Are Digital Cymbals the Best E-Kit Upgrade? New Roland VH-14D Hi-Hats!

COOP3RDRUMM3R
19 Nov 202216:29

TLDRIn this video, the presenter reviews the new Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats, discussing their potential as an upgrade for electronic drum kits. He shares his experience playing the hi-hats, comparing them to the standard ones that come with the TD-27 kit. The digital hi-hats offer a more natural and realistic feel, with better articulation and dynamics control. The reviewer is impressed by the hi-hats' performance, noting that they are intuitive and closely mimic the feel of acoustic hi-hats. However, he also acknowledges the high price tag of over a thousand dollars for the digital hi-hats, suggesting that while they are worth the investment for those who can afford them, budget-conscious buyers might want to consider their options carefully. The video concludes with the presenter's recommendation for those looking to enhance their electronic drumming experience with a high-quality hi-hat upgrade.

Takeaways

  • 🎶 The Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats are a significant upgrade for electronic drum kits, providing a more realistic and natural feel compared to standard hi-hats.
  • 🔁 These hi-hats connect via USB, allowing for more information to be sent and processed, resulting in greater sound diversity and dynamic control.
  • 📈 The digital hi-hats articulate more precisely, offering a better playing experience and closer simulation to acoustic hi-hats.
  • 🎵 The pressure sensitivity of the foot pedal directly affects the sound, allowing for minute adjustments similar to those made with acoustic hi-hats.
  • 👍 The reviewer was impressed with the ease of achieving desired sounds and the intuitiveness of the digital hi-hats.
  • 💰 The VH-14D hi-hats are expensive, costing over a thousand dollars, but are considered worth the investment for those who can afford them.
  • 🚫 For those on a tight budget, the reviewer suggests considering the cost carefully, as the hi-hats, while impressive, are not essential to the functionality of the drum kit.
  • 🛍️ If purchasing, ensure the drum module has the necessary USB inputs to support the digital hi-hats.
  • 🌟 The digital hi-hats are highly recommended as an addition to an electronic drum kit for a more authentic playing experience.
  • ⏸ After trying the digital hi-hats, the reviewer felt they could not go back to using standard hi-hats due to the improved feel and sound.
  • 🔍 Potential buyers should wait for a possible new model release or discounts on the current model for better value.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is a review and demonstration of the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats, discussing their performance and whether they are a worthwhile upgrade for electronic drum kits.

  • What are the key features of the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats?

    -The key features of the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats include a more natural and realistic feel, two cymbals connected together, USB connectivity for more information and sound diversity, and improved dynamics control.

  • How does the user feel about the standard hi-hats that come with the TD-27 kit?

    -The user was initially impressed with the standard hi-hats that come with the TD-27 kit, considering them good for electronic hi-hats, but found the VH-14D digital hi-hats to be a significant upgrade.

  • What was the user's issue with the other set of hi-hats?

    -The user had an issue where the other set of hi-hats did not consistently recognize when they were closed tightly, requiring some adjustments for better performance.

  • How does the pressure of the foot on the pedal affect the sound of the VH-14D digital hi-hats?

    -The pressure of the foot on the pedal directly affects the sound of the VH-14D digital hi-hats, allowing for a more realistic and tight hi-hat sound when the pedal is pressed down firmly.

  • What is the user's opinion on the value of the VH-14D digital hi-hats?

    -The user believes that the VH-14D digital hi-hats are worth the investment if the buyer has the budget, as they significantly enhance the electronic drumming experience. However, they caution against stretching one's budget to afford them.

  • What is the approximate cost of the VH-14D digital hi-hats?

    -The VH-14D digital hi-hats are mentioned to cost over a thousand dollars.

  • What is the user's recommendation for those looking to purchase the VH-14D digital hi-hats?

    -The user recommends that those with the extra budget should definitely get the hi-hats. For those on a tighter budget, they suggest saving up and making the purchase a priority once the drum kit itself is acquired.

  • What is the user's final verdict on the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats after testing them?

    -The user is very impressed with the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats, stating that they are fun to play, more intuitive, and provide a playing experience that closely resembles acoustic hi-hats.

  • What is the user's advice regarding compatibility with other drum modules?

    -The user advises checking if the drum module has digital inputs or USB connectivity before purchasing the digital hi-hats, as not all Roland modules or electronic drum modules support this feature.

  • What is the user's suggestion for those considering an upgrade to the TD-27 kit?

    -The user suggests waiting for a potential new model release and possible discounts on the current TD-27, while also considering the upgraded version for its enhanced features.

  • How does the user describe the overall experience of playing the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats?

    -The user describes the experience as highly enjoyable and realistic, noting that the hi-hats register similarly to an acoustic pair, making them a desirable addition to any electronic drum kit.

Outlines

00:00

🥁 Exploring the Roland VH14D Digital Hi-Hats

The video opens with a detailed exploration of the Roland VH14D digital hi-hats, part of the TD27 electronic drum kit. The narrator highlights the superiority of these digital hi-hats over standard analog ones, noting their enhanced sound diversity, dynamic control, and realistic feel. Emphasis is placed on the digital connectivity via USB, which allows for more nuanced sound processing. The narrator shares his anticipation for the upgraded hi-hats, which he predicts will significantly improve his drumming experience.

05:01

🎵 Real-Time Feedback and Enhanced Performance

The narrator describes the direct and immediate impact of using the VH14D digital hi-hats. He notes the realistic response to foot pressure, enhancing the electronic drumming experience to more closely mimic that of an acoustic set. The segment includes a performance test comparing the new digital hi-hats against the kit’s original hi-hats. The narrator concludes that the digital hi-hats offer a significant improvement in sound quality and playability, making them a worthwhile investment for serious musicians.

10:03

💡 Evaluating the Investment in Digital Hi-Hats

The narrator reflects on the value of the VH14D digital hi-hats, which are priced at over a thousand dollars. While acknowledging their high cost, he argues that the enhanced playability and realistic feel justify the investment, particularly for settings like churches or personal practice rooms operating on a budget. The narrator suggests that those who can afford these hi-hats should consider them a priority upgrade, enhancing the overall quality of the electronic drum set.

15:22

🎶 The Acoustic Feel of Digital Hi-Hats

In the concluding paragraph, the narrator emphasizes how the VH14D digital hi-hats closely mimic the behavior of acoustic hi-hats, providing a seamless transition for drummers used to traditional setups. The realistic feedback and sound changes due to foot pressure are highlighted as key benefits, underscoring the digital hi-hats' ability to deliver a superior electronic drumming experience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Digital Hi-Hats

Digital hi-hats, such as the Roland VH-14D mentioned in the video, represent an advanced type of electronic cymbal that connects via USB, allowing more detailed data transmission than traditional analog connections. This technology offers enhanced sound diversity, dynamics, and articulation, making the digital hi-hats behave more like acoustic hi-hats. The speaker in the video compares these digital hi-hats to standard ones and highlights the improved natural feel and responsiveness, crucial for realistic drumming experiences.

💡TD27 Kit

The TD27 kit, as referenced in the video, is an electronic drum set by Roland that includes a digital ride cymbal and is compatible with digital hi-hats. This kit is designed to offer a high-quality electronic drumming experience with advanced sound processing capabilities. The speaker discusses using the TD27 kit to evaluate the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats, emphasizing how the kit's features complement the upgraded hi-hats to provide a more acoustic-like performance.

💡USB Connection

USB connection in electronic drum kits, like those discussed for the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats, refers to using USB cables rather than traditional quarter-inch analog cables to connect components to the sound module. This method allows for more complex data transfer, resulting in richer sound variations and more precise control over the instrument's response. The video highlights how this connectivity contributes to the nuanced performance of the digital hi-hats.

💡Sound Articulation

Sound articulation in the context of electronic drumming, particularly with digital hi-hats, refers to the clarity and distinction of different drum sounds based on how a drummer plays. The speaker appreciates the enhanced articulation with the digital hi-hats, noting they provide a more accurate response to various playing techniques, such as the pressure of the foot on the pedal, thereby mimicking the natural dynamics of acoustic hi-hats.

💡Performance Comfort

Performance comfort is discussed in the video as the ease and natural feel a drummer experiences while playing an electronic drum kit. The speaker expresses how the digital hi-hats enhance comfort, making electronic drumming more similar to acoustic drumming, which is crucial for performers who transition between electronic and acoustic setups, such as in live church services or studio settings.

💡Electronic Kit

An electronic drum kit comprises digitally sampled sounds and electric sensors that emulate the experience of playing acoustic drums. The speaker in the video uses the Roland TD27 kit as an example, explaining that while electronic kits can feel different from acoustic ones, upgrades like digital hi-hats greatly improve their performance and feel.

💡Versatility

Versatility in electronic drum components, such as the VH-14D hi-hats, refers to the ability to produce a wide range of sounds and respond to different playing styles and dynamics. The speaker emphasizes how the digital hi-hats offer more versatility compared to standard hi-hats, allowing for a broader range of musical expression.

💡Module Compatibility

Module compatibility refers to the ability of electronic drum components to connect and function with certain sound modules. In the video, the speaker notes the importance of ensuring that digital hi-hats like the VH-14D are compatible with modules that have digital (USB) inputs, such as the TD27 or TD50, to take full advantage of their capabilities.

💡Investment Worth

Investment worth in the context of the video discusses the value of purchasing high-cost equipment like the Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats. The speaker deliberates whether the high price is justified by the improvement in performance and concludes that for those who can afford it, the investment significantly enhances the drumming experience.

💡Triggering

Triggering in electronic drumming refers to the mechanism by which drum pads and cymbals detect hits and translate them into sound. The video describes how digital hi-hats provide superior triggering, offering a realistic and responsive playing experience, closely mirroring the feel of acoustic hi-hats, thereby improving the drummer's interaction with the kit.

Highlights

The Roland VH-14D digital hi-hats are tested for the first time, offering a new experience in electronic drum kits.

Traditional electronic kits often have weak hi-hat components, but the VH-14D aims to change that.

The new hi-hats connect via USB, allowing for more information, sound diversity, and dynamic control.

The TD-27 kit comes with an 18-inch digital ride cymbal, enhancing the overall electronic drumming experience.

The digital hi-hats provide a more natural and realistic feel compared to standard hi-hats.

The hi-hat setup includes two cymbals for a more authentic playing experience.

The articulation and pressure sensitivity of the digital hi-hats are highly praised for their realism.

The digital hi-hats allow for a tighter hi-hat sound, similar to what drummers are accustomed to with acoustic kits.

The reviewer experienced an issue with the hi-hat closing tightly, but made adjustments to resolve it.

The digital hi-hats respond directly to the pressure applied by the foot, affecting the sound in a realistic manner.

The reviewer feels comfortable performing on the electronic kit with the digital hi-hats, as they closely mimic acoustic performance.

Subtle changes in foot pressure result in noticeable differences in the hi-hat sound, impressing the reviewer.

After testing, the VH-14D hi-hats are deemed significantly better than the original kit's hi-hats.

The digital hi-hats are intuitive and play like actual hi-hats, making them highly enjoyable to use.

The hi-hats are priced over a thousand dollars, making them a significant investment for electronic drum kits.

For those with the budget, the hi-hats are considered worth the cost, but not necessary to stretch finances.

The digital hi-hats are suggested as a natural next upgrade for those who already own an electronic drum kit.

The reviewer expresses a strong desire to continue playing the digital hi-hats due to their impressive performance.

It is important to ensure that the drum module has digital inputs for the hi-hats to be compatible.