Topic: Using External Drum Machine To Write Drums in EZD2

Participant

Go easy on me and use small words for I am a bassist and not so wise in the ways of MIDI and laptop recording.

I have EZD2 installed on a Windows10 laptop and using Reaper as my DAW. I’m new to this so it’s been fun trying to figure it all out. I have used the program on a couple of tunes already so I “basically” know how to do all that. BTW, super impressed with the sounds and patterns.

I’m finding it nearly impossible to write drum patterns, however, using just the laptop and the mouse. It’s very laggy and inexact, which should not surprise anyone who has tried to play drums with a mouse. On a Windows laptop. Ahem. So I got to thinking, which is always problematic, about how to write better patterns and I realized that I still have my 80s-90s drum stuff, an Alesis SR16 coupled via MIDI to a Roland TD drum head.

Could I use the Alesis to program and trigger the sounds and patterns in EZD2?

Disclaimer: I have no clue how to connect the Alesis to the laptop. I assume I’ll need some sort of new (and probably spendy) cable to do that. MIDI out on the Alesis? I get that. MIDI in to the laptop? I am a caveman and have never attempted such a thing, but am willing to have a go at it.

So my questions are:

Will this work?
If it will, what cable(s) do I need and will one of you send me those for free? Just kidding, I’ll buy the stuff.
Assuming I get it hooked up cable-wise, will I need to do any technically challenging things to EZD2 to get it to recognize the MIDI input from the Alesis?

Again, I am but a poor bassist, so if you use big and technical words, I will end up staring and drooling. Assume I am an idiot and you’ll not be far off.

Thanks in advance – Jack

Operating system: Windows 10

Using External Drum Machine To Write Drums in EZD2

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