Roland VH-14D Hihat Unboxing and Setup

[@pdxmetal]

I have seen most everyone close the clutch and hit the execute button without any kind of adjustment. You can turn the screw at the bottom of the clutch to fine tune the hi hats until the offset arrows light up, like the VH-10. This will give you better open/close accuracy.

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Yup, thanks Al! Over time I've found the best settings for me is a slightly above center offset. It helps keep some hihat slop in there when it's closed, but you're not putting any weight on it. The quick hihat barks respond better as well, particularly on these 14s.

[@jerrythecoo3295]

Thanks for the demo……. Helped!👀😎👏👍🍻

[@aaronrogalsky4167]

Important note to add.... There are 2 tiny dots on the edges of each high hat. Make sure these are aligned facing the direction where you're hitting them 👍🏼

[@1rcproductions]

You can keep the hi-hat stand from rocking back and forth if you move the legs down so that the bottom plate of the stand is just a little bit off the floor.

[@danofromsano7322]

Great video, thanks for the assistance.

[@CeciShaw]

Sounds great, I play a lot of hi hat foot and splashes. Not issues with my VAD506, but this is certainly an improvement.

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Yeah, I dig it. Just having a 14" hihat there is rad.

[@1956bushman]

Hey Daren, great unbox video. I am a long time acoustic drummer, and recently got a TD27 Kit and LOVE it. Upgraded KD-120 Kick and just got my VH14Ds... YES!!! But, I am a tech lame acoustic drummer. I need to update the module from Ver 1 to 11... the Roland instructions say I need to do via a Sim Card, which I don't have... can't I just download to my laptop and then via USB cord to the TD27 Module? I am frickin lost !! Can you help ?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Hi, Bob. That’s great! Good stuff on the upgrade. Yes, you’ll need an SD card for the update. SanDisk cards work well. A small capacity card like 8 or 16GB is more than enough. Those are pretty cheap at Target/Walmart etc. Your laptop should have an SD slot. If not, USB connected card readers are pretty cheap as well. Turn on the 27 and insert the card. It’s best to format the card with the 27. I didn’t go through the backup process because I don’t keep all that many user kits in the module. If you have a lot of your own kits programmed, you’ll need to back them up to the card. After the format and backup, put the card in your computer and download the 1.11 version to it. The rest of the steps are here… www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/td-27/updates_drivers/2c6f3e25-7a4d-498f-8b87-92c92e6b57c5/

[@1956bushman]

@@OfficialDarenPfeifer Thanks Dude, really appreciate it.... I love my Roland TD27 kit, almost more than my Gretsch Renown kit. Really excited to get the new digital high hats going... hopefully they come close to "real" high hats.

[@ctw195]

Wow, I think we have the exact same kit down to the DW 9000 hi hat stand.

[@LDdrums20]

The end was perfect!

[@ladanzza]

I have the same setup and I am waiting to get the digital Hihat, for me TD 27 is to play with libraries, the sounds are plastic, but the interpretation on libraries is sick. enjoy, I hope get my digital hit soon

[@paulstix1]

Thanks for your helpful video, mine arrived with no manual so this was the very thing .

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Awesome! Glad to have helped.

[@stevenelson3540]

I just ordered a set from a Japanese seller off Ebay. Brand new unopened box! The seller is "Honest Japan" I have the TD 27 KD. What a difference these make over those crappy VH 10's

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Amazing! I'm glad you've found some! The playability of having 14" hihat cymbal on an e-kit is horribly understated. Nothing says "expensive toy" like tiny pads and tiny cymbals. All the best!

[@johnspagnoli482]

Thanks for the video Daren I have the td 27 as well with the vh-10 hats were you able to make use of the 2 former jacks used for the vh 10 for other pads to expand the kit?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

I wish Roland made that possible from the introduction of the digital inputs. The equivalent 1/4 inputs are disabled when you're using the digital inputs. So, using the 14D hihats makes the HH and HHC 1/4" inputs unusable.

[@rcprod9631]

Would be nice to see/hear how things are going with your new hi-hats. Any chance of another video?

[@jconsi]

Thanks for this vid Daren. Nice setup BTW. Do you notice a difference in the triggering with the VH-14D? If you put more weight on the pedal does that tight tip "chick" sound go up in pitch as it does in the TD-50 demonstrations? Like an acoustic hihat? Thanks!

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Yes, the triggering is much more accurate. It also has positional sensing and you can choke it by pressing the bow like on the CY-18DR. I don't notice the sound going up in pitch. It more shortens the length. It's the positional sensing and the foot splashed that are just over the top great.

[@jconsi]

Thank you ​@@OfficialDarenPfeifer. Pretty expensive, just making sure it's worth it! Cheers!

[@Nabukosonodor]

5:07 , 5:08 , 5:22 . Is the hi-hat muting itself during the barking articulation still a problem even with the digital one? Or there is a way to mitigate it, unlike with the vh-11? I would like to upgrade just to solve this issue with the vh-11 but it seems like the issue is still there...

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

It was an issue in this initial set up. After diving into the settings a bit, I do feel it articulates the opening sounds better. I also increased the spring tension on the stand to help open the cymbals a bit faster.

[@Nabukosonodor]

@@OfficialDarenPfeifer Thanks, good to know. Yes, I have noticed that a good stand with a proper spring makes a big difference with the VH-11 too. I have heard that the offset helps a bit with the problem, but the VH-11 only has a physical adjustment.

[@lavrentev1966]

Nice video! Спасибо Дарен!

[@stujos82]

I watched your video with interest. I was able to pick up a nearly complete brand new TD 50K kit from GC for a very reasonable price. It was missing the standard VH-11 which gives the opportunity to buy a better one. I was considering a used VH-12 but I would rather splurge once than regret twice. Though certainly pricey it is apparent from watching your video that it sounds great and not as noisy as the VH-13.

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Thanks, Stuart. It's definitely a worthwhile upgrade. I'd also recommend software upgrading the 50 module to the 50X. You can buy the upgrade on the Roland site, it's about $200. Acoustically, the VH14 is still noisy, but it's a lower pitch and not as annoying as the 12 or 13. You still have a definite "chunk" of the cymbals hitting together.

[@alexorlov8989]

Daren you are very great drummer. I love your job in HU. Can you do any smalls lessons on drum kit?

[@lavrentev1966]

I've been playing drums for 8 years now. I saw a video of Daren with HU. I just loved this group. And I went to the drum teacher and said "I want to play the same way."

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Thanks, Alex. I'll be putting together a new lesson/class program soon.

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Love that. Thank you!

[@myyt4382]

I just bought it with iron cobra 600 just to find due to the spring screw the rotation stoppers are not able to reach the hi hat 😥

[@tonymuratori5896]

Same here. You have to remove the round adjuster knob. It will leave the bolt intact, and you can work around that I don’t use the tilt, so it doesn’t matter to me.

[@OliverEdwards-i5o]

Does anyone know where I can buy the rotation stopper part?

[@bobbyjones2112]

I just ordered this two days ago, and of course it’s back ordered..lol

[@drastic209562]

Got it yet?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

I hope it gets to you soon if it hasn't already arrived. The wait is worth it!

[@jamiee78]

would love to get some follow up on this video, regarding whether you still think this is a great digital hi-hat, espeially since you use the TD-27 (most videos deal with the td50 with this hat). Rumours are that the TD-27 cant produce the full capability of the digital hi hat. DO you find its still a gratifying combination? any frustrations?

[@fabiodias5527]

This is super interesting. I didn't know about that potential issue with the TD27. Got my TD27kv2 a yesterday and am still trying to figure out a way to properly setup the opening sound of the hihat to register. Seems to always miss a bit.

[@thomasbonnet2767]

interrested to, on my side I can't produce those different sounds (td50 video below) on bow and center also nothing special on pressure... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZK3nGamrc9jl6s I'm wondering if it's a issue with my td-27 or a limited compatibility with vh-14d because it's well detected by the module (edge/bow, left/right) If someone can confirm with the TD-27 plz

[@m00nchildblues]

2 or 3 sensors like the ride and snare?

[@Flodre]

Nice Vid! Does the Hi Hat come with a long USB Cable?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Yes, but I believe it's a 6' cable. My module is setup just to the left of the HH, so I'm just using a short 3" extension.

[@davegdrums]

Daren need your help please. Trying to connect and set up this VH14 hats to my TD-27 but getting this message when going into trigger settings - ‘This Digital Pad is not used for Hi hats. and Hi-hat Pedal position is invalid’

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Happy to help, dude. Does your 27 have the latest software? System>Info>Program. It should read "1.11"...that's the latest for the 27. Start here if you need to update... www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/td-27/updates_drivers/2c6f3e25-7a4d-498f-8b87-92c92e6b57c5/

[@davegdrums]

@@OfficialDarenPfeifer yeah my bad! I managed to figure it out in the end. Thanks for the vid and reply 🙌

[@greenleaves6924]

The metal w/2 black bands that go on upper tube, how tight do you put them?

[@drummerguyron]

Thanks for this.. I have a TD-27 module as well and have been debating on the upgrade.. Looks like that'll be a big yes. Killer playing btw. Have you tried it with Superior Drummer 3 ?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Nice! Just having a full-size hihat there was enough for me to buy. And, yes, depending on what the project is and who it's going to, I use Superior 3 or Slate.

[@CullenCorley]

@@OfficialDarenPfeifer how's it work with all the different hat articulations within SD3? and, I'm almost afraid to ask, but can it trigger any of the HH bell samples?

[@goldiluckx]

did u have to align the dots on the hi hat, i tried mine but it seems to be always off by a small margin

[@chrisjamesgameaudio2468]

I assume it's referring to the orientation in general, as covered by making sure A/B are the correct way around. As oppose to the two dots being perfectly aligned throughout playback.

[@mikalroyhansen9586]

Thank for making diss video Love from Mik Roy from Denmark

[@chinatype]

What is the Roland device below the TD27 module?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

It’s a Roland TM-2 module. I use it for extra inputs and run the midi and audio output into the 27.

[@CullenCorley]

@@OfficialDarenPfeifer this is a brilliant idea. I've also got an old TM-2 kicking around. I was hoping to add a second ride to my TD-27 and maybe jury-rig a ride bell, but am running low on ins. isn't it sufficient to run the midi into the TD-27? or do you use some samples aboard the TM-2 as well?

[@cpedreros]

Where did you get it?!. Is out of stock everywhere!. Please give me the info… my credit card is ready for it!

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

There was a short window when they were available last Fall. Check out eDrumCenter. Erik does good work. You can sign up to get emailed when they're available again. edrumcenter.com/collections/top-edrum-sellers/products/roland-vh-14-digital-hi-hat

[@andrums93]

hi Daren Does this hithat need a trigger like the old hihat that comes with the VAD 506? I Saw that you did not have to put that .... do you just use it without the trigger bc is digital?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

The trigger is built in to the bottom cymbal, much like the VH-12 or 13. There are two short linking TRS cables inside between the two cymbals. Then only one longer cable, the USB cable, connects to the module.

[@Drum2]

very nice :)

[@carlopolli3995]

Td27. Nice shout

[@spavkov]

Thanks!!!

[@eddieg1153]

Do you really think you get a $1000 worth of improvement? Is the sensitivity of open/close nuances any better? I think that's the weakest point of ehats.

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

That’s really the $1000 question!!…and a great one. Will this be the THING that takes my drumming up a notch?! For me, it’s worth it because I expect the feel, look and response from a 14” hihat. I mean look in terms of me or you playing, not for an audience. I expect to see drums and shells and full size cymbals. It makes a difference…just your mechanical playing experience. Also, it’s my business. A good half of my sessions are on the Roland kit and the little things like foot splashes and position are better. Not crazy perfect on the 27, but definitely better. With that, I haven’t yet had an issue where the hihat performance distracted me or I had to fix later. I feel like I play normally. The 14d is the best solution out there, over the Lemon and ATV hats as well. If you have an extra grand to spend, buy crypto! 👍

[@nope5531]

It's 675$ more than a vh-10 so it would be a 675$ improvement. It plays different on a td-27 than a td-50X so that would factor in. For the average person, probably not though. Only way to know is try it yourself.

[@pdxmetal]

This is only a question for people with an original 506 or other kit that came with an analog hi-hat. Roland released the VAD 507 that includes the VH-14D, 2.0 module upgrade, and hardware from the 706 currently listed for $5,399 at the usual retailers. If you have to buy it standalone I think it is overpriced, just like all their other cymbals, but it is indeed very good. I have tried other "2 piece" hi-hats from other manufacturers and they might as well have been made out of concrete. As for articulation I have a few benchmark hi-hat pieces to test out the quality of any hi-hats I buy; The Weapon/Rush, the open/close 16th's during the beginning of Foreplay/Boston, and any number of Stewart Copeland stuff. Every hi-hat up until now has struggled with these. VH-14D did not.

[@carolinemichelle238]

Thank youuuuuuu

[@Tom-sd2vi]

These seem fun and all but with with all those fixed cables a good old VH-11 is going to outlive this thing by a huge margin.

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

I see where you're coming from but I like that there's just the one usb cable that comes out of the hihat and connects to the module. The VH-12 and VH-13 hihats also needed three cables. The 10's and 11's are fine and work great. IMO, the greatest PRO of the 14d is just they're 14 inches. The biggest CON is simply the price. Yes, the performance you can get out of them can be more nuanced than the other models, but not by so much of a long shot that justifies the extra cash. Love the avatar, btw!

[@cemguler183]

1000$ for the same old motion sensor...what is really digital about this hihat ??

[@jnagime]

Finally Roland made a nice hihats but for $1,500?? EFnote 5 has a kit for $2,500 with better ones?

[@OfficialDarenPfeifer]

Yeah, they're about $1149 in the States now. I've played the Efnotes and I really do like how they track, but the food sensitivity and heel splashes just weren't on the level yet. This was a year ago before they released the 7x, so maybe those issues are fixed. I'm always on the lookout for improvements.