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Roland’s VQD106 Kit Promises to Revolutionize Quiet Drumming with 75% Noise Reduction

by Madonna

Drumming has always posed a significant challenge due to the noise it creates, a concern that has troubled drummers since the inception of the drum kit. For some, this issue can be a minor inconvenience, but for others, it can be the difference between pursuing drumming as a hobby or abandoning it altogether. The primary issue, of course, is noise. Drumming is inherently loud, and while electronic drums reduce some of the noise, even with headphones and mesh heads, the location of the kit can still lead to disturbing others.

Roland has long been at the forefront of innovations in electronic drums, and its latest offering, the VQD106 kit (VQD stands for V-Drums Quiet Design), promises to reduce noise levels by 75% compared to other electronic drum kits. Roland is confident that the VQD106 delivers the “lowest playing-noise in the history of electronic drum kits,” making it a game-changer for drummers seeking a quieter experience.

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This bold claim is backed by the VQD106’s design, which addresses noise in several key areas. To understand how the VQD106 minimizes noise, it’s essential to examine the primary sources of noise in electronic drums: airborne noise and vibrational noise. Airborne noise occurs when a drum pad is struck with a stick, creating a sound that is relatively contained within the room but can still be bothersome. However, the more problematic type of noise is vibrational noise, especially when playing in upper-level rooms, as vibrations travel through the floor and building structure, often unnoticed until neighbors or co-dwellers express their discomfort.

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Vibrational noise is caused by vibrations transferring from the pads, the drum rack, and even floor-mounted pedals into the floor and the building’s structure. This can cause disturbances in rooms below and within walls, making it a significant issue for drummers in apartment settings or multi-story homes. Roland has taken steps to address this with isolation or “decoupling” methods to prevent vibrations from transferring between the drum kit and the room.

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The VQD106 features a drum rack with domed rubber feet under each post, which is the first step toward isolating the vibrations. Additionally, the bass drum pedal and hi-hat controller are mounted on NEQ-K and NEQ-H platforms, similar to Roland’s previous Noise Eater products, designed to isolate vibrations. The VQD106 also includes the KDQ-8 bass drum tower, which incorporates rubber isolation feet to reduce impact noise traveling through the floor. Furthermore, the VQD106 is equipped with a unique tennis ball beater, a soft mallet that reduces vibrations when hitting the pad and minimizes airborne noise.

The pads themselves are another area where Roland has made significant advancements. The playing surface is constructed from a honeycomb-shaped rubber material, topped with a mesh head coating to maintain a familiar playing feel. To further reduce vibrations, the underside of each pad is vented, allowing vibrations to disperse rather than transfer into the drum rack.

Roland’s cymbals follow a similar design approach, with the bow section featuring a honeycomb and mesh combination, while the edges are cushioned with soft rubber. This enables drummers to play on the edge of the cymbals without disrupting the quiet nature of the kit. Additionally, the cymbals are isolated from the plastic components, preventing vibrations from traveling.

The VQD106 kit consists of a five-piece configuration, along with three CYQ-12 cymbal pads for hi-hat, crash, and ride cymbals. The snare pad (PDQ-8S) is two-zone, while the tom pads (PDQ-8) are single-zone. The kit is paired with Roland’s TD-07 module. For those who already own a Roland drum module, Roland also offers the VQDPADS setup, which provides the same pads without the module, allowing users to connect them to their existing system.

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