Roland Introduces the New the SPD-SX Pro Sampling Pad

The new flagship model in Roland’s revered SPD series, the SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad, has just been unveiled.

The SPX-SX Pro takes everything Roland introduced with the SPD-S and SPD-SX models and built on it, with lots of user-requested enhancements.

It is now on steroids with a huge 32GB onboard memory for nearly 44 hours of 48 kHz/16-bit stereo audio a 16-step sequencer, more trigger inputs and outputs, customisable pad-dividing LED and trigger lights, as well as a 4.3-inch colour screen and lots of other features.

The SPD-SX PRO also includes three shoulder pads with modified sensor structures for increased sensitivity when the instrument is mounted at a shallow angle, along with nine pads with Roland’s most recent sensing technology. In addition, it has introduced improved crosstalk protection throughout that prevents accidental triggering of other pads.

At a Glance:

• Nine pads with Roland’s advanced trigger technology, including six large pads and three top-row shoulder pads
• High-visibility, horizontal and vertical LEDs with multi-colour customization
• Increased shoulder pad sensitivity and improved crosstalk performance
• 4.3-inch colour display for easy navigation and the  viewing during the performance
• Import 48/44.1 kHz (16-/24-/32-bit) WAV/AIFF files and MP3s (32–320 kbps) with automatic conversion to 48 kHz/16-bit upon loading
• Stereo main output, four direct mono outputs, balanced for easy mixing on stage
• Connectivity for up to eight external individual triggers/pads (four stereo triggers or eight mono triggers with Y-cables)
• Dedicated SPD-SX PRO App for Windows/Mac for easy importing, managing samples, and deep kit editing
• 32 GB of internal storage for samples, backing tracks, and click tracks
• Input for hi-hat or footswitch expression control
• Connect hi-hats, kick, and snare for a ‘mini drum kit’ setup
• Up to 200 kit patches (43 erasable preset kits and 157 user kits)
• Over 1550 pre-loaded, high-quality samples and sounds
• 16-step pad sequencer function
• Onboard effects engine with up to four effects in parallel, plus side chain with output routing
• Built-in click/metronome
• Create in real-time by recording performances as WAV files and assigning them to pads

The SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad seems to have every feature and function a performer would need when using percussion samples on stage, and it will undoubtedly be found in many hybrid drum kits on global stages in the years to come.

More info here: Roland Website