Anyone use a SPD-6 through their TD-8

[Spides]

I think of getting a SPD-6 along side my TD-8. Would I have to midi from the TD-8 to the SPD-6 or would it be best to have the SPD-6 running it's own sounds. Mine only concern is that i don't think we'll have another input in our PA. Anyone else use the SPD-6, is it any good?

[Pleiadian]

You can always connect the SPD-6 through the Mix In of the TD-8.

[MPCman]

We have an SPD-6 in stock in the shop I work. There are only a few sounds in it(good ones though), the pads are small, there's only a few parameters to edit and so on...
I think it's way too expensive!

You'd better get a second hand SPD-11 for the same price or even less.

[Oz DrumR]

Yup. I have an SPD-6 running through the TD-8 and I'm thoroughly happy with it - having said that - dont trust my opinion, I'm the one person out here who's fully happy with my PM-3

I can't comment on price - I don't know how much it is as I won it a a Roland V-Drum Expo.

Price aside - it's great. I favour the MIDI route, which gives me access to any of the 1500+ sounds I have in my TD-8. The SPD-6 obviously has 6 pads (=6 triggers), but you can also put in a couple of foot pedals - I use two FS-5Us giving me 8 triggers.

I use it for things that you may not use all that much, or wouldn't want to 'waste' a whole pad / rim on (if you get what I mean) - I mainly use percussion instruments . . . cowbell, guiro, wooden block, triangle and things like rev cymbal, second kick, bongo, timbale etc.

As for the size - I don't find it a problem: lets face it - how big is the target on a cowbell, or a triangle? How awkward is it to hold the old guiro up to the mic and give it a scrape . . for songs such as stand by me or under the boardwalk . . the guiro & triangle combo is great! (certainly much easier than their acoustic brothers!).

The SPD-6 works great for me (also good to use if just working out some new ideas round at the mate's house). But having said that a) I can't comment on price, b)I can't comment on the 'internal' sounds - I've never listened to them (okay - maybe once!) and c)I can't comment on alternatives.

Oh, it also fits nicely to the left of tom 1 on the V-custom. For me, it's an excellent addition to the customs. An easy way of tapping extra sounds.

If you need any more specifics, just ask.

[Spides]

Cheers for that Ozdrumr, some good points. I take it you are from Australia. I live in the UK but I'm going out to Oz next year, my girlfriend who lives here is going back and I'm going too. Gonna stay in Brisbane for a few months. May not come back, depends

[Pleiadian]

Originally posted by Oz DrumR:
I favour the MIDI route, which gives me access to any of the 1500+ sounds I have in my TD-8.

Oz,

I have a Yamaha DD50 drum module, also connected via Midi to the TD-8. The only way I can trigger the sounds I want is using the percussion sets. How do you deal with that?

Rob

[MustangMick]

The 4-note polyphony on the SPD-6 may cause a problem if you are trying to play a whole kit at once through the SPD-6.

Not a MIDI expert but this put me off buying one.

[Oz DrumR]

Originally posted by Pleiadian:
Oz,

I have a Yamaha DD50 drum module, also connected via Midi to the TD-8. The only way I can trigger the sounds I want is using the percussion sets. How do you deal with that?

Rob

Yup. I use the percussion sets also. I just took the default one, and assigned sounds that I might use to the notes that are not taken up by the TD-8 triggers. I think there are around 80 (?) note numbers to which sounds can be assigned, of which 20ish are taken up by the TD8 pads, leaving 50 to play with. Any of the 1500+ TD-8 sounds can be assigned to the 50 remaining note numbers, and tweaked.

The only problems I experienced are a)remembering what I've assigned to which note value (for quick changes - no display on SPD6) and b) the 'note chase' functionality only works when you assign a SPD-6 pad to a note that is used by an TD-8 trigger (say T3 rim).

Hi Spides - Yes, I am on Oz, but I'm actually from the UK (Yorkshire) and moving back there in December . . . It's too nice here! Got to get back to the wind, rain and cold!!!

Mustang - I haven't experienced any problems with The 4-note polyphony on the SPD-6 (I wasn't even aware of it!) but then again I've only once played a whole kit at once through the SPD-6. As mentioned above, usually I've been just playing odd pieces of percussion.

Give one a try - you may find it meets your needs.