Roland HPD-20 HandSonic Hand Percussion Controller

With 13 velocity-sensitive pads, 850 ready-to-play sounds, and the ability to import samples, the Roland HPD-20 takes hand percussion to the next level.

Not just a drum pad, the Roland HPD-20 HandSonic hand percussion controller can serve many purposes in the studio and out -- use it as a traditional standalone hand percussion instrument, a MIDI controller, a tactile surface for performing with virtual instruments and effects, and much more. Tap or drum on the HPD-20 to experience a variety of responsive, built-in SuperNATURAL sounds and multi-effects, or even your own custom sounds imported from USB flash memory. Equipped with 13 pads, the controller has all the surfaces you could want for playing onboard sounds and external MIDI instruments, recording MIDI and audio performances in your DAW, and so forth. If you feel the need to expand your setup, turn the HPD-20 into a compact percussion kit by using the trigger inputs to add on a Roland pad and hi-hat controller. Whether you're a drummer, percussionist, producer, DJ, or all of the above, Roland's HPD-20 provides a handy way to express yourself through sound.

Hands-On Control

On the HPD-20, you can perform traditional acoustic hand percussion techniques as well as explore your creative side with unique soundscapes suitable for EDM, ambient tracks, scores for film and games, and more. The HPD-20 controller's 13 velocity-sensitive pads are presented in a circular layout with different pad sizes, so you never have to move your hands too far from center base. To play it, you strike the pads or touch or press a pad to dampen or mute another pad's tone, adjust its pitch, and read more so forth. Toy around with tonal variations by changing the way you strike the largest pads, and manipulate other aspects of your sound by hitting the Roll button, turning the Realtime Modify knob, or waving your hand over the D BEAM.

So Many SuperNATURAL Sounds to Play

It's only natural that this Roland controller would be packed with SuperNATURAL sounds. At your command are 850 onboard SuperNATURAL sounds, including ethnic percussion instruments from around the world, melodic and orchestra percussion instruments, traditional drum kit sounds, and various electronic tones. The HPD-20 comes loaded with a total of 200 kits, including 100 ready-to-play kits, suitable for just about any playing situation or style.

Import Your Own Custom Sounds

If that's not enough for you, add up to 500 of your own WAV sounds and play them from the HPD-20's pads. You can transfer your sounds via USB flash drive to the controller, where you can then assign them to pads and create your own kits. When choosing which sounds to import, don't feel limited to drum hits; take advantage of the HandSonic's 12 minutes of available time and import complete phrases, backing tracks, looped effects, and more. All sounds, whether they're built-in or custom, may be edited on the HPD-20.

Deep Editing and Dynamic Multi-Effects: A Tweaker's Delight

You can lose hours tweaking every little thing on this percussion controller. You can edit every instrument individually by modifying volume, pitch, decay, and other parameters; you also have the freedom to layer two sounds together and assign parameters to blend or switch them dynamically based on your playing velocity.

Three independent multi-effects engines, each of which has its own set of 25 different effects, offer fun sound-shaping options, from standard chorus and echo to fierce FX like distortion, filter, and bit crush. With the Realtime Modify knob, you can adjust pitch and effects as you perform for expressive, instantaneous sound shaping. Apply ambience effects and EQ to an entire kit to make it all your own.

Perform and Record Wherever, Whenever

Record a performance or song idea on the fly with the Quick Rec function, which you can use with or without the built-in metronome to keep your tempo in check. When you've got something good to share, it's easy to save your recordings to a connected USB flash drive. You also have the option to back up your HPD-20 user kits and other settings to USB memory.

Want to use the HPD-20 with your DAW? No problem -- connect a Mac or PC to the controller via USB and use the HPD-20's pad interface to play virtual instruments and record beats in your favorite music-production software.

Connect External Devices and Do Even More on the HPD-20

The TRIG IN jack allows you to connect a range of different Roland pads for stick playing, as well as a kick pad for making beats from the floor. What's more, a dedicated jack lets you add a Roland hi-hat controller and turn your HandSonic setup into a compact percussion kit.

MIDI I/O makes it easy to trigger HPD-20 sounds from electronic drum kits and keyboards, as well as play HPD-20 sounds on other instruments.

Features:

- Expressive percussion pad instrument with over built-in SuperNATURAL sounds and multi-effects and the capability to add your own
- 13 Velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads for performing expressively
- 850 responsive and expressive SuperNATURAL sounds are onboard, covering a range of styles
- Customize your kit by loading up to 500 of your own WAV samples
- Edit sounds and add effects directly on the controller
- D-BEAM controller lets you trigger sounds and manipulate effects with a wave of your hand
- Quick Rec function makes it simple to record performances and export them as WAV audio to USB flash memory
- Connect a computer via USB and play virtual instruments and record beats
- Works with external devices so you can trigger sounds from other instruments and vice versa
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- Pad: 10 inches, 13 sections, Pressure-Sensitive * An external trigger input is provided, allowing you to connect a pad (sold separately).
- Kits: 200
- Instruments: 850
- Kit Chains: 15 chains (50 steps per chain)

User Instrument:
- Number of User Instruments: Maximum 500 (includes factory preloaded user instruments)
- Sound Length (total): 12 minutes in mono, 6 minutes in stereo
- File Format: WAV (44.1 kHz, 16 bits)

Effects:
- Multi-Effects: 3 systems, 25 types
- Ambience: 10 types- 3-band Kit EQ
- Quick Rec:
- Resolution: 480 ticks per quarter note
- Recording Method: Realtime
- Maximum Note Storage: approx. 30,000 notes
- Export File Format: WAV (44.1 kHz, 16 bits)
- Controllers: D-BEAM, Realtime Modify knob
- Display: Graphic LCD 64 x 128 dots

Connectors:
- OUTPUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
- PHONES jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
- MIX IN jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type
- TRIG IN jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
- HH CTRL jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
- FOOT SW jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone typeMIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
- USB COMPUTER port: USB Type B (Audio, MIDI)
- USB MEMORY port: USB Type ADC IN jack
- Interface: Hi-Speed USB (USB Audio, USB MIDI, USB Flash Memory)

- Power Supply: AC Adaptor
- Current Draw: 700 mA
- Dimensions: 311 x 404 x 102mm (12 1/4 x 15 15/16 x 4 1/16?)
- Weight: (excluding AC adaptor) 2.4 kg (5 lbs 5 oz)
- Accessories: Owner's manual, AC adaptor
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item
Shipping Weight: 7.75 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 18 x 15 x 7 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): HPD-20

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 323-890-3700

Roland HPD-20 HandSonic Controller

Roland takes digital hand percussion to the next dimension with the HandSonic HPD-20, a unique and versatile instrument that's ideal for a wide range of music creators, from percussionists and drummers to electronic dance music performers, composers, and producers. Equipped with the renowned SuperNATURAL sound engine and potent multi-effects, the HPD-20 offers 850 dynamic, ready-to-play sounds, plus the ability to import your own custom sounds via USB flash memory. 13 pads provide ultra-sensitive response and flexible control options for playing onboard sounds and external MIDI instruments with an incredible range of expression. The HandSonic pad interface also excels in computer music applications, where it's perfect for playing virtual instruments, recording MIDI and audio performances in DAW software, and much more. And with its convenient trigger inputs, you can easily expand the HPD-20 with a Roland pad and hi-hat controller to build a super-compact percussion set.

Discover the Power of HandSonic

Going far beyond typical pad controllers, the HandSonic HPD-20 is a sophisticated hand percussion instrument with an amazing level of expressive power. It features 13 velocity-sensitive pads arranged in a circular configuration, with different pad sizes for maximum ergonomic efficiency. You strike the pads to play sounds, of course, but you can also touch or press a pad to dampen or mute another pad's tone, adjust its pitch, and more. This lets you execute traditional acoustic hand percussion techniques with authentic results, and also create dynamic, unique textures that are perfect for electronic dance music and other modern styles. On the two largest pads, you can play with natural tonal variations, depending on where you strike the pads. Further sound control is available with the Roll button, Realtime Modify knob, and the famous D-BEAM, which provides a cool way to play sounds and manipulate effects with hand movements in the air.

Packed with SuperNATURAL Sounds

The HPD-20 comes with 850 onboard sounds that are instantly accessible and ready to play. At your command is an enormous library of ethnic percussion instruments from around the world, as well as melodic and orchestra percussion. Traditional drum kit sounds are also on tap, plus a large selection of electronic tones that are ideal for current music. All the sounds offer an incredible range of dynamic expression, thanks to the powerful combination of Roland's SuperNATURAL sound engine and the ultra-sensitive response and unique functionality of the HandSonic pad interface. The HPD-20 provides 200 total kits--including 100 kits filled with ready-to-go setups--and you can freely modify any kit just how you like for any style or playing situation.

Import Your Own Custom Sounds

In addition to its built-in sounds, the HPD-20 gives you the ability to import up to 500 of your own WAV sounds and play them from the pads. Just load up a USB flash drive with your favorite sounds from your computer, then connect it to the HPD-20 to import them, assign them to pads, and create your own kits. The types of sounds you can use are not limited to short percussion strikes--with up to 12 minutes of time available, you're able customize your HandSonic with audio phrases, sound effects, backing music, and more. Once your sounds are in the HPD-20, you're free to use them just like the onboard sounds, with complete editing and effects capabilities at your disposal. This includes the ability to continuously loop beats and other rhythmic sounds and start/stop playback with the pads.

Deep Editing and Dynamic Multi-Effects

Inside the HPD-20 is a full set of powerful tools for creating sounds. When building user kits, it's possible to edit every instrument individually by modifying its volume, pitch, decay, and more. You can also layer two sounds together and assign parameters to blend or switch them dynamically based on your playing velocity. Three independent multi-effects engines--each equipped with 25 different effects--provide rich sound-shaping options, from standard chorus and echo to intense effects such as distortion, filter, and bit crush that are ideal for dance music and electronica. The Realtime Modify knob allows you to tweak pitch and effects as you perform for expressive sound shaping on the fly, and ambience effects and EQ can be applied to an entire kit for final sweetening.

Quick Rec and MIDI

With the handy Quick Rec function, capturing a performance or idea is just a button press away. Play along with the built-in metronome for steady time as you record, or go without to capture playing without being constrained by a set tempo. Saving your recordings to a connected USB flash drive is just as easy--just hit the Export function button, adjust level and other parameters as desired, and save! You can back up your HPD-20 user kits and other settings to USB memory as well. The HPD-20's USB Computer port makes it a breeze to connect to a Mac or Windows computer and use the powerful HandSonic pad interface to play virtual instruments and record beats in audio/MIDI music production software.

Trigger Inputs and MIDI

The HPD-20 excels as a standalone percussion instrument, but you can extend its capabilities even further with external devices. Via the TRIG IN jack, you can connect a wide range of Roland pad types for stick playing, or a kick pad for banging out beats from the floor. Add a Roland hi-hat controller to the dedicated jack and you've got a versatile and super-compact percussion kit! MIDI I/O provides even more possibilities, allowing you to trigger HPD-20 sounds from V-Drums, SPD-series pads, keyboards, and more, or play sounds on other instruments from the HandSonic.

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (3 ratings)
Submitted April 29, 2018 by John L in Upstate, NY

"This thing is amazing"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I am currently filling whatever musical need our worship team might have from week to week. Often that would mean I'm on drums. We are currently running mobile church, and the space we rent really doesn't support the use of a full kit. Even an electronic drum kit would be too much given setup complexity and setup/tear down time. At the same time I would like something more powerful and flexible than a cajon and a few percussion elements. I decided to give this a try along with the kick trigger. which I use with my own kick pedal. I would say within an hour of connecting everything I was creating my own custom kit - and all without ever opening up the manual. This includes tweaking the multitude of settings that are available to get the pads to respond very much like an actual kit. Also love the out of the box cajon kit, which I will also be using. The sounds are great, the interface is easy, the unit is well built and confidence inspiring. What is truly astonishing however is all of this combined with the amazing playing surface. I am amazed at how nuanced your playing can be on this. Its just so enjoyable to play and is as close to an acoustic instrument responsiveness wise as I have ever experienced. The bonus here is the free bag, which is of top notch quality and worth well over 50 bucks on its own. And it does fit the unit when the stand adapter is attached. This was important to me as I did also purchase the Roland stand.

Musical Background:

Semi-pro musician, music director, song writer, worship leader

Musical Style:

Rock, pop, progressive, contemporary Christian
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