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TD‑25 - Pad Settings: Pad Types Explained

Why This Matters

Selecting the correct pad type ensures:

Accurate triggering

Proper sensitivity and response

Correct zone detection (head, rim, bell)

Stable performance with minimal false hits

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Built-in Roland Pad Types Supported by TD‑25

The TD‑25 includes preset pad models. Selecting the right one ensures optimal behavior:

Drum Pads (Mesh / Cloth)

PDX‑100 / PDX‑8 / PD‑128 / PD‑125 / PD‑105
Dual‑zone mesh‑head toms and snares with head/rim detection and positional sensing (if available).

PD‑85BK / PD‑80 / PD‑100
Single‑ or dual‑zone mesh/rubber pads; good entry-level choice.

Kick Pads

KD‑9 Cloth‑head kick pad — realistic feel and accurate triggering

KD‑10 / KD‑85 / KD‑120 for different sizes and response profiles

KT‑10 / KT‑9 trigger pedals for acoustic kick drums

Cymbal Pads

CY‑12C, CY‑13R, CY‑15R: Movable three‑way cymbals (bow / edge / bell zones; bell only on TD‑25+)

CY‑14C / CY‑12H / CY‑8: Fixed two‑zone crash/ride cymbals (bow + edge)

Hi‑Hat

VH‑11 / VH‑10: Two‑piece electronic hi‑hat with open / closed sensing and foot splash detection

Bar / Acoustic Triggers

BT‑1: Rubber bar trigger—mono input; used for percussion pads or loops

RT‑30HR / RT‑30H / RT‑30K: Mounted to acoustic drums to provide accurate triggering

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How to Set the Pad Type

Go to MENU → Setup → Trigger Settings

Strike the pad you want to configure

Use the Instrument dial to scroll to the matching pad type (e.g. “PDX100”)

Confirm selection — TD‑25 will load default settings for that model

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Trigger Parameters & Their Effects

Once the pad type is set, you can adjust advanced settings:

• Sensitivity & Threshold

Sensitivity (1–32): How easily the pad registers hits

Threshold: Minimum strength to trigger

Higher sensitivity = softer hits trigger; higher threshold filters unwanted noise

• Velocity Curve

Choose from Linear, EXP1/2, LOG, LOUD depending on playing style — determines how quickly volume increases with hit strength

• Mask Time & Retrigger Cancel

Prevents repeated false triggers from a single strike (of rebounding stick or vibration) 

• Crosstalk Cancel

Blocks vibration from one pad triggering another — essential in dense setups

• Rim Gain / Head-Rim Adjust

Balancing rim sensitivity and establishing correct switching between head and rim zones

• Positional Sensing (Where Available)

Accurate tonal response depending on hit location, especially useful on PD‑128 and other positional capable pads 

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Using Third-Party or Non‑Roland Pads (e.g., your products)

When using non‑Roland pads, follow this protocol:

Choose the closest Roland pad type (e.g. PDX‑100 for a similar-sized mesh pad)

Set Sensitivity lower to avoid false triggering

Increase Threshold if delaying small hits is needed

Adjust Mask Time and Crosstalk Cancel to prevent double triggers

Test your pads with different hit dynamics—soft, medium, hard—to ensure consistent behavior

Since sample pads vary in zone design or piezo placement, iterative tuning may be required for ideal feel.

Hi-Hat Settings & Calibration on the Roland TD-25

Hi-hat configuration is one of the most critical components in any electronic drum kit. The TD-25 offers solid compatibility and flexible calibration options for Roland’s own VH-series hi-hats as well as third-party hi-hats with controller pedals.

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Supported Hi-Hats

The TD-25 is optimized for:

VH-11 (most common): Dual-zone hi-hat with mechanical motion sensor and controller.

VH-10: Newer, lighter version—mounted similarly with slightly different response.

CY-5 + FD-8: A simpler combination of pad and separate foot controller (older or entry-level setups).

Third-party hi-hats: May work via control voltage or continuous controller (CC) range; requires careful calibration.

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How to Set Up and Calibrate the Hi-Hat

Step-by-Step Calibration (e.g. for VH-11):

Mount Properly

Ensure your hi-hat pad is mounted firmly on a standard hi-hat stand and can move freely.

The clutch should be tight but allow the pad to return to the controller.

Go to Setup

On the TD-25, press MENU → Setup → Hi-Hat Settings.

Select Hi-Hat Type

Choose VH-11 or another model that matches your hardware (VH-10, CY-5, etc.).

Offset Calibration

Loosen the clutch.

Let the hi-hat rest fully closed on the controller.

Press [CALIBRATE] (SET) to record this position as “fully closed.”

Tighten the clutch as needed to simulate your natural feel.

❗️If you don’t calibrate correctly, you may experience "floating" sounds—open hi-hats when the pedal is fully down, or closed sounds when slightly lifted.

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Hi-Hat Parameters Explained

These can be adjusted under the Hi-Hat Settings menu or Trigger Settings depending on pad:

• Open/Close Resolution

Adjust how sensitively the module responds to foot pressure for smooth transitions. Lower resolution may result in "stepped" or abrupt open/close shifts.

• Foot Splash Sensitivity

Sets how much force is needed for foot splash sounds. Increase if your splashes aren’t triggering consistently. Decrease to avoid accidental splashes from soft pedal touches.

• Pedal Range (for FD-style)

If you're using an FD-8 or third-party controller pedal, set the full open and closed ranges manually.

• Edge/Bow Balance

Useful if your hi-hat bow is louder or softer than the edge. Balances volume between zones.

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Tips for Best Performance

Use an original Roland cable or high-quality stereo TRS cable for optimal performance.

Keep controller surface clean—dust and grime can cause calibration errors.

Always recalibrate after moving the kit or changing clutch height.

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Using Third-Party Hi-Hats

Third-party hi-hats or controllers may:

Require using “CY-5” or “Generic Pad” as type

Not support continuous control (only open/closed)

Need precise adjustment of threshold and curve

Lack foot splash functionality

You can still achieve usable performance—especially for practice or hybrid kits—by experimenting with:

Sensitivity

Threshold

Foot splash and open/closed curve ranges

Trigger Calibration – Sensitivity, Crosstalk & Response Tuning

Proper trigger calibration ensures that every pad in your setup responds naturally and consistently to your playing — no false hits, no missed strokes, and balanced volume across all surfaces.

This chapter covers how to fine-tune each trigger input on your TD‑25 for accuracy, comfort, and performance — whether you’re using Roland pads or third-party gear.

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Accessing Trigger Settings

To access individual trigger settings:

Press MENU

Go to Setup → Trigger Settings

Strike the pad you want to edit — the module auto-selects it

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Trigger Parameters (Detailed)

Each pad can be customized using these settings:

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1. Pad Type (Trigger Type)

Choose the correct trigger model from the list:

Examples: PDX-100, CY-12C, VH-11, RT-30HR

When using non-Roland gear: Choose the closest Roland equivalent

📌 This selection loads a preset set of parameters optimized for the pad's size, material, and zone layout.

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2. Sensitivity (1–32)

Controls how easily the pad responds to strikes.

Low Sensitivity = Requires harder hits

High Sensitivity = Responds to soft taps
➡ Use higher values for dynamic playing on mesh heads
➡ Lower it for hard rubber pads or overly “hot” triggers

Tip: Aim for dynamic range — soft hits should still register, loud hits shouldn’t clip

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3. Threshold (0–31)

The minimum force needed to trigger a sound.

Low Threshold = Picks up even light vibrations (may trigger falsely)

High Threshold = Ignores weak hits

Use case:

Raise this to stop double triggering from vibrations

Lower it if light ghost notes aren’t being heard

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4. Velocity Curve

Changes how the sound responds to hit strength.
Types:

LINEAR: Balanced dynamics

EXP 1 / 2: Exaggerated response to soft hits

LOG 1 / 2: Exaggerated response to hard hits

LOUD: Maximizes volume on all hits

SPLINE: Unique S-curve feel (combination)

Use LINEAR for most cases. Try EXP for softer playing or LOUD for performance where consistency is more important than nuance.

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5. Mask Time (0–64 ms)

Prevents quick “ghost hits” from a single stroke or pad vibration.

Set just high enough to suppress bounce-triggered hits

Too high? Fast rolls will sound like notes are missing

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6. Retrigger Cancel (1–16)

Cancels repeat triggers caused by unstable waveforms or pad rebound.

Start around 8 and adjust based on playstyle

Use in tandem with Mask Time to clean up rolls and fast flams

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7. Crosstalk Cancel (Xtalk Cancel)

Prevents one pad from unintentionally triggering another (common on racks).

If striking one pad causes a second to sound, raise this value

Too high? Real intended hits on the second pad may be blocked

Use case:

Mounting toms and cymbals close together on a metal rack

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8. Rim Gain / Head-Rim Adjust (Dual-Zone Pads)

Balances the sensitivity between the head and rim of the pad.
Useful if:

Rim shots are too quiet or too loud

Rim hits are accidentally triggered while playing center

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9. Positional Sensing (Snare / Ride only)

Some pads (e.g., PD-128S or CY-15R) support position-dependent tone

Enables more realistic snare or ride dynamics

Only works if the pad supports it and is connected to the correct input

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Best Practices for Calibration

Start with factory settings → Play → Adjust only if needed

Use realistic playing dynamics during testing (not just soft or loud)

Log your changes so you can revert if needed

Consider adjusting during headphones vs amplifier sessions (they behave differently)

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Summary