Drumsrule1979 Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Thursday, Jun 24, 2010 - 3:16 PM

Hello everybody,

I'm a proud owner of a TDW-20 kit. Let's start off with this...is the expansion board worth the extra $500? In my opinion, I say yes. The improvements with the Hi-Hat alone is worth the money. How is it better you ask? Just the TD-20 itself, as for all electronic drumsets, require you to "learn" how to play the drumkit, that is to emulate the acoustic kits, you need to understand the mechanics of your ekit, especially the hi-hat which I find tends to be narrow and probably the most unrealistic of all e-components. The TDW-20 expansion board is by far as close as your going to get to a real hi-hat. From tight accurate 16th notes to full open washy loudness to everything in between...very ACCURATE. Is it going to replace the real thing? never...but IMO, any drummer can get in the drivers seat of the TDW-20 and play how he/she plays an acoustic kit and replicate that sounds quite faithfully without having to "figure" out how to hit the kit properly.

The TDW-20 also has some cool stuff, but useless stuff like the option to have ambiant mics from across the room? A cool effect maybe, but for $500, Roland could have come up with something better and more practical. Other notable practical stuff is the addition of the large condenser mic for kick drums...all kinds of awesome that is !! The new tom sounds are also very good, as are the new snares and kicks...they also added my beloved Zildjian K heavy ride, quite cool. As far as playability the only real quibble with the TD-20/TDW-20 is the rides, some of them the bell is sorta hard to trigger, you really have to pinpoint it to get a satisfactory sound out of them, otherwise you get sort of a bell sound but more of a loud ping sound like you smack the body of the ride really hard with the butt of your stick.

As far as module vs software, my opinion is: The software can offer you extreamly realistic sounds especially for recording, also if you use VST's the sound posibilities are virtually limitless. You can manipulate the sounds/parameters/mic placement and everything until the cows come home. It does require you to have good knowledge of soundcards and all that good stuff, latency is always an issue, you have to make sure you know what your cpu can handle before you start investing money in such software. For live performances, although I personally don't do it (because of fear !!) a lot of drummers I know have/do do it all the time with no issues...but in my case all I needed to hear was one story of a drummer getting up there and for some reason his laptop crapped out half way through his set and then all hell broke lose. Unless you have deep pockets and can afford to have backups of everything, I'm much more confident in just the module for live playing...besides, the TDW-20 thru a good PA system is nothing to be ashamed about and I challenge anybody to not be impressed by it...the biggest problem in my opinion with edrums is the visual aspect of them, there is still a very real stigma that exist with them, especially with rock bands, dudes are almost ashamed to put them on stage or people don't want to play with drummers who play with them. And while there is some merit to that, I mean let be real...nothing will ever replace acoustic drums, the look the feel the sound (if tuned right !!!) is second to none. But there is something to be said about showing up at a club/church where ever you play, setting up your edrums in like 10 minutes, then running two jacks out to the board, turning them on do a quick level check, then...are you ready for this...sit down have a pint of beer and wait for the guitarist/bassist/keyboardist to setup, tune, place their mics on their amps...hmmm, come to think of it, maybe there is a stigma about them because now we the drummers have to wait for the band to get ready and not the other way around, perhaps now they're worried that we will get all the girls !!! Either way, the funny thing I find is that I have yet to find an audience who have left a show because the drummer was using e-drums, if anything it entices them to stay. Every place I've played the sound guy was quite impressed with how easy it is to mix the band with edrums, think about it...no more bleeding mics on stage picking up the guitarist who just keep putting the volume up on his amp because he can't hear himself !!! Also with direct outs on the TD-20, there is no possible way a soundguy can be annoyed with them, he get's to put the mix that he wants for the PA, and you get to have the mix that you want in your monitors...what more do you want people?

fulrmr Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009 - 4:42 PM

Thanks. I'll let you know how it turns out.

King Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009 - 11:01 AM

Of all the sound modules I've toyed with I'm MOST familiar with the Roland TD6 brain. When at GC I was fortunate to have access to all of roland/yamaha/simmons electronic equipment and all of them have their own pros and cons, but the TD6 seemed the most capable AND user friendly of the bunch. That's why I bought it! ;D You can buy one brand new for just over $500 - even cheaper if you find it on sale. You could also pick up a used one cheaper than that(EBAY). It has a great sound bank, good adjustability as far as sound characteristics are concerned, and it has not only sound loops but actual songs to play along to. That's why it was the brain of choice....for ME. Don't be one of these guys who gets anxious only to end up with buyers remorse a week or two later. Try to find a store in your area that you can go and check some of these products out. I would like to think I give pretty good advice but you should always form your own opinion as well. Take the time to know what you're getting, you'll be glad you did. Let me know what you find out.

fulrmr Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Monday, Feb 9, 2009 - 5:03 PM

Really? Which ones? I'm getting antsy to purchase something! The reason I really like the TD-20 is the all the tweakable features like mic positioning, tuning, muffling etc.(cool stuff) The number of inputs and the direct outs for full control of the sound at the console is a plus too. But I might could compromise something if the price was right. ::)

King Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Monday, Feb 9, 2009 - 9:46 AM

I checked out the Roland expansion card that you mentioned. It's a really good idea and a great add on feature. Personally... I think $500 is a bit pricey for what they offer with it. The true benefit I guess would be from the new custom features but 300 sound itself just isn't worth the money. You could buy certain Roland drum modules with more sounds and songs for that kind of money.

fulrmr Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Thursday, Feb 5, 2009 - 10:53 AM

Yeah, I've been looking at that too. I haven't seen anything on the TD-6 but I've read about the TD-12. The price on the TD-9 is much more affordable, but "d-sub" hook up seems a little to propritory for me, but I could be wrong. The new TD-4 is the same way. I like versatility. I think that's the only reason I haven't tried to split the signals to add cymbals. I kinda want to dedcate each signal to different sounds. Chinas, splashes,etc. That's kinda what interigued me about the software route. The computer thing seems pretty complicated though. I've talked to techs at Alesis, Presona. Seems like everyone has a different take on firewire and usb. Plus the whole single path thing. I think I'm just going to stick with the modules for now. I'm leaning toward the TD-20 and the expansion card. Do you know anyone who has installed the new card? Does it make $500 worth of difference. I'll elaborate a bit on why I'm following this extereme path with the electronic drums. My church is very small and sound control is of most importance. Right now my other kit ( old Ludwigs) is set up about the same way as the kit that I described in the "what do you play" post, however I use Sabian B8s. They cut through so harshly because of the low ceilings and hard surfaces that they are obnoxious and over berring even when played softly. I really want the option of all the different nuances that the different cymbal sounds offer and still be able to control the sound. Besides, our youth praise band plays differnt events and I usually have to set up and break down everything myself. That even includes trying to simplify sound check. We never know exactly who might be running our board. Usually my son does it and he's pretty good. But you know how that is. I already run 4 monitor mixes from behind the drums as it is. I don't know, I tend to carry things to extremes. So far it has served me well though. But simpler is better as long as sound quality does not suffer.

King Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Thursday, Feb 5, 2009 - 9:49 AM

I'm sorry I missed your original post. I don't really have any advice regarding how to trigger drums from a laptop. It should however be possible to run both at the same time,probably not through the same sound board though. If I recall there are 3 inputs on the td3 which are dual-triggered. The snare, hi hat, and ride. See if you can split those inputs and that should get you 3 more cymbals. The TD9 is a great sound module but I don't like how they have the inputs set up. I prefer the Roland TD6, but I didn't see that on your list ::)

fulrmr Says Re: Module or Software?

Submitted On: Wednesday, Feb 4, 2009 - 8:33 PM

:-\O.K. since no one has any answers or opinions, how about this.... Which module is more worth the money. TD-20, TD-12, or TD-9. (I already have a TD-3, Alesis D4 and have used and returned some Yamaha stuff) I really like the TD-3. It just doesn't have enugh inputs or "tweakability". I think I'll just wait for the solid state wars to start this summer before I go the new laptop and software route. Prices should go down and performance will go up.