Roland RT-Series - Manual

Acoustic Drum Trigger

Application Guide

RT-3T

RT-5S

RT-7K

Tom Trigger

Snare Trigger

Kick Trigger

RT-Series Specifications

The RT-Series at a glance.

¥ Superior sensor construction offers precise triggering while maintaining

natural acoustic sound

¥ Can be easily installed or removed without damaging acoustic drums
¥ RT-5S and -7K employ V-Drums

¨

sensor technology to capture the most

delicate nuances

¥ Rock-solid construction built to withstand aggressive playing
¥ RT-5S supports acoustic/mesh heads, both with separate head and rim

triggering

¥ Works directly with Roland V-Drums modules and SPD-Series pads*
¥ Play MIDI modules when used with Roland TMC-6 Trigger MIDI Converter

Roland Corporation U.S.

5100 S.Eastern Avenue P.O BOX 910921

Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921

Phone: (323) 890.3700 Fax: (323) 890.3701

Visit us online at www.RolandUS.com

Printed in Japan JUL. '03 RAM-3725 A-4 PBL-UPR-N

All specifications and appearances are subject to

change without notice.

All trademarks are the property of their respective

companies.

Supported Sound Modules: TD-10, TDW-1, TD-8,

TD-6, RM-2, TMC-6, SPD-S, SPD-20, HPD-15

* The performance of the RT-Series can be affected by

elements such as the type of drum being used, the tuning
and use of a mute. For best performance, refer to both the
drum trigger's and sound module's Owner's Manual and set
the trigger parameters accordingly.

* Be sure to mute the bass and snare drum (toms can also be

muted if external vibrations are picked up).

* Use a mute ring or mute-type drum head to improve the

performance of the RT-5S Snare Trigger.

¥ Trigger: 1 ¥ Connector: Trigger output jack (1/4

inch phone type) ¥ Dimensions: 52 (W) x 110 (D)

x 72 (H) mm / 2-1/16 (W) x 4-3/8 (D) x 2-7/8 (H)

inches ¥ Weight: 175 g / 7 oz ¥ Accessories:

Owner's Manual, Connection Cable, Hoop Guard

¥ Guide for installation: Height from rim upper

edge to head: 36 mm / 1-7/16 inch, Rim

thickness: 13 mm / 9/16 inch

RT-7K

Kick Trigger

¥ Triggers: 2 (Head, Rim) ¥ Rim Level Knob: 1

¥ Connector: Trigger output jack (stereo 1/4 inch

phone type) ¥ Dimensions: 52 (W) x 100 (D) x 53

(H) mm / 2-1/16 (W) x 3-15/16 (D) x 2-1/8 (H)

inches ¥ Weight:

160 g / 6 oz ¥ Accessories:

Owner's Manual, Connection Cable ¥ Guide for

installation: 11 to 15 mm / 7/16 to 5/8 inch from

the upper edge of the rim to the height of the head

RT-5S

Snare Trigger

¥ Trigger: 1 ¥ Connector: Trigger output jack (1/4

inch phone type) ¥ Dimensions: 52 (W) x 70 (D) x

48 (H) mm / 2-1/16 (W) x 2-13/16 (D) x 1-15/16 (H)

inches ¥ Weight: 105 g / 4 oz ¥ Accessories:

Owner's Manual, Connection Cable ¥ Guide for

installation: 11 to 15 mm / 7/16 to 5/8 inch from

the upper edge of the rim to the height of the head

RT-3T

Tom Trigger

RT-3T

Tom Trigger

RT-5S

Snare Trigger

RT-7K

Kick Trigger

If you own an acoustic drum set but

want to play electronic sounds, there is

a simple solution: Roland’s RT-Series

Acoustic Drum Triggers. These drum

triggers can be inst alled non-

perm an ently on an acoustic set. Once in

place, they send a trigger sign al to

compatible sound modules, giving

acoustic drummers access to entirely

n ew sound palettes. This Application

Guide will show you how to put the

RT-Series to work for you.

Get the most from

your acoustic set.

Measurements shown apply to

the RT-3T.

3

1

4

2

1. 30 to 36 mm / 1-3/16 to 1-7/16 inches
2. 2.5 mm / 1/8 inch
3. 16 mm / 11/16 inch
4. -4 to 13 mm / -3/16 to 9/16 inch

1. 11 to 15 mm / 7/16 to 5/8 inch
2. 2.5 mm / 1/8 inch
3. 16 mm / 11/16 inch
4. 4.2 mm / 3/16 inch
5. -4 to 13 mm / -3/16 to 9/16 inch

3

1

4

5

2

RT-7K

RT-5S / -3T

Measurements

*Except SPD-6.

Play a TD-Series brain

Trigger an SPD-Series module

Connect a MIDI module
and computer

TD-10

RT-3T

RT-3T

RT-3T

RT-5S RT-7K

TRIGGER

INPUT

SPD-S

TRIGGER

INPUT

RT-5S

RT-7K

PCS-31 Connection Cable (optional)

LINE

TMC-6

USB

MIDI

XV-2020

TRIGGER

INPUT

RT-3T

RT-3T

RT-3T

RT-5S

RT-7K

How to use acou stic triggers.

Once installed, there are several ways to

use RT-Series triggers to play external

sounds. The easiest setup involves

Roland’s TD-Series and SPD-Series

Percussion Sound Modules, since they

offer hundreds of high-quality sounds

and direct connection to the triggers.

You can also use Roland’s TMC-6 Trigger

MIDI Converter to act as a “bridge”

between the triggers and a MIDI module

or sequencer.

Roland’s TMC-6 Trigger MIDI Converter changes the trigger impulses received from

the RT-Series into MIDI messages—making it possible to play MIDI modules like

Roland’s XV-2020, or even record your performance into a sequencer. This type of

setup not only gives you the most flexibility in terms of sounds, but also the ability

to create more natural drum tracks when sequencing in the studio—be it on a

computer or hardware sequencer.

In this example, an RT-7K Kick Trigger and RT-5S Snare Trigger are connected

to an SPD-S Sampling Pad. The SPD-S not only contains a selection of preset

sounds, but can also sample—making this the easiest way to add sampling to

an acoustic set. Using the SPD-S’ Velocity Switch setting, you can set the snare

and bass drum each to trigger a different sample depending on how hard

the drum is hit. For example, a strong hit could trigger a gated sound while a

lighter hit could trigger a dry sound.

By connecting RT-Series triggers (installed on the kick, snare and toms) to one

of Roland’s TD-Series brains—like the TD-10, TD-8 and TD-6—you can play

high-quality V-Drums sounds right from your acoustic set, or blend electronic

and acoustic sounds to create more unique sounds. Create the ultimate kick

drum by combining the acoustic kick with an electronic kick, or trigger

orchestral stabs from the snare’s rim. You can even trigger sequences, such as a

bass pattern, using the TD-Series’ Tap Sequence function. To advance through

the sequenced notes, just tap on the kick. The possibilities are endless!

Choose from a variety of Rol and sound modules.

Pro-quality modules with hundreds of sounds

Take the monotony
out of practice

Expand your drum sounds

Roland’s percussion sound modules have become the mainstays of drummers

and percussionists because of their high-quality sounds. With the RT-Series,

acoustic drummers can take advantage of these world-class sounds without

complicated setups, since each module includes several Trigger inputs. The

RT-Series is compatible with TD-Series modules (TD-10/8/6), the SPD-20 and

SPD-S, and the HPD-15 HandSonic

®

—giving acoustic drummers options

galore and sounds ranging from acoustic and electronic drums to sound

effects, world percussion and more.

The RM-2 Rhythm Coach is an integrated

metronome/sound module with a built-in

“Rhythm Coach” rhythm training function. It

features a dual-trigger input for playing separate

snare/rim sounds while practicing. It’s perfect for

use with the PCK-1 Practice Conversion Kit,

which includes a quiet 14-inch mesh head, RT-5S

Snare Trigger and rubber rim silencer.

The TMC-6 makes it easy to trigger

MIDI modules and samplers from

an acoustic drum set, or expand

the trigger inputs of electronic kit.

Lightning-fast V-Drums triggering

technology ensures accurate and

reliable triggering for

uncompromised performance.

TD-10

PERCUSSION SOUND MODULE

PERCUSSION SOUND MODULE

PERCUSSION SOUND MODULE

SAMPLING PAD

TOTAL PERCUSSION PAD

TD-8

TD-6

TMC-6

SPD-20

SPD-S

HPD-15

PCK-1 with the

optional RM-2

LINE

Mix with

acoustic

drum sound

Mix with

acoustic

drum sound