I forgot about this device, about 10 years old now. It does seem pretty useful for a band, stage or studio, that wants a versatile percussionist on a budget. The trickier thing, finding a percussionist who can make it sing. :-)
Great review! Got mine about 6 yrs ago, and use it similarly to how you’ve described. Wide range of projects & sound textures; VST MIDI kits - I use hi-hat & kick drum triggers; AND it provides a LOT of percussion toys in comparatively little physical space. (I’ve got a pretty small project studio.) Some sounds are a bit cheesy; but layered in a mix, with maybe some reverb, eq, or room plug-ins, you can get things to sound pretty good. Especially if you’re just mocking up a demo for a client. (?) Keep up the good work!
Hi there! My music partner and I just bought a Handsonic 20. We LOVE it, BUT, can you please answer one question for us? We have talked to Roland, Sweetwater, and everyone we can find, but NO ONE can tell us how to create a loop using OUR OWN RHYTHMS.. Know what I mean? We see people doing it on the internet, but can't tell if they are using another looper to do that. The Boss 505 when paired with a Handsonic will do it, but I'm almost certain that we see people do it using only the Handsonic itself. We are desperate! Can you help us? Thanks!!!
I’m not SURE I understand where you’re going (so to speak) with your looping - but in the spirit of trying to help, here’s a couple of thoughts… The HPD-20 Manual talks about looping (Page 36?), but I’m not sure if that gets you what you’re looking for. (?) But if not - assuming you might be using a computer & DAW (I’m a Logic guy for better or worse) - what about outputting the HPD-20 to your DAW of choice & looping your pattern(s) that way? This allows you to potentially layer other tracks in the DAW too. You’ve mentioned looping with the RC-505, (I just starting tinkering with a Boss RC-500); but I got the impression that you were looking for a solution without an additional device? Anyway, feel free to reply or send questions to me, or the thread. We might all learn some new stuff! Again, I really hope this helps and Good Luck with your project(s)!
Leon, So nice of you to reply! I’ll try to explain…We are a duo, and we are looking for a solution for performing live. I play guitar and my partner plays percussion. We don’t want to be tied to a DAW or any other instrument. We want to be able to make up, say, a two-bar or 4-bar pattern, loop it, and then play live to that loop. We see people doing it on RU-vid, but nowhere in the manual does it explain how this is done. The manual does explain how to loop loops that are already in the library, but it doesn’t explain how to make and use original loops. I’m beginning to think it can’t be done without an additional piece of equipment. We have even called Roland without any success. It’s obvious when someone is using a Boss 505 in addition to the Handsonic, and we may very well buy one, but it looks to me like the Handsonic should be able to do it all by itself. Does that make sense? Thanks much, John
I'm wondering what the settings are inside the menu so I can get a normal hi hat response with the FD-8 pedal. It does a few weird things but I can't figure out how get it to just go to the middle circle pad and be a normal hi hat. I tried a ton of things. With the pedal all the way down, it still does open hi hat if I hit it hard. It ignors that the pedal is all the way closed. I just want a mini drum set and at this point, I don't know if that's possible... I've tried Soooo many things and failed... If anyone knows what to do in the menu so it's just a normal hi hat, I'd greatly appreciate it !!! Thanks !
@leoncargile3410 I see you're kind enough to a swer questions, if I may, I have 2. Can you suggest an affordable portable battery power source? And an odd question, is it possible to connect my Yamaha reface keybord either to download voices or control it from HS. Sorry, I'm tech challenged 😃 Thanks and help...
I'm wondering what the settings are inside the menu so I can get a normal hi hat response with the FD-8 pedal. It does a few weird things but I can't figure out how get it to just go to the middle circle pad and be a normal hi hat. I tried a ton of things. With the pedal all the way down, it still does open hi hat if I hit it hard. It ignors that the pedal is all the way closed. I just want a mini drum set and at this point, I don't know if that's possible... I've tried Soooo many things and failed... If anyone knows what to do in the menu so it's just a normal hi hat, I'd greatly appreciate it !!! Thanks !
Nice review, thanks! I could really use your help. I’ll try to explain…We are a duo, and we are looking for a solution for performing live. I play guitar and my partner plays percussion. We don’t want to be tied to a DAW or any other instrument. We want to be able to make up, say, a two-bar or 4-bar pattern, loop it on the Handsonic HUD-20, and then play live to that loop. We see people doing it on RU-vid, but nowhere in the manual does it explain how this is done. In other words, the manual DOES explain how to loop loops that are already in the library, but it DOES NOT explain how to make and use original loops. I’m beginning to think it can’t be done without an additional piece of equipment. We have even called Roland without any success. It’s obvious when someone is using a Boss 505 in addition to the Handsonic they can do a spontaneous, original beat and loop it. We may very well buy a Boss 505 at some point, but it looks to me like the Handsonic should be able to do it all by itself. Does that make sense? Your assistance will be very much appreciated. Thanks much, John
Hi there! My music partner and I just bought a Handsonic 20. We LOVE it, BUT, can you please answer one question for us? We have talked to Roland, Sweetwater, and everyone we can find, but NO ONE can tell us how to create a loop using OUR OWN RHYTHMS.. Know what I mean? We see people doing it on the internet, but can't tell if they are using another looper to do that. The Boss 505 when paired with a Handsonic will do it, but I'm almost certain that we see people do it using only the Handsonic itself. We are desperate! Can you help us? Thanks!!!
Hi, it's funny because i want to buy some new electronic percussion instr. But there is not. The best way is still 10 years old HPD 20. If you want use your hands and not sticks
