Roland TD-25KV, TD-25K, and new module, the TD-25

[kgoroway]

From my post here: http://www.vdrums.com/forum/general/...ontinued/page2

This seems worthy of a new topic.

Just received my latest Drum! magazine. Page 77 has an advertisement for what seems like a new Roland module... The TD-25.

This is strange, because a google search doesn't turn up anything...But, here's what it says:

TD-25KV,
Dynamic, expressive sounds based on Roland's flagship TD-30 V-Drums.
Positional snare sensing provides a natural acoustic-like feel.
Simple, logical interface for easy kit selection & quick customization of sounds
Audio Recording from audio input, USB, & direct performance from the drum set
Quality reverb & multi effects for sound enhancement
USB connectivity for audio/MIDI communication with a computer or tablet.

(small print: TD-25K model also available)

The module does look nice, but it's hard to make out much detail. I'd guess we'll hear a bunch more very soon...

Some quick photos from my phone...sorry for the quality...

[Rhythmos]

I saw the same add and put the magazine down and logged on to see what the forum knows about this. Apparently, not much.

[kurth83]

Ok, time for speculation to begin...

I say it is a TD-30 sound-set, in a smaller case, so likely no individual outs, and cheaper pads so you can get TD-30 sounds in a less expensive package...

What do I win if I guess right? :-)

[Intruder]

This kind of sucks for those that just bought a TD-15 unless the price is way more. I wonder if it has midi in?

[VeeDrummer]

Looks like the replacement for the 15K/15KV, but seems nothing else has changed except the module. The pads and, cymbals look the same.

[Alan VEX]

Well, I will say this is quite unatural for Roland. I guess our days of predictions have come to an end.

[Chris K]

Look nice but, nothing innovative, it's all the same things from what we have seen from Vdrum existence.

[Intruder]

I wish they would spend some of that R&D $ on up-grading the firmware of what they already have.
It's looking like Roland really does not care about current owners of their products at all!

Having new products is cool but replacing existing modules can't be cheap and I wouldn't think many people could afford to keep up with buying a new module every 2 years.
I was not happy when the new TD-9 version 2 I bought was discontinued til I found out the differences of what it was being replaced with. I sure am glad I didn't have to buy the TD-15. I would be very unhappy today for sure!

[jammin777]

seems like what a td-12 was to a td-20

[Alan VEX]

I really wonder what hole they are trying to fill with this unit. Is this an indication their 30 sales are not what they expected? Could it be a sign they are finally learning consumers are looking for more in the upper tier? I'm viewing this as a unit worthy of taking over the 30 sales aiming, at a lower price point, and could possibly signal a new flagship is in the works. If so, I hope to God they finally went back to the studio and up'd their game in the sound quality of the on-board sounds. Roland has needed a whole new library since the mid 2000's.

[SiliconDrummer]

Looks like a more expensive TD-15, to me. Easier to differentiate from the TD-11.

The number 120 displayed on the seven segment LED section below the LCD seems to imply that it has at least 120 kits while the current TD-15 only has 100. The VEdit buttons on the upper right suggest to me that it has TD-15 style VEdit capability instead of the TD-30 COSM editing. The big round value dial is surrounded by LED's labeled "Standard", "Rock", "Metal", etc. Kind of looks like a limited "chain" function. Also looks like it has knobs for a two band EQ and for master volume and backing volume. All of these knobs and buttons on the front panel looks like a quick access UI that makes it easier to get to common functions. This is a usability upgrade from the current TD-15 and TD-11 that require cumbersome navigation through multiple levels of menus on the small LCD.

Of course this is all purely speculation from looking at the photos in the ad.

[KnipeDrums]

Kind of resembles what Yamaha did with the 700 series module, scaled down version of the Flagship. Interesting design change going from the TD12 to this type of design. Like Alan said previously I wonder what this says for the 30's shelf life now. Does not make me warm and fuzzy when I am about to come back to Roland and the TDseries modules. Now what, Buy a TD20x and wait or spring for the 30 because of the added features?

[Chris K]

I really wonder what hole they are trying to fill with this unit. Is this an indication their 30 sales are not what they expected? Could it be a sign they are finally learning consumers are looking for more in the upper tier? I'm viewing this as a unit worthy of taking over the 30 sales aiming, at a lower price point, and could possibly signal a new flagship is in the works. If so, I hope to God they finally went back to the studio and up'd their game in the sound quality of the on-board sounds. Roland has needed a whole new library since the mid 2000's.

When you release something like this it's because sales are going bad, when you don't refreshing things with new product for better income you can be in trouble, it's clear with the competition increase and higher priced Roland product compare to others don't help them..But until they don't allow importing sample with multilayer velocity\round robin, it's a no go for "innovative" polishing a table from 2000 years can only be shined not more.

[perceval]

Of course, will be more expensive than the current TD15.

I see this as the average consumer couldn't make out the differences between a TD11 and a TD15, both of them looking so similar.

Going the Yamaha route with a flagship model with all the I/O, a middle of the road module with a smaller module but reminiscent of the top model, that includes some of the tech inside the flagship, and the beginner's module that is somewhat limited compared to the other two, attracting the younger players and families looking at a quiet kit that won't break the bank.

It will surely take some sales away from the TD30.
It'd better have MIDI in or that will be a serious faux pas.
My couple of pennies, anyway.

[happy_dude]

TD-25 also seems to announce a TD-50 somewhere down the line..

Well, the TD-15 price tag was right in the middle between the TD-11 and the TD-30, so the window is probably very small between the prices of TD-15 and TD-30. So if the difference to the TD-30 is too small, the TD-25 might actually act as a lure to the market to boost the sales of the TD-30 instead, and if it's too close to the price of the TD-15, it would harm the TD-30 sales. The result of this pricing policy might even slow down or accelerate the need for a new flagship model. So maybe if we see a low price for the TD-25 we could conclude Roland is not ready for a TD-50, if the price is high conclude Roland is trying to sell out its TD-30 stocks for something new, and if the price is right in the middle between TD-15 and TD-30, that could indicate themselves are in the position to wait and see.

The latter situation to wait and see wouldn't be a surprise, as the equation is delicate for Roland. Overall they have had huge financial losses over the last years, and after a management buyout in 2014 they announced their intention to conquer emerging markets like China and focus less on the high end flagships markets in order to rebuild their finances. So they're aiming at lower price tag/quality products derived from their top R&D products of the past years, and that probably means they currently have no real strong R&D projects. This also means they are most likely to modify their development plans, so we might have some surprises from Roland (good or bad?) in the years to come.

You can read the financial report on the homepage roland.com