Roland SPD-SX PRO Review - Is It Worth Upgrading? (2024)

[@longsnapper5381]

The faster switching between kits on the Pro alone is worth the upgrade to me. Also, updates on the Alesis pad are fraught with all kinds of fuckery reported in forums to the point where I would NEVER update my Strike Multipad. Pro will be delivered this weekend and I'm looking forward to playing around with it. This vid is the firat time I've ever heard of Roland sounds being lacking. That is usually a very strong point for them.

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

On the LED screen you can see the loop length and where it is if you want to see the loop and where it is. Even on the yellow loop presets you see this. I am not sure this will display on imported loops but I don't work that way. I build my drum loops with the RC-505 MKII and I can see the loop on the indicators of the looper. Yes this pad is expensive, maybe they will come down in price soon or 2nd hand might be the way to go. I love mine and no regrets. Interesting this will not work with the VH 14 hats. My biggest complaint is hi hat control. I bought the KD 10 and High hat pedals. The kick feels great, but the hat is not so much to be desired. I played with all threshold and hat settings to get a better feel on the hat pedal. It is a different feel than the kick pedal so you feel some inconsistancy in latency and response. Sometimes the het pedal plays on the way up which is really annoying, you can adjust but it is always a compromise and you sacrifice something else for it. I also am dissapointed that it is so hard to get a foot splash to work on the hat. Maybe its me and I don't know the parameters to get this. I was thinking to upgrade to a VH hat but you mentioned there is no hat input which I over looked. Hat control but you also need hat input to get all the features and playability. I can't believe they overlooked that. Is it possible to assign an input for this to get the VH to work? I was thinking about buying some cheap lemon hats as the roland hats are way to pricy and might not meet expectations. For now I have resorted to playing a real hat next to the spx. It just feels better for me. Especially when I want to splash the hats or just straight up rock heal toe at fast swing tempos.

[@nathanjames4242]

Ok this was great info. Specifically the fact that it has no dedicated hi-hat input so you cant run any of the roland Hihats. That was something I planned to do so . . . now im not sure I want it.

[@gonzalopeinadoricci364]

Great video!! Which of these 2 do you think has a better play sensitivity?? My idea is to connect it to my Maschine MK3, which already have good sounds and looping features, via MIDI; but I'm not sure if the Roland has a better response and sensivity in their pads

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Tough call, they're both quite good. I think the Alesis has great triggering, but Roland has a slight edge over the Strike Multipad. The three shoulder buttons on the Strike are a little harder to trigger.

[@gonzalopeinadoricci364]

@@NickCesarzDrums thx for your answer, apart from those 3 triggers, would you say the other 6 work the same? If the gap is not that big with those 6 I think I would go for the Alesis

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Yes, they are very similar. At least it felt like it to me

[@theCountOfTotal]

Thanks! Finally a vid that highlights my needs for this pad. Actually considering buying it now :)

[@FreshTrooperXBL]

Interesting how the SPD-SX went from 2 FX knobs to 1 FX knob. A similar story with the Roland “Handsonic” HPD line: the HPD-15 had 3 knobs then the later HPD-20 has just 1.

[@hightolerance2500]

Excellent review....I have leaned towards upgrading and since I sold my previous gen, I'm left with no other choice!!!! Me being a Roland loyalist from drums to keyboards, Alesis wouldn't be an option, AT ALL!!!!

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!

[@chrisdore5726]

I just found this! Thank you!

[@bosxque]

Have you tried Roland tm6? Great video

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Not yet but I’ll see if I can get my hands on a unit, looks cool

[@sabadrum]

Great video, man! I have the ASM now after months of not being sure to get it, and I think it’s awesome so far! Roland makes great stuff, so I am still curious about the Pro, but I have the SPD SX SE and I think having this and the Strike pad is the best of both worlds! Thank you!

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Thanks so much! The Strike is quality and affordable! Definitely think it’s the better of the two

[@gggddd1518]

Hi You forget about Yamaha dtx multi 12 ,l got Yamaha drum set and l am wondering about multipad if keep Yamaha staff?

[@GSA_Drums]

I used to have the multi 12 and ran into the issue with internal memory. I trigger backing tracks. I think if you just want single hits or short loops then the multi 12 is good enough. The SPD Sx pro is awesome.. responsive and with the kd10 and fd 9 a mini drum kit. At the end of the day.. the samples you put into it and how you use it make Roland. Yamaha menus are a nightmare and it’s really difficult to find information on how to use it. The Roland is great and as always with Roland,easy to use. I set mine up with a laptop or pc as you see the whole menu system. Your best bet is just to try one. Hope that helps :)

[@SHIFTnopistons]

What happens if u smack the screen?

[@NickCesarzDrums]

I think it has thick plexiglass over the display but I don't recommend doing that xD

[@thehonestintellect]

Haha. I thought that too. Don’t play it while you’re intoxicated. Great sounds though.

[@konixDaisy520]

We produce a similar drum with this, call Velocity-sensitive ED02, Cheap and good quality.

[@LaymensLament]

im looking for a drum pad to mainly use a midi controller. so i want some decent i/o and great pad response. do you perchance know if there are any cheaper pads that keep the controller part top but downgrade on the sampling, sounds asf? because i feel like id pay 5-800€ but only need half the features.

[@NickCesarzDrums]

Strike MultiPad I’d say

[@LaymensLament]

@@NickCesarzDrums thanks

[@RobAbfallDrums]

since it doesn't have a live looper can you use a loop pedal to loop a sample by hitting one of the pads?

[@NickCesarzDrums]

I would think so, provided it syncs with MIDI

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

Yes, I use it with a 505 mkII and built awesome percussion layers and grooves all the time.

[@missmarileemusic]

I have a boss loop station. How would I get these beats to sync/loop with that?