In 1985, Roland released the original Octapad percussion pad with eight trigger pads that let users assign MIDI notes to any MIDIK-equipped sampler, synthesizer, or drum machine. In 1990, The SPD-8 was released, which offered built-in sounds, making it incredibly versatile for the mobile percussionist and drummer. Over the past two decades, Roland has made incredible advancements in virtual “digital” drums and percussion. From the flagship V-Drum System and HandSonic Digital Hand Percussion Instrument to the latest SPDX-SX Sampling Pad and Electronic Cajon, Roland has been on the cutting edge of electronic percussion instruments.
Roland is once again turning heads with the SPD:ONE Series Percussion Pads, which are small, purpose-built, single drum trigger pads available with a wealth of sounds and sampling options. Each pad features four controls for changing sounds, effects, tuning, volume level. Don’t let the size fool you, as each sound offers several variations for a wide palette of drums and percussion, which are easily recalled and edited. Pads can be played with sticks, hands, or feet. Play them on the floor, tabletop, or mount them on drum hardware or mic stands with the included mounting adapter. Sensitivity and threshold controls allow you to dial-in the exact response for any playing style. Each unit can be powered by the included four AA batteries or via an optional AC adapter. There is a mono Main output and a stereo Headphone output for monitoring, while a micro-USB port offers USB-MIDI enabling the pad to be used as a controller for music software.
The SPD::ONE Percussion contains 22 authentic drum sounds including kicks, snares, hi-hats, cymbals, shakers, tambourines, and more. If you are after genuine drum sounds, this unit would fill the bill nicely. The effects section offers reverb and delay. It’s also worth noting that bank 12 offers a user sample (up to 5 seconds), which can easily be loaded into via MIDI from any computer.
The SPD::ONE Electro offers 22 electronic drum sounds including a variety of processed snares, TR handclaps, SFX, cymbals, percussion, and more. For the sounds of classic Roland drum machine percussion, the Electro is hard to beat. The effects section offers reverb and delay. Like the Percussion, bank 12 also offers a user sample (up to 5 seconds), which can easily be loaded into via MIDI from any computer.
The SPD::ONE Kick provides a wide pallet of 22 sounds typically played by your foot. Sounds include standard and electronic kicks including the highly-praised TR series kicks. Other percussion sounds include cabasa/guiro, ankle bracelet, cowbell/claves, clap/X-stick, and cymbal. This is a great option for a solo performer who wishes to add percussion, while keeping their hands free to play guitar or keyboards. The onboard effects include reverb and distortion. Just like the Percussion and Electro, the Kick offers a user sample (up to 5 seconds), which can easily be loaded into via MIDI from any computer.
The SPD::ONE WAV PAD is a bit of a departure from the other units in the SPD::ONE series because it doesn’t have a predefined sound set, but is instead designed to be loaded with user-defined samples and sounds. The unit is also equipped with a single stereo output and can import 16-bit/ 44.1 kHz stereo WAV audio files. From backing tracks to individual samples like vocal phrases, drum sounds, and musical sequences, if you can record it, you can load it in the WAV PAD and play it. Samples can then be triggered in different ways using a host of playback options, such as polyphonic, monophonic, or alternate. For live performers who need a click track, the WAV PAD can easily accommodate. Imported audio click tracks that you create in your DAW to accompany your backing track will play simultaneously. While the backing track can only be heard via the main and headphones outputs, the click is automatically routed to the headphones only for stage monitoring. As you play, the volume balance between the backing and click tracks can be adjusted using the balance mix knob.
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