Roland V-Drum Setup Guide
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To set up a Roland V-Drum, assemble the rack, mount the pads and cymbals, connect the pedals and the sound module, then plug in headphones and power. Place the throne so both feet reach the pedals, and set each pad within reach of the sticks. Check every cable connection before switching the module on.
Assemble the rack and mount the frame
Unfold the rack and lock each joint so the frame stands steady on the floor. Fit the crossbars and the pad arms in the order the maker's guide shows, then tighten each clamp by hand. Leave the cymbal arms loose until the pads sit at the right height, then tighten them last.
Mount the pads, cymbals and pedals
Mount the snare and toms on the pad arms, the cymbals on the cymbal arms, and the hi-hat on its stand or controller. Set the kick pedal and the hi-hat controller on the floor under the matching pads, with the beaters facing the kick pad. Adjust each pad angle so the stick lands flat on the head.
Connect the module and the cables
Run the cables from the pads and cymbals to the matching inputs on the sound module, and seat each plug fully. Connect the pedals to the module, then plug the headphones into the headphone output. Connect the power adapter last, and switch the module on only after every cable is in place.
Set the throne and check the kit
Set the throne height so both feet rest flat on the pedals and the knees sit above the hips, then sit and reach each pad and cymbal without stretching. Hit each pad and cymbal once to check it sounds, and check the choke on the cymbals by grabbing the edge after a hit. If a pad stays silent, check its cable at both ends before changing any setting.
What you need
AKLOT Complete Electric Drum Set: 4 Dual-Zone
A complete kit with 4 dual-zone mesh pads, an 8-inch snare, 360 sounds, choke cymbals, throne, headphones and sticks, with a 2-year warranty.
- Pads: 4
- Mesh heads
- Built-in sounds: 360
- Headphone output
- 2-year warranty stated
Alesis Turbo Pro Electric Drum Set
An 8-piece kit with a kick tower and pedal, 110 sounds, 12 kits, Bluetooth and a foldable rack, with a 1-year warranty.
- Pads: 8, the most here
- Mesh heads
- Built-in sounds: 110
- Bluetooth
- Headphone output
- 1-year warranty stated
LEKATO Percussion Sample Pad
A sample pad with 9 velocity-sensitive pads, 592 sounds, 30 drum kits, 5-PIN MIDI and USB-B, with a one year warranty.
- Pads: 2
- Preset kits: 30
- Built-in sounds: 592, the most here
- One year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Electronic Drums, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an amplifier to play an electronic drum set?
No. Plug headphones into the headphone output on the sound module and play without an amplifier. The AKLOT kit and the Alesis kit both include headphones in the box.
How do I connect an electronic drum set to a computer?
Use the USB-MIDI output on the sound module. The AKLOT kit lists USB-MIDI output for music production software, and the LEKATO pad lists USB-B and 5-PIN MIDI for use as a MIDI controller.
Can I add more pads to an electronic drum set later?
Check the listing for the kit you own: the AKLOT kit states an optional second Crash can be added, and the LEKATO pad states 2 dual-zone trigger inputs for extra pads.
Ranked electronic drum sets lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.