Yamaha drums are some of the best instruments to be found. They have a large selection of different styles, sizes, and colors that can work for any style of music. Roland drums are also an excellent professional choice. The brand is the top choice for many famous artists and musicians.
To find the best option for you, you need to look into a series of factors, such as playability, sound quality, design, and usability. These will largely depend on the model itself and your preferences. Generally, if you’re looking for more traditional drum sets, Roland might be better for you. However, if you want something with more modern features, Yamaha is your best bet.
However, the choice may not be as easy as it seems. That’s why in this article, we will discuss everything you must know to find the best model for your particular use case between Yamaha vs Roland, as well as some tips and things to keep in mind when shopping for this particular instrument.
Also Read: How Hard Is It to Learn Drums?
Table of Content
- Yamaha vs Roland Electronic Drums [Quick Overview]
- Yamaha vs Roland Drums – History
- Factors to Consider
- Best Roland Electronic Drums
- Best Yamaha Electronic Drums
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Yamaha vs Roland Electronic Drums [Quick Overview]
Yamaha and Roland are both well-known brands in the electronic drum market, offering a range of options for players of all skill levels. Yamaha electronic drums are known for their durability, while Roland is known for its advanced sound technology and natural feel. Both brands have quality products. It depends on the users’ preferences and requirements to decide which brand to go for.
Yamaha vs Roland Drums – History
Yamaha
Yamaha drums were founded in 1887 and have been making world-class drums ever since. They have a variety of different drum sets, and they’re all great in their own way. For example, the Yamaha DTX452K is a great starter kit for people looking to make the transition from acoustic to electronic.
Roland
Roland was founded in Osaka, Japan in 1972. At the time there were many drum companies coming into the market, so Roland decided to differentiate themselves by focusing on creativity and innovation. They started with electronic drums and later expanded into acoustic drums. Many professional artists and musicians swear by the brand.
Factors to Consider
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best drum kit for your particular use case.
Playability
A drum kit is useless if it’s not fun to play. For beginning drummers, playability is a major concern. If the drums are hard to hit or the pedals are awkward to use, you won’t want to practice as much and you’ll find yourself getting bored with your instrument very quickly.
For intermediate and advanced drummers, playability should be less of a concern, but it’s still important. You don’t want to have a hard time transitioning from one part of the kit to another because that means you’ll have a harder time keeping time and being creative on the instrument.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is obviously one of the most important factors when buying a drum kit. You want something that sounds good in the first place and that won’t need many modifications to sound the way you like. The sound quality of a drum kit will largely vary depending on the materials that are used such as the wood and drum heads.
If you prefer electronic drums, then the sound quality is usually tied to the module. The module is where the drum sounds are stored. Most electronic drums also allow you to connect your kit to your computer via USB or MIDI, so you can pick your favorite drum plugin to use with it and record inside your DAW. This gives you more freedom regarding tone.
Design
There are drum kits of different designs and sizes. It is important that you consider this factor not only because you want a kit that is aesthetically pleasing, but also because you want your instrument to fit your needs. Some electronic drum kits, for example, can be folded for storage: this is a great thing for those who live in small places.
Mesh Heads vs Silicone Heads on Electronic Drums
The type of drum heads you buy will have a big impact on the sound of your kit. We’ve already mentioned how important it is to have the right size and weight of drum heads, but there’s also a difference in how they’re made.
When it comes to electronic drums, there are two main types of drum heads: mesh heads and silicone heads. Both have their pros and cons, so it’s important to decide which one you want before you start shopping for new drum sets. The great thing about drum heads is that they can be easily replaced if you need to, whether it is for tone or for quality.
Price
Drum kits can range anywhere from $500 all the way up to $1,000,000+. Obviously, most people aren’t planning on spending that much money on their first drum set, so we’ve decided to include several different price ranges in our reviews so everyone can find something that works for their budget. Another important thing about price is that there is a correlation between price and quality.
This doesn’t mean that a highly-priced kit will automatically be better than a cheaper one, but it does mean that you’re more likely to get a better drum set if you’re willing to spend more money on it.
Best Roland Electronic Drums
Roland TD-1DMK Dual-Mesh Kit Entry-Level V-Drums Set
An excellent choice for beginners, the Roland TD-1 DMK is an entry-level with dual mesh drum heads that have adjustable tension. These drums can also easily be folded so they’re a great choice if you live in a small place. The only con is that you will have to purchase a separate set of pedals to use for the kick and hi-hats.
Product Specifications
- Dual-Ply Mesh Heads with Tension Adjustability for a Quiet and Realistic Drumming Experience
- Built-in Metronome with Adjustable Tempo and Timing Settings to Help Improve Timing
- 256 Notes of Polyphony
- 15 Preset Drum Kits with Authentic, Expressive Drum Sounds for Accurate and True-To-Life Drumming
Pros
- Small sized. Can also be folded for storage.
- Adjustable dual-ply mesh heads.
- Features a built-in metronome for easier usage.
- High-quality drum sounds are included in the system.
Cons
- Kick and hi-hat pedals must be bought separately.
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Roland TD-07KV Electronic V-Drums Kit
This drum kit is a complete package and will come ready for playing. It can also be connected via USB MIDI to your computer so you can play with your drum plugin of preference record in your DAW with ease. Another fact that we particularly liked is that it already comes with pedals for the kick and the hi-hat.
Product Specifications
- Roland’s Original Ultra-Quiet Double-Ply Mesh Heads
- 25 Preset Kits, 25 User Kits, and 143 Instruments
- Independent Snare Zones for Assigning Different Sounds
- Bluetooth and USB MIDI Connectivity
Pros
- Can be connected to your computer via USB MIDI and played with a plugin or recorded.
- Comes with pedals for both the kick and the hi-hats.
- Considerably compact.
- High-quality ultra-quiet double-ply mesh heads.
Cons
- None.
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Roland Drum Set VAD-306-1
As you can see from the image, this kit looks fairly different from the others. This is because its design is based on an acoustic drum set, providing the most natural feel. While it may take a little more space than other options on the list, the kit is one of the most professional options on the market.
Product Specifications
- Space-Saving V-Drums Acoustic Design Kit with Shallow-Depth Wood Shells and Double-Braced Chrome Stands
- TD-17 Sound Module with Expressive and Dynamic Sound
- Hands-on Interface for Selecting and Personalizing Drum Sounds
- Wood Design
Pros
- These electronic drums have very close playability to acoustic drums.
- The module has excellent quality when it comes to sounds and tones.
- The set is easily customizable.
- Made out of high-quality wood.
Cons
- Expensive.
- You will need to buy a set of pedals and a hi-hat stand since it does not comes with one.
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Best Yamaha Electronic Drums
Yamaha DTX452K
This Yamaha kit is one of the best for beginners. To start with, it has an affordable price. It is also very compact and has great quality when it comes to the modules and the drum heads. Another great factor is that it also comes with pedals for the kick and the hi-hat so you won’t need to spend more.
Product Specifications
- Stereo Drum Sounds Sampled Directly from Acoustic Drums and Cymbals
- Built-in Interactive Training Modules to Help Improve Rhythm and Speed
- Free Ios and Android Apps “DTX402 Touch” and “Rec’n’Share”
- USB MIDI Connectivity
Pros
- Excellent price.
- Outstanding quality considering the low price.
- Can be connected to Android and iPhone apps for easily customizing your kit.
- Can be connected to your computer via USB MIDI for playing with drum plugins and recording inside your DAW.
Cons
- None
Also Read: Best Metal Drum Samples
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Yamaha DTX6K-X
This is a professional kit from Yamaha with an honest price. Priced at $1000 by the time this article was written, it is a complete package since you get everything you will need to start playing right away. We recommend this kit for intermediate to advanced players who would like to upgrade.
Product Specifications
- 40 New Preset Kits, 200 User Kits, and over 400 New Voices
- Ambience, Comp, Effect Knobs as Kit Modifier to Create Your Own Sound
- Xp80 Yamaha Tcs Head on Snare Provides a Natural Feel and Rebound
- Pcy135 Cymbal Pad Can Be Choked and Muted
Pros
- Excellent price if we consider that this is a professional kit.
- There are over 400 voices to choose from.
- The snare provides the most natural feel possible.
- The cymbal pad can be choked and muted for more expression while playing.
Cons
- None.
– – –
Sound Quality & Realism
Sound quality is arguably the most important feature when deciding on a new drum set, with both the Yamaha and the Roland e-drums being at the higher end of the drum kit selection.
Sound quality is a personal preference, as everyone’s ears are tuned to sound slightly differently; however, both of these e-drums are equipped with performance kits to produce superior and realistic sounds.
Yamaha e-drums are well-known for being extremely solid and reliable, with good sound quality to help drummers with their transition from acoustic to electronic.
The Roland e-drum is well known globally for their extensive sound library that has been created from studios around the world and has had significant nuancing and detailing to refine to the point it is today with realistic dynamics.
A flaw for both the drum sets in relation to realism is cymbals, as it is very difficult for the rubber pad design to accurately imitate the sounds that would be emitted from a real acoustic cymbal.
If this is something that you are adamant you want as part of your set, you can look to splurge on a set of metal cymbal triggers to really enhance your ultra-realism sound creation.
Playability and Feel
There are several characteristics that influence both the playability and the feel of any electric drum-set.
Both Yamaha and Roland are esteemed brands in the electronic drum market, and when it comes to playability and feel, they each bring distinct strengths to the table.
Yamaha excels in delivering a natural drumming experience through its innovative TCS (Textured Cellular Silicone) technology, offering drummers a responsive and textured surface that replicates the rebound of acoustic drumheads.
On the other hand, Roland is widely recognized for its pioneering use of mesh head technology – providing an exceptionally realistic and customizable playing experience.
The mesh heads on Roland kits offer a dynamic response, allowing for nuanced playing techniques and precise control.
Both brands prioritize sensitivity and dynamic range, with Yamaha focusing on TCS for its pads and Roland relying on the advanced responsiveness of mesh heads – ultimately offering drummers two compelling options for achieving an authentic and expressive electronic drumming experience!
The choice between Yamaha and Roland often comes down to personal preference, with some drummers favoring the textured feel of Yamaha’s TCS pads, while others appreciate the unparalleled realism provided by Roland’s mesh heads.
Build Quality and Durability
Of the two brands, Roland is better known for their high-quality builds and durable construction. They are frequently praised by users for both their responsiveness and longevity.
Yamaha is not far behind Roland, also having built a reputation for well-made kits that are sturdy and durable, designed to be able to withstand regular use.
If durability and quality of products are important to you, you can’t go wrong with either a Yamaha or a Roland!
Sound Customization and Expansion
Both Yamaha and Roland e-drums offer sound customization and expansion opportunities within their e-drum sets.
Yamaha provides several built-in drum kits as well as preset sounds, as well as the opportunity to customize drum voices within these kits.
Yamaha e-drums also allow the user to import their own custom samples for further personalization.
Roland e-drums are very widely known for their significant sound libraries available for users that feature samples from acoustic drums and other percussion instruments.
The Roland e-drum has sound modules included which allow users to tune and customize each drum sound to their specific liking.
Both brands offer compatibility with other third-party software, meaning both are great options to allow you to customize and expand the natural capabilities of the user.
Price Range & Value for Money
The specific brand drum kit that you opt for will be dependent on personal preference and budget.
Yamaha is a great option due to their broad range of e-drum kits available on the market, and at a range of different price points making it more accessible to a broad range of users.
Roland can be priced at a more premium price point compared to other brands such as Yamaha, but are well known for their excellent value for money due to their features and their quality.
Use Reviews and Testimonials
The feeling and playability of any drum kit is subjective, but comes down to the personal preference of the individual musician.
If you have the opportunity to try both a Yamaha and a Roland drum kit in store, it will allow you to best determine what suits you and your playing style to decide what one feels both the most comfortable and the most natural for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Yamaha Pads Work with Roland?
Which is Better for Beginners: Electronic or Acoustic Drums?
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Conclusion
As you can see, both Yamaha and Roland have excellent products. The choice will largely depend on your particular use case and your preferences for the instrument. We found that Roland, however, has a slightly larger product line with more different products and designs to choose from.
Whichever is your choice, make sure to research extensively and keep the factors we discussed in the article in mind: playability, sound quality, design, drum heads material, and price. It is also a good idea to pay attention to the quality of the module and the connectivity if you opt for electronic drums.We hope this article was helpful. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the subject. Happy playing!
Ian Sniesko is an experienced music producer and musician who loves to share his knowledge about the best audio equipment for making and enjoying great music. For the past 6 years, Ian has written extensively about the audio equipment industry and has contributed to many of the top music magazines.