Expanding the Possibilities with your SPD-SX

More? How is this possible? We all agree that the SPD-SX is an amazing instrument.

The ability to trigger virtually any sound from electronic to latin percussion, sound effects, musical phrases, in fact, any sound you can imagine, is extraordinary.

This ultimate sampling percussive instrument takes your live performance to another dimension. So, how can it get any better than this?

Well, it can, and this article gives you a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

You see, the real-time control of the on-board effects of the SPD-SX is an awesome feature, which adds an extra layer of creativity.

To take full advantage of the system mean being able to control these effects with your feet so you can continue playing the SPD-SX’s pads. 

While we’re at it, imagine being able to select kits with your foot to free-up the SPD-SX for performing other key functions. 

Switch through kits without dropping your sticks. 

You can accomplish these things and more by adding a Roland FC-300 MIDI Foot Controller and a Boss FS-6 Dual Footswitch to your percussion rig.

With this set-up you can:

► Operate the Control 1 and Control 2 Knobs on the SPD-SX with the two Expression Pedals on the FC-300.

► Select which effect you want to control on the SPD-SX with the CTL 1 and CTL 2 Switches on the FC-300.

► Choose which Kit you want by operating the Bank and Patch Switches on the FC-300.

► Operate a variety of commands of your choice on the SPD-SX with the FS-6 Dual Footswitch (switching the FX1 and FX2 Effects on and off seems to be the best option).

Tip: if you organise your Kits in groups of up to 5, you can quickly switch Kits mid-song using the Patch Select Pedals and use the Bank Select Pedals to switch songs on the FC-300.

This is how you do it:

1. Connect the FC-300’s MIDI OUT Port to the MIDI IN Port of SPD-SX.

2. Attach the FS-6 to the SPD-SX’s FOOT SW Port with a Tip/Ring/Sleeve Cable.

3. On your SPD-SX, choose MENU / SETUP / MIDI and make the following settings;

a.  Set the GLOBAL CH to 10.
b.  Set the PC TX/RX SW to ON.
c.  Set the CC TX/RX SW to ON.
d.  Set the MSTR FX SEL CC to 64.
e.  Set the MSTR FX CTRL1 CC to 65.
f.  Set the MSTR FX CTRL2 CC to 66.

4. Also, on your SPD-SX, choose MENU / SYSTEM / PAD FS CTRL and make the following settings;

a.  Set the FS 1 option to FX1 ON/OFF (or to a SPD-SX command of your choice).
b.  Set the FS 2 option to FX2 ON/OFF (or to a SPD-SX command of your choice).

5. Click on ‘FC300 patch‘ here to download a file which sets up the FC-300. 

This set-up will transform the way you perform with your SPD-SX. You will be able to control so much more in real-time, which opens up avenues of creative possibilities. Give it a try and let us know how you get on.