Gigging Musician's Guide to V-Drums
Being in the moment, playing like there’s no tomorrow, getting that instant connection with bandmates,
and the spark of excitement from the audience is what performing live is all about.
Band members depend on you, the drummer, to be the reliable rock to make the music feel good and keep the train on the tracks.
Making it work every night takes a calm but a focussed approach to playing. There is also confidence that comes
from experience and knowing your gear.
When it all works and the band is humming, nothing else matters.
V-Drums for the gigging musician
As drummers, we are told many things.
Play in time. Drive the show. Keep it solid. Provide a great feel. Have a great time…and DON’T HIT SO HARD!
Playing quietly with intensity is one of the most difficult things to achieve for any musician. It’s extra hard for acoustic drummers with no volume control knob!
Drum setup space is often a major concern for both the band and the drummer alike. To make it more challenging, the sound from space to space directly affects the tonal and volume balance of acoustic instruments.
The Roland V-Drums Range Explained
If you already have an acoustic kit, you won’t believe how much more time you will spend playing and developing your playing skills on an electronic drum kit. The compact size and adaptability will mean you’ll use it in ways you never imagined.
Regardless of your level of experience, or what you’re trying to get out of your current drumming experience, the Roland V-Drums range offers the best solution when choosing an electronic drum kit. All you need to do is work out which kit is the right one for you.
So, what are the differences between normal electronic kits and the V-Drums range of kits? Let’s get started!
Getting the Most Out of Technology
Using clicks and backing tracks
For many drummers, the mere thought of playing to a click strikes fear into the heart. On the flip-side, there are many others for whom the click is their best friend. Playing comfortably with a metronome can open up many avenues for a drummer and help you to think of it as your best friend, rather than a sworn enemy.
Firstly, to produce the solid click track you’ll be listening to, you need a playback device. Using the SPD-SX, you can play full-length, stereo backing tracks, integrate effects, and trigger all sorts of sounds to enhance your performance and sound. To get started, here a few typical scenarios and solutions.
Using Roland Kit Chain and Set List Functions
You’re ready for your first gig in quite a while. You’ve put in the hours of practise and you’ve honed your performance. The whole band can perform these songs in your sleep and the gear is prepped.
Now, it’s just a matter of holding your nerve.
Then comes the first song of the set and you’ve got the wrong sound! Panicking, you’re toggling through the kits to find the right one while still trying to play.
Your bandmates are giving you the eyeballs and you’ve got that sinking feeling. If only there was a way to avoid this mess in the first place: well, there is – and it’s called the kit chain. Think of it like a SET LIST.
Drumming for Worship and managing volume
Drumming quietly with intensity and building a worship-friendly drum set is one of the biggest challenges for any worship drummer.
In fact, drumming in difficult spaces like churches and halls is a major headache and earache for band members and the audience too.
Drummers learn early on that drums come to life when hit the right way with conviction. That seems to be at odds with what is required in a band scenario in a big live space.
Hit hard enough, the drum vibrates properly and the resulting soundwaves excite the space making for a big and impressive sound.
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