Roland TD-50K Review (2021) - Is The TD-50X Upgrade Necessary?

[@65Drums]

Great review! People love to talk crap about Roland flagships because of how expensive they are. But at the end of the day you get what you pay for, these things are excellent.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Totally! Thanks Justin! I've been loving this kit so far minus the few gripes I have with it.

[@BurningHearts70]

How would you compare the Roland module sounds compared to Superior drummer 3 sounds?

[@maximumguitarage]

I will let you know, just got the TD50x and I have Superior Drummer 3, I upgraded my TD-11

[@adrumwhisperer]

$200 to go from 50 to 50x, is definitely worth it! doubling instruments, much better preset kits and more editing options make it a no-brainer. No reason to change hardware unless you don't already have the digital instruments. I went from a TDW20 module to TD50x with digital upgrades and love it.

[@maximumguitarage]

Great! I just got the TD50x, can't wait!

[@VdrummerStixx777]

upgrading the existing TD-50 to the X is most definitely worth it, the sounds are great in upgrade

[@daprophet2970]

I didn't think I'd like like the 50x upgrade as much as I do. But it's so good. A no brainer for just a $200 update you download and install to turn a 50 into a 50x. Night and day. So, you not only get much better sounds, you get almost double of them. It puts the original td50 sounds to pasture. The 50x is the module we should have got 5 years ago. Now it feels finished. I was able to find a VH14 digital hihat and even at $1k, it's worth it. The VH11 is good, VH13 is superb, but the digital hihat is just amazing. Do the VH14 and the 50x sounds update. You will not be sorry.

[@alexhykes3319]

You forgot to mention the differences between 50/50x when it comes to the USB interface which for me is a game changer in the recording situation. In Addition the possibilities to change sound are way better in the X.. overall I think the X is worth at least the update.

[@matt_metcalf]

I just did the 50X software update and am really disappointed with the sounds, especially the snare drums. They all sound so dead and it is frustrating trying to adjust all of the settings to get a snare that sounds marginally good. I will give it a bit longer, but seriously considering going back to the 50

[@richo8767]

I am going to be one of the few to go against the grain here with the upgrade. Biggest waste of $200 ever. There is barely anything I like about it. All of the toms are very inconsistent in tone from one size to the next. They took away the microphone positioning feature for the cymbals and also, the cymbals of the same sample name as the TD50 sound much different. Why? For the price of the VH14D plus the TD50X one would at least expect there to be more than 6 hi-hat sample intervals from fully open to tightly closed. As an example, try playing an early Beatles beat with a half open hi-hat. It's nearly impossible to keep your left foot locked in that position. I have found nothing but frustration in trying to get usable live music sounds out of the TD50X. I am going back to my collection of user samples that I have been using all along.

[@just_ppe]

Isn't the VH-11 a 12 (not 11) inch pad (just like VH-10 and VH-13?)

[@kentadamson6992]

Great review brother, I will say I actually tend to like the sound of Roland kits (especially the higher end ones). They are not perfect, but I have no problem finding kits that I enjoy playing and using. Drums in most music today sound plasticky anyway.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Well said! Thanks for commenting. Cheers. 🙌

[@viel.anthony]

Love the Hold Your Fire shirt! Tai Shan gang! Edit: Props on the proper pronunciation of Peart!

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Glad you caught that! One of my favorite albums.

[@viel.anthony]

@@NickCesarzDrums It's really good. I don't know why so many people dislike post-Signals albums. Power Windows is just sooooo good. Back on subject, I regret selling my upgraded td-12 a decade ago... I have an acoustic sitting because I'm in an apartment so the debate is either drop the cash on a used td-30 or add that amount to a downpayment for a house so I can play my acoustic kit! Cheers!

[@AdieBlack]

Nice... great review!.. really necessary upgrade... excellent

[@musamnguni510]

Phenomenal practice tool 🔨. But that’s it 0:27 that’s where it ends. I hate that more and more venues use this as a replacement solution to acoustic drums

[@kevinlewis5771]

Very good reviews 👍

[@alexhykes3319]

Any chance to share your presents?

[@LDdrums20]

To me by default most sounds sound "transienty". Probably can be reduced with the transient designer or the compressor

[@LDdrums20]

On a second hear, most are just bad 😞. If the editing let's you improve them maybe it's okish at best

[@RWKirby-gk7mk]

Fantastic video thanks

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@garciamoses95]

Roland td27 or efnote 5 /7 ?

[@NickCesarzDrums]

I think I'd go with the TD-27KV-S. The digital ride and snare are just too awesome. EFNOTE kits do look great (being that they have realistic shells), but Roland has the edge here IMO.

[@garciamoses95]

@@NickCesarzDrums appreciate the reply !

[@maximumguitarage]

​@@NickCesarzDrumsnow with digital hi hat, win!