I used a TD-8 set for a few years. Still got it in fact. And it looks even crappier than a TD-12! But the sound was good enough that I recorded an album with it. It's a different animal, but I loved making custom sets and changing things on the fly. And humans - even drummers - are infinitely adaptable. So after a time rocking out on a drum set that didn't make any noise just became second nature.

It really got going when I also rigged up my Yamaha DD-55 table top drum kit. I fit it into a snare stand and perched it over the bass 'drum'. On that I 'kept' cowbells, special cymbals and a timbale pair. Lots of fun.

The only thing I disliked about the Roland set was the tendency for the crash cymbals to register a choke hit as a regular smash. Just when you needed a mighty CRASH I'd get a 'chik' and then I'd have to trash the take and do it again.

Maybe the higher end models didn't have this problem.

i play a td-10 with upgrade card and the previous generation cymbal pads (pd-9). they are a different instrument just like a synthesizer is different from a piano or stratocaster is different from an acoustic guitar. same family of instrument, but a different technique for some things is required. give it a month and it'll feel natural to you. i use mine to record and practice and have no problem making it sound organic. if money is any issue i recommend getting a used one as it'll be half the price of a new one at most. they don't hold their value once they leave the store, just like any synth.