Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit Review: Is It Worth the Investment?

Looking for an electronic drum kit that offers acoustic-style looks and a streamlined design? We recently tried out the Roland V Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit with Shallow-Depth Shells and TD-07 Module (VAD103-1), and we were impressed with its features.

The TD-07 module comes with 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, and 143 instruments. This offers deep editing tools to create your perfect drum kit sounds. The snare and tom pads feature Roland's legendary double-ply, tension-adjustable mesh drumheads. Meanwhile, the 18-inch KD-180L-BK kick drum with trigger pad mounted to a drumhead provides positive beater resistance, rebound, and real feel.

The chrome-finished, double-braced cymbal and cymbal/tom combination stands feature durable ball clamps to easily adjust pad heights and angles, with secure and sturdy mounting. Plus, the integrated Bluetooth lets you wirelessly stream sound from phones, tablets, and other Bluetooth devices and send MIDI data to music apps.

See Special Pricing

Bottom Line

The Roland V Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit with Shallow-Depth Shells and TD-07 Module (VAD103-1) is a solid choice for drummers looking for a streamlined yet powerful electronic drum kit. With its advanced features, you can customize your drumming experience to your liking and enjoy a realistic feel. So why not elevate your drumming game today? Click here to purchase the Roland V Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit now.

Overview of the Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit

We recently had the opportunity to try out the Roland V Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit and were impressed with its affordable price and acoustic-style looks. The shallow-depth shells and TD-07 module make it a great option for drummers who want an electronic kit that feels and sounds like an acoustic kit.

The TD-07 module comes with 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, and 143 instruments. We found the V-Edit, EQ, ambience, and 30 multi-effects to be useful for creating our perfect drum kit sounds. The snare and tom pads feature Roland's legendary double-ply, tension-adjustable mesh drumheads, and the snare pad mounts on a conventional snare drum stand.

The kit includes a PDA100L-BK 10-inch rack tom pad, a PDA120L-BK 12-inch floor tom pad, and an 18-inch KD-180L-BK kick drum with a trigger pad mounted to a drumhead. The cymbal and cymbal/tom combination stands are chrome-finished, double-braced, and feature durable ball clamps for easy adjustment of pad heights and angles.

We appreciated the integrated Bluetooth feature that allowed us to wirelessly stream sound from our phones, tablets, and other Bluetooth devices and send MIDI data to music apps. The advanced built-in metronome with the ability to adjust time signature, note value, and click tone was also a nice touch.

The kit comes with 40 free lessons with Melodics, an interactive drum tuition app for PC/Mac computers and iPad. Please note that the kick pedal, snare stand, hi-hat stand, drum throne, and drum sticks are sold separately.

Key Features

When it comes to electronic drum kits, the Roland VAD103-1 is a standout option that offers a range of high-quality features for drummers of all levels. Here are some of the key features that make this drum kit a top choice:

High-Quality Sound Customization

One of the most impressive features of the Roland VAD103-1 is its sound customization options. With the TD-07 module, you have access to 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, and 143 instruments. This provides deep editing tools to create your perfect drum kit sounds. The V-Edit, EQ, ambience, and 30 multi-effects allow you to adjust the sound to your liking, giving you the ability to create unique and personalized drum soundscapes.

Realistic Drumming Experience

The Roland VAD103-1 provides a realistic drumming experience that is unmatched by other electronic drum kits. The snare and tom pads feature Roland's legendary double-ply, tension-adjustable mesh drumheads, providing a natural feel and response. The PDA120LS-BK 12-inch snare pad, with independent head and rim zones for assigning different sounds, mounts on a conventional snare drum stand. Meanwhile, the 10-inch rack tom pad and 12-inch floor tom pad come with independent head and rim zones for assigning different sounds, providing a realistic and dynamic drumming experience. The 18-inch KD-180L-BK kick drum with a trigger pad mounted to a drumhead provides positive beater resistance, rebound, and real feel, making it feel like you are playing an acoustic drum set.

Sturdy Hardware and Adjustable Set-Up

The Roland VAD103-1 is built to last, with sturdy hardware that can withstand even the most intense drumming sessions. The chrome-finished, double-braced cymbal and cymbal/tom combination stands feature durable ball clamps to easily adjust pad heights and angles, with secure and sturdy mounting. This allows for a customizable and adjustable set-up, so you can find the perfect configuration for your playing style.

Wireless Connectivity and MIDI Support

The Roland VAD103-1 features integrated Bluetooth, allowing you to wirelessly stream sound from phones, tablets, and other Bluetooth devices. This provides a convenient way to play along with your favorite songs or practice with music apps. Additionally, the drum kit supports MIDI, allowing you to connect to music apps and software for even more customization options.

Setting Up Your Drum Kit

When we first received the Roland V Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit, we were impressed by how easy it was to set up. The shallow-depth shells and TD-07 module made it a breeze to assemble, and we were ready to play in no time.

The snare and tom pads with Roland's double-ply, tension-adjustable mesh drumheads were a pleasure to play on. The PDA120LS-BK 12-inch snare pad, with independent head and rim zones for assigning different sounds, mounted on a conventional snare drum stand, was particularly impressive.

We also appreciated the 10-inch rack tom pad and 12-inch floor tom pad with independent head and rim zones for assigning different sounds. The 18-inch KD-180L-BK kick drum with a trigger pad mounted to a drumhead provided positive beater resistance, rebound, and real feel.

The chrome-finished, double-braced cymbal and cymbal/tom combination stands were sturdy and featured durable ball clamps to easily adjust pad heights and angles. The integrated Bluetooth allowed us to wirelessly stream sound from phones, tablets, and other Bluetooth devices, and send MIDI data to music apps. The advanced built-in metronome with the ability to adjust time signature, note value, and click tone was also a nice touch.

Customer Reviews

We scoured through customer reviews to get a better idea of what people are saying about the Roland V Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit with Shallow-Depth Shells and TD-07 Module (VAD103-1). Overall, customers seem to be pleased with the hardware, noting that it is built to last. The snare is very responsive, and the cymbals are about 85% accurate to a real acoustic set, according to one reviewer.

However, some customers were disappointed to find out that the kit doesn't include cables, a drum module, or any cymbals. They felt that the description wasn't clear enough about what was included in the kit. Despite this, the kit still received a 3.6 rating out of 5 stars from 4 total ratings.

Overall, it seems that the Roland V Streamlined Acoustic-Style Electronic Drum Kit with Shallow-Depth Shells and TD-07 Module (VAD103-1) is a solid choice for those looking for a durable and responsive electronic drum kit.

Frequently Asked Questions

As we continue to explore the Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision about purchasing this product.

What are the key features of the Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit?

The Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit boasts a range of impressive features that make it a worthwhile investment for beginner and intermediate drummers. Some of the key features include:

• TD-07 module with 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, and 143 instruments
• Snare and tom pads with Roland's legendary double-ply, tension-adjustable mesh drumheads
• 10-inch rack tom pad and 12-inch floor tom pad with independent head and rim zones
• 18-inch KD-180L-BK kick drum with trigger pad mounted to a drumhead
• Chrome-finished, double-braced cymbal and cymbal/tom combination stands
• Integrated Bluetooth for wireless streaming and MIDI data transfer
• Advanced built-in metronome with adjustable time signature, note value, and click tone
• 40 free lessons with Melodics drum tuition app for PC/Mac and iPad

How does the Roland VAD103-1 compare to the VAD306 in terms of performance?

While the Roland VAD103-1 is a more affordable option than the VAD306, it still delivers impressive performance. The VAD306 features larger shells and more advanced features, such as a VH-10 V-Hi-Hat and digital snare and ride pads. However, the VAD103-1 still offers a range of features that make it a great choice for beginner and intermediate drummers.

Can the Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit withstand heavy usage?

Yes, the Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit is built to withstand heavy usage. The hardware is built to last, and the snare is very responsive. The cymbals feature durable ball clamps that allow for easy adjustment of pad heights and angles, ensuring that they remain secure and sturdy during use.

What is the typical lifespan of Roland VAD series electronic drums?

The lifespan of Roland VAD series electronic drums can vary depending on usage and maintenance. However, with proper care and maintenance, these drums can last for many years.

Is the Roland VAD103-1 suitable for professional-level drumming?

While the Roland VAD103-1 is designed with beginner and intermediate drummers in mind, it still offers a range of features that make it suitable for professional-level drumming. The tension-adjustable mesh drumheads and independent head and rim zones on the snare and tom pads allow for a more realistic playing experience, while the advanced editing tools on the TD-07 module allow for customization of drum kit sounds.

What do users say about the Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit on forums and review platforms?

Users have generally been positive about the Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit. Many have praised the realistic feel of the tension-adjustable mesh drumheads, as well as the range of editing tools available on the TD-07 module. Some users have noted that the cymbals take some getting used to, but overall, the kit has received positive reviews.

Conclusion

The Roland VAD103-1 Electronic Drum Kit is a great choice for beginner and intermediate drummers.

It has a range of impressive features, including tension-adjustable mesh drumheads, independent head and rim zones, and advanced editing tools.

This kit offers a realistic playing experience at an affordable price point.

While it may not be suitable for professional-level drumming, it is a great investment for those looking to improve their skills and take their drumming to the next level.

See Special Pricing