I got a new Roland TD-6SXT VDrum kit for Christmas. Of course, they aren't the cheapest item in the world, so I am trying to find a way to get sound out of them without 1) having to wear headphones all of the time and 2) not having to fork over $600+ for an amp for them.

So anyway, I've been all over the VDrum forums, but I never get a straight answer. Can I use my Axioms (with SVS sub, running through my Pioneer Elite receiver) or am I going to damage something?

I have the following gear:
M60 fronts
VP150 center
QS8 surrounds
SVS 20-39PCi sub
Pioneer Elite VSX-54TX receiver

Again, I have been told that it isn't a great idea to run VDrums through a "home stereo" because the audio "spikes" at the beginning of each drum hit is "too much for the speakers/receiver to handle."

I think that this is true for smaller boom box systems, but I was hoping to be able to pump out some sound with my Axioms/SVS (mainly just the M60s and SVS sub, not the VP150 or QS8s)...

ANY helpful ideas are welcomed here...
Here is a link to Roland's site, although not very details about output information:
Roland TD-6SXT

i hooked an musical keyboard up to my system last year, powered by a vintage sansui. didnt blow nothin up. I wouldnt add booze into the equation though

just my 2 cents is i would be more concerned with playing electronic sounds that had a high duty cycle, like a square wave at 90% duty cycle, as opposed to a kick drum with a short transient spike. secondly i would be concerned with a microphone setup and excessive feedback.

Randy

Since they are electric, no mic pickups, no feedback. And I was told that it was the transient spikes to beware of...

Hmmm....

Thanks for the thoughts though... I wonder if anyone else can shime in here.

Hi Nick,

Generally speaking, it's not a good idea to run musical instruments through domestic hi-fi speakers, unless you first put the output of your electronic drum kit through a peak limiter--for exactly the reason you cite--the transient spikes.

Musical instrument amplifiers (guitar amps, etc.) use heavy-duty drivers designed for longevity, not fidelity. Even so, it's common studio practice to run the output of microphones on drum kits--any percussive instruments--through a limiter on the board to prevent sudden overloads from overenthusiastic drummers.

I'd suggest you don't do it. One sudden spike could damage a voice-coil former on one or your Axioms.

Get a guitar amp with a bullet-proof driver instead.

Regards,

Well, I picked up a dedicated amp for it today. I was hoping to avoid the cost, but it is a lot cheaper than having to replace a pair of M60s...

Thanks!

>>Musical instrument amplifiers (guitar amps, etc.) use heavy-duty drivers designed for longevity, not fidelity. Even so, it's common studio practice to run the output of microphones on drum kits--any percussive instruments--through a limiter on the board to prevent sudden overloads from overenthusiastic drummers.

I resent that!

Yeah, "overenthusiastic drummer" is kinda redundant, isn't it?

Well, I'll tell you one thing, I have NEVER met an overenthusiastic drummer, all the enthusiasm is always justified for the part of the song that requires it!

Especially if it involves a cowbell.

Cowbells raaawk.

Don't Fear The Reaper

Yes, but don't these Axioms go to 11?

You can NEVER have too much cowbell.

What's always confused me is what they do with the cow after they harvest the bell...

Quote:

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Well, I'll tell you one thing, I have NEVER met an overenthusiastic drummer, all the enthusiasm is always justified for the part of the song that requires it!

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Yes, the 160.. no 180.. no 205.. no 190.. no 200.. no 195.6.. no 214.61 bpm swings in the drummer's cut of "Mack the Knife" were justified.

Never met a country guitarist that didn't enjoy a good key jump... never met a drummer that didn't enjoy a good tempo jump.

Bren R.