Main trade-off
Roland TD313
The included hi-hat uses a separate controller, and a second crash needs its own pad and mounting hardware.
Head-to-head
Roland TD313 vs Roland TD316: Budget for the hi-hat stand
The short answer
Choose TD313 when its separate FD-9 controller and single crash cover the playing plan. Choose TD316 for the VH-10 moving hi-hat, two included crashes and PD-12P positional-sensing snare. Both use V31, and both exclude a kick pedal and throne. TD316 also needs a compatible hi-hat stand. Its stock snare mounts on the supplied rack, so a separate snare stand is unnecessary.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A moving hi-hat brings a stand into the home setup
Someone alternating between an acoustic kit and a home electronic kit may want a cymbal that moves on a hi-hat stand. TD316 provides VH-10 for that arrangement, but the stand is excluded and must meet the setup guide requirements. TD313 supplies CY-5 and FD-9 instead, so the first setup does not require that stand. This distinction matters when the buyer has no acoustic hardware or must move equipment around a shared room. If a compatible stand is already available and its foot action is the reason for upgrading, TD316 provides the relevant change.
What this is based on
A preferred acoustic-style foot arrangement and existing or missing hardware crossed with FD-9 versus stand-mounted VH-10. No claim of superior technique or universal stand compatibility.
Main trade-off
Roland TD316
The hi-hat stand is excluded, and its second crash already occupies CRASH2.
Base TD313 kit shown with an optional kick pedal. Bundle cable, sticks, bag and cloth are not pictured. Kick pedal and throne are sold separately.
Roland TD313
- Choose it for
- Keep V31 recording and the included FD-9 foot controller without buying a hi-hat stand, adding kick pedal and throne.
- Leave CRASH2 available for a later pad choice instead of paying for a second crash that will not be used.
- Main trade-off
- The included hi-hat uses a separate controller, and a second crash needs its own pad and mounting hardware.
Optional kick pedal and hi-hat stand shown. Both are sold separately. The snare can use the included rack mount.
Roland TD316
- Choose it for
- Start with a moving VH-10 and two crash cymbals, budgeting for kick pedal, compatible hi-hat stand and throne.
- Use the supplied PD-12P snare with positional sensing on the rack, without adding a separate snare stand.
- Main trade-off
- The hi-hat stand is excluded, and its second crash already occupies CRASH2.
About this comparison
Roland TD313 vs TD316 for the same V31 recording setup. Compare the moving hi-hat, included second crash and hardware the higher kit still leaves out.
These adjacent V31 kits share the same computer-recording and digital-upgrade platform. The shopper is deciding whether the TD316 physical playing setup is worth the stand purchase and additional space, rather than choosing a different recording module.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
One crash is enough and no hi-hat stand is owned
TD313 includes FD-9 and avoids the stand purchase required by VH-10.
- Roland TD313
- Better fit
- Roland TD316
- Caution
A compatible hi-hat stand is ready and moving-cymbal footwork is wanted
TD316 supplies VH-10 for that stand-mounted arrangement.
- Roland TD313
- Caution
- Roland TD316
- Better fit
Two crash positions and a ride bell are needed from the first session
TD316 includes both crashes. TD313 needs the extra cymbal, mounting parts and cable.
- Roland TD313
- Caution
- Roland TD316
- Better fit
The only upgrade goal is recording separate drum-audio tracks
Both use V31 and the same vendor-driver recording mode.
- Roland TD313
- Similar
- Roland TD316
- Similar
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A moving hi-hat brings a stand into the home setup
Someone alternating between an acoustic kit and a home electronic kit may want a cymbal that moves on a hi-hat stand. TD316 provides VH-10 for that arrangement, but the stand is excluded and must meet the setup guide requirements. TD313 supplies CY-5 and FD-9 instead, so the first setup does not require that stand. This distinction matters when the buyer has no acoustic hardware or must move equipment around a shared room. If a compatible stand is already available and its foot action is the reason for upgrading, TD316 provides the relevant change.
How we reached this conclusion
A preferred acoustic-style foot arrangement and existing or missing hardware crossed with FD-9 versus stand-mounted VH-10. No claim of superior technique or universal stand compatibility.
The second crash can be the complete-package difference
If the songs being practiced already use two separate crash positions and a ride bell, TD316 supplies that arrangement. Building it from TD313 adds another compatible cymbal, a mount and the required cable before the comparison is complete. TD313 is more flexible about when that purchase happens, and its CRASH2 socket stays free until something is connected. TD316 uses CRASH2 for the included second crash, leaving AUX/TOM4 as its other extra analog jack. Choose around the intended layout, rather than counting every listed extra socket as vacant on both kits.
How we reached this conclusion
A known two-crash arrangement and a staged buying plan crossed with supplied cymbals and ports already committed at assembly. Expansion requires compatible parts, not just an available socket.
The computer project does not require the larger physical kit
A musician using the kit beside a computer can choose TD313 without giving up the V31 multitrack recording route. Both modules offer the same 30 recording channels in vendor mode and stereo in generic mode. Both also have only one digital-pad port, so moving to TD316 does not enable a digital snare, ride and hi-hat together. Buy TD316 when its supplied snare, hi-hat or second crash is wanted. If the real goal is recording or one planned digital upgrade, keep the TD313 in the comparison and spend separately on the necessary pedal, seat and computer setup.
How we reached this conclusion
Home recording and a future digital-pad plan crossed with the same V31 module in both packages. Shared capability rejects an unnecessary physical-kit upgrade without claiming every stock pad behaves identically.
Choice A
Base TD313 kit shown with an optional kick pedal. Bundle cable, sticks, bag and cloth are not pictured. Kick pedal and throne are sold separately.
Roland, TD313
Roland TD313
Keep V31 recording and the included FD-9 foot controller without buying a hi-hat stand, adding kick pedal and throne.
- Best matched use
- Keep V31 recording and the included FD-9 foot controller without buying a hi-hat stand, adding kick pedal and throne.
Checked facts
- Hi-hat footwork and first setup: Rack-mounted CY-5 with included FD-9 controller.
- Two crash positions: One CY-12C-T crash, with CRASH2 available for expansion.
- Snare and its support: PDX-12 snare in the rack setup.
- Recording and digital upgrades: V31, with 30 recording channels in vendor mode and one digital-pad port.
Choice B
Optional kick pedal and hi-hat stand shown. Both are sold separately. The snare can use the included rack mount.
Roland, TD316
Roland TD316
Start with a moving VH-10 and two crash cymbals, budgeting for kick pedal, compatible hi-hat stand and throne.
- Best matched use
- Start with a moving VH-10 and two crash cymbals, budgeting for kick pedal, compatible hi-hat stand and throne.
Checked facts
- Hi-hat footwork and first setup: VH-10 on a separately purchased compatible hi-hat stand.
- Two crash positions: Two CY-12C-T crashes, with CRASH2 used by the second.
- Snare and its support: PD-12P with positional sensing, mounted on the supplied rack rod.
- Recording and digital upgrades: The same V31 recording modes and single digital-pad port.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Roland TD313 | Roland TD316 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-hat footwork and first setup | Rack-mounted CY-5 with included FD-9 controller. | VH-10 on a separately purchased compatible hi-hat stand. | An acoustic-style moving hi-hat adds a stand and setup work, rather than arriving ready on the rack. |
| Two crash positions | One CY-12C-T crash, with CRASH2 available for expansion. | Two CY-12C-T crashes, with CRASH2 used by the second. | If two crashes are already required, count the TD313 pad, mount and cable purchase before comparing totals. |
| Snare and its support | PDX-12 snare in the rack setup. | PD-12P with positional sensing, mounted on the supplied rack rod. | TD316 changes the supplied snare, but its separate snare-stand exclusion is not an extra required purchase. |
| Recording and digital upgrades | V31, with 30 recording channels in vendor mode and one digital-pad port. | The same V31 recording modes and single digital-pad port. | Choose the physical kit you need. TD316 does not unlock another tier of module recording. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Roland TD313
- The selected Austin Bazaar extras are cable, sticks, bag and cloth. They do not include a kick pedal or throne.
If you choose Roland TD316
- The extra hardware does not increase V31 USB channel counts or its one digital-pad connection.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
The FD-9 and one crash fit the practice plan, while V31 recording is the priority
Choose Roland TD313. TD313 retains the same recording platform without adding the moving-hi-hat hardware purchase.
The moving hi-hat and two crashes will both be used
Choose Roland TD316. TD316 supplies that playing layout, with a compatible hi-hat stand, kick pedal and throne still required.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
The TD316 adds the moving hi-hat and second crash, while keeping the same V31 recording capability and leaving the hi-hat stand to the buyer.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured noise or pad-feel ranking is claimed.
- A separate snare stand is not required for the documented TD316 rack setup.
- Neither V31 kit supports three simultaneous digital-pad upgrades.
- NEQ-K and NEQ-H cannot be used with either kit.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current electronic drum kits comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roland TD313 |
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| Roland TD316 |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Base TD313 kit shown with an optional kick pedal. Bundle cable, sticks, bag and cloth are not pictured. Kick pedal and throne are sold separately.
Roland TD313
Keep V31 recording and the included FD-9 foot controller without buying a hi-hat stand, adding kick pedal and throne.
Leave CRASH2 available for a later pad choice instead of paying for a second crash that will not be used.
See price & reviews on AmazonOptional kick pedal and hi-hat stand shown. Both are sold separately. The snare can use the included rack mount.
Roland TD316
Start with a moving VH-10 and two crash cymbals, budgeting for kick pedal, compatible hi-hat stand and throne.
Use the supplied PD-12P snare with positional sensing on the rack, without adding a separate snare stand.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.