# Which pad layout for a beginner?

**URL:** <https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/which-pad-layout-for-a-beginner/911>\
**Category:** Finger Drumming Gear / Software / Setup\
**Created:** [October 18, 2022, 11:31am UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/which-pad-layout-for-a-beginner/911 "2022-10-18T11:31:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rizzice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Rizzice](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Rizzice)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2022, 11:31am UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/which-pad-layout-for-a-beginner/911/1 "2022-10-18T11:31:04Z")

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So I finally upgraded from my 2x8 grid to a Launchpad Pro, and I was just wondering which is the recommended layout for starting off?

[https://questforgroove.com/course/beginnercourse/basic-setup/pad-layout/](https://questforgroove.com/course/beginnercourse/basic-setup/pad-layout/)

> [@Translating Videos to 64 Pad "tree" Layout](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/translating-videos-to-64-pad-tree-layout/169/7):
>
> This one is a little more complete and includes a third (and fourth). cymbal option at the bottom.

Will I be better off learning with the tree layout for more flexibility in the long run or would a 4x4 be sufficient and easier? Or is it fairly easy to go from one to another?

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**Author:** ![Robert\_Mathijs](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/questforgroove.discourse.group/robert_mathijs/32/335_2.png) [@Robert\_Mathijs](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Robert_Mathijs)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/which-pad-layout-for-a-beginner/911/2 "2022-10-18T18:30:07Z")

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I think if you like the way the tree layout mentioned above feels, you should be fine with that. Pay close attention to how well things are going over the next two months. If you have trouble following along to the lessons you can switch in time! I think you will be fine though…

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**Author:** ![Rizzice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Rizzice](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Rizzice)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 12:59pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/which-pad-layout-for-a-beginner/911/3 "2022-12-20T12:59:23Z")

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Hey been following your lessons with this setup for a while and it feels pretty good, but I found that the extra cymbals on the corner are a bit of a stretch to reach although I could probably adjust to it with time.

However I’m wondering if there’s any downside to putting them in one of the other slots where they are easier to reach? Or is there something that should be placed there instead?  
 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/questforgroove/original/1X/ff94841c85578ebb427febf037a62233490546ae.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robert\_Mathijs](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/questforgroove.discourse.group/robert_mathijs/32/335_2.png) [@Robert\_Mathijs](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/u/Robert_Mathijs)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 3:09pm UTC](https://questforgroove.discourse.group/t/which-pad-layout-for-a-beginner/911/4 "2022-12-20T15:09:49Z")

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Hey, that looks completely fine to me! It looks like you can conveniently combine the cymbals with kick drums which is the most important thing, so I would say: go for it!

The empty slots could be used for alternative snare sounds, but you already have 4 snare pads which is probably more than enough.