Roland SPD-S Sampling Percussion Pad

Add powerful sampling to your system with the compact Roland SPDS percussion pad, which records CD-quality samples for instant playback. 151 People rated this product:

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Manufacturer's Description for Roland SPD-S Sampling Percussion Pad

The SPD-S Sampling Pad is an affordable and easy way to add sampling to any percussion setup. A great alternative to acoustic triggers and a rack sampler, the SPD-S lets you record CD-quality samples and play them back instantly using six pads and three edge triggers. Naturally, the SPD-S also includes preset sounds and effects so you can start playing immediately.

Features:

- Compact percussion multi-pad with CD-quality sampling
- Play any 8 sounds simultaneously via 6 pads and 3 edge triggers
- Up to 380 seconds of 44.1kHz user sampling (95 seconds in Fine mode)
- 200 User waveforms and 120 'ready-to-play' Preset waveforms
- Resampling function and onboard pattern sequencer
- 28 multi-effects and ambiance add dimension to sounds
- Wave memory expandable via optional Compact Flash cards
- Mounts easily to conventional drum stands and hardware

The Easy Way to Sample
Until now, integrating custom drum sounds into a percussionist's setup meant configuring complicated drum triggers and a MIDI module. That's why Roland developed the SPD-S Sampling Pad -- to give drummers and percussionists an easier and more affordable way to trigger sampled drum sounds and loops. With its generous sampling time, CD-quality sound, and time-tested rubber pads and edge triggers, there's never been a better way to play custom drum sounds!

120 Preset Sounds At the Ready
While the SPD-S lets you sample up to 200 User waveforms, it's nice to know there are plenty of Preset sounds available at any given moment. In fact, the SPD-S contains over 120 Presets covering everything from acoustic and electronic drums to percussion and sound effects. Combine the onboard sounds with your own sampled sounds and loops to create the ultimate drum kit. A sampling CD is included to get you started.

Create Your Own Phrases and Effects
The SPD-S includes a powerful multi-effects processor with 28 algorithms and unique ambiance effects, giving you the power to sculpt any Preset or User sound into something entirely new. Once you've created an effected sound, you can resample the waveform freeing the effects for something else. Drummers can even create original phrase loops using the onboard pattern sequencer and resampling function -- just sequence a pattern and resample the output. Now the entire sequence can be triggered like a phrase loop from one of the pads! With tools like these, drummers can take their playing further than ever before.

Well-Connected
Expansion is key with the SPD-S. Start with a Compact Flash slot for expanding sampling time and storing waveform data. An External Trigger input lets drummers add an optional drum pad in either a head or head/rim configuration. And with MIDI In and Out, the SPD-S can function as a trigger for external modules or be used in studio setups with a sequencer. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Roland products.

Built-in Pads: 9
Maximum Polyphony: 8 voices
Sampling Mode: Fine/Standard/Long
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
Input Level: Line : -10 dBu, Mic: -50 dBu
Input Impedance: 10 kOhm (LINE/MIC)
Output Level: -10 dBu
Output Impedance: Output: 1 k ohms, Headphones: 47 ohms * 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
Memory: Patches: 128, Waves (User): 399 (Pre-loaded Sound 181), Card: 500
Maximum Sampling Time: 12 min. approx. (Internal Memory, Long Mode)
Effects: Multi-Effects (30 Type) + Ambience (System)
Display: 16 characters, 1 line (backlit LCD)
Connectors: Output Jacks(L/Mono, R, 1/4 in. phone type), Input Jacks (L/Mono, R, 1/4 in. phone type) *LINE/MIC selectable, Headphones Jack (Stereo 1/4 in. phone type), Trigger Input Jack (1/4 in. TRS phone type), Expression Pedal Jack (1/4 in. TRS phone type), MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT), Footswitch Jack (1/4 in. TRS phone type), CompactFlash Card Slot
Power Supply: DC 9V AC Adaptor
Current Draw: 1,000 mA
Accessories: Owner's Manual, AC Adaptor (ACI-120C/ACI-230C/ACB-230E/ACB-240A), Sampling CD, Slit Tape, Screw x2, Hexagon Wrench
Dimensions (W x D x H): 13 1/2 in. x 11 1/8 in. x 3 5/16 in.
Weight: 4 lbs. 11 oz.

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Roland Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 323-890-3700

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 (151 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 14 Roland SPD-S Sampling Percussion Pad Reviews

"Here's a quick and easy fix for the famous dead pad problem!"

Sound: The ability to play standard WAV files is great. The effects are a little mid-grade, and the sampling inputs are a little noisy, but it's more than possible to make top quality sounds with this unit. Feature: A very well thought-out user interface, combined with the ability to do more than you might imagine make this little gadget a winner. Initially I used it only to augment my acoustic kit with samples of auxiliary percussion, but it was surprisingly easy to get into the other features. You can play a sequence live on the pads and save the whole thing as a sample, which helps get around the polyphony limitation if you're building up something elaborate. With a Compact Flash card installed, the extra storage allows you to trigger some extremely long full-quality samples. The external controller and foot switch inputs can be programmed to do almost anything. Think beyond drums: the SPD-S is deliciosly versatile. Ease of Use: I get frustrated easily with clunky programming interfaces, but once you've gone through a procedure once with the SPD-S manual on hand, you'll never need to look it up again. The multi-function buttons light up and flash to remind you what you need to do, and the prompts in the LCD window make sense. Experienced gearheads could probably get by without ever cracking the manual. Quality: READ THIS! Others have correctly reported that false triggering and dead pads can appear after only a few months of use. The good news is that it can easily be fixed by anyone with a Phillips #2 screwdriver and reasonably good hand skills. WARNING: I'm an experienced technician. Don't try this unless you're comfortable working inside electronic equipment. What you need to do is carefully clean the contacts on the ribbon cables that connect the pad sensors to the main circuit board. To do this, turn the unit over, remove the stand adaptor and the 15 screws that hold the bottom on. Slide the bottom up and back to clear the switches, controls and jacks on the rear apron. Remove the 3 screws holding the foil shield over the main circuit board, and fold the foil back. CAREFULLY pull out the two ribbon cables from CN11 and CN12. Use a clean WHITE eraser to gently clean the oxide from the silver contacts on the ends of the cables. They will get visibly cleaner. Turn over each cable end to make sure you've cleaned every contact. GENTLY plug the cables back in ALL THE WAY, making sure they're the right way around (the correct directions are shown in white ink on the main board). Carefully reassemble the unit and test it. Chances are the problem pads will be completely restored. NOTE: doing the above WILL void your warranty. Attempt it only if you're confident in your abilities, and you want to fix your beloved SPD-S without spending a dime or waiting for weeks. Value: Slightly overpriced perhaps, but overall the SPD-S is a lot of creative power in an appealing versatile package. If it was $100 less, I'd probably have a second one by now. Manufacturer Support: Roland was hard to reach, didn't offer quick turnaround for professional users, and wouldn't supply service materials, thus necessitating my vigilante repair described above. Roland service is generally okay, but unspectacular. The Wow Factor: It's very tough not to fall in love with this thing - try one out in a music shop and see what I mean! A quick flip through the manual and a glance at the rear panel reveals the great thinking that went into this product. It's worthwhile even if you "only" want to use it to add dozens of top-quality sounds to your setup. The fact that you can store tons more of your own sounds on Compact Flash was the clincher for me. But think beyond the obvious - there's a LOT that can be done with the SPD-S. Overall: I'd buy another SPD-S in a heartbeat if anything happened to my current one. Ideally, I'd have two or three. I do a regular gig with only the SPD-S and two foot switches. Try THAT with anything else that costs $500 and fits into a laptop case. There are a couple of things I'd like to see improved, like faster importing of WAV files, or more sensible choices in ribbon cable contact plating materials (see above), but overall this box is a great tool, and can bring new creative possibilities to almost any setup.

Style of Music: contemporary, african, musique concrete, etc.

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"The in' and out's of the SPD-s"

Sound: The SPD-S is a amazing product in the sure fact you can do stand alone shows without a notebook or desktop to help support you. The sound quality is also flawless just dont buy any cheap flash cards. Feature: The effects are "ok" but they seem to cause some issues with the other sounds playing if they run toooo long. So I would recommend using your rack effects so you don't ruin your card. Quality: The product takes a hella of a beating! I thought it would break pretty quick but roland did a good job. Value: The price is super expensive but I saw it as a investment and so far its worked for me. Manufacturer Support: I called roland "don't email youll get some idiot". I got this smart little kid and he explained a lot of the products funtionality to me. I was having CF card issues. They are the best because they have it in front of them and are playing with it as you talk! The Wow Factor: I was always looking for somehting I could pay in a small apartment and still have room to make love to my woman. This prodduct works. Overall: I enjoy the fact that this product is small and packs lots of features and can take a few punches from concrete. Roland did a good job but as always nothing is perfect. =)

Style of Music: Jazz/Experimental

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Read all 14 Roland SPD-S Sampling Percussion Pad Reviews