TD-10 Vs. SPD (for MIDI)

[rabyd]

I just purchased the TD-10 to use as a Sound Module. So far I have found that the drums sound great, but it has limited flexibility (for instance, it seems I can only use one drum kit at a time....I don't know this for sure, but haven't figured out how to use several at the same time in different MIDI tracks). Due to the huge price of the TD-10, I'm wondering if I made the right decision. I still have several weeks to return it. Does anyone have feelings about the power of the TD-10 when used as a sound module in a MIDI studio? I'm never going to hook up the pads (don't play drums) so that part of it I will never use. Would I get the same results from the much cheaper Roland SPD-xx stuff as far as the number of sounds and the sound quality?

Much appreciated,
-Darrell

[Louis]

Despite some shortcomings, the TD10 is still an awsome drum module for sounds. If you want to be able to tweak the drum sounds extensively, I would keep the TD10.

As for multiple sounds/kits - this isn't too hard to accomplish with the TD10. For example - the bass drum slot has two sounds, one for the head and one for the rim - so in one kit, you can quite easily have two different bassdrum sounds. But lets say in your song you're not using the tom3 and tom4 - well you can assign bass drum sounds to those heads and rims for 4 more bass drums! Then there is the percussion group (read about it in the manual), where you can basically load up as many sounds as you can fit within the 4 octive virtual keyboard - I mean..really..once you get to know how to program this thing, you can fit a TON of sounds into a single kit.

[rabyd]

Thanks, Louis!

From your post I gather that the best way to use the TD-10 is to create my own stylized drum kits. This is a different approach (than using, say, a Korg Triton where you can select multiple drum kits for different MIDI channels), and one that I haven't tried. So this should be a good learning experience.

[Marc.]

Originally posted by rabyd:
... but it has limited flexibility ...Due to the huge price of the TD-10, I'm wondering if I made the right decision...

Do a search. It has been determined that the TD-10 was primarily designed for having pads and a real person attached. Many have found it disappointing in the MIDI and studio applications scenarios when compared to other ( and sometimes cheaper) modules.

good luck,
-Marc.

[rabyd]

Yeah. I've been looking for the perfect MIDI drum machine for about 3 months now, and after returning several things, it seems there isn't one in existence. I do professional work and must have professional quality sounds. If you think there is a better drum module for MIDI than the TD-10 (most important are the quality of sounds and the number of sounds), please let me know...I would greatly appreciate it. I am pretty much at the end of my rope as far as my own research goes. Plus I live in Austin, TX, and none of the salespeople have a clue what they are talking about around here.

I have seen recommendations that using a sampler is the best way to go for drum sounds. This might be a more cost-effective way to get the drum sounds I need in my MIDI studio....the TD-10 is rather expensive at $1600 (w/ tax).

Any thoughts?

-Darrell

[szvook]

Have you considered a BOSS DR-770 Dr. Rhythm or DR-670 Dr. Rhythm?

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szvook

[Marc.]

Hi Darrell,

When I suggested "search", I meant the search feature here at vdrums.com. It's a small peice of text in the upper right portion of the screen. Clik on it. It will search this entire site for topics related to key words you put in.

Here is one thread related to your question ...

http://www.vdrums.com/discussion/For...ML/000048.html


good luck,
-Marc.

[rabyd]

Szvook,

I played with the Boss TD-770. It was alright, but only has 255 sounds, and not a whole lot of variety. For the price it is okay, but I need the most expressive, high-quality sounding machine possible. Maybe I didn't play with it enough (I only used it in the store...didn't actually buy it and try it at home...).

Have a good day...

[rabyd]

Hi Marc. Thanks for the link. I also tried very hard to decide between the TD-10 and the Alesis DMPro.

In regards to the Alesis. When I tried it in the store, it took a couple of seconds to load each drum kit. After experiencing that, I read reviews at zzounds.com (I think it was there...maybe Harmony Central) that stated that you couldn't switch smoothly from drum kit to drum kit in the middle of a MIDI song because of that loading time...and I can't imagine a song where the drums drop out for a couple of seconds while the next kit loads. Of course the TD-10 apparently doesn't allow me to use multiple kits at once. Perhaps I need to try the Alesis at home.

-Darrell

[rabyd]

Thanks Chris.

I'm not so much concerned with cost as I am quality (thus my purchase of the TD-10!). I have heard a lot about using samplers. I appreciate the recommendation of the AKAI. I assume those are fully compatible with MIDI?

Also, do you know who makes good drum CD-ROMs? I produce Electronica/Trance.

Thanks very much for the info...

-Darrell

[rabyd]

One more question about using a sampler for drums in a MIDI setup. I know my ignorance is showing bigtime . Do samplers like the S5000 have the ability to create kits? Or will I have to assign a separate MIDI channel in Cakewalk PA9 for each sample? (In other words, will I have to put the bass drum in one MIDI channel, the snare in another channel, a hi-hat in a 3rd channel, etc..., since they are different samples?).

Thanks very much,
-Darrell

[Alexander]

Originally posted by rabyd:
Also, do you know who makes good drum CD-ROMs? I produce Electronica/Trance.

-Darrell

Electronica/Trance, eh? You should hook up with SZVOOK (a Member on this site), He's a Techno Fanatic !




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Someone Set Up Us Da Bomb!!
-Alex. & V-Drums: http://www.zing.com/album/?id=429276...ulation_page=Y

[rabyd]

Svzook, if you get the urge, send me some .mp3's of stuff you've done.

[email protected]

-Darrell

[szvook]

Originally posted by rabyd:
Svzook, if you get the urge, send me some .mp3's of stuff you've done.

[email protected]

-Darrell

I will do one better. How about a CD with 5-6 recent tracks. If interested email me an address where I can send the CD.

[email protected]

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szvook