Using Roland TD17, can I connect another module to SD3?

[Johan Dovelius]

I am thinking about expanding my kit, a Roland TD17KV. Before I go too far in my thinking, I just want to double check: Can I connect two drum modules to SD3 at the same time?

The ideal would a kit consisting of:
– Roland TD17KV
– Roland SPD SX (or similar) for extra pads
– Extra cymbals connected via trigger jacks on the SPD SX
– All connected to one big set in SD3.

Would it work?

I understand that I can not expect it to work instantly and seamlessly, but would I be able to connect without a degree in engineering?

Note that I am interesting in using the sounds in SD3, not the samples in Roland SPD SX. (I know it is crazy expensive to buy this tool without using the sounds, and I have not thought that through entirely, I am just thinking of different options at the moment).

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.4.2
Operating system: macOS Sequoia (15)

Topic

[drumjack52]

It can work depending on how the two modules are connected to the computer. I’ve never used USB MIDI but old school 5 pin MIDI (the round connector). Traditionally MIDI has three connectors – in/out/through. MIDI in is for receiving MIDI from somewheres, out for sending MIDI to somewheres and through is a passthrough that takes MIDI in and burps it right out to MIDI out with no interaction from the module in the middle. You would need to go from one module via it’s MIDI out to the MIDI through connector of module two and go from the MIDI out of module two to your computer. At least that’s how MIDI used to work. MIDI with multiple modules and daisy chaining isn’t always easy to grok and can drive one to drink. Thankfully you’re dealing with one manufacturer’s boxes – put multiple makes in the mix and oh boy…

Jack
aka musicman691 on other forums
Superior Drummer 3.4.1
Area 33 1.0.0
Death and Darkness 1.0.1
PT 2021.6
OSX 10.13.6
3.46 GHz hex core 2012 MacPro 48 gig ram

[Muellercraft]

Getting the signal from the SPD to your computer shouldn’t be a problem.  You could try the MIDI through approach Jack mentioned, or you could connect the SPD directly to your computer using another USB or Thunderbolt port.  I’m pretty sure you could also bring up two iterations of SD3 in your DAW and assign the SPD to a second iteration.  Getting one iteration of SD3 to recognize input from both the TD17 and an SPD as signals to control one large kit — I would think it can be done, but probably means a lot of manual programming of MIDI to get each pad matched to the instrument you want.

Muellercraft

Composer, performer, producer
Black & Whyte Studio
Muellercraft.com

SD3, Rooms of Hansa, Indiependent, Roland TD-17 KVX, Mac Studio M1 Ultra, UA Apollo Twin X, HEDD Type 20 monitors

[Johan Dovelius]

Thanks for your reply! I didn’t think of that, but it makes sense. I just thought of connecting the both modules directly to the computer via USB, but maybe it would be better to connect them in series.

But still scary to invest if I am not sure it will work…

[John]

Hi,

if you have two or more MIDI interfaces connected to the same computer and to the same instance of SD3, you just make sure to have them “ticked” in the check boxes in the MIDI Devices list in the Audio/MIDI Setup in SD3.
You will have to manually edit MIDI notes sent from the added module (in the module, not SD3), which in your case would be the SPD-X, so they do not overlap with what is sent from your TD-17 module.
I.e. both modules cannot have their standard note values set, since the one instance of SD3 cannot split incoming MIDI notes per device/port; a note #60 sent from both devices will trigger the same articulation in SD3. This applies whether you connect several modules separately via USB or in series via traditional MIDI/DIN to one instance of SD3.
If you use some kind of host/DAW, you can have several instances of SD3 and then they could be triggered by the different devices on different ports.

I hope this clarifies.

BR,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Author]

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