Good review. I owned one for a short bit...thought it was defective. I could not get soft hits to play, no matter what I did to the trigger settings. Which meant near zero dynamics. It's not 'playable'. I contacted Korg, and I also spoke with Erik about it too. I own(ed) an SPD SX Pro, Octapad, Nord Drum 3P, as a comparison and all of those are WAY more responsive. BUT, if/when Korg ever 'fixes' this lack of dynamics, via a firmware update, I'd gladly buy it (again)
Great review, but I lost interest in ever buying one at the words "Thousand Dollars". At that price the Roland SPD-SX eats any lunch it could possibly bring.
I actually like the layout but the lack of MIDI in is unfortunately a dealbreaker for my workflow. Kind of shocking they didn’t include it on a $1000 device. Thanks for the review and insights
I'm hoping some company will follow up on what the little Lekato drum set is, but make a pro level one that does samples and has a looper etc. I love my Lekato set. The snare is duel zone so I hooked my TD6 up to it, added my 10' hi hat on a stand got a kick pad and kick pedal, and clipped on 3 extra 1 zone cymbals with cord splitters for a little super set !!!! Hehehehe But it'd be nice if it was half and half. A sample pad, and a mini drum set all in one !!!! Now we're talkin !!!! LOL Thanks for another killer review Justin !!! Always get excited when a new video of yerz pops up on my feed !!! Have a great day ! 😁👍
Best layout is the spd 30 octapad, now add 4 rounded pads on the top ! All the controls are off to the side and out the way.Sdly the pads need an update, if fact the whole thing needs an update!
Hi own one of this, and all that Justin says in this video is true! It has great sound quality, is a real solid unit, great looper feature, but 2 big issues: first one is the lack of dynamics of the pads, is a big problem for whom use to play soft on the pads... almost not playable! Second one, creating new kits is a nightmare, also with the software, which is not a proper application but a web app, when you create kits, you cannot hear any preview sounds, you have assign samples to the pads, save it, load the kit, and try directly on the pads... this is a total waste of time for me. Definitely needs important firmware and software updates!
I’m speaking for myself but there ain’t no way that control panel would make a couple of gigs with me playing I’d smash it bits with my accuracy I’m afraid it’s bad enough having it on the side with the Roland ! nice piece of kit though but it need a cover for excited live performances 👍
Alesis vs Roland is basically just picking your features, price point, and then go. With this, I think it's really promising but this is really one that I would have to sit with for a bit before I decided about the form factor. I could see that as a make or break
DAMN an I just spent $400+ on a DDRUM pad. hmm. Might have to re-think that one. (looks at the price at $1K ok maybe no lol) Not surprised, as Korg has been everywhere all the way back to my Korg T3. Their technology is the reason the Pearl eMerge exists, as the module and pads are KORG. Cheers!
Great review as always Justin! I respect Korg, they are reputable, however for me this instrument was ergonomic no at first sight. I honestly thought “what were they thinking?”. The screen is right where I would naturally think of hitting. Also I would always be distracted trying to avoid inadvertently striking the $1000 control area. Come on guys … No!
My number one concern is, will the rubber pads give me tendonitis? I had the Roland SPX but I traded it for the Yamaha multi-dtx 12. Both those units the rubber pads were just too hard. I bought the Roland Hand-sonic and the rubber pads are designed to be played by - well, your hands so the rubber is very soft, but I use sticks on it, its a little difficult to hit the outer pads because they are so small, and I wonder how long its going to last beating on it with sticks, but at least it doesn't give me tendonitis's. Great review, but how are the pads compared to the Roland Hand-sonic-20? Thanks for posting.
I bought one and sold it after a week. It was very buggy but, to be fair it was UA-cam demo, beta version. I disliked the pad feel or hardness. It did some cool things right out of the box but, programming was a pain in the...If there were pads where the screen is with a flip down or remote screen, better pad feel, it would be worth the money. As is it's value is less than the asking price. The pads do clean up nice but, they are loud and hard.
Good review. Just enough to take the temptation away. It’s crazy that there’s still no sampler multipad that has full hihat functionality. The Spd-SX pro marketing was deceptive/confusing enough that I bought it in hopes that I could use use it as a quick compact self contained kit. Yet it also only has single closed sample /single open sample functionality.
I agree that Roland wasn't clear about what level of hi-hat functionality the pro had. I really wish they'd just combine the Octapad and the SPSX and just be done with it. But they insist on keeping separate lines
@@65Drums I’d even go a step further and go on to see the “pro” as an overdue standard model replacement & a true “pro” would have digital inputs, redundant electrical & USB + USB C and enough hardware flexibility and ports to allow for full hihat + simultaneous expression pedal use rather than having yo pick your loss per the current model. I under the corporate desire for maximum profit but imagine if someone else comes along and delivers a product in the meantime that is a true pro live performance multipad that expanded on the fundamentals of the Spd-SX “pro” Efnote, GEWA; Korg, Zildjian. Or the way way way past due Yamaha offering? I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were Roland banking on another 11+ years of loyalty from us.
Thanks for this review Justin. I keep tossing around between buying this one or an SPD-SX Pro. I really like the looper function and I am mostly looking for a sample pad to complement my drums kit with percussive and electronic (808 & 909 for example) hits for certain covers. If both devices costs the same, with promotional sales and such, would you recommend the SPD-SX Pro or the MPS-10?
After playing the MPS-10 at NAMM I liked the capability of the round robin samples for their natural sound and the idea of having a looper on a pad. I share your sentiments that the editing on the small screen is near impossible in a timely manner, the Korg computer ‘editor’ is very basic and not much can get done with it either. After being on e- mail with Korg Tech Support for months, my MPS -10 sits in the corner of my home studio with a small mixer plugged into its audio input. When I know I have several hours to waste, I turn it on, try to create a custom kit, become frustrated in the process and end up playing around with the factory kits and using it as a looper with the Korg WaveDrum and other sound sources plugged into the mixer. Any ‘real’ work gets done on my SPD-SX Pro’s with the computer editor. It takes me only minutes to make custom kits on the SDSX-Pro’s, hours on the MPS-10.
There was one unit at the Korg booth with a set of headphones among their synths for attendees to try out @@65Drums. I like Korg, I like my Korg WaveDrum, as it is a unique percussion instrument having a pickup and somewhat different sounds as the typical Roland and Alesis sounds heard everywhere. The interface and 2 digit window, not beeing able to backup any edits is also very user unfriendly. I also use a DrumKat with a Sampler, Sound Modules and VST's and all that is easy to edit. I was hoping to edit my own Kits on the MPS-10 after the Korg reps at NAMM told me there was an editor for it. But that editor misses basic features i. e auditioning sounds without having to assign them to a pad on the MPS-10 at first, it is as slow as the front panel, I have my MPS-10 for 8 months now, managed to make about 10 Kits only and have not been able to listen to all the on board sounds yet😀
I was wondering the same thing. The one thing I don't like about this off the bat is where the controls and display are located relative to the pads. I think it would be too easy to accidently hit this area when using it as a multi-pad add-on to an acoustic drum set.
Great review! I actually really enjoy mine and was able to snag it for $750. One issue I’m running into, though, is when I load a sample from the USB and assign it to a new category in the U:Root. For some reason, I can’t find it later when I try to apply that sound to a pad-it never shows up in the sample library. 🤷🏽♂️ Any ideas or does anyone have a walkthrough for this? Much appreciated!
It suspiciously looks as if Medeli made all the SPD-XS Pro, MPS-10, and Strike MultiPad. None of them look too desirable in person. But hey, it's a price range of a new iPhone. I'd definitely buy this instead of a new phone.
Medeli made the Strike Multipad, they're Alesis's manufacturing partner. But Roland doesn't use them to my knowledge and I don't think Korg does either. There's multiple edrum factories in China
@65Drums Medeli is now a prominent electronic instruments manufacturer, if not under its own name, then under other name brands. They are not just yet at the level of the Japanese brands, but they're getting close. I quote like the Alesis Strike Pro SE, or whatever them call it. But, I'd add $800 and get a Yamaha DTX8 set with TCS pads, to which the Korg multipad would be a nice addition. Anyway, I nearly ordered three red Dex Audio Alban pads with classic surface and XLR ins, but I didn't the button. The price did not include shipping from U.K. Also, not sure why I can order only three. I would need 4 or 5.
sounds to me like any stup id toy that has been around since the end of the 80s... to be fair, is a toy made by a very professional company, but that is it!
do serious musicians actually use these things? It looks like high-school electronics project or something george lucas dreamt up for the canteena scene in Star Wars.
Yup, they're everywhere. Sample pads are used in stadium level concerts, superbowl half time shows, gigs big and small. Everywhere you can think of except jazz concerts. A lot of times they're used to start and stop backing tracks. And auxiliary percussion sounds like 808's, claps, or specific things to match the album track. These usually aren't played by themselves, they're used along side an acoustic kit.
Good review. I owned one for a short bit...thought it was defective. I could not get soft hits to play, no matter what I did to the trigger settings. Which meant near zero dynamics. It's not 'playable'. I contacted Korg, and I also spoke with Erik about it too. I own(ed) an SPD SX Pro, Octapad, Nord Drum 3P, as a comparison and all of those are WAY more responsive. BUT, if/when Korg ever 'fixes' this lack of dynamics, via a firmware update, I'd gladly buy it (again)
About time a brand brought some innovation to this kind of product line!!
Great review, but I lost interest in ever buying one at the words "Thousand Dollars". At that price the Roland SPD-SX eats any lunch it could possibly bring.
If I was playing, that control panel would be trashed.
I was worried about that too initially. But for most people it shouldn't be a problem
Really poor design.
I actually like the layout but the lack of MIDI in is unfortunately a dealbreaker for my workflow. Kind of shocking they didn’t include it on a $1000 device. Thanks for the review and insights
I'm hoping some company will follow up on what the little Lekato drum set is, but make a pro level one that does samples and has a looper etc.
I love my Lekato set.
The snare is duel zone so I hooked my TD6 up to it, added my 10' hi hat on a stand got a kick pad and kick pedal, and clipped on 3 extra 1 zone cymbals with cord splitters for a little super set !!!!
Hehehehe
But it'd be nice if it was half and half.
A sample pad, and a mini drum set all in one !!!!
Now we're talkin !!!!
LOL
Thanks for another killer review Justin !!!
Always get excited when a new video of yerz pops up on my feed !!!
Have a great day !
😁👍
Best layout is the spd 30 octapad, now add 4 rounded pads on the top ! All the controls are off to the side and out the way.Sdly the pads need an update, if fact the whole thing needs an update!
I need the octapad but with sample import. Wish Roland would do that
Hi own one of this, and all that Justin says in this video is true! It has great sound quality, is a real solid unit, great looper feature, but 2 big issues: first one is the lack of dynamics of the pads, is a big problem for whom use to play soft on the pads... almost not playable! Second one, creating new kits is a nightmare, also with the software, which is not a proper application but a web app, when you create kits, you cannot hear any preview sounds, you have assign samples to the pads, save it, load the kit, and try directly on the pads... this is a total waste of time for me. Definitely needs important firmware and software updates!
I’m speaking for myself but there ain’t no way that control panel would make a couple of gigs with me playing I’d smash it bits with my accuracy I’m afraid it’s bad enough having it on the side with the Roland ! nice piece of kit though but it need a cover for excited live performances 👍
Alesis vs Roland is basically just picking your features, price point, and then go. With this, I think it's really promising but this is really one that I would have to sit with for a bit before I decided about the form factor. I could see that as a make or break
DAMN an I just spent $400+ on a DDRUM pad. hmm. Might have to re-think that one. (looks at the price at $1K ok maybe no lol) Not surprised, as Korg has been everywhere all the way back to my Korg T3. Their technology is the reason the Pearl eMerge exists, as the module and pads are KORG. Cheers!
Great review as always Justin!
I respect Korg, they are reputable, however for me this instrument was ergonomic no at first sight. I honestly thought “what were they thinking?”. The screen is right where I would naturally think of hitting. Also I would always be distracted trying to avoid inadvertently striking the $1000 control area. Come on guys … No!
My number one concern is, will the rubber pads give me tendonitis? I had the Roland SPX but I traded it for the Yamaha multi-dtx 12. Both those units the rubber pads were just too hard. I bought the Roland Hand-sonic and the rubber pads are designed to be played by - well, your hands so the rubber is very soft, but I use sticks on it, its a little difficult to hit the outer pads because they are so small, and I wonder how long its going to last beating on it with sticks, but at least it doesn't give me tendonitis's. Great review, but how are the pads compared to the Roland Hand-sonic-20? Thanks for posting.
I bought one and sold it after a week. It was very buggy but, to be fair it was UA-cam demo, beta version. I disliked the pad feel or hardness. It did some cool things right out of the box but, programming was a pain in the...If there were pads where the screen is with a flip down or remote screen, better pad feel, it would be worth the money. As is it's value is less than the asking price. The pads do clean up nice but, they are loud and hard.
Good review. Just enough to take the temptation away. It’s crazy that there’s still no sampler multipad that has full hihat functionality. The Spd-SX pro marketing was deceptive/confusing enough that I bought it in hopes that I could use use it as a quick compact self contained kit. Yet it also only has single closed sample /single open sample functionality.
I agree that Roland wasn't clear about what level of hi-hat functionality the pro had. I really wish they'd just combine the Octapad and the SPSX and just be done with it. But they insist on keeping separate lines
@@65Drums I’d even go a step further and go on to see the “pro” as an overdue standard model replacement & a true “pro” would have digital inputs, redundant electrical & USB + USB C and enough hardware flexibility and ports to allow for full hihat + simultaneous expression pedal use rather than having yo pick your loss per the current model.
I under the corporate desire for maximum profit but imagine if someone else comes along and delivers a product in the meantime that is a true pro live performance multipad that expanded on the fundamentals of the Spd-SX “pro” Efnote, GEWA; Korg, Zildjian. Or the way way way past due Yamaha offering? I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were Roland banking on another 11+ years of loyalty from us.
Thanks for this review Justin. I keep tossing around between buying this one or an SPD-SX Pro. I really like the looper function and I am mostly looking for a sample pad to complement my drums kit with percussive and electronic (808 & 909 for example) hits for certain covers. If both devices costs the same, with promotional sales and such, would you recommend the SPD-SX Pro or the MPS-10?
If the were both the same price? The SPDSX Pro
After playing the MPS-10 at NAMM I liked the capability of the round robin samples for their natural sound and the idea of having a looper on a pad. I share your sentiments that the editing on the small screen is near impossible in a timely manner, the Korg computer ‘editor’ is very basic and not much can get done with it either. After being on e- mail with Korg Tech Support for months, my MPS -10 sits in the corner of my home studio with a small mixer plugged into its audio input. When I know I have several hours to waste, I turn it on, try to create a custom kit, become frustrated in the process and end up playing around with the factory kits and using it as a looper with the Korg WaveDrum and other sound sources plugged into the mixer. Any ‘real’ work gets done on my SPD-SX Pro’s with the computer editor. It takes me only minutes to make custom kits on the SDSX-Pro’s, hours on the MPS-10.
They had this at NAMM? I guess I missed it then
There was one unit at the Korg booth with a set of headphones among their synths for attendees to try out @@65Drums. I like Korg, I like my Korg WaveDrum, as it is a unique percussion instrument having a pickup and somewhat different sounds as the typical Roland and Alesis sounds heard everywhere. The interface and 2 digit window, not beeing able to backup any edits is also very user unfriendly. I also use a DrumKat with a Sampler, Sound Modules and VST's and all that is easy to edit. I was hoping to edit my own Kits on the MPS-10 after the Korg reps at NAMM told me there was an editor for it. But that editor misses basic features i. e auditioning sounds without having to assign them to a pad on the MPS-10 at first, it is as slow as the front panel, I have my MPS-10 for 8 months now, managed to make about 10 Kits only and have not been able to listen to all the on board sounds yet😀
Hi. I can't hear the bass drum when you are explaining the hi hat+kick in min 4:00
The kick sound is there, but it comes across very quiet on a smaller speakers like a phone. And the hi-hat sound is just loud so it's masking it
@@65Drums hi sorry, I just hear it. Yeah the hi hat is a little loud, I had to use my headphones. Thanks for your videos I see every video you upload.
Any interest in looking at the Mandala V3 pads? I have one if you’d ever be interested in borrowing it for a video. It’s awesome!
I want one of those soooooo bad. Aren't they crazy expensive though?
@@DrummerGrrrl $650 for the pad
Does it come with a lid to protect the display area? (only asking because it looks like mounting thingies around the sides in the rubber....)
I was wondering the same thing. The one thing I don't like about this off the bat is where the controls and display are located relative to the pads. I think it would be too easy to accidently hit this area when using it as a multi-pad add-on to an acoustic drum set.
Great review! I actually really enjoy mine and was able to snag it for $750.
One issue I’m running into, though, is when I load a sample from the USB and assign it to a new category in the U:Root. For some reason, I can’t find it later when I try to apply that sound to a pad-it never shows up in the sample library. 🤷🏽♂️
Any ideas or does anyone have a walkthrough for this? Much appreciated!
Hi j please how do I use triggers on snare drum and bass drum? Thanks
It suspiciously looks as if Medeli made all the SPD-XS Pro, MPS-10, and Strike MultiPad. None of them look too desirable in person. But hey, it's a price range of a new iPhone. I'd definitely buy this instead of a new phone.
Medeli made the Strike Multipad, they're Alesis's manufacturing partner. But Roland doesn't use them to my knowledge and I don't think Korg does either. There's multiple edrum factories in China
@65Drums Medeli is now a prominent electronic instruments manufacturer, if not under its own name, then under other name brands. They are not just yet at the level of the Japanese brands, but they're getting close. I quote like the Alesis Strike Pro SE, or whatever them call it. But, I'd add $800 and get a Yamaha DTX8 set with TCS pads, to which the Korg multipad would be a nice addition. Anyway, I nearly ordered three red Dex Audio Alban pads with classic surface and XLR ins, but I didn't the button. The price did not include shipping from U.K. Also, not sure why I can order only three. I would need 4 or 5.
Been waiting on this review. The price point is a huge no-no for me.
$800 would have been a smarter price for Korg
sounds to me like any stup id toy that has been around since the end of the 80s... to be fair, is a toy made by a very professional company, but that is it!
Under an hour
If the setup isn't intuitive for JUSTIN, that's baaaad for the rest of us mere mortals.
I lost faith with Korg when the company phased out the Wavedrum. I mean, WHY??! Grrrrrr.
Looks awful
do serious musicians actually use these things? It looks like high-school electronics project or something george lucas dreamt up for the canteena scene in Star Wars.
Yup, they're everywhere. Sample pads are used in stadium level concerts, superbowl half time shows, gigs big and small. Everywhere you can think of except jazz concerts. A lot of times they're used to start and stop backing tracks. And auxiliary percussion sounds like 808's, claps, or specific things to match the album track. These usually aren't played by themselves, they're used along side an acoustic kit.