Roland delivers e-drums for the masses

Roland's new HD-1 V-drums
Roland's new HD-1 V-drums

It uses the same technology as Roland's pro-spec electronic drum kits, but Roland's new HD-1 V-Drums Lite kit adds plenty of benefits for home users, amateur recordists and students.

Parents or spouses will be glad that the volume level can be completely controlled via volume knob and/or headphones. The HD-1 is also equipped with a MIDI out, plus there's also an external input for connecting CD-players, iPods other MP3 players.

It looks clever. You can jam along with your favourite songs, and control the blend of music and your live drumming through headphones or an amplifier. Perfect for learning just what makes the difference between you and John Bonham, without having to die to find out.

Purchasers of the HD-1 get a DVD setup guide and basic drum instruction from Johnny Rabb to help them get going.

RRP is $999 in the US, £528 in the UK.

The MusicRadar team

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