Assigning MPD18 pads to EZDrummer2 sounds/notes

[Stu Kilgour]

I have EZDrummer2 that I trigger with an AKAI MPD18...

I have EZDrummer2 that I trigger with an AKAI MPD18 pad controller – I run it thru Pro Tools 11 on a Mac – OSX 10.9.5 – using the EZDrummer2 as a plug-in on an instrument track in PT11. My question is: How do I assign notes/numbers to the pads – i.e., I want to make pad 1 on the MPD18 trigger the snare on EZDrummer2, and make pad4 trigger the kick drum, etc. I want to customize which pads on the MPD18 trigger certain sounds in EZDrummer2. I know it CAN be done – I’ve found threads that say it can be done, but no one has said HOW it’s done, so far. I need to know how. If I missed an FAQ on this – my apologies – I really tried to drain the FAQ – Thanks

I have EZDrummer2 that I trigger with an AKAI MPD18 pad controller – I run it thru Pro Tools 11 on a Mac – OSX 10.9.5 – using the EZDrummer2 as a plug-in on an instrument track in PT11. My question is: How do I assign notes/numbers to the pads – i.e., I want to make pad 1 on the MPD18 trigger the snare on EZDrummer2, and make pad4 trigger the kick drum, etc. I want to customize which pads on the MPD18 trigger certain sounds in EZDrummer2. I know it CAN be done – I’ve found threads that say it can be done, but no one has said HOW it’s done, so far. I need to know how. If I missed an FAQ on this – my apologies – I really tried to drain the FAQ – Thanks

Topic

[gjryan]

I have an ableton push 2 and would like to assign the pads in a way that mimicks a right handed drum set plus it would be good to have the ability to assign two pads next to each other to do rolls on a snare drum or assign two of the same toms next to each other to do the same.  Also on the midi controller keyboard the toms play from low to high instead of high to low the same on the push 2.  How does one customize the pads so that they can easily be played by finger drumming?  I do not see any settings in either to make it happened. Is there a trick in Ableton EZ drummer to solve this?  Is there a 3 party software that allows you to customize the pads in push2 and ableton to make it happen?  Its making finger drumming difficult as is.

[Oldfartsurfer]

I am also having trouble assigning pads on my Akai MPD218. Since I purchased it used, Akai is no help. Following youtubes, it just doesn’t happen on my Mac. 2017 IMac, btw. 10.14. Hoping you guys or Toontrack people can get me headed in the right direction. The link listed above seems to be all about using another program (not EZDrummer). Any help?

[John]

Hi,

there are downloads and documents at the bottom of this product page:
https://www.akaipro.com/mpd218

This should make it possible for you to create your own preset with the MPD218 to use with EZdrummer 2.
If you click the EZdrummer 2 Menu > About Sound libraries > ‘Library’ > MIDI Layout, you will see which sounds are on which key.

I hope this helps,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Oldfartsurfer]

Thanks for chiming in, John. Unfortunately no help. I had already downloaded the MPD218 Editor. The midi note numbers in the MPD218 don’t match the notes in EZDrummer2. Note 36 (C2) should be the kick, it’s a sidestick, note 37 (C#2) should be the sidestick, it’s the kick, and so on. Since the kick in the Nashville kit is listed as C1 under details, I set the MPD to 24, which is C1 on the MPD. It’s still the sidestick. Pretty frustrating. It does seem to work with very little latency. Please chime back in if you think of anything.

[Author]

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