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MatrixClaw « Awesome for Recording and Practicing! »
Published on 03/22/11 at 11:47I have the older version which comes with:
- TD-10 Sound Module
- (3) PD-120s (snare & 2 floor toms)
- (2) PD-100s (2 rack toms)
- (3) PD-9s (cymbals)
- (1) PD-7 (hi-hat)
- (1) KD-7 (single kick drum)
- (1) FD-7 (hi-hat pedal)
The TD-10 module features:
- Easy to use via six faders, large value dial, icon-based programming and backlit graphic LCD
- Lightning-fast trigger response; amazingly accurate detection of stick velocity, position and speed
- Positional sensing allows for triggering of sounds with natural timbral difference depending on location of drum hit
- 600 drum sounds and 54 melody instruments; 50 full drum kits; built-in sequencer with 4-part backing band
- Comprehensive reverb, EQ, compression, and ambience effects
- 12 dual-trigger inputs and 8 outputs (4 stereo pairs)
I've been wanting a set of these for years, and finally got a chance to buy them for a cheap price, so I jumped on them! I currently use this as a recording tool to trigger Steven Slate Drums on my computer via MIDI, and to practice with headphones when I can't play loud on my acoustic set. This set is perfect for those applications!
The module certainly isn't as user friendly as the newer Roland ones are. I'm still trying to figure out how to use this thing, but for the most part, I've figured out how to use it enough for what I need. I'd DEFINITELY suggest you read the manual, especially if you plan on using this for more than what I do (live use, etc). The sounds in this thing are actually quite good. I find myself using the preset "Rock" kit more than anything, as it's, in my opinion, the best sounding acoustic set on the module. I have changed the ride to a china, though, since I don't use the ride nearly as much as the china (which the sounds on the chinas sound AMAZING, better than any real cymbal I've ever played). There's a lot of wacky sounds in here that I play around with occasionally as well, my favorite is the "Far East" kit, while I have no idea what I'd use it for in any practical application, it sure is cool to play around with!
The pads are very nice feeling, I'd never played a fully mesh-headed electric set until I got this one, and wow, what a difference it makes. The rubber pads that come on many of the lower end sets don't feel real and aren't very responsive, they have little bounce-back and really just don't feel good at all. The 10" and 12" mesh pads on these things are amazing! Great bounce on them, super sensitive with the module, with allows you to build up volume, just like you could on a real set. You can even do rimshots, which is awesome!
The PD-9s and PD-7 are okay for cymbals. They force you to hit them with the tip of your stick on the top, flat surface, of the pad, which is definitely a lot different than hitting real cymbals. It takes some getting used to, especially since they're pretty dense and it feels like you're hitting a wall. The first thing I did to my kit was replaced the PD-9s with a set of dual zone (2 crashes) and a triple zone (ride/china) Pintech VisuLite set, and replaced the PD-7 hi-hat with a Roland CY-6. Couldn't be more happy with them!
The hi-hat pedal is very responsive, and I find it better than the new FD-8s Roland puts on their newer kits. The only thing this pedal lacks, is adjustability. I wish I could set the height of the pedal a bit lower, while still having a bit of motion left in it, but I find I have to keep it pretty high to feel somewhat real.
The KD-7 kick pedal is extremely responsive and works great. Usually, I bury my beater, and this thing rarely double triggered on me. In order to use double bass though (which I need), you have to buy a second KD-7 and daisy chain it with the first one. While this is a fairly inexpensive add-on, I decided to sell the pedal and buy a KD-80 mesh kick pad instead, so I could use my double pedals on it. While the KD-80 double triggers A LOT more than the KD-7 (probably because I still don't understand how half of this thing works), it's much quieter, which is a huge plus in my book. The KD-7 sounded like you were beating on the floor (I have my set upstairs, and you could hear it loud and clear below me).
Stock, this set is still awesome and I would definitely recommend it to someone who needs it for practice or recording. I'm not sure I'd use it live, just because I'm afraid of an electronic piece failing on me, and ending up with a dead set at a show. If I had the money for a backup module, I'd probably try using it live. Not only would it be much easier to set up, it'd also be a lot easier to hear the other instruments (especially if you use headphones and have the sound guy plug the mix directly into the Aux input of the module!). The only downfall is it doesn't look nearly as awesome as an acoustic set!
If you have the money to spend, these kits simply can't be beaten for the price! If you can score the newer version with the expansion card on the module and the Roland V-Cymbals and KD-120 kick pad, you've got yourself a set that can easily stand up to the newer $7000 TD-20!
Stock, with my version, I give this set a 7/10, because it could definitely use some upgrades (in my eyes), with the upgrades, this set is an easy 9/10!
- TD-10 Sound Module
- (3) PD-120s (snare & 2 floor toms)
- (2) PD-100s (2 rack toms)
- (3) PD-9s (cymbals)
- (1) PD-7 (hi-hat)
- (1) KD-7 (single kick drum)
- (1) FD-7 (hi-hat pedal)
The TD-10 module features:
- Easy to use via six faders, large value dial, icon-based programming and backlit graphic LCD
- Lightning-fast trigger response; amazingly accurate detection of stick velocity, position and speed
- Positional sensing allows for triggering of sounds with natural timbral difference depending on location of drum hit
- 600 drum sounds and 54 melody instruments; 50 full drum kits; built-in sequencer with 4-part backing band
- Comprehensive reverb, EQ, compression, and ambience effects
- 12 dual-trigger inputs and 8 outputs (4 stereo pairs)
I've been wanting a set of these for years, and finally got a chance to buy them for a cheap price, so I jumped on them! I currently use this as a recording tool to trigger Steven Slate Drums on my computer via MIDI, and to practice with headphones when I can't play loud on my acoustic set. This set is perfect for those applications!
The module certainly isn't as user friendly as the newer Roland ones are. I'm still trying to figure out how to use this thing, but for the most part, I've figured out how to use it enough for what I need. I'd DEFINITELY suggest you read the manual, especially if you plan on using this for more than what I do (live use, etc). The sounds in this thing are actually quite good. I find myself using the preset "Rock" kit more than anything, as it's, in my opinion, the best sounding acoustic set on the module. I have changed the ride to a china, though, since I don't use the ride nearly as much as the china (which the sounds on the chinas sound AMAZING, better than any real cymbal I've ever played). There's a lot of wacky sounds in here that I play around with occasionally as well, my favorite is the "Far East" kit, while I have no idea what I'd use it for in any practical application, it sure is cool to play around with!
The pads are very nice feeling, I'd never played a fully mesh-headed electric set until I got this one, and wow, what a difference it makes. The rubber pads that come on many of the lower end sets don't feel real and aren't very responsive, they have little bounce-back and really just don't feel good at all. The 10" and 12" mesh pads on these things are amazing! Great bounce on them, super sensitive with the module, with allows you to build up volume, just like you could on a real set. You can even do rimshots, which is awesome!
The PD-9s and PD-7 are okay for cymbals. They force you to hit them with the tip of your stick on the top, flat surface, of the pad, which is definitely a lot different than hitting real cymbals. It takes some getting used to, especially since they're pretty dense and it feels like you're hitting a wall. The first thing I did to my kit was replaced the PD-9s with a set of dual zone (2 crashes) and a triple zone (ride/china) Pintech VisuLite set, and replaced the PD-7 hi-hat with a Roland CY-6. Couldn't be more happy with them!
The hi-hat pedal is very responsive, and I find it better than the new FD-8s Roland puts on their newer kits. The only thing this pedal lacks, is adjustability. I wish I could set the height of the pedal a bit lower, while still having a bit of motion left in it, but I find I have to keep it pretty high to feel somewhat real.
The KD-7 kick pedal is extremely responsive and works great. Usually, I bury my beater, and this thing rarely double triggered on me. In order to use double bass though (which I need), you have to buy a second KD-7 and daisy chain it with the first one. While this is a fairly inexpensive add-on, I decided to sell the pedal and buy a KD-80 mesh kick pad instead, so I could use my double pedals on it. While the KD-80 double triggers A LOT more than the KD-7 (probably because I still don't understand how half of this thing works), it's much quieter, which is a huge plus in my book. The KD-7 sounded like you were beating on the floor (I have my set upstairs, and you could hear it loud and clear below me).
Stock, this set is still awesome and I would definitely recommend it to someone who needs it for practice or recording. I'm not sure I'd use it live, just because I'm afraid of an electronic piece failing on me, and ending up with a dead set at a show. If I had the money for a backup module, I'd probably try using it live. Not only would it be much easier to set up, it'd also be a lot easier to hear the other instruments (especially if you use headphones and have the sound guy plug the mix directly into the Aux input of the module!). The only downfall is it doesn't look nearly as awesome as an acoustic set!
If you have the money to spend, these kits simply can't be beaten for the price! If you can score the newer version with the expansion card on the module and the Roland V-Cymbals and KD-120 kick pad, you've got yourself a set that can easily stand up to the newer $7000 TD-20!
Stock, with my version, I give this set a 7/10, because it could definitely use some upgrades (in my eyes), with the upgrades, this set is an easy 9/10!