OT? Question About Electronic Drums

[JackA]

I stopped by a local dealer and was surprised a set of Yamaha drums was less than $500! Granted, it's one of the lower cost models, the DTX-400K. My question to the group is about recording the drums. Can EACH drum or cymbal be separated and recorded for stereo usage as individual tracks, array of multi-tracks, maybe with Audacity? USB output?

Thanks.

Jack

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 4/10/2015 4:26 PM, JackA wrote:
> DTX-400K. My question to the group is about recording the drums. Can
> EACH drum or cymbal be separated and recorded for stereo usage as
> individual tracks, array of multi-tracks, maybe with Audacity? USB
> output?

According to the manual (which you could have downloaded and read, just
as I did), it sends MIDI to the computer via USB, with each drum having
its own MIDI note number. You might have to do some MIDI manipulation to
create a new set of MIDI files (rather than the single file that comes
out of the drum "brain" so that you can get a track for each drum. That
gives you the capability to edit your drum parts. Then you pick samples
that are triggered by the MIDI notes, pan and mix them, and that will be
what you'll hear when you play back the tracks from your DAW program.



--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be operated without
a passing knowledge of computing, although it seems that it can be
operated without a passing knowledge of audio" - John Watkinson

Drop by http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com now and then

[Les Cargill[_4_]]

JackA wrote:
> I stopped by a local dealer and was surprised a set of Yamaha drums
> was less than $500! Granted, it's one of the lower cost models, the
> DTX-400K. My question to the group is about recording the drums. Can
> EACH drum or cymbal be separated and recorded for stereo usage as
> individual tracks, array of multi-tracks, maybe with Audacity?

Yes, although I know nothing of Audacity. Each drum is as if it
were a separate key on a MIDI keyboard. The kik is usually C1.

> USB
> output?
>

Most likely MIDI, which converts to USB with a simple and cheap dongle.

Some people save the cost of the UARTs and case space for MIDI
and go direct to USB.


> Thanks.
>
> Jack
>

--
Les Cargill

[JackA]

On Friday, April 10, 2015 at 10:13:45 PM UTC-4, Les Cargill wrote:
> JackA wrote:
> > I stopped by a local dealer and was surprised a set of Yamaha drums
> > was less than $500! Granted, it's one of the lower cost models, the
> > DTX-400K. My question to the group is about recording the drums. Can
> > EACH drum or cymbal be separated and recorded for stereo usage as
> > individual tracks, array of multi-tracks, maybe with Audacity?
>
> Yes, although I know nothing of Audacity. Each drum is as if it
> were a separate key on a MIDI keyboard. The kik is usually C1.
>
> > USB
> > output?
> >
>
> Most likely MIDI, which converts to USB with a simple and cheap dongle.
>
> Some people save the cost of the UARTs and case space for MIDI
> and go direct to USB.
>
>
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Jack
> >
>
> --
> Les Cargill

Les, I like your "yes" answer, though know nothing about MIDI.
Assumed it could be more easily accomplished with more expensive drums.

My goal is to listen to a song, but not record it, but record the drum tracks and then sync them and the song together.

Thank you.

Jack

[None]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
...
> According to the manual (which you could have downloaded and read,
> just as I did)

You've been trolled. After several of Agnew's posts were ignored
(rightly so), he wanted to troll somebody into RTFM to him; so now
he'll stick around even longer, and post crap about how his cat's
breath smells like cat food. With exclamation points and smiley faces
et moron cetera. Dorsey encouraged Agnew's drooling because he could
get paid for accurately portraying the jackass as an idiot, for laughs
and lucre. What's your excuse?

[JackA]

On Friday, April 10, 2015 at 11:24:22 PM UTC-4, None wrote:
> "Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
> ...
> > According to the manual (which you could have downloaded and read,
> > just as I did)
>
> You've been trolled. After several of Agnew's posts were ignored
> (rightly so), he wanted to troll somebody into RTFM to him; so now
> he'll stick around even longer, and post crap about how his cat's
> breath smells like cat food. With exclamation points and smiley faces
> et moron cetera. Dorsey encouraged Agnew's drooling because he could
> get paid for accurately portraying the jackass as an idiot, for laughs
> and lucre. What's your excuse?

I must say, I enjoyed how Hank was busted, and you, too, None, for trolling by Gary!!!

If both Scott and Mike wish to act like children, the stage is theirs.

Thanks.

Jack

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

On 4/10/2015 7:18 PM, Les Cargill wrote:
> Most likely MIDI, which converts to USB with a simple and cheap dongle.

Oh, so you didn't read the manual either.

--
"Today's production equipment is IT based and cannot be operated without
a passing knowledge of computing, although it seems that it can be
operated without a passing knowledge of audio" - John Watkinson

Drop by http://mikeriversaudio.wordpress.com now and then

[Les Cargill[_4_]]

Mike Rivers wrote:
> On 4/10/2015 7:18 PM, Les Cargill wrote:
>> Most likely MIDI, which converts to USB with a simple and cheap dongle.
>
> Oh, so you didn't read the manual either.
>

Oh absolutely not.

"Some people save the cost of the UARTs and case space for MIDI
and go direct to USB. "

--
Les Cargill

[Tim Sprout]

> On 4/10/2015 4:26 PM, JackA wrote:
>> DTX-400K. My question to the group is about recording the drums. Can
>> EACH drum or cymbal be separated and recorded for stereo usage as
>> individual tracks, array of multi-tracks, maybe with Audacity? USB
>> output?

> On 4/10/2015 4:46 PM, Mike Rivers wrote:
> According to the manual (which you could have downloaded and read, just
> as I did), it sends MIDI to the computer via USB, with each drum having
> its own MIDI note number. You might have to do some MIDI manipulation to
> create a new set of MIDI files (rather than the single file that comes
> out of the drum "brain" so that you can get a track for each drum. That
> gives you the capability to edit your drum parts. Then you pick samples
> that are triggered by the MIDI notes, pan and mix them, and that will be
> what you'll hear when you play back the tracks from your DAW program.

Some other points: I use a Yamaha DTX500. The more expensive model
Yamaha DTX900 eDrum brain has six individual audio outs for trigger
pads. The Yamaha eDrum brains have pretty decent internal sounds. All
Yamaha DTX brains have stereo audio outs, and the panning for each
trigger pad sound used in the stereo audio outs can be set within the
brain to match the panning used in the DAW for the midi triggered sample
tracks. I use all three of the eDrum brain stereo outs, midi samples for
each trigger pad, and a pair of AB stereo room mics, in my DAW mix to
record eDrums during band rehearsals. The drummer does use an acoustic
snare which is separately mic'd. So I guess that's four things. :) Adds
up to 23 channels for the drums, as the FXpansion BFD sample program I
use renders additional tracks such as sub-bass and overhead room
ambiance to some of the midi triggered drum samples. The midi is USB
output. The stereo audio outputs are 1/4" jacks.

Was quite time consuming to set up, but now it's plug and chug. A set of
acoustic drums (especially cymbals) would be too loud for our rehearsal
space. eDrums are nice because you can turn the volume down and they
don't take up as much space.

Tim Sprout

[JackA]

On Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 1:59:41 PM UTC-4, Tim Sprout wrote:
> > On 4/10/2015 4:26 PM, JackA wrote:
> >> DTX-400K. My question to the group is about recording the drums. Can
> >> EACH drum or cymbal be separated and recorded for stereo usage as
> >> individual tracks, array of multi-tracks, maybe with Audacity? USB
> >> output?
>
> > On 4/10/2015 4:46 PM, Mike Rivers wrote:
> > According to the manual (which you could have downloaded and read, just
> > as I did), it sends MIDI to the computer via USB, with each drum having
> > its own MIDI note number. You might have to do some MIDI manipulation to
> > create a new set of MIDI files (rather than the single file that comes
> > out of the drum "brain" so that you can get a track for each drum. That
> > gives you the capability to edit your drum parts. Then you pick samples
> > that are triggered by the MIDI notes, pan and mix them, and that will be
> > what you'll hear when you play back the tracks from your DAW program.
>
> Some other points: I use a Yamaha DTX500. The more expensive model
> Yamaha DTX900 eDrum brain has six individual audio outs for trigger
> pads. The Yamaha eDrum brains have pretty decent internal sounds. All
> Yamaha DTX brains have stereo audio outs, and the panning for each
> trigger pad sound used in the stereo audio outs can be set within the
> brain to match the panning used in the DAW for the midi triggered sample
> tracks. I use all three of the eDrum brain stereo outs, midi samples for
> each trigger pad, and a pair of AB stereo room mics, in my DAW mix to
> record eDrums during band rehearsals. The drummer does use an acoustic
> snare which is separately mic'd. So I guess that's four things. :) Adds
> up to 23 channels for the drums, as the FXpansion BFD sample program I
> use renders additional tracks such as sub-bass and overhead room
> ambiance to some of the midi triggered drum samples. The midi is USB
> output. The stereo audio outputs are 1/4" jacks.
>
> Was quite time consuming to set up, but now it's plug and chug. A set of
> acoustic drums (especially cymbals) would be too loud for our rehearsal
> space. eDrums are nice because you can turn the volume down and they
> don't take up as much space.
>
> Tim Sprout

Tim,

Thanks! Some decades ago, a coworker brought his electronic drums to work and set them up with an amplifier. It became tough for me to get used to hitting a rubber cymbal! :) The sound was okay, but not impressive, I'll stick with the real-deal. These days, things have gotten better with more realistic drum/cymbal sounds at an affordable price (I was amazed). But you are correct, the more expensive sets allow more recording options. Some website drum demonstrations, you can "hear" the stereo mixing.

I questioned why don't they just have analog outputs for everything and feed them into a computer to record, it would make life simple. But I'm guessing the analog would be a strain on computers, recording many channels simultaneously. Even though I don't understand MIDI (yet), I guess that is what minimizes the strain.

I value your input. One question, are there standard yet between drums, allowing to mix and match brands, modules, etc.? I'm GUESSING no.

On YouTube when someone was playing e-drums to Springsteen's "Born To Run" song, and I asked if he could make a rim shot with e-drums. He said no. I rewarded him and allowed him to hear the isolated drumming by Ernest Carter, of Born To Run. Neat to hear these drummers having a blast while playing, many become vocal.

Thanks,
Jack
p.s.
This site was helpful....
http://www.drummagazine.com/plugged-in/post/how-to-record-electronic-drums/