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Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:25 pm
by samwer
Sorry if this is an inappropriate place to ask this, but I've been trying to read up on how MegaDrum works and I keep finding more questions than answers, so I figured I'd just ask.

I have a Roland TD-4KX as seen here (basically it's the all-mesh version of the TD-4): http://www.roland.se/products/productde ... spx?p=1040

It consists of these parts:

2x PDX-6
2x PDX-8
1x CY-5 (hi-hat)
2x CY-8
1x KD-8
1x FD-8

The TD-4 drum module that was included doesn't take advantage of the dual zone abilities of any of the toms and is just generally lacking when it comes to features or expandability (I'm thinking of getting a CY-13R for example).

What I'm looking for is a drum module that basically only serves as a MIDI interface for my computer so that I can use Addictive Drums. As far as I've gathered, MegaDrum fits the bill. My main question is, though, will I have to do any soldering and messing around with the hardware myself if I buy one of the "ready-made" modules? I've seen stuff like resistors for the inputs and what not pop up as questions on those threads, and as I'm utterly inexperienced with soldering and electronics in general, I'd really prefer to stay away from that sort of stuff. I just want to get the module, plug everything in, configure the module and then be done.

Is that possible? Also, do these pads I'm using work for the positional sensing "addon"? Thanks in advance.

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:46 pm
by airflamesred
Welcome
Megadrum will take full advantage of the dual zones and the ability to add more bits later down the line.
No module is plug and play (if it is then it's lacking) so there is some set up required. If you went and bought a car then you would expect to have to adjust the seat to suit you, its about the same.

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:51 pm
by airflamesred
In fact most of the drums you have, have setting here
https://powerhell.wordpress.com/about/z ... d-library/

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:00 pm
by samwer
Thanks, but when you say "setup", do you mean soldering and tinkering or do you mean configuring the software stuff? Because I'm quite sure I can handle the software/firmware parts. What I'm worried about is pretty much just the electronics.

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:25 pm
by airflamesred
I believe the units you buy from Dmitri are mono bass drum and the rest are stereo sockets so it should be plug and play from that aspect.
As far as I can see there will be no soldering required.

Plenty of help here as far as the tweaking goes.

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:05 pm
by dmitri
MegaDrum modules come fully assembled and ready to be used. No soldering is required. Of course you will need to do software configuration to match your gear.

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 11:42 pm
by angr77
Just a small note....PDX-6 and 8 can not handle positional sensing according to Roland.

Angr77

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 1:05 pm
by samwer
dmitri wrote:MegaDrum modules come fully assembled and ready to be used. No soldering is required. Of course you will need to do software configuration to match your gear.

Awesome, I'm guessing an order will be heading your way in not too long :D

angr77 wrote:Just a small note....PDX-6 and 8 can not handle positional sensing according to Roland.

Does that mean that they actually can't be used for it, or does it mean that Roland says so because they want people to buy their more expensive stuff? Either way perhaps it's worth getting the PS addon just for future-proofing's sake (it's not exactly expensive).

Re: Roland TD-4KX plus MegaDrum

PostPosted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 1:20 pm
by ignotus
samwer wrote:Does that mean that they actually can't be used for it, or does it mean that Roland says so because they want people to buy their more expensive stuff? Either way perhaps it's worth getting the PS addon just for future-proofing's sake (it's not exactly expensive).
Those pads don't have a centrally placed piezo/cone, that's why they can't do PS. As you say, It's worth getting the PS add-on board in case you upgrade your pads in the future. That said, I don't know of any VST that supports PS on any pads other than the snare and ride (MD can't do PS on cymbals yet), so you'd just need to upgrade your snare.