RECORDING January 2023 - 12

REVIEW
Roland SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad
An App for That
Roland also provides the free SPDSX
PRO software App for Mac and
Windows
that makes tweaking and
customizing your kits that much easier.
Adding or removing samples and loops
is as easy as dragging and dropping.
The USB connection also supports eight
channels of audio and complete MIDI
control to your computer for use in your
DAW-more about this later.
You also have an incredible amount
of control of the LED bars. You can set
them to virtually any shade of any color
and change whether they are always
on, flash when a pad is struck, or pulse
dynamically with the triggered sample
or loop.
Full-Scale Sampling
The SPD-SX PRO can also function as
a live/phrase sampler recording from
the adjustable 1
/4
" line input on the rear
panel. You get up to a whopping 60 minutes
per sample to record more than 8
layers with 12 tracks of playback. It also
has a 16-step sequencer onboard.
Loading up loops and even backing
tracks and then having it all controlled
with the hit of a pad is impressive. You
can even link pads that need to be fired
simultaneously by a single pad. You
might get away with ditching the computer/playback
rig and only using the
SPD-SX PRO instead.
Hit It
The pads on the SPD-SX PRO are a
joy to use. They are super sensitive and
I could even pull off convincing snare
buzz rolls. The velocity is fully customizable
too, for when there's a sound or
loop you need to play at full volume, and
you want to avoid having to hit as hard
as you can. I experienced zero crosstalk
or misfiring of any of the pads or shoulder
triggers. I would feel very confident
hitting the stage with the SPD-SX PRO.
Roland was kind enough to include
their KT-9 kick trigger pedal ($229.99),
FD-9 hi-hat controller pedal ($199.99)
and BT-1 bar trigger pad ($169.99) for
12 RECORDING January 2023
my review. This allowed me to mimic
a traditional drum kit-playing experience.
It was a blast to trigger sounds and
samples from the SPD-SX PRO in a more
traditional way, and I could not stop
smiling-especially because the sounds
could be anything I could drum up ... I
mean, load up. For some reason, it felt
more fun and creative than sitting down
at a traditional electronic faux-acoustic
drum kit.
The SPD-SX PRO automatically routed
the hi-hat and kick sounds to the respective
pedals for an impressive plug and
play experience.
In the Studio
Being a drummer and a producer, I loathe
programming loops that require clicking
and dragging with a mouse. Finger
drumming on a MIDI controller is slightly
better. Still, nothing beats the experience
of sitting down like I'm at my drum kit and
performing the MIDI drum parts with the
ability to change the samples and tweak
the performance afterward.
Plugging the SPD-SX PRO into my
computer via the USB connection and
sending MIDI and audio seamlessly
to my DAW was quick and seamless.
Having this setup ready to go at a moment's
notice in the studio to track both
MIDI and Audio in my DAW (Ableton
Live) is such a game changer. I have
done similar with other percussion multipads,
but the experience is much better
on the SPD-SX PRO.
In Conclusion
Roland has delivered a masterpiece,
in my opinion. As a drummer and music
producer, I am having the time of my
life with SPD-SX PRO. Also, be aware
that this thing is much deeper and more
powerful than I have space for here;
and I have scratched the surface. It is
a more than capable drum pad for the
stage and a powerful sampler and performance
tool for the studio as well.
The SPD-SX PRO improves on its predecessor
(already a popular machine) in
virtually every way. I think Roland may
have provided drummers with every
feature we most demanded, as well as
things we didn't know we wanted.
Price: $1,199.99
More From: roland.com
http://roland.com
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