Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    I saw one briefly a couple of months ago; looked interesting enuf
    to catch my attention.  At a glance, looked to be less "toy-ish"
    and more sturdily designed than the DD-5.  Didn't get a chance to
    try it though ...
    
    pads weren't all that large (maybe 3.5" and 2.5" or so?)
    
    -Jim

Daddy's in Nashua has one.  Haven't sold it in six months.  It's very
solid and sturdy.  Nicely contoured for sitting in your lap, which is what it
is clearly designed for.  The pads ARE small.  $275.  Programmed rhythms only?
Everyone seems to thing the customers have no creativity.

	Eirikur

    It's shown in the latest catalog from Music Emporium.  They call
    it the Roland PAD-5 Handy Pad. Here's the blurb:
    
    The PAD-5 is a unique MIDI rhythm controller that incorporates a
    5-pad MIDI controller and a preset rhythm generator in a compact
    unit.  By combining it with a MIDI unit equipped with rhythm sound
    sources, such as the W-30, PRO-E, D-5/10/20, K-1 II, M-1, etc. it
    provides a cost effective, intuitive means of creating rhythm tracks.
    Plus the PAD-5 includes 14 preset rhythm patterns covering a variety
    of musical styles.
    
    Their price: $225

    In the photo it shows 3 larger pads (although not very big, maybe
    3-5") and two pads which are about half the size.
    

    re .2 - Everyone (the manufacturers) thinks customers have no
    creativity because that's what they've learned from their marketing
    studies.  There're more people out there with money who don't know
    what they're doing than there are people with money who do know what
    they're doing.  Why else would a machine like the R-8 come with 32
    predefined (in ROM!) rhythm patterns?
    
    len.
      

    Does your drum controller have to be new?  I bought a Simmons
    Porta-Kit that someone had traded in at Guitar Center for $300. It's
    got more capability than I'm likely to need for awhile. Lots of pads,
    jacks for external pads & pedals, built-in sequencer, MIDI continuous
    controller capability on one of the pads (I'm using it for pitch bend
    on the output of my PF-85), multiple pad configurations & response
    curves which can be called up from the front panel (and probably via
    MIDI, as well).  Maybe you can find a used one in your neck of the
    woods.  I actually like it better than the Octapad I futzed with in
    another store. Seems like one of these would be ideal for the HR-16
    owner concerned about pounding on the box... 

    I'm not up to doing a full blown review, but if anyone's interested I
    could post some more details. 

    
    I was down at Union Music in Worcester today and saw the PAD-5 there. 
    Surprise!!!  $120....no joke.  Guess it's not moving.  I peeked at the
    manual and asked Jeff a couple of questions about it.  The dope
    follows:
    
    1. Runs on batteries *only*, no AC adaptor socket!!!  Roland thoughtfully
    added an automatic shut-off if you don't touch anything for a few
    minutes.
    
    2. Runs on channel 10 *only*.  It just so happens that the note
    assignments are *fixed*!!!  The pads can be assigned to any of about 30
    drum sound note assignments, which are listed in the manual.  Of
    course, the note assignments match up to the MT-32, D-110, W-30, etc. 
    With plenty of instruments selectable, you could probably come to grips
    with most non-Roland SGUs, but check that chart before you buy!!!
    
    3. Definitely smaller and sturdier than the DD-5.  It is not
    rectangular, but has a curved shape, which according to cartoons in the
    manual make it easily hand-held, or lap-mounted.  
    
    							Brian

    re: .4
    
    Yeah.  Then, there's my class:  people with no money who know what
    they're doing.  *sigh*
    
    Steve

    
    Hey, guys this might be the real thing (excerpt from a Daddy's flyer):
    
    "In the footsteps of the PAD-8 (do they mean PAD-5?) comes Roland's new
    total percussion pad, the SPD-8, a midi control and drum pad for
    drummers who need a compact, easy to use machine. *40* high-quality
    sounds are part of the SPD-8 package, along with *32* patches that can
    be stored in memory.
    
    When used with the optional DP-2 damper switch (this is a simple
    momentary footswitch), you can trigger sounds like a kick drum (all
    right!!!) or high hat (how about both...might be too much to ask for),
    or change patches in mid-performance.  A mixing cirucit is provided
    with the SPD-8 for mixing built-in and external sound sources
    (play-along feature?).  A mini stereo headphone is also provided for
    practicing or recording in privacy (this suggests el cheapo, since pro
    gear usually has 1/4" phone jacks)."
    
    No price or availability mentioned.  Stay tuned.

    The PAD-8 is the original OCTApad; the PAD-80 is its successor.  Don't
    know of any PAD-5.  The PAD-8 and PAD-80 were controllers only; no
    onboard sounds.
    
    len.
    

Len,

The PAD-5 is the little table top thing in grey.

Chad

    
    > Don't know of any PAD-5.  
    
    > len.
    
    Hey, Len, check out note titles much???  8^)  8^)  8^)
    
    						Brian

	If it's over $250, look for a used Simmons Porta-Kit.  No
	on-board sounds (except the metronome), but do you really think
	Roland is going to put good sounds in a cheap drum pad? 

    Titles?  Notes have titles?  What a concept!
    
    BTW, the PAD-8 is grey, and I suspect the PAD-80 is too.  Does the
    PAD-5 have 5 pads?  Maybe I should go back and read the base note...
    
    len (out of touch).
    

    Oh, if only one of these manufacturers would make a MIDI drum pad setup
    with 8 pads, a footpedal, and NO internal voices, with programmable and
    saveable (is that a word?) pad to note assignments.  For under $300.
    
    repeat after me: I HAVE drum sounds, and I don't want yours !
    
    karl

>    BTW, the PAD-8 is grey, and I suspect the PAD-80 is too.  Does the
>    PAD-5 have 5 pads?  Maybe I should go back and read the base note...

:-)   The key point was the small and grey.

Chad

	"I *have* drums sounds, and I don't want yours."

>        <<< Note 2215.14 by SALSA::MOELLER "Live from Buzzard Beach" >>>
>               -< if fishes were wishes the sea would come true >-
>
>    Oh, if only one of these manufacturers would make a MIDI drum pad setup
>    with 8 pads, a footpedal, and NO internal voices, with programmable and
>    saveable (is that a word?) pad to note assignments.  For under $300.







	I don't get it...Is Simmons a bad word?  The Porta-Kit has 14
	pads, jacks for plugging in a kick bass pad, hi-hat foot switch,
	and several replacement pads for the onboard pads.  Pad to note
	assignments are completely flexible, and multiple setups can be
	stored in on-board non-volatile RAM.  I don't know if they're
	still in production, but I got mine used for $300 at Guitar
	Center, which means that if you check the want-ads you can
	probably find one for under $300 in your area. 

   <<< Note 2215.17 by SWAV1::STEWART "As a matter of fact, it's all dark" >>>
                        -< What's wrong with Simmons? >-
>	I don't get it...Is Simmons a bad word?  The Porta-Kit has 14
>	pads, jacks for plugging in a kick bass pad, hi-hat foot switch,
    
    Well, I didn't KNOW ABOUT this product - my concept of Simmons is that
    they have those old 'doosh-doosh' (thanks RON!) sounds INTERNAL, and
    that they require some kinda drum brain to do hits-to-MIDI conversion.
    I don't WANT their sounds, and I want pure MIDI out - is that what the
    Porta-Kit does ?
    
    thanks, karl

>    Well, I didn't KNOW ABOUT this product - my concept of Simmons is that
>    they have those old 'doosh-doosh' (thanks RON!) sounds INTERNAL, and
>    that they require some kinda drum brain to do hits-to-MIDI conversion.
>    I don't WANT their sounds, and I want pure MIDI out - is that what the
>    Porta-Kit does ?

	It's pure MIDI, like I said earlier, the only noise it makes is the
	metronome/keyclick beep.  It has no other SGUs.

    RE:  STEWART
    
    	So, post an in depth review, ehh??  How big, nice pads, no cross
    bleed, how many external inputs, etc.?  Please??
    
    Mike

    Sorry.  Found it.
    
    Mike