Alesis just anounced the release of the new Alesis SamplePad at PASIC 2011. This is the first entry for Alesis in the Sample multi-pad device arena. It will join the market that currently is held by the Yamaha DTX multi 12 and the Roland SPD-SX. Though not as large and feature rich as the Yamaha and Roland units, it would appear that Alesis is pushing this device to be more of a supplement to your edrum equipment. With just the right amount of features it will definitely be a welcome device to the market. For more info and pictures of this product, be sure to visit http://alesis.com/samplepad.
Here is the official press release from Alesis (taken from http://www.alesis.com/content236660):
NEW MULTI-PAD INSTRUMENT FROM ALESIS, SAMPLEPAD, ALLOWS DRUMMERS TO USE THEIR OWN SAMPLES
Cumberland, R.I. (Nov. 9, 2011) – Alesis, the world’s fastest growing electronic drum brand, introduces SamplePad, a compact four-pad instrument that gives drummers access to a limitless palette of sounds. Alesis will showcase SamplePad at booth # 641 at PASIC 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana from November 9th-12th.
SamplePad is the perfect addition to any drumset or percussion rig: it’s compact, very easy to use, and allows drummers to load their own sounds. It has 25 percussion and electronic drum sounds built in, and allows drummers to load their own samples using a standard SD card to create stunning sound combinations. An external trigger input and the ability to mount it on virtually any snare stand or rack make SamplePad one of the easiest ways to expand any drumset.
SamplePad offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy to find and assign samples. By simply striking a pad and dialing to the desired sound, drummers can quickly reassign sounds as needed, and entire pad combinations can be saved internally as “kits” for easy recall. Drummers can tune and add reverb to their samples, then assign them to any of the four pads or the kick input. A MIDI output allows drummers to use SamplePad as a controller for triggering sound modules and software. SamplePad fits on a standard snare drum stand or can be mounted to any stand or rack (Alesis Module Mount sold separately). For studio use, SamplePad can simply be played on a tabletop.
SamplePad comes equipped with standard dual 1/4-inch outputs for amplification, and a headphone output for monitoring. Its kick input works with most pads and triggers including the Alesis DMPad and RealHead Kick Pads.
“The SamplePad is the first multi-pad instrument that gives drummers an easy, compact, affordable way to get virtually any sound into their setup,” said Dan Radin, Alesis Product Manager. “You get the sounds you’ve always wanted, in a package that’s smaller than a 12-inch tom!”
SamplePad will be available at musical instrument retailers in Q1 of 2012 with and estimated street price of $199.00.
This article makes this samplepad sound like a really cool toy to play with, as well being a useful component or add-on to your drumset. Being able to load your own sounds and an external input (just one?) is mumbling “Buy Me-Buy Me”(If I had any money) over and over…
If anyone reads this, please feel free to give me any advise, warnings, do’s+dont’s or general info I’d like to hear it all.
But I don’t really know what the heck I’m talking about. All this stuff certainly sounds great in such a small package…Price seems almost do-able…Anyone have any realworld experience with this thing? Anything not work as advertised? or as useful as made to seem? I’ve bought stuff before, that sounded totally bitchin in the catalog description (or whatever) that ends up being notso useful, fun, or work as advertised. I hate it when that little detail that would say ‘won’t work…’ or ‘Do Not Buy’is either not mentioned or overlooked by my dumbass, and I end up with a nice ‘something’ that sits on a shelf or in a box.
One of these days I plan on stitching together a small edrum kit with inexpensive but usefull pieces+parts I’m slowly collecting. Just bought a mesh head for the old snare I’ve had since I was 10yrs old. Have piezos+foam, DM5 and a knockoff of a medeli 502j/OspDD502 kit got cheap and don’t mind taking apart to mess with. Sill sorting out trigger setup + mount. Thinking of buying a few toms and cutting ’em in half. Throw on some mesh heads, stick in whatever trigger setup that works and is cheap….all that diy stuff…And something like this alesis samplepad sounds like something I could use in my little project. I’ve forgotten what my point was!
Or if you are just F***in sick+tired of that ‘ol v-drum set taking up all space in your garage or sewing room, just let me know. I’m sure I can store it at my place, free of charge!
Thanks- Mike
…just realized I might’ve posted this in a wrong section…I’ve forgotten where I was when something sidetracked me+got me typing…argh! Delete at will..
I know there are a few members over at http://www.DMdrummer.com that have the samplepad. You could ask over there as well. If you don’t know about http://www.DMdrummer.com it’s the #1 places for all things Alesis edrums. I personally have not used a samplePad yet. I do agree that it would make a great addition to an existing edrum set-up because I was thinking about using it that way myself.