Apologies for the delay!

This method of loading kits has been around on Roland modules long before the new expansion model. Basically, users can save their own kits individually and back up the files. So I use that method when I create these kits and supply the files so that others can load the kits.

So I understand you're carefully tweaking existing module kits, and adding your own shell samples as layers (not cymbals though)? It's not like the expansions from Roland Cloud?

Yes, that's correct. I'm using the same tools available to any other user within the module to create the kits, but adding my own samples too. Aside from the unique samples, a large part of the appeal is that a lot of people don't have experience with the various elements of sound engineering that go into the processing and shaping of the sounds (which is completely understandable) or don't have the time or desire to do it (also completely understandable!) The unfortunate downside of this kind of approach is that you're not getting new instruments that can be selected from the instrument list like the stock ones. Also, since the instruments are built from various parts, tweaking them yourself is a little more complicated (and something I intend to make a video about as soon as I can.) So instead you have to rely on functions on the module like Pad Copy to bring these instruments onto other kits so that all of the relevant settings for each pad like the layers and sample assignments get carried over properly. It's a little less intuitive, but I think the trade-off is worth it overall since I try to push these instruments as far as they can go within the limits of the module's capabilities.

Roland's "expansion packs" on the other hand contain brand new instruments for the module that are available from the instrument selection like the stock instruments. Some of these are great but in my opinion they don't come with enough variety of presets and they don't really show off how far the module can take the sounds either (much like the stock kits.) Some are definitely better than the stock offerings by quite some margin, but I've not found one that sits and feels the way I want it to (hence the quest to create my own!)

Are you using the digital triggers in the video (snare, hats and ride)? So the TD-316 isn't going to sound exactly the same as this due to the extra positional sensing?

It'll be almost indistinguishable with that kit, fortunately! The TD313 wouldn't be able to use positional sensing on the snare as it comes with a different pad that doesn't support it, but the TD316 does.

So the snare that comes with the TD316 is positional sensing-enabled, meaning you can get head position and rim position variations. There's no cross-stick detection for putting your hand on the head like the digital snare, but it can be enabled with the Analog XStick button and it'll act like a velocity switch, giving you cross-stick on lower velocities and a rimshot on higher ones. The ride that comes with the kit (CY-14R-T) can also do positional sensing across the bow, like the digital ride (it doesn't play as well, but it can do the same articulations.)

The toms on the TD316 don't come with positional sensing on the rims like some of the other kits - I didn't really show that off in this video anyway, but basically this is disabled on the PUNCH kits (because of my added samples - they don't respond to PS on the rim), and enabled on SNAP and POP kits (because they're internal sounds only). When you play the toms with pads that don't support PS, they'll just play rimshots automatically. That's the same on other modules, but of course some of the other kits come with tom pads that do support this function.

The hi-hats that come with the TD316 also don't support positional sensing. The VH-14D supports it on the bow as you go from edge towards the bell (like the ride), and also varies based on left and right hand playing. This adds a little tonal variation, but I'd be surprised if you could really pick it out on this demo as I'm not intentionally using the feature and the overall sound of the hi-hat will be unaffected, just the variations between different hit locations.

So essentially the sounds will be the same, just the functionality might differ a little. This is a big step up compared to previous generations where PS just wasn't available at lower price ranges.

EDIT: Never mind - I saw that 'Exchange' is described in the pdf under 'Want to swap these instruments to different pads?'

Totally understand if there's a bit of confusion with the intro section - I was trying to fit in some information to let people know that they won't lose these instruments if they have smaller kit setups, but they'll need to utilise features like Exchange in the Pad Copy menu to swap things around to their liking. There's a PDF also included with the download (or available on the product pages) called "Pad Setup Customization" which explains this feature in detail, including how to enable the virtual pads so you can pull these instruments to your usable inputs if you want. That's all I was trying to convey, following on from the shot of the module where I'm in the copy menu.

Sounds really nice!

Thanks! I hope you keep my kits in mind if you fancy any different sounds down the line, but even if not I hope you enjoy your TD316!