Roland SPD-SX Sampling Pad

We're using this to trigger samples and vocal loops in a band playing dub style rock. I think the thing to appreciate here is just how well it's designed for live work. I'm referring to stuff like the 'all sounds off' button and the ability to audition sounds without feeding them out to the audience. It's also easy to program, so in rehearsals it's proving very quick to tweak everything as we build up tracks. I should say that the sample management software is really easy to use (this enables you to collect sounds and kits on the computer and transfer them across). It may not be the most sophisticated sampler in terms of deep editing functions, but as I say, for the situation it's aimed at - which is live triggering along with a conventional drum set up, I think it's really well thought out.

The presets that it comes loaded with are pretty naff, - they don't really do it justice - but they give you the idea. And after all, the whole point is to load it with your own stuff.

Just to answer a few criticisms and queries i've seen.
1. It feels pretty robust... I also recommend buying Thomann's case in the bundle along with the mounting bracket
2. The pads are generally fine for one off triggering - the thing that's probably really lacking is the ability to layer samples in a sophisticated way so they change in timbre as you hit them harder. So i generally use the pads on non-dynamic settings.
3. At first it does seem that the system volume is set too low - but there's an overall setting to boost this by up to 12db so you can deal with it that way. And in practice, when going through a PA then you just turn that up to suit.
4. If you're going to position it by your hi-hat as most drummers do, be prepared for it to get covered in wood chips from your sticks!
5. Yes, it's expensive... But there's nothing else out there like this so you just have to bite the bullet on that.

And it's proved a generally useful bit of kit to have around at rehearsal and in the studio - like storing tracks you might want to practice with, cutting up songs into loops and seeing what alternative arrangements sound like, recording rehearsals (plug in a mic), playing rough mixes at rehearsals for people to listen to, as a metronome...

All in all, very pleased with it and it's functionality beyond what I originally bought it for.