Value:
I really hope this unit is superior to the few others that are out there. It is the most expensive.

Sound:
This unit has a great selection of very realistic sounds. I use it next to my hi-hat and plug in one Roland PD-85 that is incorporated into my acoustic kit. I plan to use at least 2 more PD-85's in the future

Ease of Use:
It's easy to get the great sounds, but it's almost impossible to find them quickly until you create your own patches that are close together. I complained to the salesman about the poor user interface that only shows patch numbers and no real description of what your getting. He told me that a more descriptive display would really raise the cost of the unit. Come on! Every $40 mp3 player or cell phone has a more descriptive display. Also, the users manual is practically useless. Roland, get a musician that speaks english to write the next version instead of a japanese computer programmer.

I've been a percussionist forever and through the years have picked up a ton of stuff to add to my arsenal of sounds. I'm always looking for something that will add a sound of distinction....a new layer to the mix. I've got congas, timbales, roto toms, cowbells, chimes and 30 to 40 other sound makers. As it is, it takes me about an hour to set up! This product will be a welcome addition to my set up. For years I have believed that sampled sounds do not come close to live ones. I still believe that for certain instruments there is nothing like a 'live' playing sound. I would not use this pad to replace those sounds but rather add sounds that would be nearly impossible to pack up and take with you. Many of the sounds are multi-layered and extremely rich. Most all are very clean. What this pad does best is open up the imagination of a percussionists mind and enables that "yeah, that sounds cool right there" possibility. The biggest drawback that this product has is one that Roland and dealers alike are very much aware of. It is not 'immediate'. By that I mean that you would be hard pressed to access a particular sound out of it on stage without setting up all your patches in advance. Why they didn't include a small LCD screen with letters to describe what you're hearing is beyond me. They have them on their electonic drum brain models! Aside from that, having 8 pads with good response in a package as compact and yet as extensive as this is something to commended for! To all of my percussionist brothers out there... play well, be passionate, be inventive, push the envelope and knock 'em dead!

I like the fact that it is an "all in one" unit. The pads work well for me. The ability to add triggers is great. I like the on-board sounds. I find it pretty easy to program too. I will be playing this unit for a long time to come!

I love the SPD-20. I bought it at a local drum store about a year ago. It took me a while to incorperate it in to my music, but with external mount triggers, it gave me more access to its sounds. The one thing I dont like is when I play drumset like beat, sometimes it wont pick up two triggers at once, but that only happens once in a while.

For MidiKids in the studio - it rocks, really easy for non-drummers to program like real drummers. If you can't find the sound you are looking for you can always hook up a sampler and play any sound you can get hold of. Creative, Fun, Simple, Solid and still FUN!

a very good quality drum pad.sounds n rhythums more close to realistic ones.it's well designed for both proffesionals n hobbyists

I have used the SPD-20 as my primary electronic drums in contemporary Christian worship service for 2 yrs. The number of patches is staggering. Sounds are good. Feel of pads is very good. Sensitivity of pads is biggest problem. I find that the pad is most sensitive in a 2" diameter circle in the center, and if you don't hit that circle, the trigger response may be softer than you intend. Takes a bit of technique/finesse to play really well.

I just ordered the SPD-20 for our 2nd percussionist to play auxiliary sounds. This is a great add-on for our existing electronic set (Roland TD-8 with Pintech pads). Although I've played the "Spud-20" before, I can't wait to get at it again. Since we don't have expectations for this instrument to serve as a full set, it will fit perfectly into our style to add those extra sounds. In my opinion, its features & playability are best suited for this style of play. Don't take my word for it...come & check it out for yourself at RockSpring Church (Sundays, 10:00 am).

I have used Roland products since they were first available. They sound good, but have vwery obscure operating systems and interfaces. Needing a drum pad module, I assumed they would have an intuitive i9nterface (I mean drummer accesable) I an very dissapointed. After a year, I get almost no use out of the instrument. I takes too much time to get anuthing out of it. I think I'm finally done with Roland. Goodbye old friend.