Alesis

Reviews | Alesis SamplePad Pro
94
A
lesis’ previous SamplePad
had four pads that were
generously sized, but it
instantly left you wanting
more. Having doubled the pad count to
eight, the Pro edition may look similar
to the Roland SBX, but it comes in at
half the price. The name itself is slightly
erroneous as SamplePad Pro doesn’t
sample direct; the onboard capacity is
limited to around 200 sounds. Instead
it reads samples loaded onto an SD
card (max size 32GB).
Finished in the black with blue LED
associated with Alesis, the unit looks
neat and the layout is sensible with any
dials removed from the playing surface.
Instead they are located on the front
and rear sides. Alesis have actually
made it a bit too clutter-free. The menu
system would be easier to navigate with
the inclusion of a Yes/No type button, or
a Select/Exit set-up. Instead you have to
hit two buttons at the same time and
button sensitivity is such that you don’t
always do it correctly. This minor
annoyance aside, the menu is simple
and requires no diving for selecting kits
and swapping drum sounds. In fact, the
only things you’ll need to root around for
are the settings, saving kits and loading
samples onto the SD card.
Alesis have also bundled a free
sample pack of hits and loops – or
rather this is a free download from their
website. Regardless, you are treated to
nearly 500MB of sounds that are also
used across Alesis’ entire percussion
range. Loading new samples or loops
onto the SamplePad is very easy. With
the unit connected to the computer via
USB you just need the SD card inserted
and sample-load option selected; your
SD card will appear as normal in your
OS of choice. All sounds need to be
loaded onto the root of the card to be
read. Once you’re back on SamplePad,
you will need to set the sample location
to ‘card’ and you’re all set.
The SamplePad Pro features extra
trigger and pad inputs, so you can
expand it with two extra pads, Kick and
Hi-Hat triggers. There’s also MIDI I/O,
Aux in with volume control, and
Footswitch input for system control.
What struck me after using the Pro for
only a short while was how versatile it
could be in a live situation. Connecting
external gear is a doddle via MIDI; you’ll
just need to assign each pad to the
MIDI channel of choice. Using the extra
pad and trigger inputs you can connect
something like the EHX Clockworks to
sequence some polyrhythms and still
have the freedom to perform with the
pads. The playability of the pads is good
enough, but doesn’t feel as solid as the
Roland or Yamaha alternatives and is
quite hollow when hit with the stick,
feedback being a little on the dead side.
Pad sensitivity is tailored to a heavier
playing style, but it’s easy enough to
adjust to suit your style. Initially there
was also some accidental re-triggering
or ‘crosstalk’ between the shoulder pads
and the adjacent pads at low velocities,
but a firmware update seems to have
rectified the situation.
SamplePad Pro offers a versatile
solution for anyone looking to expand
their creative output, be it as a live tool
or in the studio. While its lightweight
chassis may not stand up to the rigours
of touring over time, its flexibility,
simplicity and price make for a good
all-round sampling tool. If you see it
more as an expressive sample player
and controller, then it has much more to
offer than just a beat machine.
Alesis SamplePad Pro | £220
Alesis’ new sampling instrument is here. Simon Arblaster checks it out to
see if it’s worth going Pro
WHAT is iT?
Eight-pad percussion and
sample-triggering module
ConTACT
Who: inMusic Brands
Tel: [phone]
Web: www.alesis.com
HiGHLiGHTs
1 Low price
2 Expandable
triggering options
3 Free bonus sample pack
speCs
8 isolated and responsive
rubber pads
2 additional drum pad
inputs: Kick Pedal input;
selectable switch or trigger
mode, Hi-Hat pedal input;
selectable switch or
variable mode
I/Os: MIDI In and Out, USB,
1/4” stereo outputs (L, R),
1/4” headphone output with
volume control, 1/8” stereo
aux input with level control,
System footswitch jack
VeRDiCT
BUILD
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VALUE
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EASE OF USE
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VERSATILITY
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RESULTS
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The SamplePad Pro is well priced
and it keeps your sampling and
triggering options open.
FMU292.rev_alesis.indd 94 4/21/15 3:17 PM