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.
Great job boys and girls.
Rod Pilois
Music Educator
Beat Factor Music
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