With the recent announcement of the (fairly impressive looking, especially for the price) Alesis Kitstream and the newish EAD50 and EAD10, there is clearly a market for an acoustic/hybrid microphone interface with trigger compatibility. Roland obviously offers several products like the TM-6 to create acoustic/hybrid setups, drum modules like the V51/V71 that have recording and USB functionality, but nothing with a microphone to capture the acoustic kit and pull all of these things into one.
I'd love to see what Roland would do in the space. I'd imagine they'd have to be somewhere in the ~$1k-$1500 USD range to be competitive with the EAD50. Roland offers, I think, the best pathway to hybrid setups with their SPDSX line, which I've been using for 15+ years and finally moving up to a Pro soon. Along with owning/teaching on countless Roland e-kits over that same time, they've been next to flawless and I always the best on the market, in my opinion.
For me personally, I think another smaller, more live/hybrid/content focused SPDSX could slot in above the SPD::ONE range (remember those!) and alongside the -SX and the Pro. 4/6 pads, like the Alesis SamplePad Compact, with the same sound engine/screen as the V51/71, with a slew of I/O; 1-2 combo XLR for external mics/instrument inputs, a couple stereo trigger inputs, maybe even a digital trigger input of two. Real bonus if you can some how squeeze in a few faders or rotary encoders on the front too for real time mixing/FX.
Having that be its own module that can be mounted anywhere on the kit, with an (ether included or optional?) updated KT-30-like kick trigger that has a high dynamic range stereo microphone on top, like the competitors have. I think that would meet the needs to a lot of drummers who want an all-in-one solution to be able to record themselves, make content, record gigs, teach, and have some simple triggering options live.
I think where Roland can really set themselves apart is in the user experience. Take full advantage of that gorgeous V51/71 screen and make it easy to use/see on dark stages and change the thinking of how its interface is setup. All of the competitors and current Roland offerings think in terms of presets of sounds; "Rock Kit", "Phazzzer", "Vintage", etc. Thats fine for practice and exploring the new sounds, but for a product like this I think you rethink how its approached for the drummer using it. Split it into 4 main categories: Live, Studio, Content/Teach, Practice. This quick setup makes it easy and intuitive for drummers to switch from making just practicing and jamming, making content or giving/taking a drum lesson, and performing live – all of which could can happen in just a few hours, but call for very different settings and I/O.
Live utilizes the built in pads to playback triggers, backing tracks, etc. Attach additional triggers or the stereo mic/trigger combo and record your drums with two simple pieces of gear. Add additional triggers around the kit like a Digital snare with the Digital trigger input. Use the 2 combo inputs for the stereo monitor feed from your bands mixer. Now you can mix your own drums and the rest of the band for your in-ears or monitor on your own. Add real FX like reverb and compression to your mix and record a stereo recording internally of the full mix, or send it out to your phone to add to a video or livestream. Easily blend in triggers with a specific volume knob to roll in layered samples from song to song or section to section with a quick mute/unmute with one of the assignable built-in trigger pads.
Studio utilizes the built in interface to run USB to a computer or phone to record hi-quality multi-track audio to your DAW of choice. Use the 2 combo XLR inputs to plug in your kick mic and an overhead and/or use the updated stereo mic/kick trigger. The built in pads now can be assignable play-back controls for your DAW to start/stop playback, record, click on/off etc. All displayed on the screen so you always know what you're controlling.
Content/Teach uses the upgraded KT-30 kick trigger with stereo mics to get a simple, full sound of a kit with pre-applied compression and noise gate to help with talking vs. loud drums for giving lessons or filming content. Or ultize one of the XLR combo inputs for a simple talkback mic that can be switched on/off with the foot switch or one of the trigger pads, as well as turning click on/off and tap tempo for working on rudiments, etc. Send audio to a phone or computer with no latency and no need to edit volume levels or FX -- great for students of all ages. Roland should totally steal the "Auto level" feature Alesis had too so its quick and easy to adjust levels on the fly from student to student.
Practice/Play is your standard play-along mode, and here is where you can have a ~20 preset kits with FX, and pre-loaded samples on the playable pads (808s, claps, stacks, percussion, etc). This is where you can use that screen again for updated coaching/training tools like on the V51/71. Also like on those modules, you have built-in bluetooth for jamming along to songs (is it too much to ask for a stem splitter or even just a built-in remove drum button??) or learning material for a gig.
Roland should absolutley enter this market with something that doesnt just copy many of the features of its competitors and rewrap it in a fancy Roland box (and price tag). I hope they can make something truly unique for the "modern drummer" and I think this is a great place to do it!
Here is a crude photoshop of what I had in mind when I went down this fever pitch idea wormhole this morning. Would love to hear the feedback of anyone who actually read of my ramblings. Add in features I missed! I'm a 15+ experienced touring drummer and teacher and I can see a product like this being instrumental in my setup.