The Roland TD516 is a mid-level V-Drums 5 Series electronic drum kit that combines the V51 sound module with Roland's digital snare, hi-hat and ride pads. It is built for drummers who want detailed, nuanced response for studio work and live playing.
The PD-140DS digital snare offers positional sensing and seamless cross-stick detection. The VH-14D digital hi-hat tracks open and closed positions precisely and supports touch muting, and the CY-18DR digital ride triggers edge, bow and bell. New PD-10P and PD-12P toms with chrome hoops and triple sensors, a KD-12 kick with a 7.5-inch playing surface, and CY-12C-T and CY-14R-T crashes complete the five-piece kit on the MDS-Standard 3 rack.
The V51 module uses the flagship engine from Roland's V71, with a DW-sampled library, studio-grade EQ, compression and reverb, and wireless expansion via Roland Cloud. Does it work with a computer? Yes: USB-C carries multi-channel audio and MIDI, and DW Soundworks is included with Roland Cloud Ultimate. Is it ready for the stage? Two direct outputs and a stereo main output feed a PA or mixer.
A good fit for serious players who want digital-pad expression without moving to the flagship series.