7. Sampling Pads und Percussion Controllers
A popular way to incorporate a variety of sounds in a compact space is through the use of sampling pads and percussion controllers. These devices can combine up to twelve pads or playing surfaces within a compact housing, which can be loaded with different sounds. Due to their ease of integration, they are frequently used as a part of a drum set. While the earlier multi-pads were pure MIDI controllers without their own sound generation, the latest models integrate internal sounds, eliminating the need for an additional sound module. The currently very popular sampling pads take it one step further by allowing users to integrate their own sounds and arrange them into loops and sequences. Some of the well-known representatives of this species are Roland SPD-SX, Alesis Strike Multipad, and the affordable Millenium NonaPad.
In addition to being used within a drum kit, sampling pads and percussion controllers also serve as the basis for mini electronic drum sets. For example, the Roland SPD-SX Pro offers connections for eight additional pads (8 x Mono or 4 x Stereo) and a hi-hat controller in addition to its twelve internal pads. This enables the multipad to be easily expanded into a complete drum set with hi-hat, bass drum, snare, toms, and cymbals. Regardless of the multipad of your choice, it's crucial to make sure that your desired add-ons are compatible with the main device before getting started.
