Incorporating Electronics into Your Drum Setup (Part 2/3): Using the SPD-SX.
In part one, we explored adding electronics to a drum setup, and now we’ll focus on using the Roland SPD-SX. This versatile pad is ideal for triggering sounds, loops, and effects, but it becomes even more powerful when paired with external triggers on an acoustic drum kit.
Multiple Pads, Multiple Sounds
The SPD-SX comes equipped with nine pads, each of which can be assigned different sounds—ranging from drum hits to loops, effects, and even full-length backing tracks. This feature allows drummers to switch between acoustic and electronic elements seamlessly. For example, you can have the top row of pads trigger various percussion sounds like claps or tambourines, while the lower pads handle bass drops or vocal samples.
By customizing sounds for each pad, you can create setups tailored to different songs or genres. If you’re playing a pop gig, you might want to incorporate electronic snare sounds and synthesized kicks, while a more ambient project might require texture-heavy loops and atmospheric soundscapes. The ability to swap between different kits means you can adapt your setup on a song-by-song basis without needing multiple pieces of gear.
Layering Sounds
For an added level of complexity, the SPD-SX allows you to layer sounds. With this feature, you can trigger more than one sound with a single pad hit, allowing for creative combinations like a punchy snare paired with a bass-heavy sub drop. This can thicken your sound and make it more dynamic, even when you’re just playing with a single pad.
Using Pad Link for Backing Tracks and Clicks
The Pad Link feature is a crucial tool for live performance. With this function, you can trigger multiple pads simultaneously. One particularly effective use of Pad Link is for triggering a backing track alongside a click track, ensuring you stay in sync with the music.
Here’s how to use it for live shows:
Assign the Backing Track: First, upload your backing track (or any other sound file) to the SPD-SX on Pad 1. The track will play through the main outputs, allowing your audience to hear it.
Assign the Click Track: On a different pad, assign a click track that will only be routed to your headphones or in-ear monitors. This click will keep you in time without the audience hearing it. Assign this to Pad 2.
Link the Pads: By using the Pad Link function, you can trigger both the backing track and the click track simultaneously with a single pad hit. This ensures that every time you start a song, both elements will be perfectly in sync, keeping you and the band on track.
Integrating Roland Triggers into Your Setup
While the SPD-SX is already powerful on its own, it becomes even more versatile when you integrate it with Roland drum triggers. These triggers can be attached to your acoustic drums, allowing you to trigger electronic samples or effects when you hit your acoustic drums. This hybrid setup lets you blend the organic feel of acoustic drums with the limitless potential of electronic sounds.
Types of Triggers
Kick Trigger (RT-30K): A trigger attached to your kick drum that allows you to add electronic bass drum sounds to your setup. You can layer an electronic kick under your acoustic kick for extra punch or replace it entirely with a more synthetic sound.
Snare Trigger (RT-30HR): This trigger can detect both head and rim strikes, allowing you to trigger different samples depending on where you hit the drum. This is useful for layering an electronic snare sound with your acoustic snare or adding additional effects on the rim shots.
Tom Triggers (RT-30H): Tom triggers are perfect for getting a consistent sound between gigs. Especially when you rock up to a dive bar with a half broken house kit!
Setting Up the Triggers with SPD-SX
Setting up your Roland triggers with the SPD-SX is straightforward:
Connect the Triggers: Each trigger comes with a cable that you connect to the trigger inputs on the SPD-SX. The SPD-SX has multiple inputs to accommodate triggers from your kick, snare, and toms.
Assign Sounds to Triggers: In the SPD-SX menu, you can assign different sounds to each trigger input. For example, the kick trigger might be assigned to a deep electronic bass drum, while the snare trigger could add a clap or electronic snare on top of the acoustic snare sound.
Adjust Sensitivity: Once the triggers are connected, you can fine-tune the sensitivity and threshold settings on the SPD-SX to ensure that your triggers respond accurately to your playing dynamics.
By integrating triggers with the SPD-SX, you create a hybrid setup where each acoustic drum can trigger an electronic sample, allowing for a seamless blend of acoustic and electronic sounds. This setup is perfect for genres like rock, pop, or electronic music, where blending organic and synthetic sounds is key to creating a modern, polished sound.
Conclusion
The Roland SPD-SX is a powerful tool for any drummer looking to expand their sound palette. By combining its multiple sound pads, Pad Link feature for backing tracks, and artists a whole other skill set, making you an even more in demand session player.
This setup is perfect for drummers who want to stay versatile, creative, and fully integrated into modern music production. Whether you’re playing live or recording in the studio, the SPD-SX paired with Roland triggers gives you the ability to go beyond traditional drumming and into new, uncharted sonic territories.
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