Roland VQD Series – A Quiet Revolution?

Hot on the heels of Roland’s recent release of the 7 series V-Drum range, comes a further new model, this time in the shape of the Roland VQD (V-Drums Quiet Design) kit.

Noise, of course is a major challenge facing aspiring and more experienced drummers alike. Private rehearsal rooms can be costly and inconvenient, but having easy access to a practice space at home certainly helps you to stay motivated, and it’s always great to be able to jump on play when inspiration strikes, although your neighbours may not agree during your 1AM impromptu drum marathons!

Electronic drums can certainly help mitigate the noise problems, but due to vibration and contact noise, they are still not entirely silent whilst being played. With the move away from ‘old-school’ rubber pads, in past few years, and with the introduction of mesh heads into the majority of their previous and current models, Roland aims to design their own V-Drums range as quieter alternatives to other electronic kits, but even then without further room treatment, their pad strikes and pedal thumps can still be heard cutting through in many environments.

The Roland VQD model looks to help tackle this through a combination of innovative design features and a careful choice of materials used in the construction of these entirely new pads, pedal boards and stand. This complete kit aims to minimise playing noise even further than a regular E-drum kit, allowing drummers to play at times and in places that would normally be off-limits due to noise concerns by reducing the pad impact sound by up to 75%.

Roland’s own testing suggests that bleed from the drum when being played, and measured from an adjoining room can be as low as 30db, which in comparison makes this kit when in use quieter than the average PC fan or even a super quiet conversation within a library space.
Your neighbours may rejoice at such levels!

The Roland QVD kit is available in two default configurations, with the option to pick up a kit either with or without a TD-07 sound module. Alternatively you can use your preferred Roland sound module of choice. Optional extras (sold separately), include additional crash cymbals, Noise Eater base for additional auxiliary double pedal, and the KDB-Q bass drum pedal beater.