SPD-20 + SP-303 = ?

[jrm]

hi all. newbie here.
I've been using an SP-303 with my acoustic kit for some time now, and recently got an SPD-20. and I was immediately excited at the possibilities of triggering my samples from the 303 with the pads of the SPD-20, however, I notice that the 303 is only midi IN. really?

so, my question is,

is it possible at all to link the two of these things up to make things more efficient? using my fingers to trigger sample is ok I guess, but if I could get these two to mate, I would be alot happier.

thanks for any and all help.

cheers,
jrm

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

You want MIDI IN on the 303, and MIDI OUT on the 20. Your controller (20) sends out the MIDI signal from the MIDI OUT to the sampler (303) which receives it at the MIDI IN port. Hook your 303 to some speakers and have fun. :)

[jrm]

thanks for the advice.

however, what I'm looking for is to trigger the sounds from the 303 by using my sticks on the 20. not triggering sounds from the 20 on the 303, which would be far more simple to do by hitting the 20 itself. yeah?

the question remains.

maybe it can't be done.

but until I hear otherwise, I'm gonna stare them down.


thanks y'all,
jrm

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

Ya, I completely understand what you are trying to do. You are trying to use your 20 as a MIDI controller and the 303 as the sound bank. Plug a MIDI cable into the MIDI OUT on the 20, and the other end into the MIDI IN on the 303. There will most likely be gear specific settings you will have to make (like setting the right MIDI channel and/or program), but just check your manuals for that info. It's pretty straight forward. Here is a flow chart of what happens...

You hit the pads on the 20 with your sticks > 20 translates this hit into MIDI data > 20 sends this MIDI data out via the MIDI OUT > MIDI data travels through your MIDI cable and into the MIDI IN on your 303 > 303 translates this MIDI data and plays the appropriate sample

Again, a MIDI controller sends MIDI data out via the MIDI OUT. A sampler or synth receives MIDI data via MIDI IN.

[jrm]

ahhhhh.....
let me give this a shot.
thanks again.
I swear I'm not a TOTAL dunce.
I'll get back to you.


werd,
jrm

[DamoSyzygy]

To be honest, you are probably better off selling both of those units and investing in the Roland SPD-S, which will do what you need with half the clutter. You can sample all your existing sounds and just take the one module out to shows.

[jrm]

hello again.

well, I've spent a few hours trying and trying to get these two units to communicate with no luck. the 303's midi settings are quite easy to adjust, however, the 20's channels are confusing.

I've got my 303's midi channel set to "1" with my midi cable running from the 303's input to the 20's output. and I've got my headphones plugged into the 20. and I'm pretty damn sure the 20's midi channel is set to "1," but when hitting the pads, I'm getting the preset channels from the 20's banks. I even tried assigning the 20's pads to the 303's buttons, but still got the 20's presets. nada.

and yes, while I suppose ditching both in favor of the spd-s sounds tempting, it could take longer than I have time for and I'd really love to figure this out and start geeking for real.

whatever you guys can do to help is really really appreciated. for xmas I got a hihat trigger pedal and kick trigger pedals, so I am really REALLY itching to get this figured out.

thanks nerds. god bless you all.

jrm

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

Plug your headphones into the 303.