Roland Introduces HPD-15 HandSonic Hand Percussion Pad

HPD-15 HandSonic
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February 4, 1999 -- Roland is proud to bring its acclaimed V-drums electronic drum technology to the world of hand percussion with the HPD-15 "HandSonic" Hand Percussion Pad. Using this unique percussion multi-pad, percussionists can trigger amazing Roland drum sounds by hand. With a choice of 300 internal sounds playable from any of 15 pads—plus performance features like dual ribbon controllers, three realtime modifier knobs, and the radical D-Beam* controller—the HDP-15 is poised to set a new standard in electronic percussion.

Traditionally, electronic systems have treated acoustic percussion instruments (like conga drums) as static sounds to be played with sticks. The HPD-15 changes all that by emulating the unique performance characteristics of these instruments via a 10-inch rubber pad that can be played by hand. This pad is divided into 15 parts, permitting the simultaneous control of 15 sounds in addition to sounds controlled via pad and foot controller inputs. Thanks to its built-in pressure sensor, muting and pitch control is performed as it would be on an acoustic percussion instrument. The main pad also supports positional sensing, which can produce subtle changes in timbre based on the area of the pad struck.

The HDP-15 is loaded with a wide range of sounds from Latin-American countries, southeast Asia, China, India, the Middle East, Africa, and other countries from around the world. There are also a variety of electronic drum sounds and sound effects for an even wider palette. Users are free to add an array of outstanding digital effects, including dedicated Reverb and Multi-Effects processing, and store them to any of 80 User Patches. To give the percussionist an wider range of expression, the HDP-15 is equipped with an infrared light-sensing D-Beam controller, dual ribbon controllers, and three modifier knobs for realtime control of tone and pitch.

A metronome function and other preset patterns are included for training purposes and can be easily be adjusted to a comfortable tempo. A built-in sequencer is provided for recording User patterns. The HDP-15 features both MIDI In and Out for integration with a sequencer and other MIDI gear. Other connections include a stereo output, phones jack and footswitch jack. A dual-trigger input and expression/hi-hat control jack permit connection of a KD-Series kick trigger and FD-7 Hi-Hat Controller for creating a complete hand drum kit.

For more information, visit Roland on the web at www.rolandus.com.