Drum Triggering
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Posted on Nov 29, 2009 03:16 pm
threeforty
Member Since: Nov 19, 2009
Hi everyone, I recently got a set of ddrum red shot triggers for my birthday, and now I am wondering what the best way to get these signals onto protools is. I am looking for something (preferably rackmountable) that I can plug my triggers into and get some nice sounds out of. The big thing is that I need the unit to be able to output the triggers on seperate tracks. I was looking at a nice Alesis dm5 drum module but it only had a stereo output. I need to be able to control the seperate tracks for each drum piece I'm triggering when I get them onto protools. Unfortunately, I don't have the money for those $1000 Roland drum modules that I've seen. Does anyoe know of any nice drum modules that have some nice sounds and have 4-8 seperate tracks? if not, is it possible to trigger the drums into protools with only signals, then use a drum software to get a nice sound?
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Nov 29, 2009 04:37 pm Hmm. Recording only? I certainly wouldn't go with the rolands, they DO sound quite impressive. Realistic even, but drum programs are nicer and cheaper (and for now, if you can't find any good drum samples somewhere, you could use the modules sounds, then go get EZ drummer or something soon).
Btw, don't look for "outputs" like stereo. Look for midi. They might even have a drum module that is only midi (like no onboard sounds) for fairly cheap. I'm not able to help you research at the moment but maybe someone else knows more on this subject.
Oh also, be aware of how many inputs a module has. Like, my roland kit has a set number of inputs to go to the electronic drums. Those can be pluged into triggers as well. But it only has so many (8 i believe), and then its out.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Nov 30, 2009 06:43 am i've had both the DM5 and i currently own a TD6 from roland. if you want direct audio out you're going to pay as little the TD20 has direct outs but as Fragile said , you can use the midi and the midi modules aren't too expensive but you'll have to have a program like ez drummer .
Nov 30, 2009 09:28 am I would say if you're looking for recording, get the cheapest module you can find with as many inputs as you have triggers. If you're looking for live triggering as well, save up for the roland TD-4 ($420 or less if you bargin hunt). I wouldn't wanna use that thing in recording, but if i ever play drums live theres no way i'm trusting my computer. And the TD-4's sounds do sound very impressive with a bit of tweaking (you can change the "tuning" (pitch of midi) and muffling (decay of midi) not to mention about a hundred or so instruments.
and then of course if you get the TD-4, you can buy EZ drummer ($150ish) or some other drum program of choice, and a midi to usb cable ($40?)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 30, 2009 10:24 pm You'll find my reply in the other thread you started.
Please do not double post the same question in multiple threads. It won't get your question answered any faster.
Dec 01, 2009 01:41 am Sorry about that, it was an accident, I had posted it from my phone and got impatient and clicked twice. Couldn't figure out how to delete the post from my phone.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 01, 2009 07:37 pm Well then here is my reply as it was in the other thread I will delete momentarily.
As far as I know, and confirmed reading the specs the DM5 has two pairs of stereo outputs. That means it has 4 outputs. You would simply go into the editing section of the DM5 and pan whatever drum you want coming out of each of the 4 outputs. And I vouch that is correct. I own a DM5.
None of the Roland modules have any more outputs either though so that isn't an issue.
The hard thing in PT is going to be the midi. I'm not sure what version of PT you have whether its and LE version or what. But PT does not do midi gracefully. And for the most part nothing comes cheap for PT either. Although if you are set up and have midi plugged in to your version of PT then you could go for something like this www.guitarcenter.com/Ales...source=4WWRWXGB for about $160 and then add in the $300 or so for a good software drum set up like KitCore from Submersible or the like. I know that is compatible with PT. Not sure what else would be.
Dec 02, 2009 01:33 am Thanks Noize, I've been looking at the Wavelength Drumagog software. Seems to be what I'm looking for. The problem with the DM5 is if I need to trigger more than 4 drums, then I'm stuck. Does anyone have any experience with the Drumagog software?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 02, 2009 07:26 pm The DM5 has 12 trigger inputs so you can trigger way more then 4 drums.
But if your talking about the analog outputs then yes, you will only have 4 of them. But if you mix your kit in the set up of the DM5 it might work out well for the mix. I know a lot of folks that do it that way. Kick on one, snare on one toms and brass faded across the 3/4 outputs in stereo.
