You are a life saver, Tim! This is all really new to me and I find It's so easy to get lost in all the terms and equipment. Thanks for sticking to simplicity! I can't wait to try this out live
Thank you for this video. I' ve been asking around on this topic and no one seems to want to give me any insight. Your tutorial has given me insight on how to run my click track. I'm new and am still learning. Thanks!
The video is awesome, but I'm using the SPD-SX also for my in ear monitors, what I'm doing is having all instruments back to the sampler via the Audio IN and then mixing it inside the SPD-SX. I have the click track routed to the headphones and backing tracks going to the mains L and R. This eliminates the need of external mixer and simplifies things. Click is on one pad, backing track is on another. Both pads are linked so they play together. I hope this is helpful to anyone.
How do you do this without creating a massive feedback loop. I routed my main out on the spd sx to the mixer and then brought the main out of the mixer to the audio in of the spd sx. It made the most ear splitting horrible noise
Thanks for the video. I route the internal click to the headphones out on the SPD-SX Backing track I route to Sub Out in stereo and to headphones out Samples to the Main Out in stereo and also to headphones out The SPD headhones out goes to two line channels on my small Yamaha mixer trough stereo jack to two mono jacks “Y” cable, trough that I monitor everything on the SPD-SX. To that mixer I also get XLR stereo feed with the monitor feed of my drums and band to the in-ears. FOH gets the backing tracks trough DI boxes in stereo and the samples also trough DI in stereo.
Yep. That is a great option as well. Like I said, there are a TON of ways to do it. Honestly, I wish I had covered your scenario you describe here in the video. I avoid monitoring from the headphone jack since it just sends everything down it and you loose the control, but this set up is a great one and I should have shown people an option for using the headphone jack. Guess I'll have to make another video! haha
SPD-SX set up: click track, backing tracks and samples A. In the SPD-SX, choose which output click tracks and click track .wav files A1. For click track .wav files, choose sub out A2. For click track: Menu, system, click track, sub out B1. Route samples hard left in master output C1. Route backing tracks to hard right in master output Scenario 1: Rely on front of house to provide mix A. Run click track from SPD-SX Sub Out via 1/4" cable into first or second input on mixer board via 1/4" cable B. Run master output from SPD-SX via 1/4" cables to DI box and send to front of house via XLR B1. Now front of house can send to audience & monitors C1. Ask front of house to return an XLR cable containing a mix of what they're doing C2. Run mix into first or second input on mixer board D. There are now two inputs on the mixer: click track and front of house mix. Their volumes can be controlled independently. E. Ask front of house to increase individual levels as needed F. Listen to mix through headphone output of mixer Scenario 2: Making everything happen yourself (small clubs) Run everything through board before sending to front of house A. Run click track from SPD-SX Sub Out into first or second input on mixer board via 1/4" cable B. Run master outputs from SPD-SX to mixer via 1/4" cables to inputs 3 & 4 B2. Use main faders to decide how much is needed for headphone mix C1. Turn up FX Send on Inputs containing samples & backing tracks C. 1/4" out of FX send to DI box and send to front of house via XLR D. There are now three inputs on the mixer: click track, backing tracks and samples D1. Do not put click track to FX Send or else the audience will hear it E. Increase individual levels for front of house on mixer as needed F. Listen to mix through headphone output of mixer Please let me know if of that wrong. Going to try this set up tomorrow.
Really helpful video! The drummer in my band has an SPDSX and I’ve just made click tracks for us to play to. Is it possible to be able to send click and samples through the left and right out respectively (as the band are on ears too so need click) and can just the click be monitored through the headphones on the SPDSX, or would it need to be mixed by FOH and sent back to the Roland to the drummers ears? Thanks!
If your drummer is triggering the click tracks for your songs by striking a pad, you could have your drummer assign the click tracks to a specific pad on his SPD kits, and have that pad's sound always routed through the sub output channels (L and R). Sub output channels could be sent to FoH which could then be routed back to each person needing the click. If only the drummer needs the click, he could send the sub output to a headphone mixer he uses to get the click. Sending the click track through the sub output channels allows you to isolate the click from everything else routed through the main output channels. Hope that helps!
Great vid Tim, this content is even useful for those with non-Roland sample pads. Not sure if you have a separate video on this, but can you recommend volume levels to set on individual pads when making a full kit (kick, snare, HH, toms, cymbals, etc.) on the SPD-SX for use in live gigs to replace a drum kit? I am struggling with making sure there is a good balance of pad volumes through the FOH system, much like you can accomplish on real drums when you are mic'd up. Thanks!!
Why would you depend on FOH or monitor engineer to hear yourself? Just send all your outputs (click, samples, backing tracks) to FOH using direct boxes with parallel outs. Then connect each parallel out to a channel on your own outboard mixer, along with whatever monitor mix you need from FOH or monitor engineer to listen to the rest of the band. BAM, done! Your end up with 4 individual channels on your mixer that you can mix to your liking: click, samples, backing tracks, monitor mix
A lot of acts tour with their own FOH (who also runs ears for the band) or their own monitor engineer and they are there specifically for mixing people’s ears.
I upgraded, No regrets, The pro feels way better to play on and it feels like more sensitivity. I feel way more organized and the screen makes the unit incredibly more user friendly and intuitive. The playability of the top row pads is night and day. And athough you like your gaffa tape. I hated it, once you get used to what your lights are telling you and the extra visual onboard information you get from the lights, it's hard to ever want to use gaffa tape again. To each their own. I am sure if Roland gave you one, which I think they should, You would have a different opinion about upgrading.
Hi Tim - firstly, love the channel - can I ask if FOH are sending a mix of the rest of the band in both scenarios - what output on the FOH mixer are they sending from to the drum monitor with an XLR. And if I'm sending from FX send my samples and tracks - what does that plug into on the FOH desk? Apologies - but I'm new to all this and don't get time to experiment with the PA enough.
Hi Tim.. I'm spdsx user also.. your videos really helps me a lot.. Question.. were can I download new drum kit? can use any computer or celfone to download and put it in my spdsx?
Hey Tim, Thanks for the lay out, please let me tell you how i use the SPD-SX with my Behringer 802 mixer: Master out left/right to the f.o.h. ( via D.I. box) F.O.H. can do whatever he wants with it, usualy send it to my other bandmembers offcourse! F.O.H does NOT return the signal to me! I get to hear the SPD-SX through the headphones-output, directly and including the metronome sound ! The other bandmembers do not get the metronome signal, since i am the drummer and decide the tempo/bpm !(We only work with backingtracks and some samples or loops, we don't use a clicktrack! ) So, Behringer 802 mixer, input 1&2 (left/right) are used to return the other bandmembers as my personal monitor-mix , then i use one of the stereo inputs on the 802 to hear the SPD-SX separately from the returned monitor sound. This way i can adjust the volume of both the returned monitor signal as the SPD-SX signal separate from eachother. Anyway, so many ways to connect your SPD-SX, the above is how we use it in our band! keep up the good work, your tutorials are very helpfull !
Thanks Tim. Just wondering how you find the Behringer 802 mixer in a live context? Read some negative reviews regarding the sensitivity of the power cable (falling out and disconnecting) and also the mixer getting hot when in use and generating quite a bit of hiss. I like the price but am thinking of something different.
I would agree with all of that except the power cable. Never had an issue with that. But it definitely has some noise with it and I had one of the XLR ports die on me recently. However, my unit is almost 10 years old. So for $60 or whatever I paid for it, it really doesn't owe me anything haha.
Really useful video Tim! Question, instead of routing spd master out L/R straight to your 802 mixer and using FX to FOH, isn’t it better to route spd master L/R to a DI Box that has a Thru and from there back to your 802 mixer? In this setup the SPD master L/R go from the DI box to FOH and they can control the volume levels for FOH and you just need to worry about your own mix. Curious to hear your thoughts!
Jasper - that is a great way to do it too! Truthfully there are THOUSANDS of solutions. All just depends on what gear you have. If you have a DI that has a THRU sending stuff to the DI first makes way more sense, like you are saying.
Thanks Tim, really like your videos! Do you have a video about how to mix your backing tracks for live use in Ableton? I have difficulties getting the right volume level for different tracks where I use a lot of lows and claps in my backing tracks... any tips on how to approach this? And what about effects on the backing track? Should they be completely dry so FOH can add effects and you avoid effect on effect? Thx!
Thank you so much for this video! I have a question though. If I am deciding to follow your last suggestion and control everything in the mixer prior to sending it to front of house, where do you suggest throwing the DI box in the chain? Should it still be between the output of the SPD and the mixer, or from the line out of the mixer to front of house?
Great video, thanks :D just one question: if you're doing a session for an artist and he/she gave you a STEREO backingtrack to put in the SPD, aren't you losing the stereo effect at FOH (for the audience) because of panning the track hard right?
Joshua Ongenae so in the case of running a stereo track out the left output (labeled “mono” on the back of the SPD) - you definitely loose the stereo effect because the SPD forces all that I do through one channel. Stereo will add a lot of space and depth to the FOH mix but sometimes it isn’t possible or makes it more complicated than necessary.
Dude, this was super helpful! When you say backing tracks and click... are you referring to tracks saved on your Roland through an SD or USB drive? Or do you play with tracks and click set up in Abelton and the spdx is a controller for what you have set up in any DAW?
In this video, tracks and click are coming from the actual SPD-SX. They are loaded on as .wav files and playing from the pad. I have a whole course on running tracks with Ableton (as it is actually my preferred way of running tracks). To check that out (if you are interested) you can go to timbuellmusic(dot)com/ableton. I also have a few other videos on the channel about Ableton you can watch before you check out the course.
Hi Tim, how are you? i am using the SPD SX for some time and it is a great tool on stage and in studio. i usually used the built-in click track up to now, but now i want to import my own click track and sync it with the internal click of the Roland SPD-SX. but: it is out of sync, it is slowlier and you can also hear it through the deeper tone of the tamborine... Turning off tempo sync via pad settings did not succeed. any ideas? appreciate your help greetings from Germany , Björn
Wouldn't it make more sense to run the backing track to the sub out and collapse click and samples to mono, since the click is mono anyways? In your solution, you're sending the (mono) click track to your only stereo output.
Yep! I believe you are right. I would assume most people running backing tracks on an SPD with click and samples probably aren't worried about stereo tracks at front of house. BUT. You are absolutely correct that is likely the best way to get stereo tracks in the mix. I always forget that the SPD-SX doesn't treat the subouts the same way as the main outs.
Hey Tim, thanks for all the awesome videos! I have a question about using a pad in loop mode. Is there a way to make it snap to a grid? It makes me nervous that if the loop pad gets hit slightly out of time, that could be trouble. Thanks!
Tim Buell Hi Tim, would you need to pan the tracks within logic? Or within the Spd? I’ve tried it and everything works well in the phones my worry is the fx send being just left or right when sending to the front of house or will they just basically get a mono through a DI. Cheers mate, love the videos such a huge help.
Here, the click wav file and the track wav file are separate mono wavs that you are "linking" together on the SPD. Once you do that, you still need to pan them on the SPD to get the isolation for when you send it out the SPD-SX. If that makes any sense haha.
Hi Mate, thanks 4 your useful videos, can U help me, I have a tv show gig and I play drums on SPD SX,sending pad sounds to aux in on DJ console(loops from DJ console too). I wanna hear click on booth speaker near me but U cannot send clicks to subout and also the pads sounds to the sub out... Is there any solution so I can send pads sounds without click to aux in on my dj console and also hear pads sounds both with clicks on my booth monitor?🙏
I would try actually printing a click track as a .wav from your DAW of choice and then load that onto your SPD-SX. That will mean your click is actually a sample on your SPD that you will have more control over how you can route it as the built-in click on the SPD has limitations with how you can route it. Hope that helps!
@@TimBuell Thanks a lot Tim. So you meant I should trigger CLICK.wav with some pad and route it to sub out only? not a bad idea, only I need all 9 pads on my performance, but in worst scenario, I will just hear clicks from my headphones (but not looks so good)
Great vid. Tim I was wondering when you are routing the samples and tracks in channels 3 & 6- are you putting them in the 'right' channel or the 'left channel because its mono? Or is one right one left in channels 3&6? thanks man for the great vids and lessons.
Hey, I have an Alesis SampelPad that I use instead. I want to use my pad to run through Ableton and have drum racks preset so I can change samples from one song to the next, and also have click tracks inside Ableton (no backing tracks at all). How would you suggest best running this live, so I still get clicks and monitoring to my ears? I have a Behringer UMC204HD interface, and a Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer.
Hey! I would suggest running the pad into Ableton using MIDI - in Ableton you can control the pad with MIDI and set up different MIDI commands and all kinds of things. I actually have a full course that teaches this at timbuellmusic(dot)com/ableton
Hi Tim, I’m using your routing now (samples masterout LEFT, backing tracks Masterout RIGHT, Click sample SUB OUT). Now i would actually like to pan the click sample hard LEFT on SUB OUT so I have my SUB OUT LEFT as another free channel, but I cant get the panning to work somehow on this particular Sub out, like it does work for masterout. Any clue? Thx!
I think the biggest difference is the amount of internal storage. I've never run out of space, especially because you can back up the entire SPD-SX and rotate out kits for different gigs with a simple USB flash drive.
Tim, THANK YOU for this video as I've been struggling with this situation. Lmk if you can assist with my current roadblock: I have Pad 1 (backing tracks) and 2 (click tracks) linked so they start at the same time. I have click assigned to Sub Out, Pad 1 (which would ideally JUST be backing track) assigned to Phones Only and My full sample sounds coming out of Master output all going into a small mixer for me to mix then send to FOH through FX. The problem is that because Pad 1 and 2 are linked, I can't figure out a way to separate out JUST the backing track without the click that's linked. PLEASE advise- thanks so much!
I have you answer! in the kit Go to system - Audio in/out - FX2 Make sure that FX2 is select to master. & Audio in is master as well. Go back to MENU and select the kit option. Go to OUTPUT and route PAD 1 (Backing track only) to Kit FX2 - NOT MASTER OUT Route pad 2 (Clicks) to Sub out. Side not make sure your Kit FX2 is acting as a thru. This work but unfornately you can put effects from the SPD on your tracks, it will all have to be done pre importing onto SPD. sorry this comes a year late
Yes! But this is only necessary if you intend on using the sample pad with more than 2 outputs your sending to front of house. If you don't pan the sample then you will hear it in the left and right channel and you won't get the isolation desired.
Hi Tim. Is the fx send and the fader meant to be completely separate? I ask this because when trying raise the volume of my samples in my headphones via the fader, I'm noticing that the volume of the samples is also rising in the PA speakers
Sorry to hear that. Have you made sure to pan everything as well? Anything you want to only come out Master Out L needs to be routed there and then panned all the way Left.
Is it possible to monitor VIA the Spd-sx? Can I change the line from my wedge to go directly into the Spd input and have mix that way ? Rather than having the external mixer?
It isn't. The line input for the Roland is meant for the sampling capacities of the unit and isn't really built to do that. Even if it were, you are super limited to the ways you can split the audio and monitor the audio by running everything through the Roland. I know it is a pain to save up and buy a separate mixer - but it is a worth while investment.
@@TimBuell Thank you Tim. Its for my drummer I was curious more than anything I had seen your other video with the mixer and agree thats the best way. Thank you for your reply!!
@@erikvosmeijer6346 I had actually seen your video around the same time I commented this. Would this work in a full band on stage set up ? Feed bass, Vocals etc through ?
Great question. In that case, you can use the "sub out" for mono click and mono samples, and then the "main out" as stereo output for tracks. If you are just going to run things into your mixer and use the FX Out to send to FOH, you will be forcing everything to mono. So, ideally, you either go out of the SPD with your stereo tracks into two DIs and then send to FOH and they send the signal back to your mixer in your main mix your are getting from FOH. It def gets more complicated when you start running things in stereo. That is where a more powerful mixer, with more outputs and aux sends, will make things much easier.
Phone out gives you a little less flexibility to monitor and change volumes on the fly for your own mix. It also doesn't allow you to get a full mix of everyone on stage into your in-ears, since that has to come from FOH or monitor world. That said, there are times where I will just run everything out headphones for how easy and quick it is. Just depends on what level of monitoring you want, and how much flexibility and control you want.
My headphone socket started to fail on the SPD, intermittent volume loss and left channel dropping out. I`ve read that this is common, anyone else had this...?
Update on the problem. When disassembling the SPD, which is quite easy, see You Tube. Splitting the two halves requires you to unplug two wide multifax cables. One of these flat cables is the culprit, so by unplugging and carefully reattaching it, somehow resolves the connection. Should the problem reoccur then I'm planning to use a glue gun to stop it vibrating loose. The symptoms are a decrease in volume, left headphone channel, which temporarily comes and goes depending on where you hit the pad.
@@TimBuell I would love to see this! Recently bought the SPD-SX and a Xenyx 802 mixer... I want to know where each cable needs to go and also is there a quicker way to change "Dynamics" settings on sample pads than constantly having to go to each pad and go into settings and turn off Dynamics etc etc
@@ned2one There isn't a quicker way that I know of. And I actually leave them off. I have found that pretty much ever engineer I've ever worked with just hates the dynamics as what the pad sounds like in in-ears might be VERY different than on stage. So I just disable them on every kit I use.
You are a life saver, Tim! This is all really new to me and I find It's so easy to get lost in all the terms and equipment. Thanks for sticking to simplicity! I can't wait to try this out live
So glad to hear that!
Thank you for this video. I' ve been asking around on this topic and no one seems to want to give me any insight. Your tutorial has given me insight on how to run my click track. I'm new and am still learning. Thanks!
The video is awesome, but I'm using the SPD-SX also for my in ear monitors, what I'm doing is having all instruments back to the sampler via the Audio IN and then mixing it inside the SPD-SX. I have the click track routed to the headphones and backing tracks going to the mains L and R. This eliminates the need of external mixer and simplifies things. Click is on one pad, backing track is on another. Both pads are linked so they play together. I hope this is helpful to anyone.
I thought i saw two pads going off as one in another vid. Nice thanks
Work like this too, just take the monitor out of FOH to input into the spdsx. Now thinking whether to put a DI in between to improve the signal.
So you upload your own click instead of the one built into the SPD?
How do you do this without creating a massive feedback loop. I routed my main out on the spd sx to the mixer and then brought the main out of the mixer to the audio in of the spd sx. It made the most ear splitting horrible noise
Thanks for the video.
I route the internal click to the headphones out on the SPD-SX
Backing track I route to Sub Out in stereo and to headphones out
Samples to the Main Out in stereo and also to headphones out
The SPD headhones out goes to two line channels on my small Yamaha mixer trough
stereo jack to two mono jacks “Y” cable, trough that I monitor everything on the SPD-SX. To that mixer I also get XLR stereo feed with the monitor feed of my drums and band to the in-ears.
FOH gets the backing tracks trough DI boxes in stereo and the samples also trough DI in stereo.
Yep. That is a great option as well. Like I said, there are a TON of ways to do it. Honestly, I wish I had covered your scenario you describe here in the video. I avoid monitoring from the headphone jack since it just sends everything down it and you loose the control, but this set up is a great one and I should have shown people an option for using the headphone jack.
Guess I'll have to make another video! haha
these spd-sx tutorials are invaluable!!!! thank you so much!!!
Glad to hear it! Thanks for checking them out.
SPD-SX set up: click track, backing tracks and samples
A. In the SPD-SX, choose which output click tracks and click track .wav files
A1. For click track .wav files, choose sub out
A2. For click track: Menu, system, click track, sub out
B1. Route samples hard left in master output
C1. Route backing tracks to hard right in master output
Scenario 1: Rely on front of house to provide mix
A. Run click track from SPD-SX Sub Out via 1/4" cable into first or second input on mixer board via 1/4" cable
B. Run master output from SPD-SX via 1/4" cables to DI box and send to front of house via XLR
B1. Now front of house can send to audience & monitors
C1. Ask front of house to return an XLR cable containing a mix of what they're doing
C2. Run mix into first or second input on mixer board
D. There are now two inputs on the mixer: click track and front of house mix. Their volumes can be controlled independently.
E. Ask front of house to increase individual levels as needed
F. Listen to mix through headphone output of mixer
Scenario 2: Making everything happen yourself (small clubs)
Run everything through board before sending to front of house
A. Run click track from SPD-SX Sub Out into first or second input on mixer board via 1/4" cable
B. Run master outputs from SPD-SX to mixer via 1/4" cables to inputs 3 & 4
B2. Use main faders to decide how much is needed for headphone mix
C1. Turn up FX Send on Inputs containing samples & backing tracks
C. 1/4" out of FX send to DI box and send to front of house via XLR
D. There are now three inputs on the mixer: click track, backing tracks and samples
D1. Do not put click track to FX Send or else the audience will hear it
E. Increase individual levels for front of house on mixer as needed
F. Listen to mix through headphone output of mixer
Please let me know if of that wrong. Going to try this set up tomorrow.
Brilliant - thanks this is exactly what I was looking for! Namaste hands to you sir!
Yes, THANK YOU for posting! In the process of dialing this in rn!
Thank YOU for watching. Glad you enjoyed!
Really helpful video! The drummer in my band has an SPDSX and I’ve just made click tracks for us to play to. Is it possible to be able to send click and samples through the left and right out respectively (as the band are on ears too so need click) and can just the click be monitored through the headphones on the SPDSX, or would it need to be mixed by FOH and sent back to the Roland to the drummers ears? Thanks!
If your drummer is triggering the click tracks for your songs by striking a pad, you could have your drummer assign the click tracks to a specific pad on his SPD kits, and have that pad's sound always routed through the sub output channels (L and R). Sub output channels could be sent to FoH which could then be routed back to each person needing the click. If only the drummer needs the click, he could send the sub output to a headphone mixer he uses to get the click. Sending the click track through the sub output channels allows you to isolate the click from everything else routed through the main output channels. Hope that helps!
Great man! Thanks from Sweden 🇸🇪
Thanks for watching!
Beautifully explained...great solution. Thanks a lot for your time. Experience means a lot.
So glad it helped! Thanks for watching.
I've been searching for stuff like this for a looong time! thank you! it is perfect!
Tim- How about hearing a click in your ears while running a loop live on the SPD-S? The older model
Great video as always, Tim!
Thanks so much Lucas!
Great vid Tim, this content is even useful for those with non-Roland sample pads. Not sure if you have a separate video on this, but can you recommend volume levels to set on individual pads when making a full kit (kick, snare, HH, toms, cymbals, etc.) on the SPD-SX for use in live gigs to replace a drum kit? I am struggling with making sure there is a good balance of pad volumes through the FOH system, much like you can accomplish on real drums when you are mic'd up. Thanks!!
Very helpful info for me
Glad to hear that!
Why would you depend on FOH or monitor engineer to hear yourself? Just send all your outputs (click, samples, backing tracks) to FOH using direct boxes with parallel outs. Then connect each parallel out to a channel on your own outboard mixer, along with whatever monitor mix you need from FOH or monitor engineer to listen to the rest of the band. BAM, done! Your end up with 4 individual channels on your mixer that you can mix to your liking: click, samples, backing tracks, monitor mix
A lot of acts tour with their own FOH (who also runs ears for the band) or their own monitor engineer and they are there specifically for mixing people’s ears.
This was a great video! Thank you!
David Derby thanks so much David!
I upgraded, No regrets, The pro feels way better to play on and it feels like more sensitivity.
I feel way more organized and the screen makes the unit incredibly more user friendly and intuitive.
The playability of the top row pads is night and day. And athough you like your gaffa tape. I hated it, once you get used to what your lights are telling you and the extra visual onboard information you get from the lights, it's hard to ever want to use gaffa tape again.
To each their own. I am sure if Roland gave you one, which I think they should, You would have a different opinion about upgrading.
Good insight! I definitely wouldn't turn down an opportunity to check one out.
Hi Tim - firstly, love the channel - can I ask if FOH are sending a mix of the rest of the band in both scenarios - what output on the FOH mixer are they sending from to the drum monitor with an XLR. And if I'm sending from FX send my samples and tracks - what does that plug into on the FOH desk? Apologies - but I'm new to all this and don't get time to experiment with the PA enough.
Hi Tim.. I'm spdsx user also.. your videos really helps me a lot..
Question.. were can I download new drum kit?
can use any computer or celfone to download and put it in my spdsx?
Love your video!! Can the SPD-SX play an entire night of tracks/click? Like 45 songs!
There are 100 drum kits on the spd-sx and each drum kit is a song. So in theory it should work
Hey Tim, Thanks for the lay out, please let me tell you how i use the SPD-SX with my Behringer 802 mixer:
Master out left/right to the f.o.h. ( via D.I. box)
F.O.H. can do whatever he wants with it, usualy send it to my other bandmembers offcourse!
F.O.H does NOT return the signal to me!
I get to hear the SPD-SX through the headphones-output, directly and including the metronome sound !
The other bandmembers do not get the metronome signal, since i am the drummer and decide the tempo/bpm !(We only work with backingtracks and some samples or loops, we don't use a clicktrack! )
So, Behringer 802 mixer, input 1&2 (left/right) are used to return the other bandmembers as my personal monitor-mix , then i use one of the stereo inputs on the 802 to hear the SPD-SX separately from the returned monitor sound.
This way i can adjust the volume of both the returned monitor signal as the SPD-SX signal separate from eachother.
Anyway, so many ways to connect your SPD-SX, the above is how we use it in our band!
keep up the good work, your tutorials are very helpfull !
Thanks Tim. Just wondering how you find the Behringer 802 mixer in a live context? Read some negative reviews regarding the sensitivity of the power cable (falling out and disconnecting) and also the mixer getting hot when in use and generating quite a bit of hiss. I like the price but am thinking of something different.
I would agree with all of that except the power cable. Never had an issue with that. But it definitely has some noise with it and I had one of the XLR ports die on me recently. However, my unit is almost 10 years old. So for $60 or whatever I paid for it, it really doesn't owe me anything haha.
Hey, great insight! When you request a line from whoever is running sound - Are you requesting a general mix that has all instruments and vocal?
Yep! They would send it and it would give a general mix of whatever I need that is also on stage.
Tim Buell Nice! Thanks, I’m gonna try that out
Really useful video Tim! Question, instead of routing spd master out L/R straight to your 802 mixer and using FX to FOH, isn’t it better to route spd master L/R to a DI Box that has a Thru and from there back to your 802 mixer? In this setup the SPD master L/R go from the DI box to FOH and they can control the volume levels for FOH and you just need to worry about your own mix. Curious to hear your thoughts!
Jasper - that is a great way to do it too! Truthfully there are THOUSANDS of solutions. All just depends on what gear you have. If you have a DI that has a THRU sending stuff to the DI first makes way more sense, like you are saying.
Thanks Tim, really like your videos! Do you have a video about how to mix your backing tracks for live use in Ableton? I have difficulties getting the right volume level for different tracks where I use a lot of lows and claps in my backing tracks... any tips on how to approach this? And what about effects on the backing track? Should they be completely dry so FOH can add effects and you avoid effect on effect? Thx!
@@TimBuell Thank you Jasper for your question and Tim for your response! Do you have a recommendation for such a DI box?
@@nikgberg9440 Anything Radial makes is amazing. They are expensive but they will have zero noise and last forever.
Thank you so much for this video! I have a question though. If I am deciding to follow your last suggestion and control everything in the mixer prior to sending it to front of house, where do you suggest throwing the DI box in the chain? Should it still be between the output of the SPD and the mixer, or from the line out of the mixer to front of house?
Hi! Great video. What kind of setup might you suggest for someone hearing impaired such as me? I'm deaf in my left ear..
Great video, thanks :D just one question: if you're doing a session for an artist and he/she gave you a STEREO backingtrack to put in the SPD, aren't you losing the stereo effect at FOH (for the audience) because of panning the track hard right?
Joshua Ongenae so in the case of running a stereo track out the left output (labeled “mono” on the back of the SPD) - you definitely loose the stereo effect because the SPD forces all that I do through one channel. Stereo will add a lot of space and depth to the FOH mix but sometimes it isn’t possible or makes it more complicated than necessary.
Dude, this was super helpful! When you say backing tracks and click... are you referring to tracks saved on your Roland through an SD or USB drive? Or do you play with tracks and click set up in Abelton and the spdx is a controller for what you have set up in any DAW?
In this video, tracks and click are coming from the actual SPD-SX. They are loaded on as .wav files and playing from the pad. I have a whole course on running tracks with Ableton (as it is actually my preferred way of running tracks). To check that out (if you are interested) you can go to timbuellmusic(dot)com/ableton. I also have a few other videos on the channel about Ableton you can watch before you check out the course.
@@TimBuell does your SPD ever overloads or crash when you're running both backing track, samples and click from it? Thank you
@@MarieandtheSun mine hasn't but people have def had that problem. You can try setting all the samples from "poly" to "mono" that sometimes helps.
Hi Tim, how are you? i am using the SPD SX for some time and it is a great tool on stage and in studio. i usually used the built-in click track up to now, but now i want to import my own click track and sync it with the internal click of the Roland SPD-SX. but: it is out of sync, it is slowlier and you can also hear it through the deeper tone of the tamborine... Turning off tempo sync via pad settings did not succeed. any ideas? appreciate your help greetings from Germany , Björn
Wouldn't it make more sense to run the backing track to the sub out and collapse click and samples to mono, since the click is mono anyways? In your solution, you're sending the (mono) click track to your only stereo output.
Yep! I believe you are right. I would assume most people running backing tracks on an SPD with click and samples probably aren't worried about stereo tracks at front of house. BUT. You are absolutely correct that is likely the best way to get stereo tracks in the mix.
I always forget that the SPD-SX doesn't treat the subouts the same way as the main outs.
Could please make an Overview about the routing you are imaging? 😊
Hey Tim, thanks for all the awesome videos! I have a question about using a pad in loop mode. Is there a way to make it snap to a grid? It makes me nervous that if the loop pad gets hit slightly out of time, that could be trouble. Thanks!
To my knowledge - no. haha. So you definitely have to practice and workout with the loop/samples so that you can be confident to perform with them.
Tim Buell Hi Tim, would you need to pan the tracks within logic? Or within the Spd? I’ve tried it and everything works well in the phones my worry is the fx send being just left or right when sending to the front of house or will they just basically get a mono through a DI. Cheers mate, love the videos such a huge help.
Here, the click wav file and the track wav file are separate mono wavs that you are "linking" together on the SPD. Once you do that, you still need to pan them on the SPD to get the isolation for when you send it out the SPD-SX.
If that makes any sense haha.
Hi Mate, thanks 4 your useful videos, can U help me, I have a tv show gig and I play drums on SPD SX,sending pad sounds to aux in on DJ console(loops from DJ console too). I wanna hear click on booth speaker near me but U cannot send clicks to subout and also the pads sounds to the sub out... Is there any solution so I can send pads sounds without click to aux in on my dj console and also hear pads sounds both with clicks on my booth monitor?🙏
I would try actually printing a click track as a .wav from your DAW of choice and then load that onto your SPD-SX. That will mean your click is actually a sample on your SPD that you will have more control over how you can route it as the built-in click on the SPD has limitations with how you can route it.
Hope that helps!
@@TimBuell Thanks a lot Tim. So you meant I should trigger CLICK.wav with some pad and route it to sub out only? not a bad idea, only I need all 9 pads on my performance, but in worst scenario, I will just hear clicks from my headphones (but not looks so good)
Can I use a rack mount line mixer to do this setup? I assume that if mixer has at least 3 outputs it would work. Correct?
Should work - just depends on the unit and what it’s capable of!
Hello, can we use this mixer also to have the rest or the musicians on stage in my ears in addition to my SPD-SX sounds ?
It is possible - but you'd need a mixer with quite a few channels and outputs.
I find unit has an overall low volume output compared to td 9, korg wave, roland integra,and korg nautilus
Great vid. Tim I was wondering when you are routing the samples and tracks in channels 3 & 6- are you putting them in the 'right' channel or the 'left channel because its mono? Or is one right one left in channels 3&6? thanks man for the great vids and lessons.
Thank you. This is very helpful. Going to give it a try.
Hey, I have an Alesis SampelPad that I use instead. I want to use my pad to run through Ableton and have drum racks preset so I can change samples from one song to the next, and also have click tracks inside Ableton (no backing tracks at all). How would you suggest best running this live, so I still get clicks and monitoring to my ears? I have a Behringer UMC204HD interface, and a Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer.
Hey! I would suggest running the pad into Ableton using MIDI - in Ableton you can control the pad with MIDI and set up different MIDI commands and all kinds of things. I actually have a full course that teaches this at timbuellmusic(dot)com/ableton
Hi Tim, I’m using your routing now (samples masterout LEFT, backing tracks Masterout RIGHT, Click sample SUB OUT). Now i would actually like to pan the click sample hard LEFT on SUB OUT so I have my SUB OUT LEFT as another free channel, but I cant get the panning to work somehow on this particular Sub out, like it does work for masterout. Any clue? Thx!
Don’t know if this is the fix but you have to have a cable plugged in to both sub outs for it to split the signal.
What’s your opinion on the spd sx special edition compare to the one you have?
I think the biggest difference is the amount of internal storage. I've never run out of space, especially because you can back up the entire SPD-SX and rotate out kits for different gigs with a simple USB flash drive.
@@TimBuell ok thanks man I appreciated I am looking into buying a spd I just wanted to know the difference.
Tim, THANK YOU for this video as I've been struggling with this situation. Lmk if you can assist with my current roadblock: I have Pad 1 (backing tracks) and 2 (click tracks) linked so they start at the same time. I have click assigned to Sub Out, Pad 1 (which would ideally JUST be backing track) assigned to Phones Only and My full sample sounds coming out of Master output all going into a small mixer for me to mix then send to FOH through FX. The problem is that because Pad 1 and 2 are linked, I can't figure out a way to separate out JUST the backing track without the click that's linked. PLEASE advise- thanks so much!
I have you answer!
in the kit Go to system - Audio in/out - FX2
Make sure that FX2 is select to master. & Audio in is master as well.
Go back to MENU and select the kit option.
Go to OUTPUT and route PAD 1 (Backing track only) to Kit FX2 - NOT MASTER OUT
Route pad 2 (Clicks) to Sub out.
Side not make sure your Kit FX2 is acting as a thru.
This work but unfornately you can put effects from the SPD on your tracks, it will all have to be done pre importing onto SPD.
sorry this comes a year late
Hey, Tim, when you say route all samples hard left, what does that mean? Like actually pan every individual sample in the fx settings?
Yes! But this is only necessary if you intend on using the sample pad with more than 2 outputs your sending to front of house. If you don't pan the sample then you will hear it in the left and right channel and you won't get the isolation desired.
Hi Tim. Is the fx send and the fader meant to be completely separate?
I ask this because when trying raise the volume of my samples in my headphones via the fader, I'm noticing that the volume of the samples is also rising in the PA speakers
how do i trigger the internal click by hitting a pad? I dont want to have to hit the "click" button with my finger
menu > system > pad/fs control > find the pad you want to use to trigger it and hit the "+" sign until it says "click"
I have everything routed like you said but everything is still coming out of every out put
Sorry to hear that. Have you made sure to pan everything as well? Anything you want to only come out Master Out L needs to be routed there and then panned all the way Left.
Can we connect drum triggers directly to the SPD-SX
The audio coming out of my SPD SX seems low would a DI box help?
Probably not. DIs generally just are there to convert a signal
@@TimBuell Thank you!
Can I record in DAW using SPD SX, and all samples has separated channel?
Is it possible to monitor VIA the Spd-sx? Can I change the line from my wedge to go directly into the Spd input and have mix that way ? Rather than having the external mixer?
It isn't. The line input for the Roland is meant for the sampling capacities of the unit and isn't really built to do that. Even if it were, you are super limited to the ways you can split the audio and monitor the audio by running everything through the Roland. I know it is a pain to save up and buy a separate mixer - but it is a worth while investment.
@@TimBuell Thank you Tim. Its for my drummer I was curious more than anything I had seen your other video with the mixer and agree thats the best way. Thank you for your reply!!
@@BillyMitchelluk It would be nice to be able to, but it just isn't possible with how the SPD is set up. Glad I could help though!
I use the foh feed and you can set the spd to use it for yuour headphones only, so I think it is possible? th-cam.com/video/c98sTakPr7c/w-d-xo.html
@@erikvosmeijer6346 I had actually seen your video around the same time I commented this. Would this work in a full band on stage set up ? Feed bass,
Vocals etc through ?
Hi my click channel sounds (at very low volume) in my music channel can someone help me with this issue? Its some kind of panning hack or something?
I have this problem too, do u fix it? Please Help
my brain is fried
What if your mixer doesn’t have an fx send but an aux?
but what if your track is stereo?
Great question. In that case, you can use the "sub out" for mono click and mono samples, and then the "main out" as stereo output for tracks. If you are just going to run things into your mixer and use the FX Out to send to FOH, you will be forcing everything to mono. So, ideally, you either go out of the SPD with your stereo tracks into two DIs and then send to FOH and they send the signal back to your mixer in your main mix your are getting from FOH. It def gets more complicated when you start running things in stereo. That is where a more powerful mixer, with more outputs and aux sends, will make things much easier.
Or you could just use two DI’s with “through” outputs, which you plug in to your monitor mixer :) That’s how I do it, works fine!
Why not use the phone out? The the Pad Check would still work too
Phone out gives you a little less flexibility to monitor and change volumes on the fly for your own mix. It also doesn't allow you to get a full mix of everyone on stage into your in-ears, since that has to come from FOH or monitor world.
That said, there are times where I will just run everything out headphones for how easy and quick it is. Just depends on what level of monitoring you want, and how much flexibility and control you want.
How to convert a zip file to wav?
I have a zip file with many waves and kits
But the format is (format spd-sx)
How to do it pls
You'll have to "unzip" the .zip file first - and then you can load each .wav individually onto the SPD-SX.
My headphone socket started to fail on the SPD, intermittent volume loss and left channel dropping out. I`ve read that this is common, anyone else had this...?
Simon Whitworth haven’t but I’d reach out to Roland and submit a support ticket. That’s something they should be able to fix.
I had the same thing happen to me. I used some contact cleaner from radio shack and a q-tip. It worked for me.
Update on the problem. When disassembling the SPD, which is quite easy, see You Tube. Splitting the two halves requires you to unplug two wide multifax cables. One of these flat cables is the culprit, so by unplugging and carefully reattaching it, somehow resolves the connection. Should the problem reoccur then I'm planning to use a glue gun to stop it vibrating loose. The symptoms are a decrease in volume, left headphone channel, which temporarily comes and goes depending on where you hit the pad.
Man how I can contact you?
My website!
one little schematic would be much clearer that this video
I hear you. Some people need the context and explanations, and some people just need the steps 1, 2, 3 written out.
Tim Buell what about a Video „with“ a schematic😉?
@@MarkuzP66 There will def be another video on this topic. So be on the look out!
@@TimBuell I would love to see this! Recently bought the SPD-SX and a Xenyx 802 mixer... I want to know where each cable needs to go and also is there a quicker way to change "Dynamics" settings on sample pads than constantly having to go to each pad and go into settings and turn off Dynamics etc etc
@@ned2one There isn't a quicker way that I know of. And I actually leave them off. I have found that pretty much ever engineer I've ever worked with just hates the dynamics as what the pad sounds like in in-ears might be VERY different than on stage. So I just disable them on every kit I use.