Roland HPD-20 HandSonic Digital Hand Percussion Instrument

The Roland HPD-20 HandSonic is a sophisticated digital hand percussion instrument designed for expressive live performance and studio production. It functions as both a standalone percussion instrument and a versatile MIDI controller, offering tactile, hands-on control over a vast library of sounds. The circular arrangement of 13 silicone rubber pads provides an ergonomic playing surface that responds to velocity and pressure, allowing for nuanced performances that capture the feel of acoustic percussion. At its core is Roland's SuperNATURAL sound engine, which delivers 850 high-quality drum and percussion sounds from around the world, alongside melodic instruments and electronic tones. The instrument allows for deep sound editing with three independent multi-effects engines, ambience, and EQ. A key feature is the ability to import up to 500 custom WAV samples via USB flash memory, assigning them directly to pads. The HPD-20 also includes expressive controls like a Roll button, Realtime Modify knob, and the iconic D-BEAM optical controller for manipulating sounds with hand movements in the air. The HPD-20 is well-suited for percussionists, drummers, electronic music producers, and composers. Its dynamic pad assignments enable authentic techniques like damping, muting, and pitch adjustment, mimicking traditional hand percussion. With USB connectivity for audio and MIDI communication with DAW software, plus trigger inputs for expanding with additional pads, it serves as a central hub for both stage and studio workflows. The Quick Rec function makes it easy to capture ideas and export them as WAV files, streamlining the creative process.