Gear Review: Roland TD-1K (entry level electronic V-Drum set)
Photo Source: Roland
The Roland TD-1K is a great drum kit for children or adults who are beginners. It is light and compact and can easily be set up in the corner of any room. Soft rubber pads give an authentic feel with minimal volume. The rack system is simple to use and requires no special tools for setup. The module allows you to change drumkit sounds, play along to songs, and use a metronome. Its user-friendly design makes the electronic module perfect for any novice.
Roland TD-1K V-Drum Set see price
The parts of the drums
Cymbals
What's impressive about the TD-1K is the cymbal setup. The ride and crash cymbal are dual-triggered. This means the sounds change depending on where you hit them. The ability to "choke" a cymbal (stopping the sound with your hand) is a great feature not common on other brands of similar price ranges.
Hi Hat Pedal
The pedal is well-made from metal and quite durable. A lot of entry-level drum kits have plastic pedals that can have a delayed response when opening the hi-hat. This is not the case with the TD-K1.
Bass drum pedal
It is important to note that the TD-1K does not have a traditional bass drum pedal that strikes a drum. Instead, it has a pedal with a trigger built into it. This might take a little getting used to but it is very reliable when playing a drum beat.
The Pads
Coated in soft rubber the drum pads are nearly silent. Perfect for playing in an apartment or a light night jam session!
Notable features
The TD-1K has 15 built-in drum kits which vary in sound. Changing a kit is done by pressing the up and down buttons. Some kits sound great for playing funk, rock, and jazz music. It's also important to mention there are built-in songs to play along to. This is an important element in students learning to play the drums. A metronome is also in the module as well as the rhythm coach. A rhythm coach is also a great tool for students to improve their timing.
Overall I think the Roland TD-1K is a great first kit for any beginner student. It has enough features to keep you entertained and also won't cost an arm and a leg.
| PROS | CONS |
| Soft pads are authentic feeling and quiet | Could have more drum kits |
| Realistic drum sounds | |
| Compact and easy to set up |
Rating
Build quality: 9/10
Price: 8/10
Functionality: 9/10
User experience: 8/10
Roland TD-1K V-Drum Set see price
Read our review of the Roland TD-02KV V-Drums Kit
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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