Roland V-Drums PD-128S, PD-128, PD-108 V-Pad Owner's Manual

Using the Unit Safely

About WARNING and CAUTION Notices

WARNING: Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of death or severe injury should the unit be used improperly.

CAUTION: Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of injury or material damage should the unit be used improperly.

* Material damage refers to damage or other adverse effects caused with respect to the home and all its furnishings, as well to domestic animals or pets.

About the Symbols

[Warning Symbol]: Alerts the user to important instructions or warnings. The specific meaning is determined by the design within the triangle.

[Forbidden Symbol]: Alerts the user to items that must never be carried out (are forbidden). The specific thing that must not be done is indicated by the design within the circle.

[Must-Do Symbol]: Alerts the user to things that must be carried out. The specific thing that must be done is indicated by the design within the circle.

ALWAYS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING

WARNING

• Do not disassemble or modify by yourself: Do not open or perform any internal modifications.
• Do not repair or replace parts by yourself: Refer all servicing to your retailer, Roland Service Center, or authorized distributor.
• Do not use or store in the following types of locations:
  • Subject to temperature extremes (direct sunlight, near heating ducts, on heat-generating equipment).
  • Damp locations (baths, washrooms, wet floors).
  • Exposed to steam or smoke.
  • Subject to salt exposure or humid conditions.
  • Exposed to rain.
  • Dusty or sandy environments.
  • Subject to high levels of vibration and shakiness.
• Use only stand that is recommended: Mount on a Roland MDS series stand or a commercially available snare stand meeting specified requirements.
• Do not place in an unstable location: Ensure stands are on a level, stable surface.
• Do not allow foreign objects or liquids to enter unit; never place containers with liquid on unit: Prevent short circuits, faulty operation, or malfunctions.
• Adults must provide supervision in places where children are present: Ensure no mishandling occurs; an adult should supervise.
• Do not drop or subject to strong impact: Protect the unit from impact.

CAUTION

• Manage cables for safety: Prevent entanglement and keep cables out of children's reach.
• Avoid climbing on top of the unit, or placing heavy objects on it: Never climb on or place heavy objects on the unit.
• Disconnect the sound module before moving the unit: Disconnect all external equipment first.
• Keep small items out of the reach of children: Prevent accidental ingestion of removable parts like tuning bolts, washers, clips, and fastening screws.

Important Notes

Placement

• Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources, enclosed vehicles, and temperature extremes, as excessive heat can deform or discolor the unit.
• If moved between environments with different temperatures/humidity, allow several hours for condensation to evaporate before use to prevent damage or malfunction.
• Do not leave rubber, vinyl, or similar materials on the unit for extended periods, as they can discolor or harm the finish.
• Keep water, insecticides, perfumes, alcohol, nail polish, and spray cans away from the unit. Wipe up any spills immediately with a dry, soft cloth.

Maintenance

• For everyday cleaning, use a soft, dry cloth or one slightly dampened with water.
• For stubborn dirt, use a cloth with a mild, non-abrasive detergent, then wipe thoroughly with a soft, dry cloth.
• Never use benzine, thinners, alcohol, or solvents to avoid discoloration or deformation.

Additional Precautions

• Handle buttons, sliders, controls, jacks, and connectors with care to prevent malfunctions.
• When disconnecting cables, grasp the connector, not the cable itself, to avoid damage.
• This instrument is designed to minimize extraneous sounds, but vibrations can transmit through floors/walls; be mindful of neighbors.
• For transport, use the original packaging if possible, or equivalent materials.
• Ensure snare stand tripod legs are opened wide enough for stability.
• The rubber portion has a preservative that may appear as a white stain over time; this does not affect performance.
• Do not insert hands or fingers into marked locations to avoid injury or damage.

Before using this unit, carefully read the "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" (p. 2) and "IMPORTANT NOTES" (p. 3) sections for proper operation. Read the entire manual for a good grasp of all features. Save the manual for future reference.

Copyright © 2012 ROLAND CORPORATION. All rights reserved. Roland, V-Drums are registered trademarks or trademarks of Roland Corporation.

Getting Started

Main Features

• Snare/tom pad with mesh head for excellent feel, dynamics, and low-level acoustics.
• Supports rim shots and playing with brushes.
• The pad can mount on a V-Drums drum stand or commercially available tom stands (vertical rod or horizontal pipe type, PD-128/108 only).
• Shell covering can be easily changed to personalize the kit's look.

PD-128S/128/108 Components

The V-Pad components include: Hoop rubber, Head, Sensor, Tuning bolt, Output jack, Hoop (rim), Lug, Shell, Bracket (on PD-128/PD-108), and Frame. The illustration shows the PD-128.

Key Differences:

• The PD-128 and PD-108 differ in diameter.
• The PD-128S has no bracket and is designed for use with a snare stand.

NOTE: Applying excessive force to the sensor can damage it or interfere with triggering. Changes in temperature or humidity may affect playing dynamics or sensor sensitivity.

Mounting the Pads

Mounting the PD-128S (Dedicated Snare Pad)

The PD-128S has no mounting bracket and can only be used with a snare stand. Ensure the snare stand can support a 12-inch shell.

MEMO: The PD-128S is a dedicated snare pad and does not have a bracket.

Mounting the PD-128 or 108 on a Tom Stand

The PD-128/108 can be attached to stands with either a vertical rod or a horizontal pipe.

• Stand with Vertical Rod (MDS Series): Compatible rod diameter: 9-11.5 mm (3/8-1/2 inch).
• Stand with Horizontal Pipe: Usable pipe size: 22.2 mm (7/8 inch).

Mounting the PD-128 or 108 on a Snare Stand

The PD-128S requires a snare stand that supports a 12-inch shell. The PD-108 requires a stand that supports a 10-inch shell.

MEMO: Tighten the knob that fastens the bracket securely for optimal functionality.

Connecting to the Percussion Sound Module

Use the included stereo cables to connect pads to your percussion sound module (sold separately). Connect the L-shaped end of the cable to the pad's OUTPUT jack. Using a monaural cable will NOT allow rim shots or positional sensing.

NOTE: To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume and turn off all units before making any connections.

MEMO: Refer to the table below for details on trigger inputs of sound modules supporting rim shots.

Recommended Parameter Settings

Below are recommended trigger parameter settings for using the PD-128S/128/108 with various sound modules. Further adjustment may be needed based on mounting or playing environment. Refer to your sound module's owner's manual for details.

TD-30

• Trigger inputs that allow rim shots: SNARE, TOM 1-4, AUX 1-4
• Trigger inputs that allow cross-stick: SNARE
• Trigger inputs that allow positional sensing: SNARE, TOM 1-4, AUX 1-4

TD-20X/TDW-20/TD-20

• Trigger inputs that allow rim shots: SNARE, TOM 1-4, AUX 1-4
• Trigger inputs that allow cross-stick: SNARE
• Trigger inputs that allow positional sensing: SNARE

TD-12

• Trigger inputs that allow rim shots: SNARE, TOM 1-3, AUX 1-2
• Trigger inputs that allow cross-stick: SNARE
• Trigger inputs that allow positional sensing: SNARE

Compatibility with Various Sound Modules

MEMO: For details, refer to the owner's manual of your percussion sound module.

Adjusting the Head Tension

Before playing, adjust the pad tension for a dynamic "feel," similar to an acoustic drum.

NOTE: The pad functions best when the head is adjusted evenly so it does not sag, and tuning bolts are not loose.

Steps:

1. Adjust each tuning bolt little by little, across the head as indicated in the illustration.
2. Adjust the tightness of each tuning bolt so that the head is tensioned evenly.

NOTE: Fully tightening a bolt in one spot causes uneven tensioning, affecting dynamics and potentially causing malfunctions. Even tuning/tensioning is very important.

MEMO: Head tension does not affect the actual tuning of the sound you are playing; adjust sound parameters in the sound module. Head tension may change with usage; adjust as needed.

Replacing the Head or Hoop Rubber

The performance of the head and/or hoop rubber diminishes with use. Replace if torn, fatigued, or impossible to tension correctly. Contact your dealer or a Roland service center for replacements.

Replacing the Head

NOTE: Applying excessive force to the sensor can damage it or interfere with triggering.

Steps:

1. Remove all tuning bolts by loosening them counter-clockwise.
2. Remove the hoop and old head.
3. Place the new head and hoop on the shell.
4. Install all six tuning bolts.
5. Adjust the tension of the head (refer to "Adjusting the Head Tension" above).

Replacing the Shell Covering

NOTE: Applying excessive force to the sensor can damage it or interfere with triggering. Be careful not to hurt your fingers on sharp metal parts.

Steps:

1. Loosen all tuning bolts and remove the hoop and head.
2. Remove the frame.
3. Use a Phillips screwdriver to loosen the screw that fastens the covering by approximately two full turns.
4. Pull the fastening clip upward and out to remove the covering.
5. Attach the new covering: Insert the lower part into the rubber groove, aligning the upper edge as shown. Both edges should fit into the gap between the shell and plate.
6. While pulling on both ends to eliminate slack, finger-tighten the screw holding the covering.
7. Use a Phillips screwdriver to securely fasten the screw.
8. Attach the fastening clip in the indicated location, pinching the two ends of the covering.
9. Install the frame in the shell, ensuring the output jack points in the same direction as the bracket. Match the protrusion on the frame with the groove on the shell.
10. Attach the hoop and head, and tighten the tuning bolts.
11. Adjust the tension of the head (refer to "Adjusting the Head Tension" on p. 7).

Covering Size

• PD-128S/PD-128: 77 mm (Width) x 927 mm (Length), Maximum Thickness: 1 mm.
• PD-108: 77 mm (Width) x 767 mm (Length), Maximum Thickness: 1 mm.

Playing Methods

Head Shots

Playing the head with certain snare sounds, and varying the playing position, will change the sound's nuance.

MEMO: Refer to the TD-30/TD-20X/TDW-20/TD-20/TD-12 owner's manual for more information.

Rim Shots

Strike the head and the rim of the pad simultaneously.

Cross Stick

Only strike the rim of the pad. Depending on the instrument assigned to the rim, you can play rim shots and/or cross stick sounds.

NOTE: To play the cross stick, strike only the rim. Placing your hand on the head might prevent the cross stick sound.

Change the Nuance of the Rim Shot

With certain snare and tom sounds (on TD-30/TD-20X/TDW-20/TD-20/TD-12), slight changes in how you play rim shots affect the nuance.

Normal Rim Shots (Open Rim Shots)

Strike the head and rim simultaneously.

Shallow Rim Shots

Simultaneously strike the head near the rim and the rim itself.

MEMO: Refer to the TD-30/TD-20X/TDW-20/TD-20/TD-12 owner's manual for more info. For information on trigger inputs, refer to p. 6.

Specifications

* In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or appearance of this unit are subject to change without prior notice.

Compliance Information

For EU Countries

This symbol [WEEE Symbol: Crossed-out wheeled bin] indicates that in EU countries, this product must be collected separately from household waste, as defined in each region. Products bearing this symbol must not be discarded together with household waste.

The manual also lists compliance information in multiple languages (French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Lithuanian, Latvian, Slovenian, Greek) regarding separate collection of electronic waste.

For China

This section provides information on hazardous substances in products, indicating the "Environmentally Friendly Use Period" (环保使用期限). It includes a table detailing the name and content of hazardous substances (Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB), Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)) in various components, according to China's standards (SJ/T 11364 and GB/T 26572).

Manufacturer and Importer Information

Manufacturer: Roland Corporation, 2036-1 Nakagawa, Hosoe-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-1304, JAPAN.

Importer (EU): Roland Corporation, ENA 23 Zone 1 nr. 1620 Klaus-Michael Kuehnelaan 13, 2440 Geel, BELGIUM.

Importer (UK): Roland Europe Group Limited, Hive 2, 1530 Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, Berkshire. RG7 4SA United Kingdom.

For repair service, visit: https://roland.cm/service to find your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor.