How to up upgrade Alesis DM5

Posted on Aug 04, 2009 06:34 am
G.Hall
Dogmilk
Member Since: Aug 03, 2009

Hello every one I would just like to say this is a great site and the quality of answers to those in need of help (like me) is very good, so my problem is the dm5 module is quite an old bit of kit now and alesis offer a free upgrade with lots of new sounds, now i have got this upgrade called" DM5prokit Presetbank" and a new USB to MIDI Cable to send it from my computer to the module .The problem is i dont know how to,im stuck, has anyone the same problem?

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Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Aug 04, 2009 06:02 pm

Welcome to HRC first off. I've seen the free upgrade, but I do believe it is a preset bank set up as to update the sounds would be a pretty big file. This looks to be only a sysex update file which is more then likely an update to the presets. It appears that there are fixes to the velocity set ups that are geared towards Alesis DM Pro trigger kit which wont' do ya much good unless you have that trigger kit.

But it appears to be mostly kit and preset changes.

To do this you will need something along the lines of DM5Edit or midi-ox:2 or else you can send it with your DAW if it has a sysex send receive set up like Sonar does.

G.Hall
Dogmilk
Member
Since: Aug 03, 2009

Aug 05, 2009 07:40 am

Thank You for your reply. I should have said i have very limited understanding of computer jargon as its all new to me
,to be honest i thought a DAW was something you open and walk thru . This DM5Edit or midi-ox:2 of which you speak is that something i can download ? and if so where from? I know I may sound stupid but i dont know what Sonar is , think i better look up this stuff up. I bow down to your superior intellect.

Hue
Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

Aug 05, 2009 08:54 am

I think that Noize makes us all feel like that, at one point or another. lol

The guy's a walking Wikipedia, when it comes to this stuff!

But, if I may help...

Sonar is a recording program, which appearently has the ability, through its design, to make the comunication between your DM5, and the upgrade-point, possible.

A 'DAW' is a Digital Audio Workstation... i.e. 'computer with a recording program, and soundcard/interface'.

As Noize said though, unless you use a Alesis DM Pro Trigger kit, this upgrade is pretty much unnecessary for you

G.Hall
Dogmilk
Member
Since: Aug 03, 2009

Aug 06, 2009 07:24 am

Thank you Hue you have been very helpful.

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Aug 06, 2009 05:24 pm

G.Hall, is there more you need to know? I promise to speak a little less techy.

As for explaining the other bits.
DM5Edit is just an editing program which can talk back and forth with the processor and memory of the DM5 itself. It allows you to actually open up each bank or preset and edit every detail that makes up each drum kit in the DM5. I can explain about it more if you would like.

And the Midi-ox:2 is simply a program that allows midi gear to talk to a program on a PC without the need for a fancy recording program and the like.

G.Hall
Dogmilk
Member
Since: Aug 03, 2009

Aug 07, 2009 05:37 am

I Love this site! you guys are great ,im ready to go now thanks noize2u.