any alternatives to roland spd-s?

[damianhk]

For the most part i program drums for songs. I've never owned a spd-s, but i'm guessing that i could record the sounds, and then plug in my drum machine to trigger the sounds? I haven't tried this method, but i'd like to try my own sounds with the precision of sequenced patterns. I'm wondering if there are any basic units that can record a sample, and then can be used as a module with my drum machine as the trigger. I'd even consider something that holds one sample, but can be triggered. Two samples would be good. Know of anything, or is the roland the best way to go? Years ago, i think i had an old casio toy keyboard that could record sample with a built in mic; i might look for one just for fun. It doesn't seem like there are many sampling units these days, or maybe i'm not looking in the right place. If nothing compares to the roland, i'll just save up and get it.

 

[truth_movement]

When I was starting to use samples and backing tracks, my initial idea was to rig up a SPD-S, spend lots of money and use 2 pads if I'm lucky.

Alternatively, I bought an ancient midi interface and sampler off my friend for £120 (when I say ancient, they're both from mid-80's to 90's and costing up to £1500 for the pair when released). I have an '808' sub sample running through that which is hooked up to a simple epad as that's the only real sample I use.

Alongside that, I have my mp3 player playing backing tracks (track panned left / click panned right) and that routed through a splitter - click side in to my Behringer mini-mixer which I use as a headphone monitor and the other side going to the PA to play the track.

Why don't you just put the 808 through the backing track, I hear you say? Because I want to smack that bitch when it's needed!

If you want to just sample a few random effects - best thing to do is find a midi interface, sampler and the Alesis 8 pad trigger. If you hook all these up and set which pad you want playing what then you're sorted and will cost you probably half as much as the SPD-S because it's not all-in-one!

 

[TimOBrien]

I have an spd-s and love it.

But you could get by a little cheaper by getting one of the Yamaha DD-55 type units and then sending midi to your computer to trigger samples.

...but the spd-s IS worth it imho.

 

[damianhk]

I'm leaning that way (getting the spd-s). I checked out a few videos, and it seems like it will be worth it. One concern is dynamics. Alot of times i'll stick in some snare hits below full volume to give it feel, like right before the kick or right after the kick. i may have the drums taking it easy for the verse and then opening up for the chorus or solo. I'm wondering if the spd-s will detect these slight volume changes from my boss dr550. I'm also wondering if the decay of the sample at full volume will be cut down with the lower volume hits, or just sound like the sample at a lower volume. I know it will sound better than any of my rinky dink setups.