Roland TD-27KV Review - 1st Look

I've never been a big fan of electronic drum kits. They always sounded "fake"...or so I thought. The last several years have seen some major changes to the way eDrums sound. As a result, I decided to jump in and test the water! This video is about my first impressions. You might be surprised!!

Link to The eDrum Workshop:

Link to 65 Drums:

[chinatype]

I have this exact Roland TD27KV. I had a Roland TD6 for years and this is a big upgrade. Once you dial in your own settings it’s awesome. I only use it at home and play a Tama Bubinga kit live but the transition from one to the other is seamless. Thoroughly recommend it.

[dons.]

Thank you, thank you. The only video I’ve found here that was not an over the top commercial advertisement as most others are. Very helpful comments. I’m upgrading from the most basic TD -11 to the TD-27, and can’t wait! Thanks again. Great playing BTW!

[alfiend]

I'm in the market for a new e-kit after 20+ years with another, so I've been doing my homework. I've watched countless video reviews, but none that were as brutally honest as this one. Thanks for an actually helpful review! Would love to get your take on the Alesis Strike Pro SE.

[johndef]

If noise constraints are a problem do not hesitate to try eDrums. I played acoustic for 40 years before trying them and they are a blast. Roland stuff is expensive but well built. I bought all of my Roland stuff used and it still functions very well.

[jperkins]

I felt like I just watched Marc Maron give a drum review. This was EXTREMELY helpful. I'm a lifelong acoustic drummer and technological luddite who wants it to work as I want it to, right out of the box... but I'm considering getting these as well. Many thanks!!!

[Mike-xqbv]

I played my acoustic kit for years and was apprehensive to even consider an electronic kit but when I did yeah it did take some time to get into but once I started to realize that a lot of my energy I could conserve because I was not striking the heads as hard and smashing symbols so it became more of a finesse thing for me after a while but it's a lot of fun I enjoy playing electronic I will not go back to an acoustic kit there's no reason for me to I get everything I need out of electronic kit it's the pros versus the cons and the pros are a lot more than having an ol' acoustic kit lov the tech you get from a electronic kit

[vampirelogic]

This is the best review of this kit I have seen. 100% serious. Its like you are actually reviewing the kit and explaining things instead of telling me its the most amazing thing ever created in hope that roland will see it and send you some sticks or something.
That said, I actually ordered a VAD 506 for two reasons and you hit on a few of them.
1: VAD doesn't have a rack, and I hate drum racks.
2: I really like the idea of the digital ride, snare and the module being able to multitrack record out.
3: Your hihat concerns are valid but to me the worst part is they are small, so I went all out and ordered the VH14

Anyway, its on backorder and i should have it next week or week after
Oh, and about the price, I could have sound proofed a room and got a high end acoustic kit for the same price, the Roland markup is real, but this is my once in a lifetime major purchase so .... well, it better be worth it.

[pablowasserman]

awesome review. i'm a beginner at drumming. been playing guitar my whole life, and always liked playing my friends drum, so this year i started with lessons and i'm improving a lot already!
i plan to buy one of this to play in my house without bothering the neighbours too much, and also to be able te record them easily and maybe make some full instrument covers with this included.
the price is very high, especially where i live... but i'm sure it's not quite easy to build or transport so i guess it's kinda fair.
you are an amazing player, hope to see more from you playing this kit, for inspiration!

[kennethhwilliams]

This seems like an honest review and was very informative for me.

[millerjimd]

It would be interesting to hear your opinion on the new digital hi-hat.

[jerrydaydc]

Great review. I have been wanting an e-kit for awhile. I currently have a dw Collector's Series and a Ludwig Classic Maple Downbeat kit set up. God I love both of these kits, but there are times when I need to minimize my audio presence in the house (and neighborhood) if you know what I mean. "It's midnight and I have my headphones. EVERYONE is happy!" The Roland TD-27KV kit seems like the perfect solution. Again, thank you for your honest review!

[drummerdaveshouse]

The price is whats keeping me back and that high hat. Get it together Roland. You’re not quite there yet.

[mghuber]

Great review. With the 3500 dollar price point, you gotta take into consider the 27 individual tracks through usb. I cant tell you how much money i would have saved if something like that was available 10 years ago with the drums, interface, microphones etc i have bought

[CB-yvec]

Have you tried the Efnote 3X....if not please do and give your thoughts....I am between the TD-27-KV2 and the 3X for smaller venues where space and loudness are an issue....the 3X is better price but the TD-27-KV2 has way more adjustments on the head I'm really looking for the best basic sound and playability for the price....

[rtroiani]

I see this is a year old, so assuming you figured out where all the settings are since everything mentioned is very tweak able. The 27KV2 is my 3rd set, and 2nd Roland. Great value for the money since it's very close to the TD50 which is much more expensive.

[josephgiarraffa]

Roland’s are the best in quality of any brand out there You can tweak and perfect them or down load other drum set sounds you want You can do so much with this module the triggers are the best in the market along with that snare and ride cymbal You can get digital hi hats that Roland had now if you need them but for me this set is great and I love them

[oneondesign]

SUPER helpful review! I am seriously on the fence about buying these & your review helped me. Still on the fence, but with your friendly opinion nestled comfortably in my head now it gives me some important things to consider! I do see where this setup sells for around $2, 600, seems a bit more reasonable, but still pricey. (curious what your thoughts are on that price vs $1k more?) I'm fairly illiterate at anything programming related, so i am very apprehensive & intimidated about taking the leap into edrums. & ALL THOSE WIRES! My god why hasn't one of these companies invented either wireless (Bluetooth?) so there is NO pad/cymbal wires OR hide all the wiring inside the tube rack with jacks on the frame to simply plug a short 6" cable from the tom or a 24" cable from the cymbal into?? Motorcycles have all the lighting wires hidden in the tube frame, why not edrum wires?! Anyway, I'm very appreciative of your review, it's exactly what I was looking for. & your drumming: really sharp my friend. (I think you made those edrums sound far better than you even realize!)

[ernie]

You can turn the edge trigger/rim trigger gain and sensitivity up

[sorinhosu]

Please answer me a question. I have to choose between roland td30 or roland 27 kv2. Which do you think is better?

[mitchmcturtle]

Good review man, you actually gave me clarity. I’m not spending 3500 just for 2 digital pads. That is SO much money and I simply can’t afford it. I’ll go with the td 17 kvx and maybe upgrade in a couple years. I’m curious to know what you think about the kit when paired with superior drummer or ez drummer 3. That’s what I plan on doing. My hope is it’ll be good enough to record with but I’m starting to think I’ll always need to record acoustic drums for final takes. 😔