Is it really necessary to manually tune the vdrums as described in the manual?

[DRulz]

I don't plan to use the vdrums to trigger td10 sounds as I will eventually have the vdrum brain connected to my computer via Emagic's Amt8. I will also be triggering samples stored on my computer's hard drive using a software sampler called Battery.

Now.. do I really have to tune the heads (with the key) as meticulously described in the manual? I find that I like a really tight head on the snare vdrum... and also because tight heads provide for better attack and stick bounce. Will this interfere with the td10's ability to send midi information to the computer?

Just wondering. Maybe it's because I'm lazy to go through the whole tuning process using the program on the brain. I also find it very tedious and somewhat inaccurate because I can never get a vdrum tuned 100% (I would hit the vdrum an inch away from the rim 100 times, and each time I would get a different response from the brain).

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Jason

[puttenvr]

I think for full positional sensing it's better to tune it like the manual says. I don't think it will affect the sending of a single MIDI note number; only when the MIDI needs several notes for several positions sounds.

[DRulz]

Does positional sensing here even apply since I will be using a different sound source? In other words, will the CC# data for positional sensing out of the td10 affect a sample or multisample snare I have stored in my software sampler on the computer?

[Boingo]

It won't make a hill of beans worth of difference if I understand you correctly. If you are not using the drums to trigger sounds, it would appear you don't need to plug into the drums at all.

It took me a long time to be able to tune using the on board tuning aid. I don't think how hard you strike matters. I think precision is the key. Some people have recommended putting small ink dots on the head so they are 1 inch from the rim at each lug. If you do it right, you can watch how the arrows move to one side or the other based on where you hit it.

I have experienced drop outs when playing heads tuned too tight, i.e., tighter than the tight setting indicators recommend.

[DRulz]

I will be using the drums to trigger sounds... but not TD10 sounds - I plan to trigger sounds stored on my computer or on a hardware sampler (researching a good cost efficient one at the moment actually).

[Boingo]

Originally posted by DRulz:
I will be using the drums to trigger sounds... but not TD10 sounds - I plan to trigger sounds stored on my computer or on a hardware sampler (researching a good cost efficient one at the moment actually).

You still shouldn't need to tune the drums that precisely. My gut feel is over 2/3's of the drummers on this site do not tune their drums to precisely line up with the on board tuner settings. I'll bet a very large number don't use it at all.

I play on a 2nd set of VPro's and they are tuned so tight I have to loosen them a full 1.5 turns to play them. I just don't like em that tight. Other's do. They seem to play ok either way. In fact, I'm surprised the heads hold up the way they do with the constant stretch/relax.

[szvook]

It should not matter how tight or loose the heads should be for MIDI data transfer. But if set too loose, you might get a spike and that will be noticed via MIDI. If having the heads loose is your preference, you might want to raise the mask time until you do not have spikes coming through - setting of 12 should do it.

BTW, I am also thinking about running Battery on my laptop for loops. But I have compare how it will do against my E-mu, as far as latency.

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Outboard gear: Focusrite Compounder, Drawmer MX-30, BBE-482, Aphex C-104, Behringer T1951 4-Band Parametric Tube EQ, Lexicon MPX1, Mackie 1402-VLZ, (Crown K2 amp & Cerwin Vega V-253 speakers = 1600 watts @ 4 ohms continues power, peak at 3000 watts) and Sony MDR-V700DJ headphones.

[DRulz]

yah, I tend to hit hard.. I guess because the feel, although very similar, isn't quite like an acoustic drum. My left arm tends to get sore after a while because I'm hitting the snare pretty hard to get that "attack" I'm used to.

This is just one reason why I'm thinking of a tight head.

[DRulz]

bump (w/updated profile on the left)

[DRulz]

Hey.. yah, my computer is as follows:

1 - Win XP
2 - Logic Audio Platinum 4.82
3 - Emagic AMT8 Midi iface
4 - Battery Software Sampler

I'm thinking about purchasing a hardware sampler (see my other post in Products forum), but for now, I just want to get it all working so that when I strike a vdrum pad, Battery will trigger a wave file (previously akai or gigasampler formats).

[DRulz]

Hmm.. interesting...

I haven't actually set Battery up for use with the VDrum pads yet... but I plan to as soon as I install XP.

I have been thinking about purchasing a hardware sampler though, for a variety of reasons:

1 - Can take out on gigs (for use with SPD20) - will be triggering small samples (about 2-10 secs each) and large samples (about a minute each).

2 - Better Latency

3 - Don't have to turn the computer on each time I want to play the vdrums


Sooo, having said that, I'm currently looking for an affordable sampler that'll accomodate all of the above. I don't think I really need sequencing capabilities because I record on the computer at home. I just need something that I can use to trigger drum sounds, sound fx, and long ass epic intros and outros for our songs when we play live (I could use DAT for this, but I would like to do all of this from one unit).

Jason



[This message has been edited by DRulz (edited January 22, 2002).]

[DRulz]

Musicians' Friend has the s5k for 1600 bucks!

I was hoping I could find a decent one that'll suffice at the cost efficient budget of $500 or so...

[DRulz]

Hehe ok, I'll be here :P~

Jason

[Quatzu]

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