triggers different samples depending on velocity, I find it unnatural sounding. In a track, sometimes it's not so objectionable.

The ddrum3 I was referring to, was fine with dynamics, as are the Roland units which just use one sample. However, if you have a big verby sound, playing it lightly sounds fake to me. The Roland stuff has a reverb which helps over the ddrum sounds that sample the verb into the sound.

Rolls are still a problem with all electronic kits to my ears, but the TD-20 is better than any others. I played the newest TD-12 last week, and it's cool but the rolls still don't sound like an acoustic drum to me. The pads are great and trigger well.

Personally, I'd rather use an acoustic kit and mike it, if given the choice. But often, that's not an option.