Newbe to midi interface recording - need a good starting point

[rperyon]

Hafa Adai Drummers!

Please forgive me if there is a topic on this forum regarding my inquiry. I haven't had a chance to explore the entire forum yet. I have a TD6 kit, and am pretty familiar with all the operations except using the midi interface to record to a pc.
My intention is to get plugged into my computer record tracks, play over back tracks, and what ever else I can learn. I don't know where to start. I have the cables, but have no idea what software would be best for what I'd like to accomplish. I would like to be able to record over tracks also. My brother in-law wants to send me tracks so that I can record the drum parts. Thank you very much for your help.

Rob

[perceval]

Hi Rob, and welcome to the forum.

Do you want to record the sounds of your TD6 into your computer? If so, you do not need to record the MIDI output, as MIDI is not the actual sounds. The simplest form would be to run a cable (mono or stereo) from the output of the TD6 to the input of your computer. You can also use an audio interface to input into your computer. You'll need a DAW.

MIDI is just notes information that your computer uses to create other sounds. If you record MIDI, you will need a VST to create sounds in your computer.

LOTS of info within the forum. Use the search to find what you need. Look into the "In The Studio" section for recording drum sounds. Also look into the "VST & Samples" section for learning about MIDI and VSTs.

[electrodrummer]

...or to add to this...!
I record MIDI data, and use the module to produce the final audio - no VSTs or such-the-like.
Record MIDI, tidy up any iffy notes, quantise if you need to etc., then play the MIDI back thru to module and record the audio coming back from said module....

[rperyon]

Thanks electrodrummer. please forgive me for not knowing all the acronyms, what does VST's stand for. So what you're saying is that you run the music track through the module, and then record the drum part right onto the module? Then I assume perform a dump to a computer or midi device?

[airflamesred]

It would be sensible to get the same software as your brother in-law has. He sends you the track, you record the midi (as electrodrummer sais above)tidy up and use that midi info to record audio from your TD6 and send it back to him. He then complains about the poor quality drum sounds that the Roland has to offer and uses the midi info to trigger Addictive drums.
Now, I made that last sentence up, just for comedic effect but it is another option.

[mkok]

I think you will need to do a bit of reading up on midi. Midi itself does not output audio at all. It sends note information, Velocity, pan and a whole lot more. For instance the hi-hat sends what is called continuous controller information. So when you record you are not making a dump to the PC you record these messages as they get to the pc in real time. To do this you need some software that can record midi. Example like Cubase or good ones you can try out like Reaper. When you record midi you record what you are playing in real time into the software. The software records the messages and then you can play this back. There are two ways to do this. Firstly you can send the midi out of the computer to the midi in of your sound module (if it has one) This would then play the internal sounds in the module. Alternatively you can use a VST instrument in the software and send the midi to that and play the sounds within the vst instrument. The main thing to remember midi is not audio, just a set of instructions. These can be recorded in real time and played back in real time. Most software allows you to have drum maps and then manipulate the messages to tidy up what you have played or quantise it. I don't use the internal sounds in my TD20 at all when recording. I play Superior drummer 2 (SD2) software inside of Stienberg Cubase which has incredibly realistic and playable sounds. It will be a steep learning curve but worth it.

[heel4you]

Hello
Sorry to jump in. I am new to this subject too. I have read the forums about this subject and they go over my head a bit.
I have 2 questions
1st question is:
Why do you need 2 software packages in your DAW like SD2 and Cubase or EZ Drummer and Reaper?
2nd question:
If you were a beginner and could purchase the 2 software packages to start out what would it be?
This is what I have to work with:
PC window 8.1
Roland TD-11 w/extra crash2 cymbal.
Presonous Audiobox 22VSL
Simmons DA 50 Speaker
USB adaptor
I have USB adaptor and cables from Guitar center for DAW to speaker to Audiobox etc, but I don't know how to set it up the midi etc
I may have missed some things...
Thanks for any help any one can give!!

[mkok]

To answer 1st question. If you want to use the sounds in your drum module you don't. The reason people use a VST virtual instrument plugin is the sounds are far better than the internal sounds on the module.
The second question is very subjective very subjective. I'll tell you what I have and like but others may like different. I use Cubase because I have used it since the 80's on an Atarti back then. I use SD2 because I like the sounds and can get the triggering set up correctly with my TD20. I found EZdrummer too basic.
Does the soundcard have a midi interface? Does the TD-11 have USB connectivity? If it does then you don't need a midi interface as USB will carry it.
I'm not sure what else I can say as you are right at the beginning so maybe reading a bit on midi first.

[heel4you]

Mkok,
1st, thanks for the reply.You are very helpful.
My PC's sound card is terrible. It does not have a midi interface. This is why I purchased the presonous audiobox 22vsl. The TD-11 does have USB though.
I am ready to purchase some kind of software, but I can't make an educated decision on what to buy. I am ready to start learning with something. I usually am pretty quick at learning programs.
To you or anyone else reading this, what software (s) would seem to be the easiest to setup the v-drum kits?
Thanks

[perceval]

Addictive has a demo for their HH and snare. Good intro to VSTs but you just missed their 50% off sale... You'll have to wait until Xmas for the next sale.

Drumic'a is a free VST that sounds pretty nice. Check it out.

Going free or demo will help you learn about VSTs and their setups. If you don want to record your drums, Addictive has a standalone app, but if you want to record, you'll need a DAW.

[airflamesred]

I am ready to purchase some kind of software, but I can't make an educated decision on what to buy. I am ready to start learning with something. I usually am pretty quick at learning programs.
To you or anyone else reading this, what software (s) would seem to be the easiest to setup the v-drum kits?
Thanks

There's no shortage of choice it really is subjective, like buying an acoustic kit I guess.

[mkok]

Mkok,
1st, thanks for the reply.You are very helpful.
My PC's sound card is terrible. It does not have a midi interface. This is why I purchased the presonous audiobox 22vsl. The TD-11 does have USB though.
I am ready to purchase some kind of software, but I can't make an educated decision on what to buy. I am ready to start learning with something. I usually am pretty quick at learning programs.
To you or anyone else reading this, what software (s) would seem to be the easiest to setup the v-drum kits?
Thanks

I've taken a look at the Prosonus and it has midi and should be capable of low latency. When I said your PC soundcard I meant the interface as I wouldn't expect anyone to try using the internal sound. Low latency means that when you play a VST instrument you hear the sound as you hit it and not a second later.

So you still didn't answer the question. Do you want to use the sounds on the TD-11 or use the TD-11 to trigger sounds in a VST instrument? To record midi that would then be able to play back through the TD-11 you would need a DAW. Well worth Trying out reaper to get an idea of what it is all about. I can't really help you with it though as I have only had a brief look. The advantage of a VST instrument is you don't nee the TD-11 once you have recorded your midi track. The track will then play the VST instrument.

So you connect the TD-11 via usb to the PC. The midi in and out would then appear in whichever DAW you chose (in case you don't know an example of a DAW is Cubase, Reaper, Protools etc)
Midi would go over USB in this case. When you hit a pad a midi note on message is sent to the DAW. These can be recorded and sent back out to play the TD-11 or can be sent to a VST instrument within the DAW.

If you answer the question on what you want to do then we can take it further. I do suggest you look at the free offerings to get a feel for what is actually happening. Remember midi does NOT send any sounds only messages. You then record these messages which can be sent via midi to either the TD-11 or a VST instrument. The midi messages will trigger the sounds in the TD-11 or a VSTI.

[heel4you]

Mkok,
Sorry for missing that question.
Also, thanks to the others for your replies!
I would like to use the TD-11 to trigger sounds in a VST instrument. I would like to record too.
I guess, I would like it all, if that is possible.
I am disabled and I have alot of time on my hands. I play my drums as a type of therapy. With the addition of VST's, DAW etc., I am hoping to add some "brain therapy" into the mix.
I love my e-drums and love the computer, so it should be great. I am really excited.
Thanks!

[mkok]

Ah ok then you do need a DAW and a VST instrument. May be a good idea to try Reaper. I don't know of any decent free drum VSTIs so i'll leave that to others

[perceval]

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