Welcome to the ultimate in practising tools by the world leading innovator in electronic percussion. The Roland RMP-5 is more than just a practise pad. Not only does it incoporate a metronome feature, but also has features such as 'TIME CHECK', which allows the user to see how accurate his/her timing is against the metronome click. In addition, there is also a 'STROKE BALANCE' feature, which uses a an LCD display to show the user how hard they are hitting - great for developing even strength with both hands! Users of the RMP-3 will already be aware of these great features, but the RMP-5 does so much more. Now there are on-board drum sounds to hear as you play. Also, with the ability to add another external trigger, such as a foot pedal and/or cymbal pad, the RMP-5 can now be used as a practise KIT. Great product, great value.

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PRODUCT REVIEW

By Gary Cox

So you’d love to play the drums, but you live in a tiny flat with neighbours who complain when you even turn the TV on! Maybe you just don’t have the space or want to make the time and financial commitment to an acoustic kit. Also drum lessons are pretty expensive these days. Or maybe you just want a small practice kit for rudiments, or warming up. All of these are good reasons to consider the Roland RMP-5 Drum trainer.

Basically the unit is a high quality digital snare drum packed with different sounds and drum training exercises. You have two extra expansion inputs to make a basic drum kit. So you can have snare, bass drum and hi-hat’s! Then there is the beauty of headphones. Yes no one has to hear you practise anymore. All you need to do is add the optional CY5 cymbal pad, and a PD8 bass drum pad (Stands and kick pedal of your choice).

One of the real stand out functions of this unit is the inbuilt training. There are exercises for tempo, stroke balance, auto up down speed, rhythmic notes (from ½ notes to triplet 32nds). The unit can even score you on your efforts. I really like the quiet count function. Whilst you play the unit will play a metronome for a bar then remove it for a bar. Definitely great for helping you keep good time. There is also an inbuilt speaker for the metronome so you can use the unit just as a warm up pad too. You even have a mix-input for jamming along with your MP3 player etc.

The unit has over 50 CD-quality inbuilt sounds, covering all normal drums and cymbals as well as percussion, so maybe add it to your real kit for some extra percussive options.

All in all this is a really useful unit. I’m wasting heaps of time at home with mine.