Roland TDK9

forego a couple of nice features that you’ll fi nd
on other, pricier offerings. Chief amongst these
is the hi-hat set-up, which comprises the FD-8
trigger pedal twinned with a little CY-5 pad. It
actually works well, but the less-substantial-
than-the-real-thing feel of the FD-8 obviously
can’t replicate the response of a proper hi-hat
stand. The good news is, however, that the TD-9
is compatible with Roland’s VH-11 hi-hat, as
used for the TD-12, so upgrading is easy when
you feel the need.
Hands On
Any restrictions that the price-point of the TD-
9K has placed on the designers are largely
forgotten when it comes to playing the kit,
though. The module is a sexy piece of gear, and
contains a host of typically strong sonic
offerings. As ever, some preset kits are more
impressive than others, with particular
favourites including the warm but poky Jazz
Funk set and the ‘standard’ V-Tour Studio. The
electro kits are, as ever with Roland, very
convincing too – the 808 and 909 should be, of
course, but others, like the minimal house
collection, are fun and very funky.
There’s a very useful amount of editing
available on each kit, too. And although there’s
a degree of button-pushing involved in getting
to the required editing page occasionally, the
TD-9 is fairly self-explanatory, so the odd glance
at the manual should get you through. It’s a
simple affair, for example, to decide you’d like a
bigger pair of hats on the Big Rock kit and go
for 15"s, or 18"s even, just by dialling the data
wheel. The same goes for bigger or smaller
drums, and different shell materials – in short
there’s huge scope for either tweaking existing
kits or coming up with your own.
EQ and effects are also a breeze to modify
(and there is a fair amount of cavernous reverb
on some of the standard kits – to impress ‘in-
store’ presumably), and while the TD-9 doesn’t
boast a dedicated ‘kit mixer’ on the front of
the unit as per posher brains, the on-screen
mixer is only a couple of presses away. Not
quite as quick to make on-stage changes, but
painless enough.
As far as response is concerned, the TD-9K
certainly does enough to make it a thoroughly
rewarding experience for those after an
acoustic emulation to practise with. The
combination of some very nice kit sounds, the
feel of the mesh snare and tailor-able sensitivity
settings get it close enough to feeling ‘real’ as to
be eminently playable. Given its price,
it’s brilliant.
But it’s the ‘package’ nature of electronic kits
that makes them so appealing. An acoustic kit
can’t help train your left hand to be more
accurate, or provide entertaining backing tracks
to help practice sessions fl y by. On this front,
the TD-9 fares well too. As always, metal-heads
will despise the clunky synth guitars of the
heavier tunes, but for those keen to work on
their funk, soul, disco and pop chops, there’s
lots of amusement on board.
And another ace up the TD-9’s sleeve is its
option for you to plug in a USB stick and play
back MP3 fi les, so you don’t have to hook up an
iPod or suchlike (although this is an option too).
Just raid your PC for your favourite, legally
downloaded tunes, whack them on a stick and
you’re away.
Verdict
It’s hard to see what Roland could have done to
make the TD-9K any better without signifi cantly
increasing costs here. Sure, a VH-11, bigger
pads with mesh heads and the like would be
lovely, but that’s what upgrades (or indeed the
TD-9KX) are for. As the new breed of affordable-
but-serious electronic percussion goes, the TD-
9K makes a bold statement. So for those not
raking in a quarter mil a year in the city, or
those working in home studios rather than
Abbey Road, this little rig is probably more than
enough for smiles for miles.
Rating
✪✪✪✪✪
THE FD-8 DOESN’T FEEL
like a real hi-hat pedal, but don’t underestimate
the way it works – it’s no slouch
THE COMPACT PD-85 TOM PADS
feel nice, and their smallish diameter helps with
accuracy, even if you might like them to be bigger
A SUPER-NEAT FEATURE
of the TD-9k is its use of a SCART-style plug
at the brain end of the wiring loom
PRICE
Roland TD-9K £1057
SOUNDS
522
KITS
50
PADS
PD105 mesh pad, three
PD-85 rubber toms, CY-
5 dual trigger cymbal,
CY-8 dual trigger
cymbal, KD-8 kick
FEATURES
Scope rhythm training,
Quick Record
CONNECTIONS
Two spare trigger
inputs, MIDI in/out, Mix
in, L/R stereo outs,
headphone out, USB
stick input
PLAY-ALONG
TRACKS
50
CONTACT
Roland UK
Atlantic Close
Swansea Enterprise
Park
Swansea
SA7 9FJ
Telephone
01792 702 701
Website
www.roland.co.uk
Any restrictions the
price-point of the TD-9K
has placed on the
designers are largely
forgotten when it
comes to playing the kit
ROLAND TD-9K
ROLAND VH-11 HI-HAT
as the added ‘realness’ will
extend the fun you get from
the TD-9 no end
ROLAND PM-10 AMP –
the 30w combo also allows you
to connect CD/MP3 player and
beats while using headphones
TRY IT WITH...
EXCLUSIVE
ESSENTIAL SPEC
USB MEMORY STICK
since MP3s on a stick are the
simplest way to add playalong-
ability to an electronic kit
94 RHYTHM JULY 2008
RHY152.gear_roland 94 15/5/08 17:33:28