Roland, a leading manufacturer of electronic musical instruments and professional video products, announced today that the SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad has won a GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2023, an award managed by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.
The SPD-SX PRO was designed to meet the advanced demands of professional drummers on stage. Featuring nine durable pads with Roland’s latest sensing technology for unparalleled responsiveness and accuracy, customizable trigger LEDs for visibility, increased audio outputs and trigger inputs for seamless integration, massive onboard memory, the SPD-SX PRO helps drummers reproduce intricately crafted music. The SPD-SX PRO sets a new standard for stage drummers and all types of creative performers.
“The compact body is packed with performance that will convince even professional drummers. The intuitive user interface and customizable visibility reflect the feedback from the field. The customizability of the system, which utilizes not only auditory but also visual perception, was highly evaluated,” said the jury members.
To learn more, visit Roland.com
About the GOOD DESIGN AWARD
The GOOD DESIGN AWARD has been the sole comprehensive design evaluation and commendation system in Japan since 1957. Many companies and designers from both inside and outside of Japan participate in the activity to enhance the industry or the quality of life through design. “G Mark,” the symbol of the award, has been recognized widely as a mark representing good design. For more information, visit G-mark.org.
About Roland Corporation
For 50 years, Roland’s innovative electronic musical instruments and multimedia products have fueled inspiration in artists and creators around the world. Embraced by hobbyists and professionals alike, the company’s trendsetting gear spans multiple categories, from pianos, synthesizers, guitar products, and electronic percussion to DJ controllers, audio/video solutions, livestreaming products, and more. As technology evolves, Roland continues to lead the way for gigging musicians, producers, and beatmakers, providing modern software-based solutions and seamless creative workflows between hardware products, computers, and mobile devices. For more information, visit Roland.com or see your local Roland dealer. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RolandGlobal), and Instagram (@RolandGlobal).
In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) have emerged as a game-changer for drummers, offering a multitude of benefits:
Craig Blundell is recognised as one of the world’s leading ‘progressive’ drummers, a renowned clinician and educator. His prodigious output is listened to by millions of people every day on the countless albums he has contributed to. Notably he has recorded and toured extensively with such luminaries of the progressive music scene as Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett and Frost.
“I took the ZEN CAN on the road over the past few months with the Steve Hackett tour and the results were a game-changer for me,” comments Craig. “The quality of sound, particularly the clarity of the bass and treble has revolutionised my monitoring on stage. No longer do I have to crank up the volume to hear the highs and lows over the dominant midrange and this has enabled me to monitor at a much-reduced volume, preventing ringing ears at the end of a gig, and giving me a much clearer picture of what my fellow musicians are doing.”
Adding his thoughts, Miles Roberts, head of global sales for iFi Studio says, “We are thrilled and delighted that Craig has joined our family as a brand ambassador. A musician of this calibre has the choice of many products and so for us to attract such a phenomenal, world-class drummer is a glowing endorsement of the quality of the products and the passion we put into designing them.”
The iFi Studio ZEN CAN Studio is a high-quality IEM amplifier, which can be mounted on a mic stand and located conveniently by the drummer’s side, thanks to its underside mic 5/8” mounting socket. Packed full technology, the ZEN CAN Studio is compatible with all IEMs and headphones, including even the most power hungry models. Its mixture of balanced and unbalanced inputs provides maximum connection flexibility, whether working in the studio or live on the road.
D2 Double Pedal: The D2 Double Pedal uses a double footboard, double beater design as seen on traditional pedals, but uses super tough, lightweight DuPont™ Zytel® engineering polymers, and low-noise mechanisms.
The Duallist team has developed what’s been called the ‘hit’ accessory of the year, Gig Grips!
Want some more ‘bang’ for your buck? Try the best-selling Brushed Copper Snare drum which has graced some of the worlds biggest stages this year.
Darby is currently touring the world with Devin Townsend. He has just finished an arena tour of America and Canada with ‘Dream Theater’ and ‘Animals As Leaders’ alongside drummers, Mike Mangini and Matt Garstka.
When not touring Darby works in his London based studio, remote recording for artists and bands around the world, as well as a limited amount of teaching.
