Cheap way to add pads when you've run out of inputs on your module

[ThePod]

I'm using a TD-6 which I'm sending to my Mac and using Addictive Drums 2. I wanted to add some additional pads to my setup, but I was out of inputs on the module (I've already split the tom inputs) and didn't feel like buying another module. I had an old set of Wii Guitar Hero drums hanging around and remembered that the have a MIDI OUT port on them. I connected this to the MIDI IN on my TD-6 and found that they perfectly triggered the snare, tom 1, tom2, open hi-hat, crash 1 and kick drum. I could simultaneously trigger all of those sounds on the Guitar Hero drums set and my standard set up, however I realized that the MIDI notes coming from the Guitar Hero drums are hardwired and not changeable. They map to the following MIDI notes.

Snare: 38
High tom: 48
mid tom: 45
kick: 36
hihat tip: 46
crash (cymbal 1): 55

I was able to remap my standard kit pads to different empty MIDI notes on my TD-6 and then have Addictive Drums 2 learn those inputs so that my standard kit would play the expected snare, tom, kick etc and I would have 6 free additional pads to play with from the Guitar Hero set. Not that I NEED 6 more pads, but it's nice to have and I can use it with Reaper/Samplomatic 5000 to trigger actual samples outside of AD2 should I so choose. I haven't decided if/where to permanently place the Guitar Hero pads, but I thought I'd share what I came up with. Also, you have to have bluetooth activated on your laptop so the wiimote stays active and alive.

Untitled by ajm3874, on Flickr

Untitled by ajm3874, on Flickr

[fulrmr(Daniel)]

Way to utilize what you got! Kudos!

[Kenster]

Wow, talk about awesome re-purposing!! When you're ready to spend some $$ there are lots of ideas here on the forums on how to make or buy pads CHEAP!!!

K ;-)

[ThePod]

I don't need any more pads and as you can see I've got a diy snare and low tom. This was just for fun and as a proof of concept, you know just because....

[Ianhin]

I'm using a TD-6 which I'm sending to my Mac and using Addictive Drums 2. I wanted to add some additional pads to my setup, but I was out of inputs on the module (I've already split the tom inputs) and didn't feel like buying another module. I had an old set of Wii Guitar Hero drums hanging around and remembered that the have a MIDI OUT port on them. I connected this to the MIDI IN on my TD-6 and found that they perfectly triggered the snare, tom 1, tom2, open hi-hat, crash 1 and kick drum. I could simultaneously trigger all of those sounds on the Guitar Hero drums set and my standard set up, however I realized that the MIDI notes coming from the Guitar Hero drums are hardwired and not changeable. They map to the following MIDI notes.

Snare: 38
High tom: 48
mid tom: 45
kick: 36
hihat tip: 46
crash (cymbal 1): 55

I was able to remap my standard kit pads to different empty MIDI notes on my TD-6 and then have Addictive Drums 2 learn those inputs so that my standard kit would play the expected snare, tom, kick etc and I would have 6 free additional pads to play with from the Guitar Hero set. Not that I NEED 6 more pads, but it's nice to have and I can use it with Reaper/Samplomatic 5000 to trigger actual samples outside of AD2 should I so choose. I haven't decided if/where to permanently place the Guitar Hero pads, but I thought I'd share what I came up with. Also, you have to have bluetooth activated on your laptop so the wiimote stays active and alive.

Untitled by ajm3874, on Flickr

Untitled by ajm3874, on Flickr

I use an Alesis Control Pad, it has 8 pads via MIDI, thats another whole kit!

[johnniewalk]

Nice Information Posted

[ClintTweed]

Thanks for sharing this set up. Very cool option for adding a lot of triggering options!

In a few weeks, I'm going to try hooking up my Vestax Pad-One to the TD9 module I got today. The buttons are only about 1" square but they are velocity sensitive.

[Intruder]

Thanks for sharing this set up. Very cool option for adding a lot of triggering options!

In a few weeks, I'm going to try hooking up my Vestax Pad-One to the TD9 module I got today. The buttons are only about 1" square but they are velocity sensitive.

So, you are going to be playing your TD9 with your fingers?
I am sure it will work but I'm wondering why you would want to?
If you are going to use sticks one miss off the pad could get expensive rather quickly.
Not judging, just wondering.

[ClintTweed]

Thanks for your questions, Intruder.

I was intrigued by a post that send they missed having a MIDI IN on the newer Roland modules. So, I was looking for an application and remembered I had the Vestax.

I did a quick test of hitting the pads on the Vestax and you're right, it would tough to hit them accurately with sticks, at least with my talent.

The Vestax casing is solid metal so I don't think it will be damaged by a stick, or are you thinking the stick may suffer?

One idea is that I could control a DAW with the Vestax, so using even using it with fingers may be useful. I will do some more investigating in the coming weeks.

[Intruder]

Cool, thought maybe you were going for a "Zen Drum" type thing.
Being a midi controller it could be used for lots of things. I use a Alesis sample pad for not only sounds but also triggering DMX lighting while playing drums. It also could be used to manipulate my DAW but with only 5 pads it is somewhat limited.
This stuff is very addictive so use caution! LOL
Have fun!

[ClintTweed]

I did a little testing and the Pad One can trigger TD9 sounds on channels 10 & 11. It does not seem to support Program Change commands though, so no changing kits with it

If I have some interesting info to add, I'll start a new thread. I have already hijacked the OP's thread for long enough!

[ThePod]

Feel free to hijack. It's all good and interesting information.

[Intruder]

Feel free to hijack. It's all good and interesting information.

Thanks, as old as the thread was kind of figured you would not mind too much!

Midi is a blast to play with, so many possibilities.

[ClintTweed]

Feel free to hijack. It's all good and interesting information.

Thanks for your understanding. I will probably start a new thread if I have any more interesting observations about the Vestax, just so it's easier to find.

[figital]

i have a TD-12 and an ARTURIA BEATSTEP which looks similar to the vestax. the BEATSTEP is a controller/sequencer and the TD-12 has a synth built in that you can trigger via midi. so on the TD-12 there are 4 banks of sounds, each on midi channel 1,2,3 and 4. the drums are on 10 and the perc is on 11. so you can plug the BEATSTEP in, set in on channel 1, 2, 3 or 4 and then use the little pads to either play synth live or use the sequencer to make a little sequence that repeats that you can drum along to.

i don't know if the TD-9 has the built in pattern thing like the TD-12, but if it does, try setting that VESTAX to channel 1-4 and see what happens.

and to the original poster, way to hack! i like the large sized snare and tom you've made!!