Which percussion pad to get?

[Arka]

Hi!

I´m looking to pick up a used octapad style percussion pad for live performances. The main use will be to trigger sounds from a yamaha sampler, so I consider built in sounds a nice bonus but not necessary.

I´m considering the roland family of pads, PAD-80´s, SPD´s etc. Are all of these equal in terms of build quality and playing response etc? Any other brands worth considering?

The Edge triggers on the SPD-S seem real sweet for playing cowbell and such, but I´m not prepared to shell out for the sampling features since I already got a sampler. Are there any cheaper alternatives with edge triggers?

thanks /Arka

[Jamz]

For triggering...in the past I preferred a DrumKat to the Octopad due it's flexibility and (I believe) greater sensitivity. This was based on my needs for recording. Recently, I purchased a Roland SPD20 with the BD and Hat pedals for triggering DKH and BFD.

The Roland pads are fairly durable and commonly used in live performances. While I wasn't intersted in internal sounds the SPD20 does have a cool selection of internal sounds. Along with built in FX and 4 trigger inputs it's worth looking at for live performance.

[Prickstein]

I have an octapad on ebay at the moment that I'm selling with a KD-7 Kick trigger and an Alesis DM-5 Drum module if you're after something like that. Bidding is still pretty low considering the value of the whole package.

[Bounce]

IMHO Drumkats destroy all other multipad units and I believe I've used or owned them all :-) If it's just drumsounds or loops you're triggering, the trapkat is great as well.

[Joel DuBay]

I second the DrumKat stuff by Alternate Mode. We have a TrapKat triggering BFD, DFHS and Reason (as well as others).

Hands down my favorite and WHAT a company. They cost more, but EBay occasionally yields a few good bargains.


Love 'em!


~ J