Ghostman's 2008 rebuild..

[ghostman]

I rebuilt my kit, and I am posting pics here, I have built an album using the 'vdrums' album..

http://www.vdrums.com/forum/album.php?albumid=25

Also, I detailed my build on my personal blog:

http://jghostman.blogspot.com/2008/08/drum-kit-with-pictures.html

But, if you're lazy or not even that interested, here's the short & sweet of it:
I went from 14 to 10 pads, and added new ecymbals - Pintech hi-hat, 2 choke-able crashes, and a dual-zone ride.
I reduced the number of pads because of two reasons:
1) I wanted to use the stereo cables for both the crashes and ride
2) I wanted to simplify the kit so I can concentrate on re-building my basics.

I also added a place for my components and cymbals. And laptop. I have a specific spot for the laptop, and I'm using it for various reasons, but it isn't integrated in the kit 100% of the time.

So there's the short version. check out the other spot if interested.

[Michael Render]

Although I will never understand wanting less pads , it is an intriguing and unique setup.

[ghostman]

I wanted less pads.. I know how anti-GAS of me.. really tho, I am concentrating on my basics.. my drumming is not where I thought it would be, so I'm doing things to lessen the 'toy' factor.

I did spend some serious time practicing this weekend.. my chops are coming back.. yay!

[SuperPuss]

Although I will never understand wanting less pads , it is an intriguing and unique setup.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts.

I am curious though Ghostman, which pad is your snare and what sounds do you usually assign to each pad?
Where does the 01W fit in? Do you use it as a sound module?

I am totally fascinated by your project and checked out all the photo's in your gallery

[ghostman]

That pretty much sums up my thoughts.

I am curious though Ghostman, which pad is your snare and what sounds do you usually assign to each pad?
Where does the 01W fit in? Do you use it as a sound module?

I am totally fascinated by your project and checked out all the photo's in your gallery

Ahh, but did you read the blog? lol..

To answer your question directly, the bottom rack, second from the left is my primary snare, and the next one to the right is the secondary snare. the far right is usually a 'floor tom', and the far left tucked under the hats is usually a sound effect..

If you look at my blog, my first massive build had two snares, one in front, one behind. I am so used to having 2 snares / sounds, that it's is primary to any of my designs.

The KORG is the MIDI sound source - and my primary sound source. so I can just 'sit down and play'. The laptop is there, too, but I don't have a dedicated laptop for the kit, and sometimes I don't want to haul it down. Plus, since i only have BFD lite, I only get 3 cymbals, 3 toms, one snare, one bass, and a hihat. That's just not enough sounds!!

So, the Korg is cool; I map a tom, and I can assign a range of keys. The note in the range is essentially the same, just goes up or down in pitch, just like the notes on a keyboard. Each key is basically a MIDI note, hence the numbers on the keyboard. What's even cooler is that even though the keyboard goes from 36 to 95 (or 96.. whatever) the MIDI maps from like 24 to 119. so, the note on 35 or 36 can range down (get some SUPER deep bass!!) and the 95 can range up (some wild ass high toms or cymbals.. I've been experimenting w/ a gong sound up there..). Right now, I am still using the KORG's 4 default drumkit layouts, and have more options than I have played with so far..

I know you are a keyboardist and probably know all that, but I am trying to answer for more folks than just SP.

so, the kit layout is like this (top to bottom, left to right) - and I hope it makes sense..
layout #1 - 'real drum' (using KORG)
Cymbals: 3 cymbals, ride is dual zone
crash 1, crash 2, ride bow / bell - all fairly realistic sounds, and what you'd expect.
"tom" rack: (4 pads, 4 sounds)
highest tom, high tom, med tom, low tom
"Snare" Rack: (4 drums, 4 sounds)
Fist, acoustic snare, synth snare, floor tom
hihat (with open/close and foot close sound)
Bass: same drum sounds, but left bass is 1 note 'lower'.

"Fist" is a great sound, it's like a smash sound.. Hard to describe...

Layout #2 - "total synth"
Cymbals: 3 cymbals, ride is dual zone
super low crash (MIDI note 30ish), super high Gong (MIDI 119) 2, ride bow - triangle, ride bell - "pipe"
"tom" rack: (4 pads, 4 sounds)
tambourine, high synthtom, med synthtom, low synthtom
"Snare" Rack: (4 pads, 4 sounds)
Fist, synth snare, "industrial", woodblock or clavicle
hihat (with open/close and foot close sound - using the 'synth hats')
Bass: syn Bass, Punch Bass

"Pipe" is a sound that if you went out and found a pipe (like a street sign or similar) and smaked it w/ a hammer, you'd get a sound similar to this.
Industrial, I cannot explain - even weirder than "Fist".

Realize that a lot of the sound names really mean nothing until you hear them.. I have a word document that I am using to map my kit.. lol.

I'm pretty happy with those 2 setups, and I am trying to figure out how to program the sequencer to be a metronome.. I am not a KORG expert, but the IO has a sweet user base, and I am sure I can figure it out.

I also use the BFD lite 1.5 that came w/ the IO, and generally, it's a standard kit setup.. BFD gives me cymbal choking (though it's not as fast as real choking, I am sure I can tweak it, tho - just haven't spent the time to mess w/ it.) and more hi-hat definition, and way better acoustical sounds.. The 'synth sounds" are pretty disappointing, tho. I am strongly considering upgrading to the full product..

I have noticed that hi-hat response is better w/ the korg than w/ BFD. I find that I have to really pay attention to when I raise my foot for the open sounds during playing, but with BFD, I find I have to raise earlier.. I can think of 4 or 5 reasons, but won't bore you with them here.
Alternately, the drum sounds are more responsive w/ BFD than with the KORG, and the velocity definition is better w/ BFD. With the KORG I find that if I do real fast 16th notes, not all of them sound, but BFD sails through. I thought it might be the IO, but with both of these to compare, I can figure out what is the module problem vs. the keyboard or BFD. It's probaby the polyphony on the KORG... or it's just old. lol.

Okay, I think hit my word limit for this post.

[ghostman]

New Gear!!

I recently added a PinTech HyperHat.. Here's a pic of it in place..

[Eric Pearl]

WOW !!! VERY COOL setup you got there. Sweet rig bro !!!

[SuperPuss]

Cool addition Ghostman and thanks heaps for the detailed reply to my question.

How do you find the Trigger io in general?
I recently purchased one too but haven't even plugged it in yet!!! That will change though probably this week because I just bought four new 8" rack toms, a 12" Pearl rack tom, a 16" Pearl floor tom and a 22" Pearl kick which I'll be doing A-E conversions on and I'll use the io for some of that.

[ghostman]

Thanks Eric!

And to SP:
I like the IO just fine. I am used to a non-sound producing MIDI module, and it's cheap. As I am fond of saying: I think it is the absolutely the best module for what it does, and in it's price range. There are better modules, but they are pricey. It does what I want it to do, and that's what I expect of it.. There's a lot of people stating issues with Roland pads w/ the IO, but I don't have Roland, all home brew, and I think that the IO is the DIY cheap-o choice.

Right now, I am contemplating re-working my pads to have mesh heads, and fully expect to keep the IO. If I do get a module w/ sounds, I am leaning towards the Roland TD-10 expanded..