Is There Such a Thing As a Drum Pad MIDI Controller?

Hello--
 
I can play the drums, but like most of us have had to go to some form of electronic drums because of where I live. I've been using a midi keyboard controller (and yes, sometimes loops) but I wondered if anyone has ever used a drum pad setup to control soft-synths in CW? I don't mean the kind of flat table pads, I mean the kind that can be played similar to an analog kit. One idea is the Simmons pads with pedals.
 
I guess I would have to have each pad assigned as a diferent zone on the virtual KB in the soft-synth--but I'm not sure how that would work in setting it up.
 
I have kontakt 3 and Yellow Tools Independence--
 
Just a thought that it might sound more realistic than playing the drums on a keyboard midi controller.
 
Thanks!

RobertB


If I understand the question, yes.
I am using an Alesis DM6 kit as a MIDI controller. The MIDI output is mapped to GM, and integrates with many softsynths with no remapping necessary. Of course, if need be, it's easy enough to map the pads within Sonar.
The hi-hat action takes some getting used to, but once you get a feel for it, it's not too bad.
It's definitely much more satisfying than laying down your drum tracks with a keyboard.

Ah, very good to know. I checked out that kit and that's more in fashion of a real kit--but I wouldn't have room for that in my tiny studio. I submitted a question to Simmons about whether their pad unit can send MIDI--so now I know it would work if it sends GM.
 
Many thansk!