Roland HandSonic HPD-20 Percussion Controller Review by Sweetwater

[@UrbanExplorer614]

It's about time Roland released a new updated version of this. It's nearly ten years old now!

[@Aesop101]

Anything yet???

[@tubasco504]

I'm hoping for this now that the new spd sx pro has been announced. It's time Roland! hpd pro time!

[@NumenTeoquiz]

True

[@InnerVisions68]

@@tubasco504Absolutely. I want a Handsonic, but I’m not buying until it’s updated, and I’ve been in a holding pattern for a while. On-board sampling and waveform editing. Pro version, whatever. Get rid of that little display. The brains and features of the SPD-SX Pro, but with these pads. Trigger I/O, big, color screen, looping, 32/96 reverb and delay, computer-based editor/librarian software, etc. Forget the D-Beam. It’s gimmicky and unnecessarily adds to the cost. I’d rather have a joystick like on the Korg Minilogue xd, or add a nice, little ribbon controller again. I his is no longer a good value. Outdated. Underwhelming. Which is sad, because the pads and the overall potential is excellent, and a no-brainer. Maybe even offer a stand-alone pad bank/hand pad controller trigger for playing bongo/conga style. This thing is well beyond long-in-the-tooth, and feels dated. Looks and feels pre-2010, and interface underwhelming and dated, as well.

[@InnerVisions68]

Maybe even add a TR-REC sequencer … Or give it a full AIRA family treatment. ACB and Zencore engine for a pro version, in addition to PCM samples.

[@TheVenusProjectInfo]

No joke.. Nick is the only person I like to see demoing and reviewing drum gear

[@Sebastian-lo3hn]

Awesome tutorial. I have had this machine for about 3yrs and it's brilliant. I didn't realise that it could do all this and more. I really have been underusing it, although in some ways learning some of this now has been good. - As I have had to focus on composition, rather that effects. When I purchased it, I was a little weary of the cost - but am so glad I made a commitment with the investment. Definitely, feel as though I have learned more about this amazing instrument. Thanks !!

[@michaels_v]

0:40 Nice conga version Handsonic spd 20 is so cool. Thank You Sweetwater. Do you have more conga in Handsonic 20? please 👍👍👍👍

[@BarryGrueter]

Awesome review thanks for sharing 👍

[@nbuehster]

A few years ago, I was trying to decide whether to get this or the Korg Wavedrum. I got the Wavedrum, because I thought some of the pads on this were too small. I was happy with it for a while, but then I found out that it was hard to play some of the sounds. (tabla, djembe, and even the standard drum kit) Then I got this drum pad, and it's a hundred times easier to create sounds. (I wasn't able to try this out at my local GuitarCenter. Otherwise I probably would have chosen this instead.) The only thing I don't like about this HandSonic is that it doesn't have some of the sounds that HPD-10 and HPD-15 have.

[@InnerVisions68]

Time for an HPD-30, with on-board sampling and waveform editing capabilities, a la the Alesis Strike Multipad. And on-board 32/96 reverb, delay, and modulation effects

[@morten1]

Yes

[@InnerVisions68]

@@morten1 Oh, and a sequencer, and/or a tempo-synced phrase recorder

[@tubasco504]

YES PLEASE! it's not easy at all to load sounds into this thing. Please release the hpd-30 pro, with software for loading user samples. LETS GO! It's 2022!

[@NumenTeoquiz]

2023 and still waiting for it 🙄

[@EarlyMist]

Totally agree bro

[@xp50player]

what was that at 7:00 about about the waterphone patch and crystal glasses? Look up what a waterphone is.

[@yaronbrecher7397]

Amyzing instrument. Awesome

[@gruuvetv]

Amazing review, thanks!

[@joemonroe1106]

Nice Timpani roll @4:41...cool.

[@joshuaestrada6042]

this is what I want for Christmas

[@verkris]

joshua estrada nn

[@joshuaestrada6042]

What do you mean nn

[@phrankus2009]

TALENTED PRESENTOR !

[@lurobbi5725]

i see you in 2021! the best video!

[@mattbaccari8351]

Does it have mute groups?

[@digitaria6574]

Hi, Great video. The part where ones own samples are imported via usb, is it possible to trigger different phrases so that they loop simutaneously,

[@sweetwater]

Thanks for the inquiry, Floyd. You certainly can trigger multiple loops, but the challenge would be getting them to be in time. You don't have the ability to control or edit that in the unit. Let me know if you have further questions. Derek Senestraro, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1243, [e-mail]

[@subhrajitnandy369]

Amazing video...we users are very greatfull to sweetwater for such amazing review...it would be very helpfull if you can provide is place form where we can download some tones for hpd20....thank you

[@kimtrammell556]

Just ordered mine! Can't wait!!

[@TheGuitarWorkshop]

I want to get one as well What do you think of it?

[@chan4031]

Can I use the Roland Handsonic HPD-20 to accompany a song by playing bass guitar notes (on the small pads) and drum/percussion sounds (on the large pads)? Does the Handsonic come with bass guitar sounds and other tuned instrument sounds?

[@dudleydooright]

No.

[@ezequielfernandez6869]

Is it better than SPD 30?

[@anthonyn1312]

If you use HPD 20, is it if you use a drumstick?

[@YTGerry1]

How do you add a user bass drum sound to a kit? It seems that only the included bass drum sounds work with the bass drum trigger pedal.

[@45zapatero]

The bass drum sounds are in there ,you just have to assign them to a pad if you do not use a trigger. ( No expert , I just read the manual. I am a guitarist interested in this unit for recording drums)

[@YTGerry1]

@@45zapatero I figured out how to assign a bass drum sound, but I'm using a Roland KD-7 kick drum trigger, not assigning a bass drum sound to a pad. This seems to be the problem I've been having when adding bass drum sounds: When I select a sound group (e.g. Congas) I assign my downloaded User bass drum sound from the User group list to that HandSonic sound group (e.g. Congas) --but again, the sound is assigned as an external trigger not to a pad. What I have found so far is the User sound I downloaded to the User Group list previews [F1 button] the bass drum sound sonically correct from the User Group list but when the sound becomes part of the HandSonic Sound Group, the bass drum sound sounds different. I made sure the specs for the downloaded sound I used was a WAV file 44.1 kHz, 16 bit file. I'll keep working on trying different downloaded bass drum sounds and see what I get. I wasn't crazy about the bass drum sounds in the unit.

[@45zapatero]

@@YTGerry1 Ok, you know more about this unit than me 😄 !!! I am a guitarist interested in this unit to record drums. Are the pads on this unit noisy when you hit them ? I live in appartement and do not want to disturb the neighbours. I now have a cheap yamaha dd 65 tabletop drum and the pads are really too noisy when you hit them (with drumsticks). Hoping that this unit is more or less silent when being played ? I have a beaterless kickpedal so that will not be a problem.

[@YTGerry1]

@@45zapatero This unit is made to be played with your hands so there really isn't any loud noise when you use the pads. I've read in this thread by other players that you can play these pads with drum mallets but NOT sticks. Sticks may ruin the pads. I've tried this using mallets and it works well and is really not loud at all.

[@45zapatero]

@@YTGerry1 Yes I know hands only and was hoping this would make it really silent.

[@nabbalight1]

Hi yall! Can anyone tell me what level of portable powerbank I would need to power this for a couple of hours please? 🙂

[@zarkonaw]

Can use this for drum body too?

[@ej1mshan]

I didn't see it but Is there a play button to play back what the user recorded?

[@jhowardpercussion]

Can the Boss FS-5U be used to trigger sounds?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, majormedfan. Thanks so much for your interest. The FS-5U will not trigger sounds. You can, however, use it to control a variety of functions. I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@timmytfpv7316]

Can this be played like a cajon ? Like are the pads sensitive enough for finger rolls etc

[@sweetwater]

Hey, TIMMYT FPV. Yup. They can handle finger rolls. The pads are very sensitive. Best Regards, Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@funkyeaaaa]

does this medium have a looper? say, I make a tone, and or add a few different tones together, and want to add a different tone from another preset, and just play on repeat, does this roland do that? my question might be a bit confusing. apologies

[@kerosene4751]

If you mean record and overdub, then no.

[@waynechurchill7212]

Can you used sticks

[@mircea3006]

A like for this: he just play. No intro like: hi guys I'm x guy and today I will present you this instrument that Bla Bla and Bla Bla... Cool. You have my like.

[@rohit25sarkari]

Tap Tempo function is not working please help me if possible. Thanks

[@ΡαφαήλΝ-β4μ]

I want your opinion guys : -Have spd-sx with percussion and drum samples inside for gigs? Or -Buy handsonic hpd-20 to use it both as a drum and percussion pad for gigs?

[@ralfkirsten124]

SPD-SX

[@sanmiazoe7049]

Spd sx

[@garyyoungdop]

when is the train coming in

[@joshuaestrada6042]

wow electric drum kits, electric cowbell, and this wow what will they come up next

[@donnaabrego832]

I have a a Handsonic for years and want to add some interesting sounds is there some one San Diego that I can talk to?

[@chas5131]

Ordered

[@ninjalightning2631]

Can you get a stand for this thing?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, music-man. Thanks so much for your interest. You sure can. Check this out: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PDS20--roland-pds-20-stand-for-td-hpd-spd Hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@JD-kl8gb]

dear sir how to get play with daw software as wrote in manual can u guid more ? about daw software ??

[@herb39hs]

Hey did you find out how to use the HPD software with Mac as a midi controller software doesn't want to download Mac Mojave

[@Bobba7438]

Obviously you need other equipment to get sound from it. What is needed? .

[@sujaytv]

headphones or a speaker

[@rohanpatil6013]

can u please upload the process how to make own patch out of the provided sounds in hpd 20.........i.e how to put any instrument in any pad out of 13 with the required pitching...

[@SaumitraSinhaRay]

Can you mirror image the preset kits for a left handed hand percussionist?

[@45zapatero]

Not entite kits but you can swap padsounds in a kit.

[@rogertags1]

Are there different versions for left and right handed players or can you assign sounds to different pads yourself?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Sachin Tyagi. Thanks for your interest. These do not come in different versions, but the sounds can be manually assigned. I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@fluxcobalt4646]

Yes Jim there is a play button.

[@spellerlittlewing]

How does handle bass guitar sounds

[@sweetwater]

Hello! This has some bass sounds built in, and some of the instruments have bass patterns you can trigger, but really does not lend itself to playing bass guitar style lines with it. Here's a link to all the instruments the HPD-20 comes with: static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/HPD-20_PA.pdf Thanks for the interest! Kevin Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@raxdab226]

Hi... can I compose my own tunes & just play them ...while I sing without doing anything ...I mean by just playing my saved music as I sing along....??

[@45zapatero]

There is a quick recording feature I believe but I don't know how long you can record. I think you best record your compositions on a DAW (recording software) or a standalone recorder.

[@DJBROTH3RS]

Can I use handsonik as a drum machine?

[@InnerVisions68]

No

[@chekkumanalmanal8874]

How much this one

[@samparmar14]

thx

[@alikhan-ts8pk]

How much price of pakistan

[@darklightstudio]

Is it safe to play with drum sticks, or would it damage the instrument? I am thinking of buying this.

[@ronlawrence5635]

DarkLightMike Michael Anthony Kelly The pads are designed to be played with hands. Sticks would work, but I think it would eventually damage the pads and the sensing triggers. If you want to use sticks, I recommend an Octapad by Roland. Check it on KZbin.

[@spellerlittlewing]

These drums are nice but way overpriced

[@herb39hs]

Yes👍🏼

[@darkkenzi]

too much cash

[@cleve2323]

In my opinion, the only thing that is seemingly missing are a few individual output sends to enable one to record on separate tracks and let someone process to taste. Other than that a pro machine. Too bad.

[@ronlawrence5635]

Kivajiva Christie Get a MacBook Pro like you see in the video. You can record individual tracks in a program like Garage Band, or more professionally, in an app like Logic. You can then edit the way you want.

[@jwstout007]

Kivajiva Christie actually, if you record the midi triggers while using the audio jacks for reference, you can split up the midi into separate tracks & use the midi out to re-record the results. You can even make drum tracks to emulate an actual miced kit this way ;)

[@jackfetter]

If you "really" need this just lay down a MIDI sync track on the master and record the original performance on the HPD-20, then use the MIDI sync to trigger the HPD-20 over and over with all instruments muted but the one you are recording one-by-one, until you have all the separate tracks recorded. Or, just record the MIDI track to your DAW and re-trigger other sounds from there on playback. Yes, cumbersome but it can be done. Adding individual outputs isn't really in-scope of the market this product is meant to address, that is pro-audio...

[@Jitendrakumar-vr2pr]

इसका रेट क्या है यानी दाम कितना है ये कहा पर मिलेगा

[@bhagirathgoswami3850]

Sir mere ko Lena he

[@antreastripoz7941]

Can I load any of my own samples into this ?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Andreas. Thanks so much for your interest. Yes you can! You can upload up to 500 of your own WAV samples for customized kits. I hope this helps. Jason Thiele, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1391, [e-mail]

[@shaknthustnt]

Where comes the sound from, do you have to buy some extra speakers?

[@agreeatdogchow]

amp

[@emiliodiaz5967]

Narnia

[@herb39hs]

I just purchased this machine not liking it to much so for all these demo are about just all the sounds in it I can't download software to my Mac to use for midi looking like no sample editing no pad check feature button like the SPD really thinking about returning it if anyone know how to use this as midi controller for logic please let me know

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Herb! Jose from Sweetwater, here. I know the HandSonic was designed more so for stand-alone/live use, but since it does have MIDI connectivity we should be able to get this working with Logic. I would love to speak with you more on this, so feel free to reach out to me personally at my contact info below. Thank you for your interest! Jose Gonzalez, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1786, [e-mail]

[@walawala147]

Lately Roland has been disappointing me so often. they could have had something really cool here, but only 2 velocity layers per pad and not enough user memory for longer loops, just drums. And that D-beam is just weird, you have to take your hands off of the drum to operate it. maybe if they would have incorporated some type of gesture sensing while playing the drum, they would have something.

[@iam-music]

Agree...Ive been incorporating midi amongst real stuff since 89...whilst software like Superior or Kontakt Percussion series might go 8 layers with positional sensing...this unit is not really core different to the tech around in 1990 ie 2 layers. I realise it has some modelled positional stuff for some drums...its a half baked solution and the surface feels terrible to play. Also have a wavedrum...seriously eats this alive for playability even though it doesnt have the same size of content...its a lot futher along the road although its very limited in connection and no looper or kick/pad inputs etc. Wish someone would make something decent...ie Boppad with amazing software percussion instrument as a kit. Leave the D Beam and put the resource to something really useful in core architecture instead of putting toys on it. Conga sounds good..but hand drums I just actually play...some really expressive electronic would also be great.ie modelled analog with pcm

[@jackfetter]

12 minutes total user instrument time with a 6 minute limitation per imported sound isn't really that limiting IMO!

[@JefAlanLong]

Roland have been selling that d beam for 20 years, I think I’ve got three of them, never used one for more than a couple of minutes. An expression pedal input mappable to any midi control change would be 100x better. But these handsonics are a lot of fun, I played with one in a guitar store in headphones when it first came out (2001 ?) and lost several hours there.

[@herb39hs]

It need a button to check the pads like spd and a edit loop feature they dropped the ball on this one a 900$ waste I'm disappointed

[@ХакбердиАлламурадов]

Я купил бы использовани

[@andredesaintphalle]

👍🤓🙏

[@ХакбердиАлламурадов]

Я купил бы не новый использованный я живу Туркмение сколько будет на доллар ?

[@DylanGalvanDrumCovers]

FIRST

[@sjang816]

can I have your autograph?

[@rohanpatil6013]

can u please upload the process how to make own patch out of the provided sounds in hpd 20.........i.e how to put any instrument in any pad out of 13 with the required pitching...

[@Jitendrakumar-vr2pr]

इसका रेट क्या है यानी दाम कितना है ये कहा पर मिलेगा थी

[@Jitendrakumar-vr2pr]

इसका रेट क्या है यानी दाम कितना है ये कहा पर मिलेगा

[@Jitendrakumar-vr2pr]

इसका रेट क्या है यानी दाम कितना है ये कहा पर मिलेगा थी