Would a Roland SPD-SX or SX Pro Be Good for Me?

Neal Pert

Neal Pert

Silver Member
I have somehow made it to 2023 without really having any electronic drums. Well, OK, to be accurate, I DID have an early Simmons SDS 1 in the mid-80s. But the more I do remote recordings and the weirder my gig schedule gets, I've thought of getting something.

So, here's what I need:
1. LOTS of sounds including electronic and percussion sounds.
2. Ease of use for recording.
3. Playable without bringing a laptop-- both as supplemental to my drum kit and as a standalone drum kit/percussion rig.
4. Small size/portability.
5. Ability to use and trigger samples.

So, this points me in the direction of the Roland devices mentioned in the title. Would these be a good choice? I've been assuming an SX would be fine but now with Roland having the Pro on sale (and with me getting a big Christmas gift card from Sweetwater) it seems like the Pro might be smart.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm really a complete newbie here, so be kind.
 
SDS1 was my first triggerable pad in 1985! :)

I've been using the SPD-SX since 2011, and it has served me well for triggering sounds and loops. It also has enough ram and storage to play tracks for a typical show.

It's a very handy pad, capable of more things than most drummers would need from it. For example, you can use it to sample sounds, although I create my samples on a computer where I have more control over them, and load them in.

You might also look into the Alesis Strike, but unlike the Alesis offerings from the past, it's fairly intricate and requires studying the manual. Seriously, Alesis' stuff used to be so user-friendly and intuitive, you didn't need to use the manual.
 
I use an SPD-SX at church, with a foot pedal trigger (no complaints about loudness 😀). I've also used it as an auxiliary sound device with triggers on my drums. I use a combination of samples that came with the unit and samples I've made.

The initial learning curve is like most highly functional electronics. You hafta dig into it, read the manual, try things, get used to its buttons, etc.

I'm not familiar with the Pro model, but I read somewhere that the tempo lock has a different function than the original model.

If you've got several extra Benjamins laying around, take a look at the Evans Hybrid Sensory Percussion rig. That's gotta have a steep learning curve.

The SPD-SX is also a great practice tool. I have it set up with a single mic (SM57) over my kit. ⬇️ I play along to "music" I've created in a DAW. I also use its delay effect when practicing rudiments and rhythms.

setup.jpg
 
Like Bermuda - I started out with the absolutely ancient original
Octapad MIDI’d into a TR505 drum machine - so ANYTHING new to me would probably be too much. I’ve been using a TD10 V Drum module with my Zendrum for the last three years and it’s been great. Either of those SPX pads would be cool. With the way you can buy things through Amazon, why not just buy the cheaper one and see if it works for you? If it doesn’t, send it back for the more expensive one.
 
Either SPD would work, but you may want to look into the Yamaha Multi 12 for your intended use. It’s a little dated and doesn’t have the onboard memory of the SPD, but I find it to be a better feeling multipad. It also has hihat control which was a big selling point for me before the SPD Pro came out.
 
ineedaclutch said:
Either SPD would work, but you may want to look into the Yamaha Multi 12 for your intended use. It’s a little dated and doesn’t have the onboard memory of the SPD, but I find it to be a better feeling multipad. It also has hihat control which was a big selling point for me before the SPD Pro came out.
Click to expand...
I had looked at the Yamaha pad and generally liked it as well, but the reduced memory was an issue for me.
 
  • The DTX Multi12 that some have mentioned is a drum module (some 1000+ sounds) with pads stuck on it (which like most DTXs has some user sample memory for, say, percussive samples);
  • The SPDsx is a sampler with pads stuck on it - no hat control so not really a complete drum module - so not so good as the core of a standalone kit
  • The SPDsx-PRO bridges in that it adds in hat control etc.
So horses for courses :)

If you want a standalone kit then the Multi12 (but limited to shorter samples - about 5 mins total) or SPDsx PRO - Either fulfils your required specs (depending on what samples you want), but at very different price-points.
 
I'm a total dinosauro_O

Bought an SPD-SX Pro a few weeks ago, thinking my band would use it for samples & loops, & maybe me for a few effects; I'd done what I normally do, which is to research extensively & compare it with it's natural competitors. Although it's much more expensive, the lack of latency issues & the massively bigger memory than the Yamaha & Alesis offerings made it a no-brainer.

When I got it home, I played with it for an hour or two; great fun, loads of voices, etc., etc.,... but I soon got bored.

Maybe it's because I'm a silly old fool, but I'd MUCH rather spend hours exploring what sounds I can get from my acoustic kits, with tuning, head swaps, & so on. Our lead guitarist is currently it's custodian ( he's younger, smarter, & likes to create his own music, playing whatever instruments he has available. ALSO, his 8-year old daughter is really enjoying it & has found stuff I didn't know it could do..!)

I can see that for seasoned professionals, the possibilities are endless. Unfortunately, I'm very much NOT a pro!

Moving forward, it will probably be used in some capacity by my band.

To the OP, my advice (FWIW) would be to see if you can borrow one for a short period to see if it REALLY is worth your investment, both in $$$ & time to explore it's capabilities.

Good luck!
 
Really looked at this set up for use on small stage, acoustic type gigs etc. Was interested in using my v drum kick and hihat, saw some YouTube videos oh Jason B. Doing this.
 
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