Roland TD9 kit
TD9 all mesh heads version
$1740/£1200
The TD9 is now available and by all accounts is a mighty impressive piece of kit. This is meant to fill the gap between the TD6 and the TD12 and acts as a replacement for the TD8. The gulf between the 6 and the 12 is huge and so is the price difference so where does the TD9 fit in and how good is it. Check out Roland endorsee Johnny Rab's video for a taster of what to expect.
The sleek looking module
Professional reviews are everywhere, but what do the average jobbing drummers think - read on
I had a go on one today in PMT Northampton.
A 'deal' would make it just under a thousand of your sterling poundages.
Like Ms Brook, it has a great rack, much more stable than the TD6 - it's now got 4 legs and doesn't wobble at all. The cymbals, snare and hihat get much more adjustable mountings, with ball-and-socket swivellers for cymbals and snare - brilliant! The cables are still all over the place, but all bunch together nicely and plug into the module with a single, screw-in, computer type thingy!
The sounds are at least as good as the TD6 and the module itself is fairly easy to use - although I would have needed to look at the instructions to do anything complicated. But you can actually change the size of cymbals and add dampening to drums, or change them from birch to maple or steel! The editing is nearly up to TD12 possibilities!
The backing tracks are fabulous - all live samples with real musicians - breathtaking and great to play along to.
I just ended up bashing away to all the backing tracks, so I'm afraid I can't tell you any more about the other features, but if you've got a grand and need a leccy kit, get it!
Mike Tuppen UK
