A couple of questions

[CaptainChainsaw]

Hi,

I’ve been using EZ Drummer this weekend.  I used a midi file that contained drums and bass in it, I played the file with EZ Drummer and noticed that its missing certain symbals which I expected at certain points in the drum pattern when I was playing guitar.  Is it simply the case that EZ Drummer is missing the sound for that particular symbal?  It works as expected in Cubase.  If its missing this symbal, would buying one of the “metal” packs sort this out?  Its a metal song so I thought this might be my best bet.  If this isn’t the case, how else would I resolve this?

Also I notice that there isn’t a count-in with either a metronome or symbals, is this something that could be added as a new feature as I don’t see it anywhere on the menus.

Thank you,

CaptainChainsaw 🙂

Topic

[John]

Hi,

if I understand you correctly, you have a MIDI file in Cubase that plays back as you expect it with another plugin but not with EZdrummer?
If so, the mapping is different in the both plugins and the MIDI is probably not GM compliant.
You can edit the MIDI in Cubase and drag the Cymbal notes to the corresponding ones in EZdrummer. Please check the EZdrummer MIDI layout document to see exactly which notes.
Count-ins are best programmed in your host, if you do not use the host’s built-in Metronome.

BR,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[CaptainChainsaw]

Hi John,

It’s not possible to change the midi file as I understand it.  Cubase LE4 won’t let me edit the midi file, this might be down to a versioning thing on cubase I guess.  The midi file is an export from guitar pro and when opened in cubase and played, it plays correctly (there is no cubase plugin that I’m using).  So it seems that EZ Drummer doesn’t have the sound for the symbal I’m looking for so its simply missing it out.  Would buying any of the additional drum packs for EZ drummer make any difference?

What is GM compliant?  Never heard of this before.

Where can I find the EZdrummer MIDI layout document?  Is this bundled with the software anywhere?

Thanks again,

CaptainChainsaw

[Juicy]

If your expecting a cymbal on the down beat (or wherever) to be at the start of a chorus or something like that and your looping a midifile that is playing without any crashes,the cymbal crash wont magically appear where you imagine it to be.
You have to put the cymbal in or select a similar pattern that contains a crash,ride or whatever you want..
You can see the really nice cymbals in EZ right? these wont trigger unless their midi note is triggered in the file in your daw just like all the other drums.

GM is an old Midi Standard that people like Roland,Korg,Yamaha agreed to use ,in relation to drum mapping it means you have a bass drum on kybd/midi note C1,then Xstick on C#1 then Snr on D1 and goes up thru toms and hats cymbals and even percussion(on GM Romplers).
EZ follows an Extended GM format so their are extras to cater for more sounds with out corrupting the basic set Bass Drum,Snr,Hats toms and cymbal layout.

The midi layout document is found on the right of EZ’s GUI and you will find extra EZX packs follow the same format hence i believe if your not hearing cymbals where you want them its not because they are missing in EZ but you midifile.
Perhaps update to a daw that lets you at least create more with what you already have.

[John]

Hi,

user juicy is right. FWIW, although it isn’t an officially supported host application, I do know that you can edit (both Audio and) MIDI in Cubase LE4.
You should be able to just double-click the MIDI file region on the track in Cubase to bring up the notes and be able to drag them around.

Best Regards,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[CaptainChainsaw]

Hey, thank you for all your replies.  I wish I knew more about using these sort of software packages, its all new to me!  I’ll see if I can get it sorted using your advice.

Thanks again

CaptainChainsaw 🙂

[Juicy]

Cool.
Usually a hi hat will be already right were you want a crash,
As Drummers don’t play a hat and cymbal at the same time so instead of overlaying a crash on top of a Hat you can just change the Hat to a Crash.
Say,the first beat of the bar would have a kick and hi hat on midi note F# or A# ,try simply to drag/change that note to the C# above.

This works if have copied a midi file and it is a real copy not just looping so you need to understand that process as well.
Just ask any Questions and lets de-mystify the midi.

[CaptainChainsaw]

Thanks Juicy 🙂

I’m going to have a look at it this weekend.  The midi file I’m using can be found at:

http://www.godriveandearn.com/midi/

The crash/symbal is at bar 93, 101 and further on in the song.  Plays fine on cubase.

Have a good weekend

CaptainChainsaw 🙂

[CaptainChainsaw]

Hi,

I’ve been looking into this.  I’ve taken a couple of screenshots from EZ Drummer & Cubase which are at the link below:

http://www.godriveandearn.com/midi/

There’s a couple of problems.  EZ Drummer is playing the wrong symbals when it should be playing the G#1 (Pedal Hi-Hat) which means its either not playing the C#2 symbal at this point in the song or it is being played but instead of the Pedal Hi-Hat which makes it sound that its not being played when actually it is.  Although it doesn’t sound any different at this point so doesn’t seem like its being played.  EZ Drummer is interpreting the midi file differently to cubase at this point in the song.  Further on it definitely doesn’t play the C#2 symbal when it should but it does play it at the beginning of the song so I’ve not idea what’s wrong with it.  Definitely seems like there is some sort of mapping issue or EZ Drummer is attempting to play drums on a drum kit that isn’t advanced enough.

Any further advice on this would be great.

Cheers,

CaptainChainsaw 🙂

[CaptainChainsaw]

Hi,

Looks like I’ve solved this.  The midi file had drums and bass in it, it appears that EZ Drummer interprets all midi as drums instead of ignoring non drum midi.  Removing the bass from the midi file sorted it.  I got the Metal Machine pack today, sounds even better now!

All seems to be working now.  Again thank you for all your replies.

Cheers,

CaptainChainsaw

[Author]

Replies