Tech Issue: Questionable Pad Sensitivity

Extesd · Post by **Extesd** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:39 am

Hi sp-forums.com users.

This is my first post within the forums, but judging from the posts that I have read here, there are quite alot of knowledgeable people on this forum. Maybe someone can offer an opinion to whether or not I have a problem that needs to be resolved, or maybe I'm just being a picky nit wit!

I have recently picked up an sp-404, and I'm having a blast with it. My only qualm is with the sensitivity of the pads, they feel rather chunky almost as if I have to hit it dead center with two fingers or I question if they will trigger. For the most part if I'm just playing samples real time to play around with an idea for percussion there isn't much of an issue but its not uncommon for a pad to miss a beat.

I'm really hoping that its not an issue of the machine being faulty. That maybe the pads are stiff being as its practically brand new, and that as I use it more often it will trigger more accurately as I start to play faster. Or even that I'm not using the machine correctly.

If anyone might be able to shed some light on the action of the sp-404 that would be great. I mean I put some decent cash here on the line and I want to make sure that my sp-404 is working correctly.

Thank you for reading.

-Extesd

drewzle · Post by **drewzle** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:55 am

the pads definitely get less stiff with time
and also your muscle memory will develop the right 'touch'
that said - the 404's pads aren't the most responsive around
but it shouldn't be an issue

welcome to the forums

J.Daniels · Post by **J.Daniels** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:00 am

nah, those are just the ol' 404 brick pads

Euclid Ov Oåklånd · Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:54 am

Are the pads really that different?, my 303 pads have always been responsive I can hit the very tip of a corner on my pads and it still triggers. I wonder what Mike has any input on the 404 pads being different from the 303, maybe they changed manufacturers.

J.Daniels · Post by **J.Daniels** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:30 pm

i own both the 404 and 303 and the pads are night and day. The 404's pads are much thicker and less responsive, totally different pads. Maybe the 404's are built that way to last longer, but its much easier to get drum parts down with the 303 as it actually plays back what you performed! and its nothing subtle too, major difference.

balazs · Post by **balazs** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:38 pm

the 404 drumpads aint bad. You just gotta get used to it