Connecting electronic drums as midi controller to use with EZ drummer

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WhiteShadow

WhiteShadow

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I know this is a guitar forum. Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this.

I'm fixing to order a Alesis electronic kit for recording. Most likely the Nitro mesh.

I've got a desktop PC, Focusrite solo interface. What kind of connector do I need to buy to run it midi? Does anyone else do this?

Thanks!
 
The Alesis module probably has the midi out on the usb. Just run a long usb cord into the computer. If not, midi out of the module to midi in on the interface with the standard 5-pin DIN connectors.
 
Just a heads-up before you buy:

For many there's no problem but the Alesis kits aren't a patch on the Roland ones. Might be prudent to consider a 2nd-hand or cheaper-model Roland. They'll stand up to all sorts of "abuse".
 
Monkey Man said:
Just a heads-up before you buy:

For many there's no problem but the Alesis kits aren't a patch on the Roland ones. Might be prudent to consider a 2nd-hand or cheaper-model Roland. They'll stand up to all sorts of "abuse".
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I’m sure that’s the case, but I really only have so much money. Times are tough. Every roland one looked way out of my price range. Unless you know of some good budget models
 
As I suggested, look at the 2nd-hand market.

The kits are so robust it's a no-brainer and are the only brand I'd even consider buying 2nd-hand. Try to find something from a home setup / home studio that hasn't gigged, just to be extra-safe.
 
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Yes I do this for my drum tracks - just a USB cable. And for sure look secondhand, there's bargains to be had like the piano market - people buy into a new hobby, use it for 6 months then give up. The more space the gear takes up, the better it is for the buyer (y)
 
Cool! Yes I’m looking at the used market. I believe I’m going to go with either the alesis nitro mesh or surge. It’s just for home recording. Don’t need anything more fancy than is necessary. I just find that programming drums rather than playing them just makes the song sound less than the sum of its parts (for me). I’m sure there are some skilled drum programmers out there, but I can finish songs so much better if I can just play the drums. Quite frankly I don’t want to take the time to sit down and learn how to do all the beat programming shit. I’d rather just play the parts. They sound better that way.
 
So I ended up getting the Alesis Surge Mesh. Delivery was super fast. Overall I like this kit a lot. The mesh heads are nice. Kit is a good size. I like the 10” snare. I only have 2 issues. One is that the stock module sucks. None of the kits sound good, but that is upgradable. I’m going to be using it with EZ drummer anyway. The other problem is the calibration of the hi hat pedal. There’s no nuance to it. Either wide open or totally closed. There’s three modes to it. Full open, half open, & closed. Half open is tough to achieve. I think there’s a way to calibrate this??

Overall though, it’s a good kit. Just a couple small upgrades this kit can be very good and useful.
 
Congrats man!

Sorry I can't comment on the HH calibration 'cause I'm not familiar with the deets of the Alesis kits. Used to use their drum modules back in the day 'though - HR16B in the '80s and D4 and DM Pro in the '90s.
 
I get such horrible lag with my Roland kit and Ezdrummer3. I don't think I know what I'm doing and can't figure it out
 
How are you connecting it? I'm connecting mine via MIDI to my interface- with the ASIO drivers I've got fairly low latency.
 
romanianreaper said:
I get such horrible lag with my Roland kit and Ezdrummer3. I don't think I know what I'm doing and can't figure it out
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Check the audio-buffer settings in the DAW mate; that's probably all it is - too-high, ie. forced audio delay.
 
So I've purchased a USB- MiDi cable. I've plugged up my Alesis kit. I've followed every top video tutorial on YouTube about how to set it up to use in my DAW and with EZDrummer standalone. I've done all the things its says to do, but it still won't trigger the software. I can't figure out why its not working. The software recognized my kit. I've got everything selected as it shows in the vids. Still not triggering it. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

I actually got it to work for like a couple seconds the other day, but then it stopped working. :aww:
 
What DAW? In Reaper you have to enable inputs in options first. In the track select your module or midi input, arm the rack to record, and enable monitoring. Make sure the track output is assigned to the main out 1/2.

Sometimes you need to change midi note assignments or load a drum map template / preset.

You may be hosed on the hi-hat. Not sure. There is a $150 4-input module with great hi function. It's called the eDRUMin4. You can run both modules at the same time.
 
PatF said:
, and enable monitoring.
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I feel like this is the thing.

Some DAWs call this 'input echo'.

Make sure that you can 'play' the Software drumkit with the mouse. Most drum plugins play the drum sample(s) when you click on the drum with the mouse. If that is working, then the plugin is working.

You have to have a MIDI input track, and have the output of that track routed to the drum plugin. And have the input listening to the MIDI interface that your E-kit is plugged into. If that track is armed, you should see activity when you hit a pad.
 
I think you guys have covered it between the two of you, squealie and Pat. :thumbsup:
 
PatF said:
What DAW?
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Studio One 5. But I do have Reaper too. I'm trying to run it in the standalone EZ Drummer too with no luck. The cable is good. All the settings are correct. On paper it should work, but it's just not triggering. Clicking it with mouse makes the drums work. However, I've not looked at some of the stuff you guys mentioned, so I'll try that then report back. Thanks.
 
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