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Okay .. the readers digest version is I'm building a mini B studio ( studio A got moved to another location).

This started as a hobby for me way back in 1988 ( boy have we come along way). It's still a hobby now and will be my retirement hobby after my girls finish university ( if there's any money left LOL)

Anyhow, I'm struggling with the interface decisions ...

I've been a heavy MOTU user 2408 Mk3 / 1296 X 2 / which have now relocated to the other location .

Anyhow, to start the quest, I've been trying to figure out what to put in place for an interface. The studio is primarily line level sources and VST instruments. ( I'm running the latest Ableton 9.6).
I'm PC Based ( I5, 32 Gigs of RAM ) HP 8200 Desktop ... storage is not an issue

The monitoring system is Dynaudio BM6 Mk III the room has "some treatment" but could be improved

So I checked the used boards to see whats up ...

So I can grab ;

Antelope Orion
RME UFX
U/A Apollo
MOTU 16A
or an SSL AlphaLink with MADI Interface ( MADI Extreme)

I won't get to crazy but I can get the SSL solution with MADI card cheaper then the RME UFX and its compatible with my PC. Additionally they are claiming the MADI extreme driver solution is windows 8.1 and windows 10 compliant ..

I realize this gear has a lifespan I just though it would be fun to dabble in MADI for a change
(Well if the price is right)
... I also realize That the lifespan on this solution is limited if its not a legacy product by now..

Am I being stupid looking at the SSL product ( mainly for the MADI interest) and just shooting myself in the foot..? Is it too dated at this point? ... is the conversion sub par to current solutions out there?

The Orion is fine but I don't need that many channels... (8 at the most) its overkill..

The RME UFX is a solid performer from what I understand ( would consider this and it was initially my first pick)

THE U/A Apollo holds its place well ... ( not sure how the PC driver end is working)

the MOTU 16A or 1248 would do as well ..( would consider this but don't know how good they sound) my previous experience with MOTU has been stellar on the PC Platform... no issues.

at the end of the day I'm just looking for an AD/DA solution that will sound better and outperform my current MOTU 2408 MK3 and 1296 solution...

I'm just being swayed by the opportunity to try MADI and that's why I'm asking about the AlphaLink product

Thanks for taking the time to read this, This site for me has been fantastic and the quality of the people and knowledge base is amazing (some on here have legacy that makes me green with envy)

cheers
Guelph_Guy

Comments

pcrecord Wed, 01/18/2017 - 13:56

What about preamps ? have any external ones or do you plan for a mixer ?
IF you want to use onboard preamps a nice option could be the Antelope zen studio. But frankly, my heart is to RME even if I don't know how the preamps compares to the zen...
MADI is very solid on latency. I honestly don't know how the converters of the SSL compares.

Guelph_Guy Wed, 01/18/2017 - 14:54

pcrecord, post: 446741, member: 46460 wrote: What about preamps ? have any external ones or do you plan for a mixer ?
IF you want to use onboard preamps a nice option could be the Antelope zen studio. But frankly, my heart is to RME even if I don't know how the preamps compares to the zen...
MADI is very solid on latency. I honestly don't know how the converters of the SSL compares.

I have some Focusrite Liquid Channels ( yes they don't get much love) but they work for me )... most of my gear is "line level" synths etc...( at least for studio B)

I also have some old art pro channels which actually for all the ridicule they get actually perform well in the right situation and with the right mike placement

There's some TC Helicon pre-amps and processing available as well ...

yes I'm trending towards the RME as well .... The drivers are solid and they have from what I've read been "pro active" in insuring compatibility with operating systems..
(even if windows 10 is the last release of windows)

I see Audiokid liked your post , hope he looks again, I thought he was running a MADI solution...maybe he can comment...

pcrecord Wed, 01/18/2017 - 15:48

Guelph_Guy, post: 446742, member: 47293 wrote: yes I'm trending towards the RME as well .... The drivers are solid and they have from what I've read been "pro active" in insuring compatibility with operating systems..
(even if windows 10 is the last release of windows)

They do, totalmix is a blast ! My FF800 is still running fine after a decade and it performe very well with 20 inputs in action. (I bought it used from an RO member)

Guelph_Guy Wed, 01/18/2017 - 16:06

Good to hear the ff800 is delivering .....and RME is too! ....

I can say that the MOTU stuff was a little rocky when migrating to a PC based solution , but it got pretty good from XP forward ....
All the MOTU stuff I have is running fine in Windows 10 .. and has been since XP ...
I find the latency to be extremely low as well ...

I have a lexicon IO82 interface which is USB... I like the unit but I find the latency is around 12 ms. this has sort of discouraged my from USB solutions at the moment.
I suspect it's the quality of the implementation of the driver ...

I have a Mackie 1640 with the firewire interface as well ... I like this little mixer it runs well but again the latency is up around 10-12 ms..

maybe I'm just to picky , PCIe /MOTU runs without a hitch at 5 ms .. and it can run lower on my HP PC.

Guess I'm spoilt ... anyhow ... I seem to shy away from Firewire/USB due to the latency. I had an idea that the MADI would run like the wind...

So I have some searching to do ... the new MOTU apparently is ultra low latency ... However, I need to at least do some reading on it to see what it compares to .. and hopefully I can hear one at my gear vendor!!

I currently program for a living... what I can tell you is that most hardware is quite capable of outperforming the software(drivers) in terms of performance ... it takes a lot to write a high performance driver.

audiokid Wed, 01/18/2017 - 16:38

Guelph_Guy, post: 446742, member: 47293 wrote: I see Audiokid liked your post , hope he looks again, I thought he was running a MADI solution...maybe he can comment...

Thanks. PCIe interfacing works for me.

Guelph_Guy, post: 446739, member: 47293 wrote: The studio is primarily line level sources and VST instruments....

If you punch in with fast stops and starts, play loops and jam along punching in and out, chances are you would appreciate PCIe interfacing. To my understanding, because of the closest connection to the DAW, PCIe is choice for the wider variety of electronic and acoustic interfacing requirement (keyboard, MIDI, VSTi /acoustic musicians), tracking, overdubbing, mixing, especially for hybrid system . Its the supremo interface.

I've owned Orion 32 and Apollo's. Used all sorts of interfaces and my main interface would for lowest latency and stability (as of 2017) > Desktop< PCIe card, clocked internally.

PCIe AES EBU or MADI interface excels.
FW PCIe 800 is excellent as well.
USB lacks in comparison but works good enough for most requirement, does okay for hybrid up to about 8 AD DA .
The Orion 32 is a good system but unless you are needing all those channels, I would look for something else. But what else is there?
(for conversion) I have Prism converters that can't come close to the speed of a PCIe Madi combo. So even though those converters sound glorious, their interface seriously lack as low latency multi track systems. Just to slow imho.
Follow me?
There also appears to be a trade off when it comes to speed vs sound quality. The better converters come with less channels (usually 8 or less in a single rack). They run cooler as well. Most likely longer life span.
Slower interfacing is better suited for capturing real time performances and mastering.

Moving along...
As an example of how fast PCIe is:
I used RME PCIe 32 MADI and AES EBU cards and was able to lock in a full session with plugins, external keyboards and acoustic tracks at a speed of 178 bpm, looping a 2 bar track and punch in out like 100 times in the loop flawlessly for 5 mins. That is impressive.
I was using Samplitude which is a pretty heavy load. Reaper or Ableton are super optimized for speed so I can only assume they would be amazing DAW's for this kind of workflow as well.

Summery:
PCIe MADI is definitely a good way to go, but like all DAW systems, you also need good converters that like the interface, and play well with the DAW.

I have know idea about the SSL. I'm an RME guy.
USB3 and thunderbolt might be worth waiting for. I am about a year behind with the latest converters systems.

Guelph_Guy Wed, 01/18/2017 - 18:40

audiokid, post: 446747, member: 1 wrote: I want to mention... I have the MPC Renaissance which has a USB interface and it is so fast, I pray this is where the next level of ADC are going. No latency, super fast tracking that can lay down 64th triplets at speed you don't ever use and never miss a beat. Things are getting better.

Well after researching the ssl solution, I've decided on the UFX , the ssl solution is problematic at best in Windows 10 from what I've read.. So I'll opt for the UFX based on drivers and support, just hoping the latency is low

Brother Junk Thu, 01/19/2017 - 07:05

pcrecord, post: 446741, member: 46460 wrote: But frankly, my heart is to RME

To the OP,

I was told that for my level (pro-sumer) the RME Babyface is very good. And at this point, about 4 other people have old me the same. And the reviews are really good. So, the list of dacs I've actually heard is very small. But fwiw, from several people who seem to know their stuff, RME, is brought up a lot. Seemingly, no matter what level.

I've never heard it, but I've never heard a bad word about them.

The only other interface in your level that I have any experience with is the presonus tube preamp, but it's rack mount. But, I really like it. It seems to love any mic you put on it.

I'd be curious what you finally decide to get...

Guelph_Guy Thu, 01/19/2017 - 20:54

I'll be working away on the "scratch tracks" studio over the next couple of weeks ... (it's a time permitting thing, I'm currently gone 11-12 hrs a day for work but take Fridays off).

Maybe some pics to follow.....

Anyhow, the idea behind this studio is that it's a "scratchpad" you turn it on and go ... and get the idea down ... if it evolves into something worth developing I can send it over the internet to my other studio
So the goal is :
producer desk,
HP 8200 PC running Ableton
Novation impulse 61 as a master controller. (This one seems like the most practical one at the moment)
an Ableton push controller.
an RME UFX Interface
a pair of focusrite liquid channels
a set of DynAudio bm6's mk3..

(I am going to check out the MOTU AVB hardware, I think I need to satisfy my curiosity so I'll never have to question if I made the right decision)

I have a Yamaha THR10 amp for guitar which I'm quite fond of ...

and a Roland TD20 drum kit , but running on a td9 module right now..

I'm going to run REW (Room Eq wizard and sweep the room again.) the first time I was working with this tool I was a "novice",
I've learned a lot since then so I want to find out what's going on in the room ..

Anyhow... a good project, the only area I'm short is the interface product.

Guelph_Guy Thu, 01/19/2017 - 20:59

Brother Junk, post: 446786, member: 49944 wrote: To the OP,

I was told that for my level (pro-sumer) the RME Babyface is very good. And at this point, about 4 other people have old me the same. And the reviews are really good. So, the list of dacs I've actually heard is very small. But fwiw, from several people who seem to know their stuff, RME, is brought up a lot. Seemingly, no matter what level.

I've never heard it, but I've never heard a bad word about them.

The only other interface in your level that I have any experience with is the presonus tube preamp, but it's rack mount. But, I really like it. It seems to love any mic you put on it.

I'd be curious what you finally decide to get...

Thanks for the feedback, I almost bought one of those presonus tube preamps off the gear board in my area ... but I looked at what I had and can get by fine ... (Focusrite Liquid Channels as a stereo pair)

I'd still consider one, but I find the Liquid channels are "pretty darn good" maybe down the road if I want a different color of sound the presonus tube pre would be a good fit ...

Guelph_Guy Thu, 01/19/2017 - 21:09

audiokid, post: 446746, member: 1 wrote: Thanks. PCIe interfacing works for me.
If you punch in with fast stops and starts, play loops and jam along punching in and out, chances are you would appreciate PCIe interfacing. To my understanding, because of the closest connection to the DAW, PCIe is choice for the wider variety of electronic and acoustic interfacing requirement (keyboard, MIDI, VSTi /acoustic musicians), tracking, overdubbing, mixing, especially for hybrid system . Its the supremo interface.

I've owned Orion 32 and Apollo's. Used all sorts of interfaces and my main interface would for lowest latency and stability (as of 2017) > Desktop< PCIe card, clocked internally.

PCIe AES EBU or MADI interface excels.
FW PCIe 800 is excellent as well.
USB lacks in comparison but works good enough for most requirement, does okay for hybrid up to about 8 AD DA .
The Orion 32 is a good system but unless you are needing all those channels, I would look for something else. But what else is there?
(for conversion) I have Prism converters that can't come close to the speed of a PCIe Madi combo. So even though those converters sound glorious, their interface seriously lack as low latency multi track systems. Just to slow imho.
Follow me?
There also appears to be a trade off when it comes to speed vs sound quality. The better converters come with less channels (usually 8 or less in a single rack). They run cooler as well. Most likely longer life span.
Slower interfacing is better suited for capturing real time performances and mastering.

Moving along...
As an example of how fast PCIe is:
I used RME PCIe 32 MADI and AES EBU cards and was able to lock in a full session with plugins, external keyboards and acoustic tracks at a speed of 178 bpm, looping a 2 bar track and punch in out like 100 times in the loop flawlessly for 5 mins. That is impressive.
I was using Samplitude which is a pretty heavy load. Reaper or Ableton are super optimized for speed so I can only assume they would be amazing DAW's for this kind of workflow as well.

Summery:
PCIe MADI is definitely a good way to go, but like all DAW systems, you also need good converters that like the interface, and play well with the DAW.

I have know idea about the SSL. I'm an RME guy.
USB3 and thunderbolt might be worth waiting for. I am about a year behind with the latest converters systems.

yes I have to agree , the PCIE is really quick .. I have the PCI424e for my MOTU setup .... The HP 8200 runs my 2408 and my two 1296's like the wind ... I've been happy with this set up and am moving it over to a different location.
I'm pretty sure it's sub 5 ms... running Sonar and slightly quicker with Ableton..

Brother Junk Fri, 01/20/2017 - 08:23

Guelph_Guy, post: 446811, member: 47293 wrote: and a Roland TD20 drum kit

I'm very jealous. Why are you using a td-9 brain? Will that operate all those pieces? Or are some just not functional right now? I'm asking bc I've seen some people run different brains, but I don't understand the benefit of changing the brain, unless you have the pieces to match it....(confused)

Can I ask what sticks you use? I'm looking for max rebound for the cymbal and hh surface. I like longer sticks, but I'm mostly looking for what YOU use. I don't mind having a large stick collection to find my preference.

I have the TD-11's. Which I thought would be fine for me for a while. I'm not a trained drummer. I can play a little, but I'm a hack. But the pad toms are just so slow. I guess I advanced faster than I thought I would. But I'm going to replace those 3 toms with the mesh pads. Imo, the mesh pads, at least on the td-11's, are brilliant. I can make it feel just like a real snare.

Pretty amazing tech in these. I wish I had a set as large as yours though...

Brother Junk Fri, 01/20/2017 - 08:29

Guelph_Guy, post: 446812, member: 47293 wrote: Thanks for the feedback, I almost bought one of those presonus tube preamps off the gear board in my area ... but I looked at what I had and can get by fine ... (Focusrite Liquid Channels as a stereo pair)

I'd still consider one, but I find the Liquid channels are "pretty darn good" maybe down the road if I want a different color of sound the presonus tube pre would be a good fit ...

Whatever gets it done for you.

"Novation impulse 61 as a master controller. (This one seems like the most practical one at the moment)"

I also use this. It gets the job done.

And the Rolands. Some people have commented on how they are setup. They aren't. I just got everything on the rack, shoved it in, and took a pic.

pcrecord Fri, 01/20/2017 - 08:45

Brother Junk, post: 446820, member: 49944 wrote: Will that operate all those pieces? Or are some just not functional right now? I'm asking bc I've seen some people run different brains, but I don't understand the benefit of changing the brain, unless you have the pieces to match it....(confused)

Every Roland pads are interchangeable and compatible with the controllers. Some hi-hat may be an exception. I bought a TD9 and installed mesh and triggers on an acoustic drum and it works fine.. I may change the brain at some point but most of the time I play the midi to a VSTi that sounds better than the TD9 so I'm not complaining...

Brother Junk Fri, 01/20/2017 - 09:21

pcrecord, post: 446822, member: 46460 wrote: Every Roland pads are interchangeable and compatible with the controllers. Some hi-hat may be an exception. I bought a TD9 and installed mesh and triggers on an acoustic drum and it works fine.. I may change the brain at some point but most of the time I play the midi to a VSTi that sounds better than the TD9 so I'm not complaining...

What VSTi?

I know they are all interchangeable. What I mean is, my td-11 has (let me turn around for a sec) has 8 surfaces, not including the x-stick and hh pedal. The td-20's have quite a few more. So, what happens to the left over drums? Do they just not function?

Any help on the drum sticks? I know you can't tell me what sticks are right for me...I was hoping you could tell me which stick rating and tip will give me the most rebound off the pads.

pcrecord Fri, 01/20/2017 - 11:00

Brother Junk, post: 446823, member: 49944 wrote: What VSTi?

Virtual instruments.. The one I like for drums is Addictive drums : https://www.xlnaudio.com/addictivedrums

Brother Junk, post: 446823, member: 49944 wrote: So, what happens to the left over drums? Do they just not function?

If you don't have a place to plug them, they won't..

Brother Junk, post: 446823, member: 49944 wrote:
Any help on the drum sticks? I know you can't tell me what sticks are right for me...I was hoping you could tell me which stick rating and tip will give me the most rebound off the pads.

I use regular sticks, the same I use with acoustic drums. (sometime lighter ones because pads don't need that much presure to sound good.
Roland drums are built to mimic accoustic drums. If you have the mesh pads, you can tune the mesh tighter and get more rebound. Thing is, if you make it too easy to play, after a while, you'll get a hard time to play on an acoustic drum.

Brother Junk Fri, 01/20/2017 - 12:35

pcrecord, post: 446826, member: 46460 wrote: Virtual instruments.. The one I like for drums is Addictive drums : https://www.xlnaudio.com/addictivedrums

If you don't have a place to plug them, they won't..

I use regular sticks, the same I use with acoustic drums. (sometime lighter ones because pads don't need that much presure to sound good.
Roland drums are built to mimic accoustic drums. If you have the mesh pads, you can tune the mesh tighter and get more rebound. Thing is, if you make it too easy to play, after a while, you'll get a hard time to play on an acoustic drum.

You are awesome Marco. Hardly a day passes that you don't make me laugh. I mean that as a compliment.

So when drummers ask you what sticks you like, you say, "regular?"

I'm not laughing at you...I'm laughing at how far we missed each other. I obviously did not communicate my q very well lol. What I meant was for rebound on those roland pads (non mesh) do you like 7a, 5b...what?

As for ease and transferring to acoustic, I'm almost never on an acoustic set. I may have a couple hours with one tonight, but that will be the first time in a year, and I won't see one again for about 6 months.

The mesh snare is awesome. The rubber pad toms, they just feel slow. That's why I'm wondering what the best rebound sticks are for them, maybe that will help.

pcrecord Fri, 01/20/2017 - 12:59

Brother Junk, post: 446827, member: 49944 wrote: So when drummers ask you what sticks you like, you say, "regular?"

Sticks are like gloves, you get those you are confortable with.
I use Vicfirth 5b with a nylon tip and sometime the Promark 5b with nylon tip for soft playing (because they weight less)
But any sticks will work on electric drums, just try a few and get use to them.
A big part of getting a good rebound is to hold the stich near its balance point. . . If you hold them near the end they won't react the same.
Pretty funny to see swetting wet punk drummers working too hard on there drums instead of using proper technique. . .
There is no reason that playing drum should need force... You want to be loud, put the mics louder !! ;)

Guelph_Guy Fri, 01/20/2017 - 15:42

Brother Junk, post: 446827, member: 49944 wrote: You are awesome Marco. Hardly a day passes that you don't make me laugh. I mean that as a compliment.

So when drummers ask you what sticks you like, you say, "regular?"

I'm not laughing at you...I'm laughing at how far we missed each other. I obviously did not communicate my q very well lol. What I meant was for rebound on those roland pads (non mesh) do you like 7a, 5b...what?

As for ease and transferring to acoustic, I'm almost never on an acoustic set. I may have a couple hours with one tonight, but that will be the first time in a year, and I won't see one again for about 6 months.

The mesh snare is awesome. The rubber pad toms, they just feel slow. That's why I'm wondering what the best rebound sticks are for them, maybe that will help.

Well I use 7an nylon tip...the td20 brain is at the other location. The td9 supports 2 additional inputs so I have a 4th Tom and a second crash
Hope this helps

Guelph_Guy Fri, 01/20/2017 - 16:31

pcrecord, post: 446822, member: 46460 wrote: Every Roland pads are interchangeable and compatible with the controllers. Some hi-hat may be an exception. I bought a TD9 and installed mesh and triggers on an acoustic drum and it works fine.. I may change the brain at some point but most of the time I play the midi to a VSTi that sounds better than the TD9 so I'm not complaining...

Well to make a long story short, I originally had a TD-9 , I was able to buy the td20 toms and cymbals for half price at one point ( was a clearance sale in NY).. So I scooped up all the mesh pads and cymbals to build up a 20 ...
I did not have a 20 rack and didn't like it that much , so I built a Gibraltar rack to go with it ....

Eventually I had 2 kits ...!!! So the TD9 kit went to the studio 2 and the td20 kit stayed here , The 20 kit was wired with a s TD9 harness so I would just move the drum brain from site to site.

I eventually purchased a 20 brain and it's at location 2.... ( this happened over a 3 year period not all at once)

My drumming skills are okay ... took lessons for a while ... can sight read drum music.... my main instrument is guitar ...

I'll eventually sell the TD9 ... and use the money for other gear at some point ....

Guelph_Guy Fri, 01/20/2017 - 16:55

Brother Junk, post: 446821, member: 49944 wrote: Whatever gets it done for you.

"Novation impulse 61 as a master controller. (This one seems like the most practical one at the moment)"

I also use this. It gets the job done.

And the Rolands. Some people have commented on how they are setup. They aren't. I just got everything on the rack, shoved it in, and took a pic.

I've tried the 11 at our music store , I preferred the sounds off my TD9 ... its the version 2.0 firmware

I looked at a td 15 brain but will keep my out for a used td30 module .. I see them coming up periodically on the gear boards...

Nice setup , I've had the impulse 61 for about 2 years .. I'm got some big master keyboard expanders as well Roland a90, a70, a50, Novation SL61 but too much gear for a smaller room ... So they got moved too ...

What are you running for software ?.... I'm running Ableton at the small studio and Sonar Platinum /Presonus studio one at the larger studio ...

Guelph_Guy Fri, 01/20/2017 - 17:19

Yes I have the VF 5b nylon and PM 5b sticks in my bag too +10 for that comment!

You need to let the stick do the work ... find the balance point for the stick between your thumb and index finger loosely hold the balance of your stick with your fingers .. ..
don't grip it like your life depends on it .... hitting notes is one thing and playing a beat is another but you have to get them to be SMOOTH and fairly even unless you are using accents ...
I know I used to tighten up when I was getting ready for a roll and needed to relax to get things to smooth out...

I'll play on the 5b's and as I get tired will flip over to the 7A's

Brother Junk Sat, 01/21/2017 - 15:37

Guelph_Guy, post: 446832, member: 47293 wrote: Well here ya go ...

Drool Emoji!

For the level I can play at, I couldn't justify anything larger than the 15. Plus space is a big issue for me. And I actually don't hate the electronic hh pedal. It's different, but, you can get used to it. The action is consistent, even though the mechanical feel is gone. I actually don't mind it at all.

But if I could do it over again, I would get the 15 with the mesh toms. Maybe it's better this way. Like Marco said (but reverse) I'll get better with these, and then when I replace them with the mesh, I'll be crazy fast! And I have an extra output on the harness for another cymbal I think, I actually haven't looked at what the label says.

Unless one of the pads has two inputs....I never thought to check that lol. I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of guy...maybe I should read the directions and see if that cable is supposed to plug somewhere lol.

Thanks for the info on the sticks.

I was taught that being a good drummer isn't about crazy solos. It's about keeping time, being smooth, and playing in the song, instead of overpowering the song. That's usually what I practice...keeping time, being smooth. I hear that metronome lady in my sleep..."1 and 2 and 3 and 4."

But, it's just so much fun to let loose, and those mesh pads, are just so much fun. That little drum set brings me so much happiness, I love it. But I'm really sorry I didn't get all mesh pads.

On the bright side, it should only be $300 max to swap them, when I eventually do, and then I'll have something to plug the last piece of the harness into lol. I really should look at what that is...bc it's probably not just a "spare" lol. What a hack. I'll look it up now.

**Edit - Apparently the last cable is for a cymbal that doesn't come with the set. "The Ride input actually has three trigger zones; bow, edge and bell, and the required cable is included in the kit, but the provided cymbal pads don’t contain the required input, so a CY-13Ror similar 3-way cymbal is used to fully utilize the 3 triggers."

Guelph_Guy Sat, 01/21/2017 - 19:03

yes I have 2 cy13's on the other kit .. The original td-9 mesh kit came with

kd8 kick
pd105 snare
pd85 hi tom
pd85 low tom..
cy8 crash
cy5 hi hat ( electronic one)
cy13r ride ...
and of course a drum brain/harness and frame...

I added another pd85 for the third tom
and a second cy13r for the extra crash

worked fine with the TD-9
The 2.0 Upgrade was a big help ...

I'm over on the VDrums forum as well ... My old studio build is up there ...

I understand there is now a 14" snare on the TD50 ....( now that would be nice...)

Periodically I use drum samples in my Akai 5000 Sampler .. I slave the sampler to the midi out of the TD-9 and map the pads/cymbals as needed ..
you hit the pad and your sampler plays ... works well ... and I get tired of the stock Roland sounds. Sometimes I hear tunes people put up on the forum and when I listen I hear .. "that's drum patch 50 off the td-9"

there was a night I was mixing live sound for a friends band . The drummers pager went off at 11:00 PM he had to go to work (emergency)... he finished the set, walked off the stage came towards me and handed me a set of sticks said I was up and needed to finish the night off LOL ...

Got a "cold pit" in my stomach that night LOL , but settled in after about 3 tunes . fortunately I new the material as I had mixed live for them before..

Brother Junk Sat, 01/21/2017 - 20:23

Guelph_Guy, post: 446852, member: 47293 wrote: Periodically I use drum samples in my Akai 5000 Sampler .. I slave the sampler to the midi out of the TD-9 and map the pads/cymbals as needed ..
you hit the pad and your sampler plays ... works well ... and I get tired of the stock Roland sounds.

I just got Komplete 10 which includes Drum Lab. I haven't had the hours to figure it out yet, but it seems like it's a program to design my own sounds and make my own kit. I would love that.

It seems easy enough that people would just share their own diy kits. But when I've looked it up, all I can find is "pay for" stuff. Even places i've been told are free, have been monetized now.

Guelph_Guy, post: 446852, member: 47293 wrote: Sometimes I hear tunes people put up on the forum and when I listen I hear .. "that's drum patch 50 off the td-9"

Yeah, I'm hoping drum lab is what I think it is, bc I experience much of the same. Unique drums can make a song....I just need to devote more time to it.

Guelph_Guy, post: 446852, member: 47293 wrote: he finished the set, walked off the stage came towards me and handed me a set of sticks said I was up and needed to finish the night off LOL ...

I would have #$%^ my pants. And none of you would have gotten paid.

I'm actually looking forward to another program included in Komplete 10, but I can't remember the name. But in it, (studio drummer?) it let's you pick a groove. It will play that groove. And the groove is labeled! If I can hear those, and just learn to play them all. I'll be much closer to being able to communicate with real musicians. Many of the harder ones, I could do now...I just don't know what they are called. I can use sheet music to figure out a song...but not sight read. I couldn't be handed a song I never saw before on sheet music and play it.

Anyway.... I would have #$%^ my pants if that guy handed me the sticks! For real. Probably a few times.

I use the metronome for timing. Bc, I find that if I play an easy song, at a given, steady bpm, where I start, and where the song ends up, are not aligned (w/o metronome). I'm usually ahead of the beat. So I have that lady counting constantly, in the hopes that at some point, I'll just sort of hear the counting. At this point, I'm only capable of noticing 8th's. I notice if something lands on the "1 and 2 and." But I can play faster than that. But I can't play, and, know what the count is. But, I've been told by a few people that fills etc, people often aren't counting them, they just feel it. Maybe I just lean towards the latter.

On a nicer note, I have that same throne. Do you find yours is really noisy? I gotta get some vaseline or something for this thing. I was using it as a mock guitar stool the other day and as I was listening to the recording, I kept noticing the throne squeaking.

And yes, I have the seat part on.

Guelph_Guy Sun, 01/22/2017 - 07:59

Brother Junk, post: 446854, member: 49944 wrote: I just got Komplete 10 which includes Drum Lab. I haven't had the hours to figure it out yet, but it seems like it's a program to design my own sounds and make my own kit. I would love that.

It seems easy enough that people would just share their own diy kits. But when I've looked it up, all I can find is "pay for" stuff. Even places i've been told are free, have been monetized now.

Yeah, I'm hoping drum lab is what I think it is, bc I experience much of the same. Unique drums can make a song....I just need to devote more time to it.

I would have #$%^ my pants. And none of you would have gotten paid.

I'm actually looking forward to another program included in Komplete 10, but I can't remember the name. But in it, (studio drummer?) it let's you pick a groove. It will play that groove. And the groove is labeled! If I can hear those, and just learn to play them all. I'll be much closer to being able to communicate with real musicians. Many of the harder ones, I could do now...I just don't know what they are called. I can use sheet music to figure out a song...but not sight read. I couldn't be handed a song I never saw before on sheet music and play it.

Anyway.... I would have #$%^ my pants if that guy handed me the sticks! For real. Probably a few times.

I use the metronome for timing. Bc, I find that if I play an easy song, at a given, steady bpm, where I start, and where the song ends up, are not aligned (w/o metronome). I'm usually ahead of the beat. So I have that lady counting constantly, in the hopes that at some point, I'll just sort of hear the counting. At this point, I'm only capable of noticing 8th's. I notice if something lands on the "1 and 2 and." But I can play faster than that. But I can't play, and, know what the count is. But, I've been told by a few people that fills etc, people often aren't counting them, they just feel it. Maybe I just lean towards the latter.

On a nicer note, I have that same throne. Do you find yours is really noisy? I gotta get some vaseline or something for this thing. I was using it as a mock guitar stool the other day and as I was listening to the recording, I kept noticing the throne squeaking.

And yes, I have the seat part on.

LOL ... no my Drum throne is pretty good ( ha I almost said my stool is pretty good, talking about opening yourself up for opportunity LOL).... no complaints,
I also use it to sit when I play guitar.... ( my primary instrument.. been playing since I was 13 ) ... Hit a block .. switched to keyboards ... got the theory ..
worked my way around my guitar block. Then picked up drums as a 4th instrument ...used to play in school so it was a pretty easy transition...
When in for a few lessons just to make sure things were in place ... posture/grip/timing ... didn't take too long and I was off...

Guelph_Guy Sun, 01/22/2017 - 16:28

I have my moments LOL...... Well I was at an IKEA store today and found a nice desk to put my monitor and keyboard on .....
Moved both my consoles to the other location today so freed up room in the house . I have a 6 ft 19" rack I'm moving over to the other location tomorrow as well as some studio monitors and some computers so cleaning out the room full tilt!! (pictures to follow) ...