Can you use a Roland SPD SX Pro as a Cajon

I have always found cajons to be somewhat limiting as a drummer/percussionist, and recently this gave me an idea. I wondered if it would be possible to play the Roland SPD SX Pro as a sort of 'electronic hand percussion instrument' to give me more variety and allow me to be more creative during background or restauant gigs where I can't make much noise, or take up too much space. So, here's how it went...

I began by angling it downwards, so I could theoretically sit on a drum stool and play just the SPD in the same way I'd play a cajon drum but with far more options in terms of tone, dynamics and not having to bring any microphones or stands to a small gig. This is an in-depth look at the process for setting up the Pro in a different way to normal, my thought process from start to finish and also a close look at how I've designed a patch which aims to replicate the sounds and textures of an acoustic cajon. After finding standard cajon bass and snare samples on the SPD SX Pro, I move to find more unusual sounds but which compliment the main sounds. I include Udu or Pot drum sounds, a cowbell, jam block, splash cymbal, shaker and even chimes. Of course, you could include what ever you want in your patches and be as creative as you see fit.

In my video I go in detail about how I tweak settings such as equalising some of the bass tones to give more low and mid range, adding multi effects onto the pads to give more character, including adding a reverse reverb to the cowbell, giving it an unusual "sweep" sound. I also add reverb as a Master effect to the entire sampling pad, for a little more insert French word.

Harry Weston-Cottrell