347-674-7258
isaku@isakukageyama.com

Roland SPD-30 Octapad Review

In this Roland SPD-30 Octapad review, I will give you a detailed breakdown of the components and methods used to create a portable electronic drum kit that works great for live performances and recordings. You can also use this as a poor man’s V-Drum setup, where you’re able to assemble components as you go.

Roland SPD-30 Octapad Features and Functionality:

  1. Portable electronic drum set – the SPD-30 is small, compact, and can accommodate up to 4 additional inputs such as a kick, snare, hi-hat, and ride. It offers similar functionality (96 pre-recorded kits, looping) to TD-11 V-drum kit without the hassle of having to set up and break down an entire rack.
  2. Trigger samples (such as taiko) using a drum pad instead of a MIDI keyboard – each of the pads on the SPD-30 as well as the additional inputs can be programmed to trigger any MIDI note. Connect the SPD-30 to your computer via USB, open your DAW, and program the pads on the SPD-30 to play the MIDI notes you want.
  3. Sequence natural sounding rhythms using MIDI. MIDI is great because it can be easily manipulated, but playing rhythms on a MIDI keyboard makes it hard to make all the dynamics and ghost notes sound natural. This electronic drum kit setup gives you the best of both worlds.

List of Components

  1. Octapad SPD-30 Main Module
  2. KD-9 Kick Drum Pad
  3. CY-12 Hi-Hat Pad
  4. PDX-8 Snare Drum Pad
  5. CY-8 Cymbal Pad
  6. FD-8 Hi-Hat Controller

I used the CY-12 Hi-Hat Pad, which is unfortunately out of stock at both Amazon and Musician’s Friend. I’ve included a link to the VH-13 which is the updated version. Please note I haven’t actually been able to test this particular component.

List of Hardware

  1. Roland PDS-10 Main Module Stand
  2. Gibraltar SC-SLRM Medium Single L-Rod Mount 10.5Mm
  3. Gibraltar SC-LRAC L-Rod Adjust Clamp 9.5Mm
  4. Roland MDY-12 Cymbal Arm
  5. Hosa Cable GTR205R Guitar Inst Cable with Right Angle Plug
  6. Hosa Cable STP203 TRS To Dual 1/4 Inch Insert Cable – 9.75 Foot
  7. Roland Cube Street EX 4-Channel 50-Watt Battery Powered Amplifier
  8. Radial ProD2 Passive 2 Channel Direct Box

Use an amp like the Roland Cube if you’re busking or performing at a small venue.  At larger venues, you will probably want to go directly into the PA via direct box.

Putting It All Together

  1. Set up the SPD-30 Main Module on the Roland PDS-10 Stand.
  2. Clamp the SC-LRAC Mount to the PDS-10 Stand.
  3. Attach the PDX-8 Snare Drum Pad to the SC-LRAC Mount.
  4. Clamp the SC-SLRM Mount to a standard cymbal stand.
  5. Attach the CY-12 to the SC-SLRM Mount.
  6. Replace the MDY-12 Cymbal Arm with the arm of a standard cymbal stand.
  7. Attach the CY-8 Cymbal pad to the MDY-12 Cymbal Arm.
  8. Connect all the pads to the SPD-30 Main Module using the Hosa GTR205R cables.  The cable connecting to the CY-8 must be a right angle cable due to the layout of the pad.
  9. Connect the SPD-30 Main Module to the Roland Cube Amplifier using the Hosa STP203 cable.

I hope you enjoyed this Roland SPD-30 Octapad Review and Compact Drum Kit build.  Please feel free to write if you have any additional questions!