Using External Drum Pads as Trigger for AR

ARVE · 2017-01-23T16:50:18.400Z

I think, it is not elektrons fault. The Roland manual just does not explain situations like these. And you don’t find a lot of informations about the SPD-SX online. As I said, these two devices work very well together and even the colors fit perfect. I wish to have the possibility to save kits on the AR without the need of a pattern and being able to switch “live rec” and “scenes” on and off via Midi.

Stoss · 2017-01-23T17:14:31.374Z

I certainly am not putting Elektron at fault for anything. Having devices made by different companies work well together is always a two way street. In this case, however, I have used a DSI Tempest and other external gear in the exact same way with the SPD-SX and never had to mess with the gate settings when simply triggering a sound. I don’t mind changing the settings of the SPD-SX in a way that helps the situation, I’m just suggesting to Elektron that understanding this unique problem may prove valuable in the future.

As far as other control via MIDI… I totally agree. I don’t think Elektron or DSI make these boxes with live external pad performance as a priority. I myself have my SPD-SX sitting next to my acoustic drum kit and use it as a performance bridge between improv sequenced electronic and live acoustic drum performance. One thing I have asked DSI for is that the tap tempo would listen for an external note for it’s control. I could then set one of the SPD-SX pads to have the ability to tap in a new tempo on the fly. Now… you can do this directly on the SPD-SX… but it does not send clock out so it cannot act as a MIDI master clock device. Anyway… the struggle to get the perfect set up is real.

Stoss · 2017-01-24T16:30:08.027Z

I updated to 1.06 and changed my EXT CONTROL and GATE settings last night. Everything is working well. When performing a very quick roll on an external drum pad it will miss some things… but other than that, for typical use, it works very well! Thanks again for the help.

ARVE · 2017-01-24T18:00:35.834Z

Good to hear that it works now. Maybe you have to adjust the trigger threshold or the pad sensitivity a little bit.

ddubjr · 2017-02-09T00:07:54.957Z

It seems many of you are using SPDSX into AR. Would anyone be willing to list set up steps? I can’t seem to get it working. SPDSX to AR using midi cable.
Thanks,
Denny

AverageBear6 · 2017-11-27T16:49:23.121Z

Glad to find this thread. My whole purpose for getting the AR is for use as drum brain (samples + AR kits) triggered by my Yamaha e-kit. I have been using this for over a year, and I love Loop Loft’s samples, but I have issues with Toms. Seems to be a slight latency issue.

I used to use a Boss DR-880 as drum brain and the toms were amazing with no latency, but overall the Boss didn’t deliver in the mix.

I am going to review my midi set up on my Yamaha e-kit to see if a set up adjustment will solve my issue.

Sure hope to resolve this, or else I may look into selling my AR and going for an ATV AD5 or Pearl Mimic Pro.
Any suggestions more than welcome.

NICOCOLES · 2020-11-19T02:33:30.726Z

Do you have any links? I Have not been able to connect my spd s with AR.

NICOCOLES · 2020-11-19T02:39:51.239Z

Hello ARVE,
Do you have any video on how to map the SPD-SX with AR?
Or please, can you share a replay on how to do it step by step?

PeterHanes · 2020-11-19T13:43:10.238Z

Welcome to the forum!

NICOCOLES:

I Have not been able to connect my spd s with AR.

NICOCOLES:

Do you have any video on how to map the SPD-SX with AR?
Or please, can you share a replay on how to do it step by step?

Do you have an SPD-S or an SPD-SX?

What MIDI settings have you made on your SPD-S(X)?

What MIDI settings have you made on your AR?

NICOCOLES · 2020-11-19T14:21:12.495Z

I have the SPD SX. I want to use the pad to mute and unmute the AR.

PeterHanes · 2020-11-19T14:41:40.695Z

NICOCOLES:

SPD SX. I want to use the pad to mute and unmute the AR.

The AR’s track(s) can be muted using MIDI CC 94.

You can set the SPD-SX’s CONTROL 1 and CONTROL 2 knobs to transmit MIDI CC messages in its SETUP > MIDI > CTRL menu, described on page 68 of the manual.

ARVE · 2020-11-19T20:33:10.997Z

Hi NICOCOLES. Try the following settings:

AR
Midi Config -> Sync -> Transport Receive (✓)
Port Config -> Input From -> Midi USB / Midi
Port Config -> Pad Dest -> Int + Ext
Port Config -> Receive Notes (✓)
Channels -> Auto Channel: 14
Channels -> Prog CH In CH: Auto

SPD-SX
MENU -> Setup -> Midi -> Global CH: 14
MENU -> Setup -> Midi -> Midi Sync: Auto
MENU -> Setup -> Midi -> USB-Midi I/F: Off
MENU -> Kit -> Midi -> Note: 0=BD, 1=SD, 2=RS, 3=CP … (f.e.: Pad 1=BD, Pad 2= SD, Pad 3=CH …)
MENU -> Kit -> Midi -> Gate: 0.1 s (on every Pad)
MENU -> Setup -> Pad Sens: adjust threshold and sensitivity to taste

I hope this works for you.

NICOCOLES · 2020-11-20T01:40:53.444Z

Hello Internet Brother,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write everything down.
I’m able to control the AR with the SPD-SX. The only thing is that I’m not able to mute and unmute the AR. One more time, thank you so much.

furlatron · 2020-11-28T20:18:56.670Z

If anyone is interested, another choice I use is the DrumKat DK10.

It’s 10 pads with optional high hat and kick trigger. Works pretty great and cheaper than a SPD/SPD-SX. DK10 is equipped with 4 different sensitivity settings, full control over which pad is what MIDI channel/#, and looks great with the grey RTYM Mkii.

Only issue I have, if someone can help with this would be awesome, is occasionally when I’m playing - one pad will trigger the sample again once after it’s hit. This results in 2 hits after I only hit the pad once. Not sure why. And, when I then tap the pad on the Rytm, the problem stops! Happens on any trig/sound/sample, but only on a single trig at a time, and only occasionally. Very strange. Any help would be awesome!

blurrghost · 2020-11-28T20:47:26.084Z

Interesting. I’ve been curious about those. They’re way cheaper than most of the competition in the used market (like 1/5 the price of a used spd-sx). Sure that’s because it doesn’t have sounds/ samples onboard but that’s not an issue for me. Seems like it’s closest competition would be the 2nd octapad (pad-80).
Does it feel good? Nice squish to rebound ratio? Responsive enough for rolls?

furlatron · 2020-11-28T23:23:48.001Z

Yeah awesome for rolls! Very responsive. It’s almost exactly the texture and feel of my practice drum pad.

Only problem is the second hit thing that I mentioned earlier- not sure if it’s because I’m routing the midi through my MC6 or if it’s a just a glitch.

Anyway I often now find myself just jamming with the Rytm instead of sequencing. So fun.

blurrghost · 2020-11-28T23:55:44.548Z

Cool. Thanks. That pretty much bumps it up to the top of my list. I’m a drummer and the rytm really feels like it would be fun to play with sticks.
I might poke around online soon to see if anyone else has mentioned the double trigger problem you’re having. If I find anything I’ll post it here.
It’s only happening with one of the dk10 pads? Off the top of my head, it could be a loose piezo inside that sometimes moves a little after its corresponding pad it hit. Have you tried it with any other gear to eliminate the rytm as the source of the problem?

blurrghost · 2020-11-29T05:18:41.320Z

alternatemode.com

dk3.5manual.pdf

438.94 KB

Page 87 of this manual describes dealing with double triggering by adjusting the pad’s headroom and then redoing the “training” procedure.
I think this will help with your problem.

Also, my guess about a loose piezo trigger is non-applicable. It turns out that unlike many midi drum pads (octapad for example) the drumkat doesn’t use discrete individual piezos. Instead it used one multi trigger sensor pad that handles all of the pads. A replacement costs more than the entire unit does on the used market. Fortunately it doesn’t sound like that’s your problem.

furlatron · 2020-11-30T04:15:22.780Z

It happens with any pad (i think).

I overlooked that “training” procedure. I bet that’s it. I’ll try that fix in the next few days and post back here if it works. Even with that issue the DK 10 is worth it IMO.

Thanks for the help

blurrghost · 2020-11-30T04:41:18.866Z

No problem. I just did a quick google search. I hope it works. Not being very familiar with the dk10 I don’t know for sure but I’ll be curious to find out.