Roland SPD-SX PRO

The Roland SPD-SX PRO is the top-of-the-line model in the SPD series and was developed for drummers, percussionists, and live performers who want to control samples, backing tracks, electronic drum sounds, and external triggers from a single central unit. The sampling pad combines nine velocity-sensitive playing surfaces with 32 GB of internal memory, over 1,550 built-in sounds, extensive audio routing, a 4.3-inch color screen, and connections for up to eight external triggers. 

The SPD-SX PRO can serve as an extension of an acoustic drum set, as the foundation of a hybrid drum kit, or as a standalone instrument for electronic performances. Thanks to its separate audio outputs, extensive trigger options, MIDI, USB audio, and the SPD-SX PRO App, the unit can be integrated into both live and studio setups.

Nine Responsive Pads
The SPD-SX PRO features nine built-in pads: six large playing surfaces and three shoulder pads on the top. Roland has specifically modified the sensor design of the three top pads, making them respond more evenly and more accurately from various playing positions. Crosstalk suppression has also been improved. This reduces the likelihood of an adjacent pad being triggered unintentionally when you play with force. This is important during live performances, where samples, cues, and backing tracks must start at exactly the right moment. The nine pads feature horizontal and vertical LED lighting. You can use different colors to visually distinguish between drum sounds, loops, backing tracks, and click tracks, for example. The brightness of the lighting can be adjusted to suit the conditions on stage.

4.3-inch Color Screen
A 4.3-inch graphic LCD color screen is located in the center of the control panel. The display shows information about kits, samples, A/B layers, sample files, playback status, and settings. Together with the backlit function keys, tab control, and jog dial, the screen allows you to quickly navigate through kits and parameters even during a performance. The brightness of the panel lighting can be adjusted for dark stages or, conversely, situations with plenty of ambient light.

32 GB Internal Memory
With 32 GB of internal storage, the SPD-SX PRO offers plenty of space for your own samples, loops, backing tracks, and click tracks. The memory can hold up to 20,000 wave data items, including the included files. The internal audio engine operates with 48 kHz/16-bit linear audio. WAV, AIFF, and MP3 files can be imported directly. WAV and AIFF files at 44.1 or 48 kHz and with a resolution of 16-, 24-, or 32-bit are automatically converted to the internal format during loading. MP3 files ranging from 32 to 320 kbps can also be used. The available memory can store nearly 44 hours of stereo audio at 48 kHz/16-bit.

Over 1,550 sounds and 200 kits
The SPD-SX PRO comes withover 1,550 samples and sounds. This library includes acoustic drums, electronic drums, percussion, effects, and other sounds that can be assigned directly to the pads. A total of 200 kits are available. Of these, 43 kits are pre-programmed and rewritable, while 157 slots are available for custom kits. For live use, there are also 32 setlists available, with up to 32 steps per setlist. This allows you to arrange kits in advance in the order of a performance, so you don’t have to search through all available kits during a show.

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A/B Layering
Two sample layers can be assigned to each pad. With A/B Layering, you can, for example, stack two different drum sounds or play samples together or separately depending on the selected settings. Parameters such as volume, pitch, equalizer, and transient settings are available independently for both layers. This allows you to build composite sounds right within the SPD-SX PRO itself without first having to create new audio files in a DAW.

Sampling and Resampling
In addition to playing back existing samples, the SPD-SX PRO can record audio itself. Using the AUDIO IN input, you can sample external audio sources, after which the recorded material can be assigned directly to a pad. Up to 60 minutes of audio can be recorded per sample via AUDIO IN. For resampling, the maximum recording time is 10 minutes per sample. A performed piece can also be recorded directly as a WAV file and then reassigned to a pad. This makes it possible to quickly create new loops and samples during rehearsals, sound design, or live performances.

Time Stretch and Tempo Sync
With the latest system software, the SPD-SX PRO features Time Stretch and Tempo Sync. These functions allow you to adjust the playback speed of a sample without changing its pitch. This is useful, for example, when backing tracks, loops, or musical samples need to be adapted to different song tempos. Time Stretch can be applied both during playback and offline. The SPD-SX PRO also features BPM detection, which speeds up the process of preparing and synchronizing material.

16-step pad sequencer
The built-in 16-step pad sequencer allows you to program patterns of up to 16 steps within a kit. A sequence can then be triggered from a selected pad. This allows you to add percussion patterns, electronic grooves, effect sequences, and other rhythmic elements during a performance without having to play each individual note manually.

Pad Link and Mute Groups
Pad Link allows two pads or triggers to be triggered simultaneously. This is useful, for example, when a backing track and its corresponding click track need to start at exactly the same moment. Mute Groups can be used when samples need to cut each other off. As soon as a new pad is triggered, the previously playing sample can be automatically stopped. This is useful for loops, song sections, and backing tracks that should not play simultaneously.

DJ Drop Mute and Trigger Mute
DJ Drop Mute allows you to temporarily remove a continuous backing track from the audio outputs while the file continues to play internally. As soon as the mute is lifted, the track resumes playing from the position it was at that moment. Trigger Mute can be used to temporarily disable connected external triggers. This allows you, for example, to activate or mute triggers on an acoustic drum kit during certain parts of a song without changing the entire configuration.

Extensive Effects Section
For sound processing, the SPD-SX PRO features four multi-effects systems that can be used simultaneously. There are 53 different effect types available, including modulation, distortion, filters, delay, and reverb. In addition, each A/B layer has its own equalizer and transient processing. A built-in sidechain compressor can be used to give certain sounds space when another sound is playing. At the system level, master effects, a master compressor, and a master EQ are available. The master effects can be configured for the entire system or per kit.

Click and Metronome The built-in click is highly customizable and can be assigned its own sound and note value. The click can be triggered from an internal pad, an external trigger, or a button. This allows the SPD-SX PRO not only to play samples and backing tracks but also to serve as the central click source for the drummer or other musicians.

Up to eight external triggers
In addition to the nine built-in pads, the SPD-SX PRO features four stereo TRIG IN connectors. Four dual-trigger pads can be connected to these. With appropriate Y-cables, up to eight separate mono triggers can be used. This allows the SPD-SX PRO to be expanded with snare pads, tom pads, cymbal pads, kick triggers, and acoustic drum triggers, among other options. In combination with the internal pads, external triggers, and foot switches, a comprehensive hybrid drum setup can be built from a single module.

Hi-Hat and Expression Control
A separate HH CTRL/EXPRESSION connector allows you to connect a compatible hi-hat controller or expression pedal. With a compatible Roland hi-hat, open/closed hi-hat control can be added. For example, an expression pedal can be used to control effect parameters while playing. In addition, there is a FOOT SW jack to which compatible footswitches can be connected for functions you want to control with your feet while playing.

Six Analog Audio Outputs
For professional live routing, the SPD-SX PRO features two balanced MASTER OUT outputs and four balanced DIRECT OUT outputs. This provides a total of six separate analog output channels. Pads, samples, backing tracks, and other signals can be sent to different outputs. For example, a kick drum can be sent to the mixing console via its own channel, while the snare, percussion, and backing tracks are each routed separately. This gives the sound engineer more control over the mix. In addition, there is a separate stereo headphone output. This can also be used for specific monitoring situations.

USB Audio and MIDI
The SPD-SX PRO can be connected to a Mac or Windows computer via the USB COMPUTER port. This port supports USB audio, USB MIDI, and communication with the SPD-SX PRO app. Eight audio channels can be recorded from the SPD-SX PRO to a computer via USB. For playback from the computer, up to twelve USB audio channels are available. The native sample rate is 48 kHz. With sample-rate conversion, 44.1 and 96 kHz are also supported for USB audio. In addition to USB-MIDI, the SPD-SX PRO features traditional MIDI IN and MIDI OUT/THRU connections. This allows the unit to send MIDI data to external modules, software, and other devices, or to be controlled by external MIDI equipment.

SPD-SX PRO App
For advanced editing, the SPD-SX PRO App is available for Mac and Windows. Using the software, you can import and organize samples, create kits, and adjust various parameters from a computer. Samples can be managed via drag-and-drop, allowing for larger live sets and sample libraries to be organized more efficiently than when using only the unit’s control panel.

Compatibility with SPD-SX Backups
The SPD-SX PRO can import backup files from the earlier SPD-SX. This allows users upgrading from an SPD-SX to transfer existing samples and performance settings to the new unit. This is particularly useful for live performers who have built up extensive custom kits, samples, and show configurations over the years.

Suitable for hybrid drum sets
The SPD-SX PRO can be used as a compact sample player alongside an acoustic drum set, but with external pads and triggers, it can also serve as a key component of a complete hybrid drum kit. For example, you can connect a kick trigger, snare pad, tom pads, cymbal pads, and a hi-hat controller. This allows you to combine acoustic and electronic sounds from the same playing position. For mounting, the Roland PDS-20 and PDS-10 pad stands, among others, are available. With a suitable mounting clamp, the unit can also be integrated into an existing drum hardware setup.

Optional Expansions The SPD-SX PRO can be expanded with Roland PD and PDX series pads, the BT-1 Bar Trigger Pad, CY series cymbal pads, KD and KT series kick triggers, RT-30 acoustic drum triggers, compatible hi-hats, hi-hat pedals, foot switches, and expression pedals. For freestanding use, the SPD-SX PRO can be mounted directly onto a Roland PDS-20 or PDS-10 pad stand. If you want to attach the sampling pad to an existing drum or cymbal stand, you can use the separately available Roland APC-33 mounting clamp. Suitable Roland carrying cases are available for transport.

Roland SPD-SX PRO features:

• 9 built-in velocity-sensitive pads with horizontal and vertical LED lighting
• 6 large pads and 3 sensitive shoulder pads
• 32 GB of internal memory
• Up to 20,000 wave data items, including factory content
• Over 1,550 preloaded samples and sounds
• 200 kits, consisting of 43 rewritable preset kits and 157 user kits
• 32 setlists with up to 32 steps per setlist
• 32-voice maximum polyphony, including metronome
• 4.3-inch color graphic LCD screen
• A/B sample layers per pad
• Separate layer EQ per A/B layer
• Separate transient processing per A/B layer
• 4 multi-effect systems with 53 effect types
• 1 sidechain compressor
• 53 master effect types
• Master compressor
• Master EQ
• 16-step pad sequencer
• Time Stretch and Tempo Sync
• BPM detection
• DJ Drop Mute
• Trigger Mute
• Pad Link and Mute Groups
• Sampling via AUDIO IN up to 60 minutes per sample
• Resampling up to a maximum of 10 minutes per sample
• 48 kHz/16-bit linear internal audio
• Import of WAV, AIFF, and MP3 files
• Support for WAV/AIFF at 44.1 and 48 kHz
• Automatic conversion of imported audio to 48 kHz/16-bit
• 4 stereo trigger inputs
• Connection of up to 8 separate external triggers via Y-cables
• HH CTRL/EXPRESSION input
• FOOT SW input
• Stereo AUDIO IN via 6.35 mm jack with volume control
• Stereo PHONES output via 6.35 mm jack
• 2 balanced MASTER OUT outputs via 6.35 mm TRS
• 4 balanced DIRECT OUT outputs via 6.35 mm TRS
• MIDI IN / MIDI OUT/THRU
• USB-B COMPUTER port for USB audio, USB-MIDI, and the SPD-SX PRO App
• USB-A MEMORY port for backup, loading, saving, and sample import/export
• 8-channel USB audio recording to computer
• 12-channel USB audio playback from computer
• USB audio at 48 kHz and, via conversion, 44.1 or 96 kHz
• Compatible with backup files from the Roland SPD-SX
• Power supply: 12 V DC
• Current consumption: 1,500 mA
• Dimensions: 36.0 x 33.03 x 9.29 cm
• Weight: 3.0 kg, excluding power adapter

Included

• Roland SPD-SX PRO
• AC adapter
• Quick Start Guide
• Documentation