Hey look! Another noob with questions!

[dschrammie]

Hey everyone…I’ve been lurking around for a little bit and have tried to search for these answers, but I can’t say that I’m sure if anything I’ve read has addressed my questions…so I’m gonna be that guy and start a new thread. You may begin rolling your eyes at me.

I’m hoping that someone/anyone/everyone can help me understand some things with regards to the use of software like Superior 2. I am strongly considering getting rid of my TD-10 exp. and going with a MIDI trigger device (like Megadrum) into my computer with Sup. 2 and using that as my “module”. I don’t do any kind of “gigging”, just playing for fun on my own. Though I have the capability (and occassional desire) to record and post-edit through CuBase LE, I typically just want to sit down, turn the module on and start playing. My system is currently running XP home, AMD Athlon 64 X2 5800+ (3.0GHz, 2x512KB cache,1000MHz FSB, Dual core, Socket AM2), max RAM that XP Home can handle (about 3.78 MB), older Layla 20-bit PCI card.

The main question that I have is regarding what size set up I can have running all at the same time. My current set up has 7 Pintech Visulite cymbals (2 s.z.china; 2 sm. crash – one s.z., one chokeable; 1 s.z. splash, 1 chokeable large crash, 1 tri-zone ride), 4 DIY toms, 1 DIY kick, 1 DIY snare, & Roland CY-5 with Hyperhat controller…and one random s.z. pad that I use for stuff like cowbell. What I’d like to be able to do is to be able to use all of the cymbal pads with individually selected cymbal voices, individually select all of the drums (toms, kick, snare) and start taking advantage of the rims on my drums to use for percussion extras like bongo, tabla, effects, etc. Assuming that I have a MIDI trigger device that has that many inputs available, can I use Sup 2 as the sound “module” for that many different voices at the same time?

The other question that I have is with the customization availble for each voice. For example, after a snare is selected, can I adjust head tension/pitch, snare strainer height, stuff like that?

Essentially I’m just trying to get as much information as I can to determine if I should make the switch. I feel like I’m limited not only in quality of voices from the TD-10 but also by the lack of “tweak-ability”. I’d love to be able to find what I’m really looking for from an electronic set, but would hate to make the jump and then find out “oh, wait, no you can’t use it like that.”

Also, if anyone can advise just how complex/involved the MIDI mapping process is, I’d love to find out what I’m getting myself into. I actually have absolutely no idea how to even start into that stuff.
Any kind of information and/or guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

ppfffffft!!!!!

Topic

[dschrammie]

Shoot. A whole bunch of views but no replies/answers. I’d hoped one of the Toontrack fellas might see this and give a quick answer.
I know I know…I’m new and only just posted the question 3 days ago. I am, admittedly, impatient and had just hoped that I could find an answer so I could go ahead with either purchasing Superior 2.0 or stick with what I have.
Waa. poor me.

ppfffffft!!!!!

[John]

Hi dschrammie,

patience is a virtue;)

Sorry I didn’t get around answering earlier.
I see nothing obvious in why you wouldn’t be able to do just what you want, either with the TD-10 or the Megadrum – although you are limited in Inputs on your TD-10, so you’ll need to combine your single cymbal triggers in one input and the Megadrum has only experimental support for positional sensing.

In Superior 2, all sounds are loaded into RAM and you should be fine with what you have unless you are going for very big kits with a lot of bleed active.
To also trigger percussion sounds, you need the Latin Percussion EZX and create something called X-drums.
All drums and articulations can be tweaked and you can re-assign MIDI notes.
Cymbal chokes are performed via Aftertouch messages, so your TD-10 is good for that but I am unsure about the Megadrum.
With a TD-10 at its Factory Settings, it’s pretty much only to select the E-drum MIDI Preset and make some tweaking from there, I can’t answer for the Megadrum but I guess you could just set it up for GM and it would be about the same.
If you wish to assign a Tom Rim to a Cowbell, you simply select the Cowbell in the Superior 2 interface, click ‘Learn’ and then hit your rim.

Setting up the Hihat for optimal results by yourself is more complex but you should be able to start with the above mentioned E-drum Preset and most of it will be taken care of.

You can create a Toontrack account and download the Superior 2 manual to check stuff out.

Best Regards,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[dschrammie]

John –
Thank you very much for the reply, I do appreciate it.
From what I’ve been reading over at the Megadrum site, and from correspondence with the guy who created it, it sounds like Megadrum should handle it just fine (though I have been told that the Roland modules are quite good as MIDI trigger interfaces…it just seems silly to have a whole module simply to be a MIDI interface).
I do have one other question and that’s regarding the expansion packs. The Toontrack site lists a bunch of EZX products, like Latin Percussion and Twisted Kit, all under the EZ Line of products and and only kits like Music City, C&V, Metal Foundry, and New York Studios under the Superior Line. Based on this I was under the impression that products under the EZ Line could only be used with EZ Drummer and products under the Superior Line could only be used with Superior 2. Is that incorrect? Can I use EZX products with Superior 2.0?
Thanks again John!

ppfffffft!!!!!

[Scott]

Can I use EZX products with Superior 2.0?

Yes, you can use EZX expansions with S2. You can’t, however, use S2 expansions (SDX) with EZD.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Juicy]

ORIGINAL: dschrammie
though I have been told that the Roland modules are quite good as MIDI trigger interfaces…it just seems silly to have a whole module simply to be a MIDI interface).

I often thought this but have found it is still handy to a decent Roland module with sound for>

A. Practising without computer on and still having decent sounds.
B. Quick jams or live minus computer.
C. Live back up kit if computer glitches/crashes.
D. Some of Rolands Solid and famous Kicks are very usable and cool mixed with TT’s Sounds

[dschrammie]

Yep Juicy, I’ve thought about those points as well. The main ones are points A and C, with my concern of course being “what if my computer dies?” Quick jams or playing live are non-issues for me…I don’t jam with anyone and I don’t play out live. But valid points none the less.

The problem that I have with using the TD-10 as my MIDI interface is that it is limited by its inputs…mainly, the type of inputs. The only input on the TD-10 that recognizes a piezo/piezo is the snare. All of the other inputs require a Keith Raper circuit in order for me to use my DIY toms which have piezos for both the head and the rim. I made a few circuits as needed so I could use a bunch of different single zone cymbal pads, but I don’t really have any desire to make more of them and have to mount them within the toms. The other limit with the TD-10 is that rims are not separately adjustable from their corresponding “head” inputs…so if I change the sensitivity, or threshold, or crosstalk, (etc.) of the head then it has the same effect on the rim. Granted, if I upgraded to a TD-20 then I’d have all that available, but I don’t have that kind of money…and even if I did, my wife probably would freak. I’m having a hard enough time convincing her that getting a Megadrum and Superior 2 is an even swap if I sell the TD-10!

ppfffffft!!!!!

[Juicy]

Fair enough.
I guess the point that i didnt make was that i only use TT for recording and if im just playing/practising i most usually only use internal sounds,just wanted to clarify that,i understand your situation is different.
I think what your trying to do is good .

[Author]

Replies