How to Upload Sounds to the Octapad

April 13, 2022 Post a Comment

This article is just a short how-to to help you sympathise how to apply your Roland Octapad SPD-30 to trigger samples, map MIDI to almost any feature in your DAW, and sync the onboard clock for perfectly timed phrase looping. I've been asked this question quite a few times and then I think information technology'due south time to clear it upward!

Annotation: The Roland Octapad SPD-30 does non allow for the internal storage of custom samples. If yous want to utilise the Roland octapad equally a standalone device and then you tin only use on-board sounds.

However, you lot can externally trigger the custom samples via MIDI. In this case we're going to use a laptop to trigger the custom samples.

Annotation: If you really desire to trigger custom samples every bit function of a standalone unit then check out the Roland SPD-SX instead.

Cables Required

I recommend using the USB MIDI connection on the Back LEFT of the octapad – for this, you will need a USB Type A to USB Blazon B cable and connect it straight to your estimator.

Alternatively, yous can use the MIDI OUT and go a MIDI-to-USB converter which tin can be connected straight to your estimator.

We're going to employ a first method in this instance:

Connecting Octapad to a Calculator DAW

A DAW (Digital audio workstation) is what music makers employ to record, mix, conform, and primary music. Ableton Alive is a perfect ane to employ for this. You can download Ableton Live Light for free, which includes drum racks.

Instance: Triggering an Ableton Pulsate Rack with your Octapad

Connect the USB MIDI cable to your computer
Your calculator should automatically recognize the Octapad (if you are using windows, and information technology does not piece of work and so cheque your drivers)
Open up up your DAW (Ableton Alive in this case)
Go the preferences screen -> Link MIDI and detect Input: Roland SPD (or similar selection)
Ensure that Runway, Sync, and Remote are marked as on (Track allows information technology to send and receive MIDI notes, Sync allows it to sync its metronome, Remote allows it to create MIDI mappings)
Create a MIDI runway and set the 'MIDI From' input to 'Roland SPD' or similar pick.
Change the Monitor to 'In' (Or alter the monitor to 'Auto' and arm the record button on the track).
Drag a drum rack onto your MIDI channel
Each of the samples on your pulsate rack correspond to a annotation that you can trigger via midi. For example, the kicking in the example above is a C1 note.
On your Octapad, get to your first kit and click MIDI > MIDI > Notation
Alter the values of each of the pads (using the right two knobs on your Octapad) so that they represent to the notes that you want to trigger on your pulsate rack in Ableton. Please notation that some pads may be set up every bit triggering different samples depending on the velocity that you strike the pad, if and so, you could merely map both of these to the same MIDI annotation. It tin be a bit tedious at first to get this right. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to switch MIDI notes for kits very quickly whenever you need to.
Hit your Octapad should now trigger your drum rack (If you can't hear anything: Make certain the track is enabled, volume is on, master book is on, and no tracks are solo'd. If yous're unsure if the MIDI indicate is reaching Ableton, check if a piddling xanthous icon is flashing upwards with your MIDI hits at the peak right corner of the screen next to the D push).

Example: Using MIDI Map functions

Instead of triggering a pulsate rack, you could also map any of your pads to practically whatsoever office you want within your DAW.

Notation: The 'Remote' choice must be switched on in your Ableton Preferences -> Link MIDI for this to work.

For example, in Ableton Alive:

Click on the 'MIDI' button at the tiptop right of the screen. The MIDI mappings panel will bear witness up at the left hand side of the screen.
You lot can and then map your pad with any many functions in the DAW by clicking on the panel/knob/button within Ableton and also physically hit your Octapad. If successful, you volition see a new row announced in the MIDI mappings.

This video explains MIDI mapping in more detail:

Instance: Syncing Metronome with Octapad Phrase Looping

Note: The 'sync' option must exist switched on in your Ableton Preferences -> Link MIDI for this to work.

Go to the Octapad Menu
Become to System
Go to the MIDI tab
Change the MIDI Sync to USB
Connect the USB to your computer
Turn your Octapad Off and On if it'southward not getting recognized
Start a phrase loop on your Octapad. The Metronome timing should say 'USB' instead of showing up a specific BPM. If you see a number for the BPM, then the midi sync is not working.

This article explains two possible ways that you tin can trigger samples and other features within your DAW using your Roland Octapad SPD-xxx.

Check out our commodity on recording electronic drums if you would like to notice out more about the Audio and midi recording options for east-drums. If you're on the lookout for an electronic drum pad then check out our detailed guide on that.

If you have whatever questions, be sure to inquire below in the comments section.

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Source: https://www.electronicdrumadvisor.com/how-to-trigger-samples-map-midi-sync-roland-octapad-spd-30/