Hybrid drumming fuses the traditional acoustic drum set with the latest digital percussion technology, enabling players to perform with the electronic sounds and processed textures that drive modern music styles. Since 2003, Roland sampling pads and acoustic triggers have revolutionized this style, and they’re regularly used everywhere, from indie gigs to arena stages.
Instruments like V-Drums, external triggers, and the SPD-SX PRO make powerful partners for hybrid drummers, allowing them to incorporate loops, one-shot sounds, and melodic phrases into their musical universes. Every drummer has a unique story about how they blend traditional and electronic elements. The morning of GROUPLOVE’s BeachLife Festival main stage performance, with the sound of Fitz and the Tantrums wafting over from the festival grounds, Ben Homola sits casually on a couch to discuss his hybrid setup, how his gear keeps him consistent, and more.
The Setup
Could you run us through what V‑Drums you use?
How do your V‑Drums pads fit within your acoustic rig when you’re playing outdoor festivals?
“We use them for songs that require sample triggering. I’ve got two pads to my right, and the kick drum and snare have triggers too. Depending on the song, it’ll either layer in with the acoustic drums, or I’ll be playing parts directly on the two pads.”
Essential Sounds
How do you decide what’s played acoustically and what’s triggered?
“There’s stuff on the albums that sounds very electronic. Sometimes you can get away with acoustic kick, snare, or toms, but there are songs with 808s or electronic claps and snares. That’s where the samples come in.“
What kind of problems do triggers and pads solve on stage?
“The Roland gear has been rock‑solid. It really helps fuse the acoustic and electronic elements live, which is huge for us since our songs lean both rock and pop. We rely a lot on the TM‑6—it’s small and doesn’t get in the way.“
Are you using mostly stock sounds or samples?
“In GROUPLOVE, we use a lot of our own samples from the albums. It’s great that you can upload your own sounds into the SPD, because not everyone can afford a tracks rig—it gets expensive. The SPD is amazing because you can load full stems and trigger them. Everything syncs up. You hit one pad, and it all plays seamlessly. It’s pretty incredible.”
Festival sound checks are short and unpredictable. How does your hybrid gear help you stay consistent night after night?
“It’s great because you can sync the TM‑6 via MIDI, and switching scenes, songs, and settings is seamless. Everything’s talking to everything electronically, so you don’t have to worry. The triggers are ready, the sounds are loaded—it’s always consistent. Electronic gear can be tricky sometimes, but Roland never fails.”
SPD Evolution
What advice would you give drummers interested in hybrid drumming?
“The SPD‑SX is such a great place to start because it’s all‑in‑one. It can play stems, it can be your main unit, and it sounds amazing. The stock sounds are incredible, there’s fun stuff to play along to, and it has the click built in. The computer app is amazing, too. It’s a great entry point. And honestly, you don’t even need to branch out. You can pretty much do everything with it.
We’ve been using the TM‑6 for a long time, but there were times when I only used an SPD‑SX. If I had to pick one, it’d be my favorite thing Roland makes. I’ve had the original, then the SX, now the PRO. They just keep getting better.“
Are there any standout differences between the SX and PRO?
“The screen is huge. That was always tough with the older units—you didn’t get much feedback. Now the color screen shows meters and tells you what’s playing. The LED color‑coding is amazing too. People used to tape the pads to remember where things were, but you don’t need that anymore. And on a dark stage, that’s key.”
