Roland Unveils the V-Drums 7 Series: Here’s What We Know
Roland just announced the release of its new V-Drums 7 Series, marking a big step forward for V-Drums. The new V71 module, upgraded pads, and Bluetooth functionality bring significant updates for drummers looking for the newest e-kit tech.
VAD716
The VAD716 is the new flagship kit of the V-Drums 7 Series. It blends the look and feel of acoustic drums with the advanced technology of Roland’s top e-kits.
The real wood shells and chrome hardware give the kit a high-end acoustic appearance, making it ideal for drummers who prefer the aesthetic of a traditional drum set on stage. The PD-14DSX snare, VH-14D digital hi-hat, and CY-18DR ride offer ultra-detailed playability with Roland’s latest sensing technology, ensuring accurate response for even the most nuanced playing.
The kit features the KD-22 kick pad with a full-depth wood shell, giving it the look of an acoustic bass drum. The PDA100, PDA120, and PDA140F toms complete the six-piece setup. The VAD716 is perfect for drummers who want the best of both worlds—acoustic looks paired with cutting-edge electronic performance.
TD716
The TD716 is in the middle of the series, offering killer features at a slightly more affordable price than the VAD716. It includes the PD-14DSX digital snare, VH-14D digital hi-hat, and CY-18DR ride, which provide the same advanced sensing and response. However, the tom setup differs, with PD-10X and PD-12X toms and the KD-18-BK kick pad featuring a wood shell, offering solid response and playability.
This kit is perfect for drummers who need a professional-level electronic drum set without the premium price tag of the VAD716.
TD713
The TD713 is the smallest and most affordable kit in the series, but it still packs a punch with the advanced V71 module and digital pads. It features the same PD-14DSX snare, VH-14D hi-hat, and CY-18DR ride but uses PDX-100 toms to keep costs down. The KD-12 kickpad also provides a more compact footprint, making the TD713 ideal for home studios, practice spaces, or smaller performance venues.
Despite being the entry-level model in the V-Drums 7 Series, the TD713 is a good option for drummers seeking a compact, more affordable kit with the latest tech.
Roland V-Drums 7 Series Compared
PD-14DSX Snare Drum
Similar to the previous generation digital snare drum, the PD-14DSX adds a few new features. At 14 inches, it offers the size and feel of an acoustic snare and has digital sensing technology that allows for an incredibly detailed response. The snare also features a throw-off mechanism, enabling players to engage and disengage the snare wires, something typically found only on acoustic drums.
In Sweetwater’s latest video, Nick D’Virgilio highlights how far electronic drums have come regarding realism and responsiveness. He praises the feel of the PD-14DSX snare drum and its ability to replicate the experience of playing an acoustic drum kit.
New Kick Pads
VAD716 — KD-22
The VAD716 has the KD-22, a 22-inch kick pad with a real wood shell. Its full-size design mirrors an acoustic bass drum, making it visually stand out in the series.
TD716 — KD-18-BK
The TD716 comes with the KD-18-BK, an 18-inch kick pad. While smaller than the KD-22, it still has a wood shell, capturing the look of a real drum.
TD713 — KD-12
The TD713 includes the KD-12, a 12-inch kick pad. It’s the most space-efficient option in the series. The KD-12 from has always performed well for me but doesn’t have the same stage presence as the KD-18 or KD-22.
New Tom Pads
The PD-12X and PD-10X tom pads are noticeably thinner than Roland’s older models. The new design, particularly the back of the pad, looks sleek and modern. It is worth noting that these upgraded tom pads are exclusive to the TD716, leaving the TD713 with standard PDX-100 toms.
The V71 Drum Module
The V71 drum module is the centerpiece of Roland’s new V-Drums 7 Series, with over 70 preset kits and over 1,000 instruments.
While Roland is shifting away from the TD naming convention, the V71’s overall layout looks familiar to the TD-50 and TD-50X modules. The color LCD screen is a significant improvement, even though it’s relatively small compared to some competitors’ larger displays.
Bluetooth support is a welcome addition. However, the module still limits digital pad technology to the snare, ride, and hi-hat—something many hoped would expand to more instruments. The toms, kick, and cymbals still rely on TRS connectors.
In terms of hands-on controls, the eight faders allow easy access to adjust the sound mix on the fly, and the user sample import feature supports up to 500 samples, giving drummers plenty of room for customization. While there’s a lot to like here, it’s clear that Roland hasn’t fully embraced digital technology across the entire kit as I had expected.
Roland Cloud Ultimate and DW SoundWorks
The V-Drums 7 Series includes a six-month subscription to Roland Cloud Ultimate, which offers access to an expanding library of additional drum sounds from DW SoundWorks. The software runs standalone and a DAW plug-in, providing samples from DW kits that can be used with the V71 module or integrated into studio setups.
V-Drums Instrument Expansions allow users to update the V71 module with new drum sounds via Wi-Fi. They include multi-sampled acoustic kits and electronic sounds. After the six-month trial, users can continue with a paid subscription or purchase expansions outright with Lifetime Keys.
Are the V-Drums 7 Series Worth It?
While the V-Drums 7 Series introduces new tech and improved hardware, the steep price tags make these kits inaccessible for most drummers.
For drummers already in the Roland ecosystem, upgrading to the V71 module could be worth it. Still, I’m having trouble recommending these kits without hearing them in person. The TD-50 or TD-50X modules still provide excellent value and reliability at a more reasonable price point, making them a solid choice for most drummers looking for a professional electronic kit without breaking the bank.
The new V-Drums 7 Series could allow drummers to pick up previous-generation V-Drums models at a cheaper price. As retailers make room for these newer models, the cost of previous-generation kits like the TD-50X will likely decrease, offering an opportunity to snag a great set of drums without the premium price tag.
Unless you’re set on having the absolute latest technology, you’re likely better off waiting for Roland to make a more substantial leap forward. At this stage, these kits are impressive, but they may need to deliver more to justify the cost for the average drummer.
Pricing and Availability
The Roland V-Drums 7 Series is set to be available in the U.S. in October 2024 at the following price points:
- V71 Drum Module: $2,599.99
- TD713 Kit: $6,333.99
- TD716 Kit: $7,999.99
- VAD716 Kit: $8,999.99
For more information on pricing and availability, head over to our partner retailer, Sweetwater, for more information.
