I wanted to purchase an affordable electronic drum kit for my drum classes at the school I teach in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. After some research and reviews I ordered the Roland TD-1DMK.
It ticked lots of boxes:
It was within my music budget. ($999.00- AUD)
All mesh pads
Compact size and sturdy
Rubber Kick pad included
Lots of drum-kit sounds to choose from to inspire students
Backing Tracks (15) for students to play along
Metronome function to help keep time
Coach function (10) to develop timing skills
Adjustable heights for Teenagers and Adult use
Easy to use drum module
For more detail on the review, please click here to read the full set-up stages and Pro’s and Con’s on the Roland TD-1DmKV.
First Impression- unboxing:
The unit comes in a compact box and but a little heavy, so two people may be required to safely lift it or using a trolley to move it to the set up area would be wise.
All the items such as tubular steel frames, drum pads, cymbal pads and electronic devices are securely well packed and can be taken out of the box easily.
Pro’s & Con’s
You may skip the Setting-up steps below if you are comfortable doing it yourself by following the manual (trial and error). And go to the end for the Pro’s and Con’s of the TD-1DMK
Setting up:
First Step:
Begin by removing the main components of the kit one by one, e.g tubular steel frames and placing together on one side on the floor.
Do not remove from wrapping just yet.
Continue to remove other items from the main box, such as, drum pads and place in one spot, then the cymbals and last the electronic devices and place in a safe spot. But do not remove their packaging until you are ready to place them on the frame.
Second Step:
Start by unwrapping the tubular steel frame and lay it flat on the floor together. Follow the instructions in the manual to help you connect the frames together. This is the main frame that will hold all the other drum, cymbal pads and other accessories together. You may need another person to help you do this.
Third Step:
Once you have assembled the frame and it is upright, you need to move the clamps where you would like to position your drums and cymbal pads. Next fit the tom pads and snare pad holders into the clamps. Make sure you attach the bass drum pad and plate to the frame before moving it upright.
Fourth Step:
Insert the cymbal stands/arms to the clamps and move the clamps if required to get a better playing position. Unpack the cymbal pads and place them on the appropriate stands, e.g Hi-hat, crash or ride cymbal stand.
Fifth Step:
Attach the main controller to the left side of the frame. Then plug in all the cables to the controller and connect to appropriate drum and cymbal pads and pedals. Last, connect the power cable to the controller (brain) and connect to power outlet.
Sixth Step:
If all has been properly connected, switch the controller on and it lights up ready for you to try it out. You may use a headphone to hear the drum sounds or you may hook an external speaker so everyone can hear the drum sounds.
PRO’S
The frame feels sturdy and strong for an entry level drum kit.
The controller/module is basic but simple to use
The mesh pads feels good to play on
Tunable drum pads
Choice of 15 drum-kits
Good sound from the kits, Rock, Pop, Jazz styles
Metronome function to help in timing
Coaching feature to test you timing skills
Backing tracks to songs for playing along
Various songs in Rock, Funk, Country, Jazz styles
Aux input for iPhone playback
USB output to trigger drums from music software
CON’S
Drum pads seems a bit small
No dual trigger on pads
Cymbal pads feels a little hard at times
Rubber Bass drum pad feels hard when playing. (noisy thud sound)
No bass drum pedal supplied (bass drum review coming soon)
No drum stool/sticks or headphone supplied (drum stool review coming soon)
No separate volume adjustments for backing track songs
Same input for headphone and external speaker
Above all a great little electronic drum kit for individual practice, band rehearsals and stage performance. You get a good V-drum set up made by Roland, which have V-drums to cater for all needs from hobbyist, students to full on professional drummers.
This the link of a good video tutorial I went through with my students, to help them listen, watch and follow instructions on setting up the TD-1DMK, each step of the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vIwdMqoucE
Thanks to my Year 8’ and two Year 7’s drum students who were keen to help me set-up the whole kit on the day.
Congrats to everyone living in Melbourne for their efforts in fighting it out during the COVID lockdown period in 2020. Well done !!
A New Year brings a new beginning and we hope that 2021 brings hope, new challenges and happiness to all.
We are offering some new specialized music classes for 2021 along with our regular popular ones.
Individual Classes resumes from Monday 1 Feb, 2021- 3.30pm to 7.30pm. Mondays to Thursdays.
Group Classes in African Drumming resumes from Tuesday 2 Feb, 7.00/7.30 pm at Saltwater Community Centre or Saltwater Reserve-TBC
New classes for 2021:
Keyboard Classes in Pop/Modern-Term 1-Contact us for more details and Bookings
Keyboard Lessons
Music Theory for guitar, bass and keyboard- Term 2
Music composition using music software and digital tools-Term 2
Ableton live
Garage Band
Music Production classes from beginners to advance level
Programming Beats
Analogue Desk
Music Production Studio
Our Popular classes in Drum-kit, Percussion, Bass guitar , Acoustic & Electric guitar will continue as usual in 2021. Classes resume From Monday 1 Feb, 2021.
Drumming Group
Daniel Guitar – Late teens
Drum-kit
Bass
Nuvein into it !
Our classes will run from Mondays to Thursdays from 3.30pm to 7.30pm (8 Week Term starting from Feb 1, 2021)
To register your interest and for bookings please contact us below
As part of the Wyndham Learning Festival-23-30 November 2020
Beat Factor Music is proud to be involved again this year in the Festival, with over 140 online events.activities in the Wyndham area.
The drumming class is uplifting, engaging and fun.
Participants will learn African rhythms, technique, warm up exercises and creativity through rhythm.
Experienced players and those with no experience are all welcome. BYO: Djembe, congas, bongos, darbuka.
FAQ: What if I don’t have a drum?
If you don’t have a drum, use a bucket, chair, box or simply tap on your legs.
FAQ: I already know how to play and want to learn more?
We have our normal beginners classes running on Monday 7 & 14 December, from 7-8pm. Intermediate classes running on Tuesdays 8 & 15 December, from 7.30-8.30pm
Connect with your community for your wellbeing, stress relief and have fun.
“I started with Beat Factor Music in 2009 and finished in 2018. Over the course of those years I learnt so much about my instrument, having Rod as a teacher and mentor I learnt so much about drumming and I wouldn’t be the drummer I am now if it wasn’t for Rod” – James Marshall
“Rod is a great music teacher and has so much patience when teaching me how to play drums. He had a great teaching method which incorporated a good balance of both Theory and Practical time during the lessons. His calm and step by step teaching approach was fantastic in helping you to build up confidence behind the kit”. Adam Burruto
As Melbourne is slowly easing restrictions. Our individual lessons and Group lessons will continue to be delivered On-line, on Zoom, Skype or Facetime.
Our Term 4 classes have been running now for some weeks.
We hope to have our Drum group classes outdoors from 23 November, and our one-to one classes in Drum-kit, bass and guitar soon afterwards, once some of the restrictions have been lifted.
To ensure the safety of our community in the West, we will have our COVID safety procedures in place, such as, keeping social distancing, wearing of masks, wiping down of equipment before and after use and access of hand sanitizers for all our students and parents.
On-line lessons via zoom will still continue for some students as well.
Our On-line beginners class in African Drumming are on Mondays, 7.00pm to 8.00pm.
Our On-line Intermediate class in African Drumming are on Tuesdays 7.30 pm to 8.30pm.
To our regular and new students, due to the impact and disruption of the COVID-19 Stage 3 restrictions, all lessons for Term 3 will be conducted On-Line via Zoom from Monday 20 July.
Music lessons will be held at your normal day and times as scheduled during Term 3. We will be using Zoom as our preferred video conferencing program, free download.. Skye and Facebook are also possible if preferred.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Stay Creative
Stay Positive
Stay Safe
All the best, Rod Pilois – Music Educator/Manager – Beat Factor Music
