Roland V-Drums: Who Makes Them, the Current Lineup, and Which Kit to Buy

Roland is the name most drummers think of first when they think of electronic drums. The V-Drums line has been around since 1997, Roland’s mesh pads set the template every other brand copied, and a used Roland module from ten years ago still turns up in home studios and rehearsal rooms. If you ask a drum teacher which e-kit brand to trust, the answer is often just “get a Roland.”

That reputation comes with questions. Roland kits cost more at every level, the lineup changed a lot in the last year, and model names like TD316 and TD-07KV2 do not explain themselves. This guide covers where Roland came from, who owns it, what changed in October 2025 and October 2026, the full current lineup with links to our reviews, the warranty, Roland Cloud and which kit to buy at each budget. It is based on Roland’s press releases and product pages, manuals, retailer listings and owner feedback, not studio testing.

A short history of Roland drums

Roland the company

Roland was founded on April 18, 1972, in Osaka, Japan, by Ikutaro Kakehashi, who had earlier founded Ace Electronic Industries in 1960. The company moved its headquarters to Hamamatsu in 2005. In 2014, CEO Junichi Miki led a management buyout backed by Taiyo Pacific Partners. Roland trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the code 7944.

Drum machines first

Roland’s drum story started with machines, not kits. The CR-78 CompuRhythm (1978) was the first drum machine that let users program and store their own patterns. The TR-808 (1980) became a foundation of hip hop and electronic music, and the TR-909 (1983) shaped house and techno.

The road to V-Drums

Roland’s early electronic kits used rubber pads. Wikipedia notes that the TD-7 module shipped in 1992 with round rubber pads, which became the standard shape for drums and cymbals.

The big change came in 1997. Roland launched the TD-10 V-Drums, its first kit with mesh pads on the snare and toms and COSM modeling in the module. Roland patented its updated mesh-head trigger design and marketed it as V-Drums. Mesh changed how e-kits felt to play, and it is still the standard on nearly every kit sold today.

Key V-Drums milestones

From Roland’s own V-Drums history page and Wikipedia’s module timeline:

• 1997: TD-10, the first V-Drums kit.
• 1998: KD-120, the first mesh kick pad.
• 1999: TD-8 compact kit.
• 2001: V-Cymbals that swing like real cymbals, with separate edge and bow sensors on the CY-14C and CY-15R.
• 2004: VH-12 hi-hat with top and bottom cymbals that move freely.
• 2007: HD-1 V-Drums Lite, a compact all-in-one home kit.
• 2012: TD-30 flagship with SuperNATURAL sounds.
• 2014: KT-10 kick trigger pedal.
• 2016: TD-50 with Prismatic Sound Modeling, multi-sensor snare and ride, and a wooden-shell kick.
• 2018: TD-17 kits, and in September the TD-1DMK, Roland’s first all-mesh starter kit.
• 2020 to 2021: TD-27 and TD-07KV (2020), then TD-07DMK, TD-07KX and TD-07KVX (July 2021).
• 2021: TD-50X.
• 2022: Version 2 TD-17 and TD-27 kits (TD-17KV2, TD-17KVX2, TD-27KV2) and new VAD kits, announced October 4, 2022. In September 2022, Drum Workshop joined Roland.
• 2023: TD-02 starter kits.
• 2024: V-Drums 7 Series with the V71 module, whose sound library Roland created with DW. In October, the VQD106 Quiet Design kit.
• October 16, 2025: V-Drums 3 and 5 Series, replacing the TD-17 and TD-27 families.
• October 15, 2026: TD-07DMK2 and TD-07KV2, a refresh of the TD-07 kits.

Who makes Roland drums today?

Roland Corporation, headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan, designs and sells V-Drums worldwide. In the US, Roland’s press releases come from Los Angeles, and its US service center is in Chino, California.

Roland also owns Drum Workshop (DW), the California acoustic drum maker, which joined Roland in September 2022. You can see the link inside the kits: Roland says the V71 sound library was created with DW, and the V-Drums Instrument Expansions on Roland Cloud are based on DW drum sets.

I could not find an official statement on factory locations for current V-Drums on the pages I opened, so I will not guess. What matters for you is that Roland designs the pads, modules and sounds and backs the warranty through its own US service network.

What changed in 2025 and 2026

Two announcements reshaped the lineup, and they explain most of the confusion in stores right now.

October 2025: V-Drums 3 and 5 Series

On October 16, 2025, Roland announced six kits and two modules. The V31 module powers the 3 Series and the V51 powers the 5 Series. Roland says both use the same internal engine as the V71 flagship. Retailers and Wikipedia’s timeline treat these kits as the replacements for the TD-17 and TD-27 families.

The six kits:

Every kit in both series has Bluetooth audio and MIDI, multichannel USB audio over one cable, built-in wireless for the Roland Cloud Connect app, wireless updates and coach mode. Each purchase includes six months of Roland Cloud Ultimate and Drum Pass with 100 Melodics lessons.

The difference between the modules is mostly input and output. The V31 has one digital pad input, no direct outs and, per Full Compass’s spec sheet, a stereo mini (1/8-inch) headphone jack. The V51 has three digital pad inputs for Roland’s digital snare, hi-hat and ride, plus two direct outs.

October 2026: TD-07 Mk2

On October 15, 2026, Roland refreshed its best-selling entry kits as the TD-07DMK2 and TD-07KV2. The headline is better pads: Roland says the snare and tom pads come from the V-Drums 3 Series with updated sensors, and both kits use dual mesh heads. Both include a freestanding KD-10 kick pad that takes single or double pedals, and the rack’s wider center pipe allows an upgrade to the KDQ-8 Quiet Design kick pad.

The module stayed the same: the TD-07 brain, with 25 preset kits and 143 instruments, Bluetooth audio and MIDI and an updated coach mode. Drum Pass from Melodics is included. Roland’s release does not say the original TD-07 kits are discontinued, and Roland’s global site still lists the TD-07KV, TD-07KVX, TD-07KX and TD-07DMK next to the Mk2 models, so you will see both in stores for a while.

What this means if you are shopping now

• TD-17 and TD-27 kits are the previous generation. New stock may still be around, and Roland’s global kit page still lists the TD-17KV2. They are good kits, but compare a TD-17 with a TD313 or TD316, and a TD-27 with a TD516, before you pay. Our used-buyer reviews of both, linked in the timeline above, cover what to check.
• Original TD-07 kits are being replaced by the Mk2 versions. If you find an old TD-07KV at a big discount, it is still a solid kit; the small pads are the main thing you give up.
• Older VAD kits like the VAD307, VAD504 and VAD507 run TD-17 and TD-27 modules, so they also belong to the previous generation.

Where Roland kits are sold

Roland sells through authorized dealers: Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Musician’s Friend, Kraft Music, zZounds, Full Compass, Adorama and local drum shops in the US, and Long & McQuade in Canada. Many stores also sell used and open-box V-Drums.

Buy from an authorized dealer if you want the full warranty. Roland’s US warranty covers the first consumer who buys from an authorized US dealer, and Roland publishes a list of unauthorized sellers, warning that buying from them may affect coverage.

The Roland V-Drums lineup in 2026

Here is the current range as of November 2026, grouped by level.

TD-02K and TD-02KV: the quiet starters

The TD-02 kits are Roland’s cheapest. Both use the beaterless KT-1 kick pedal, which is very quiet through the floor, and the TD-02 module with 16 kits, coach modes and USB audio and MIDI. The TD-02K uses rubber PD-4 pads all round. The TD-02KV adds a PDX-8 mesh snare with rimshot and a sturdier MDS-LITE stand, but the toms are still rubber. Bluetooth needs the optional BT-DUAL adapter. Our TD-02KV review explains when it makes sense over a cheaper kit with more pads.

TD-07DMK2 and TD-07KV2: the new entry point

The TD-07DMK2 is the compact all-mesh starter: a 10-inch PD-10H dual-ply mesh snare, 8-inch toms, three 10-inch CY-5 cymbals and an arm ready for a second crash, in a footprint about 51 inches wide. The kick pedal and throne are not included. See the TD-07DMK2 review.

The TD-07KV2 is bigger: a 10-inch snare, 8-inch rack toms and a 10-inch floor tom, a 12-inch CY-8 crash plus a 10-inch crash, a 12-inch ride and the KD-10 kick pad. It is the Roland I would point most adult beginners toward if they have a spare bedroom. One limit on both: the rack toms do not support rim shots. Our TD-07KV2 review covers what changed from the original TD-07KV.

VQD106: the quiet one

The VQD106, launched in October 2024, is built for noise. It uses the TD-07 module with special PDQ pads that put honeycomb rubber under mesh heads, a KDQ-8 kick pad and CYQ-12 cymbals. Roland says the range cuts pad and pedal noise by up to 75% compared with a conventional V-Drums kit (no dB values published). The trade-off is smaller 8-inch drum pads and a basic module for the price. My VQD106 review goes through who that trade makes sense for.

TD313 and TD316: the V-Drums 3 Series

These replaced the TD-17 kits and are where Roland’s current sound engine starts. The TD313 is the space-saving version, with a 12-inch PDX-12 snare, 14-inch three-zone ride, one crash and a CY-5 hi-hat on a pedal controller. The TD316 adds a 12-inch triple-sensor PD-12P snare with positional sensing, a VH-10 hi-hat that mounts on a real hi-hat stand and a second crash. It weighs about 54.5 lb and needs more floor space. The TD313 review covers the smaller kit on its own.

The V31 module has the same preset kits and engine as the V71, 30 channels of USB-C recording, sample import and SD recording. Read our TD316 review, and if you are weighing it against the big Alesis, see TD316 vs Strata Prime.

TD513 and TD516: the V-Drums 5 Series

These replaced the TD-27 kits. The TD513 is the 5 Series entry point: V51 module, PD-12P snare and a new MDS-Standard 3 stand. The TD516 brings Roland’s digital pads: the PD-140DS snare, VH-14D hi-hat and CY-18DR ride, which plug into the module’s digital pad inputs instead of analog trigger jacks. The V51 module adds three digital pad inputs, 32 channels of USB-C audio and two direct outs. Our TD516 review covers it.

The 7 Series: TD713, TD716 and VAD716

Launched in 2024, the 7 Series is Roland’s flagship. The V71 module has 14 analog trigger inputs plus 3 digital pad inputs, eight balanced direct outs, XLR main outs, eight faders and 32-channel USB-C audio. The TD716 uses an 18-inch kick drum, the TD713 swaps it for a 12-inch kick tower and a lighter rack, and the VAD716 puts it all in full-depth wood shells with a 22-inch kick. These are studio and stage kits, priced well above what most home players need. See the TD716 review and the VAD716 review for the details.

The VAD kits: acoustic looks

V-Drums Acoustic Design (VAD) kits put Roland pads and modules inside real wood shells, so the kit looks like an acoustic set. The current ones are the VAD316, VAD516 and VAD716. Each one shares its module, hi-hat and ride with the matching TD kit, but the toms, kick, crashes and (on the VAD316 and VAD516) the snare differ. They cost more and take more space. Our VAD316 review and VAD516 review cover what changes. Big shells do not make them quieter.

Are Roland electronic drums good?

For most players, yes. Here is where they earn the price and where they do not, based on specs and the patterns in owner feedback and published reviews.

What Roland does well

Triggering and feel. Roland invented the mesh V-Pad and has refined it since 1997. Reviewers and owners generally rate Roland pads highly for even response across the head and good dynamics at soft volumes. The new 3 and 5 Series pads, and the TD-07 Mk2 pads that inherit them, carry that forward.

Hi-hats. The VH-10 on the TD316, and the VH-14D digital hi-hat on the TD516 and up, mount on a real hi-hat stand. That is the closest an e-kit gets to playing an acoustic hi-hat, and it is the biggest single feel upgrade over budget kits.

Hardware. Roland’s MDS stands have a good reputation, and rack complaints are much less common than on budget brands.

Long support. Roland gives older modules meaningful updates. The TD-17 and TD-27 got free Version 2.0 updates in 2022 with new kits and effects.

Quiet options. The KT-1 and KT-10 beaterless kick pedals, the VQD106 Quiet Design kit and Noise Eater accessories give apartment players real choices.

Recording. From the V31 up, every module is a multichannel USB audio interface, so you can record each drum to its own track with one cable.

Resale value. Used Roland kits sell quickly and hold their value better than most brands. Our guide to buying used electronic drums covers which older Rolands are worth hunting.

Where Roland falls short

Price. You pay more at every level. At the same money, Alesis or Simmons usually give you more pads, bigger cymbals and more sounds.

Small libraries at the bottom. The TD-02 has 16 kits and the TD-07 has 143 instruments. Both are fine for practice but thin next to an Alesis Nitro Max’s 440 sounds.

Rubber at the bottom. The TD-02K is all rubber, and the TD-02KV still has rubber toms.

Missing parts in the box. Most Roland kits from the TD-07 up do not include a kick pedal or throne, and the TD316 and up also leave out the hi-hat stand. Add those to the budget.

Roland Cloud. The 3 and 5 Series include six months of Roland Cloud Ultimate. After that, you subscribe or buy individual Lifetime Keys if you want to keep the expansion content. The core sounds in the module stay yours.

Small details. The TD-07 kits’ rack toms do not do rim shots, and the V31 has a 1/8-inch headphone jack rather than a full-size one.

Warranty and support

The warranty

Roland’s US warranty page gives two years for “all other Roland and BOSS products” bought after January 1, 2023. It does not name V-Drums specifically, so confirm with Roland for your kit, but electronic drums fall in that catch-all group. A few more points from the page:

• Coverage is for the first consumer who buys from an authorized Roland dealer in the US.
• Registration at Roland Backstage records your purchase date, but it is not required for warranty service.
• Cables from Roland and BOSS have a lifetime warranty.
• Exceptions and exclusions may apply.

In Canada, Roland’s warranty page lists two years for products bought after January 1, 2023, and one year before that.

Getting service

Roland recommends contacting an authorized service center first. You can also ship the product to the Roland and BOSS US Service Center in Chino, California, after getting a return authorization number, with shipping at your expense and proof of purchase. Out-of-warranty labor at the US service center is billed by the hour, with a bench fee if you decline the repair.

Replacement parts

Roland sells replacement pads and its own MH2 mesh heads, made by Remo, for most V-Pads. Parts like rim rubber go through Roland service. MH2 heads fit all V-Pads except the older PDX-8 and PDX-6, which take the MH-8.

How Roland compares with other brands

Roland and Yamaha

These are the two traditional big names. Yamaha’s pads use silicone TCS heads on many kits, which feel different from Roland mesh, and Yamaha’s DTX-PRO modules are strong on acoustic drum sounds. Roland has the bigger range and more mesh options. Our Roland vs Yamaha comparison goes through it level by level.

Roland and Alesis

Alesis gives you more for the money on paper, and its Strata touchscreen modules are impressive. Roland wins on triggering, hi-hats, hardware and resale. Our Alesis vs Roland page compares them tier by tier.

Roland and everyone else

Simmons, Donner and other budget brands undercut Roland by a wide margin and are fine for casual practice. EFNOTE competes at the high end on sound. Our ranking of the best electronic drum brands puts them all side by side.

Which Roland kit to buy, by budget

A quick map of the current range, not a full ranking.

My take

Roland is the safe choice in electronic drums, and the 2025 and 2026 refreshes made it a better one. The 3 Series brought the flagship sound engine down to TD316 money, and the TD-07 Mk2 kits finally fixed the small pads that held the old TD-07 back.

You will pay more than for an Alesis or Simmons with the same number of pads, and you will need to buy a pedal and throne. In return, you get pads that trigger evenly, hi-hats that feel right from the TD316 up, hardware that stays put and a module you can keep for years. If you are a beginner with a spare room, start with the TD-07KV2 review. If you already know you are staying with drums, look at the TD316.