With a redesigned layout, the Roland SPD-30 is optimized to handle the playing of even the most punishing drummers. For starters, it's got a super-strong display sturdy enough to standup to all those misplaced stick hits that are bound to be a regular occurrence. Complete isolation between pads eliminates cross-talk (when you hit one pad, it won't accidentally trigger its neighbor), and the triggers themselves are evenly distributed all the way across each pad. This is an extremely important feature that frees the percussionist from worrying about stick placement: even if you strike the edge of a pad, it will sound as clearly as if you hit it dead-center. And, for low-light situations, pad indicator lights show exactly where each pad is and let's face it, what club/bar/stage isn't a low-light situation