Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

great product & highly recommended..

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

I just LOVE this piece of gear! Either using the built in sounds or using it as a MIDI controller, it is now my go-to instrument for almost anything percussive. The expressive, sensitive pads deliver a realistic-sounding drum track, and I've found it useful for everything from orchestral percussion to death metal.
Hundreds of excellent built-in percussion sounds that are very expressive and useful. It also functions as a MIDI controller, and has connections for a kick trigger and hi hat pedal. Add those and a good set of percussion samples, and you've got a really serviceable MIDI drum set!
Solid piece of kit, built for touring. Don't waste your time looking for a case specifically for the HPD-15, though - the dimensions are just right to fit inside of a turntable road case.
I bought mine used, and at the used price it was an insanely good deal. At the new price, though, it's a bit out of my price range.

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

Overall I am pleased with this. We us it for what is designed for, a portable percussion section. Some of the places we play have very little space on the stage for percussion equipment, so it works out great. A single piece of equipment on a single stand with one (or two) line(s) out. We have not completely utilized it to it's full potential yet, because we haven't had time to completely explore all of it's features. We opened it, read the quick start, and started using it. When we have time, we will slow down and truely figure out what it can do. I am looking forward to some time off this summer to record. I think it's balanced sound output will be great in a recording setting.
For what this machine is, it is perfect. It is compact and simple to use. Easy to move and set up. Some of the sounds like the wind chimes are not all that great, but overall I am pleased. I like the pressure sensative pads for pitch bending. The bongo features are pretty cool. I was impressed with that. The small "finger pads" around the top are sensitive. When you are not paying real close attention you can bump one and get an unwanted "effect" in your song...got to be careful with that. Our percussion player likes the convenience of less stuff to carry and set up.
It appears to be well built. It is very simular in quality as any of the Roland products. I haven't knocked it around or anything, but so far so good. I haven't had it very long, but my TD10 and TD8 held up and are holding up well...an output jack on the TD10 had to be replaced...the TD8 had a problem with the Highhat jack...just simple wear and tear. I expect the same from this product.
This is a very expensive piece of equipment. I am not sure for what you get feature wise, you are not over paying at near $1000.00. It is a Roland, so with that name comes the price tag. However, I wanted it and payed the price, so there you go.

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

This thing is all about live percussion gigs. I have a ton of acoustic percussion instruments that I prefer for versatility and expressiveness in the studio. But there's no way I would cart all that stuff to live shows anymore when I can take the HPD-15.If you want a drumset replacement or something that you can play with drumsticks, look elsewhere. An SPD-15 will be a much better choice. You will damage the HPD-15's pads if you hit them with sticks.The most impressive thing is the unit's position awareness, both intra- and inter-pad. For example on the standard conga patch, you normally get an open sound from the 5 o'clock pad. But if you touch the 7 o'clock pad, you get a mute sound _when you hit the 5 o'clock pad_! Perimeter hits on the 5 o'clock pad are slaps, which crossfade back to open (or mute) sounds toward the center. Bottom line, the expressive possibilities on this thing are sick- only exceeded by real acoustic instruments. Your acoustic techniques will transfer quickly to the electronic realm of the HPD-15. You might even fool yourself that it's not electronic!If you want a challenge, connect two footswitches and try playing clave with one foot, a steady eighth-note shaker pattern with the other foot, and a conga tumbao with your hands. You'll be putting out a wall of sound that would have otherwise required three players to produce!By way of comparison, I've only played the newer HPD-10 a little bit. It has similarly outstanding sounds, and it's significantly cheaper. It has less pads on the perimeter between 9 and 3 o'clock, which may be an advantage for some. The smaller pads on the HPD-15 are easier to miss, especially in a dark orchestra pit or whatnot. But with the additional pads, D-beam, and ribbon controllers, the HPD-15 is way more capable. If you are willing to invest some time practicing technique on the HPD-15 to explore its full potential, it's the way to go. If you want something less daunting for casual use, the HPD-10 is less intimidating.The HPD-15 (and probably the HPD-10) fit comfortably on a standard snare drum stand. No need to buy a custom stand, but you will need a decent case. Don't get any sort of gigbag since they don't offer adequate impact protection for the vulnerable pad area. Look for a hard-sided small mixer or turntable case instead.

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

I have been playing both acoustic and electronic percussion for ever. Loads of album credits and tours to my name. I began buying and even building my own triggers in the early 80's.This thing totally kicks!I just got mine and have done only a few gigs with it, but wide in range: providing percussion for a Slovakian Gypsy Flamenco guitarist, a belly dancer...This this is an amazing addition to my toolkit. I can play it as a kit (with pedals...) or create amazing custom programs with complete w/fx, compression, amazing interactive controllers - all on top of great samples. There are a few limitations to this machine, but for it's size, price, weight and features, nothing can touch it.It's real distinctive charm is in it's additional controllers; D-Beam and ribbon controllers. These take the unit WAY beyond traditional elec perc to new expressive levels.It's expandability creates endless future potential: add pads, controllers, midi data..., link multiple units, control visuals, lighting rigs - the sky's the limit.Grab one, some headphones (or better yet a pa w/sub), and get lost in challenging your ability to interface and learn a new instrument and a great new friend.

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

This thing rocks! I spent two hours on it the first time I came across it at the music store. Had to have it so a week later it earned its own place right next to my acoustic kit, Roland, where has this thing been all my life? I haven't found anything it won't do except my dishes! The sound is superb and its ability to produce the various sounds of world percussion instruments is amazing. Now I know where all those little loops and cool beats come from that are used in the TV ads. If you don't have it, get it. If you don't have the money, start saving for it, you?ll be glad you did!

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

This produce has allowed me to clean out the trunk of Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Drums, stands, and many other percussion Instruments. It truly contains all the sounds needed to accompany any size group. I have performed in an acoustic duo to a 6 piece rock band with out issue. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

The Roland HPD-15 is (in my opinion) the finest and most versatile Hand Percussion Instrument ever made, by Roland or any other drum manufacurer. Note: this instrument is not cheap but worth every penny I spent for it. It comes with more programmable sounds than you'll ever need or use, but moreover, its customizable features lets you create "custom drum and percussion kits" that will serve your every need. Whether I am playing latin grooves, african grooves, or hip hop beats with turntable sratches and orchestra hits; the sounds are awesome. The only thing Roland can do to improve this product... is to lower the price. The rest is in the hands of the player. But don't take my word for, go check it out for your self !!!

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

after a year with the HS, i firmly believe that roland needs to go back to the drawing board and completely overhaul its menu functionality. little tiny buttons, endless confusing pages, and a tiny screen make programming, saving, writing and just about all functions seem difficult. by comparison, the korg line of drum machines is much freindlier to program. The only REAL advantage of the HS is the large, pressure sensitive playing surface. as an extra toy in the arsenal of a well rounded percussionist, this item can be pretty cool, but its usablilty keeps it from being necessary equipment for the studio.

Comments about Roland HPD-15 HandSonic Percussion Controller:

I have used the Handsonic for live playing only, since 2001. I can see where it would be great for recording as well. The sounds are good for everything except the cymbals, which are just ok. Using the hi-hat input works well enough and you can play it as a drumset if you really need to. Sequences are not hard to do. I have put several together 10 minutes before a show and had no problems. Sequencing for an entire song with lots of changes is a little tough, but putting together short loops is no problem.The only drawback is the price, which is a little hard to justify if you don't need to use this box all the time.