I’m a drummer so I find it cumbersome and time consuming to try to create authentic drum parts by tapping on keys. Especially when it comes to fills and cymbal accents but also just to get a nice groove going between hi hat, bass drum and snare.

Is there any way to set things up (without a computer) so I can play a MIDI drum kit and record polyphonically to a track?

Never tried but I think if your drum module has standard midi out (e.g. Roland TD-11) it should work. You can try it even in program mode. If MOXF sounds then you can record midi as well in song mode.

muscarella - 24 October 2016 03:11 AM

[...] Is there any way to set things up (without a computer) so I can play a MIDI drum kit and record polyphonically to a track?

It makes no difference how the notes are triggered - anything that can be done from the MOXF keys can be done with a MIDI electronic drum kit. It’s just a matter of matching MIDI note numbers so the mapping between the electronic kit and the MOXF agree.

See:
http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/474414
http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/451267
http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/449657

You make it sound very do-able. The articles you linked to are talking about other Motif models, but it would work the same with an MOXf?

If I’m gonna make this leap it would mean springing for a kit with superior drum pad response, plus some decent bass drum and high hat pedals.

If anybody has a recommendation for make and model (Yamaha?) I’d like to hear about it. I’ve seen the kits where the snare drum is an actual drum head. Bass drum, too. But, as I say, it’s the high hat that really requires some nuance to make it sound real. Has anybody mastered that aspect via the actual pedal or the way the MIDI is processed into the sampler?

It’s just as doable with a MOXF as with the other models.

A Google search for “Yamaha DTX” should give you an idea what’s available from them, but they’re certainly not the only choice.

As to nuance, you might find this interesting/helpful:
http://www.drummagazine.com/plugged-in/post/tweaking-for-touch-the-electronic-trigger/

muscarella - 24 October 2016 09:54 PM

You make it sound very do-able. The articles you linked to are talking about other Motif models, but it would work the same with an MOXf?

I can’t understand why don’t you simply try it instead speculation on the topic.

Uhm, cuz a MIDI drum kit costs a lot of money. If you’re exasperated with me and my thread, there’s a simple solution. Stay off it.

muscarella - 25 October 2016 03:51 AM

Uhm, cuz a MIDI drum kit costs a lot of money. If you’re exasperated with me and my thread, there’s a simple solution. Stay off it.

Nono, I’m not exasperated - don’t be offended, I simply thought you already have such instrument :-)

muscarella - 25 October 2016 03:51 AM

Uhm, cuz a MIDI drum kit costs a lot of money…

How about making one? http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Electronic-Drum-Kit/

Individual e-drum components (pads, cymbals, etc.) can be bought separately, and then you could mix and match what you need. Since you would be using the MOXF as the sound module, you would not need the “brain”, which brings down the cost a LOT. See: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/drums/el-drums/

https://www.roland.com/global/categories/drums_percussion/pads_pedals/

http://www.katpercussion.com/ - Look under “Accessories”.

http://alesis.com/products/browse/category/drum-accessories

-Max

I was thinking that, too, Max. But my ignorance about the whole enterprise made me think I should not go off on a tangent only to find out I still need the module. Or that the accessories don’t work as I hoped. But, yes, it might be that I will have little interest in the module itself, except if it would make it easier to interface with the MOXf. I suppose I might use the module for something, but I’m really just wanting to trigger the MIDI notes in the MOXf for recording. And if I was “live”, I could probably do the same assuming I had the MOXf along, too.

Mighty Max,

I’m just querying your previous comment “Since you would be using the MOXF as the sound module, you would not need the “brain”, which brings down the cost a LOT.”

I tried this as I have an Alesis DM10 kit - plugged the cable from a pad to the AD input of my Motif, (as I thought this was the only way you could perhaps trigger the sounds from the keyboard without a midi cable)

I’m fairly certain that you do need a module in order to hear the kit sounds and more importantly record grooves.  This would be done by connecting the midi out of the module to the midi in of the keyboard.

Muscarella,

Perhaps a cheaper alternative is to buy the Yamaha DD65 drum pads or similar. They are a bit more than a toy as you can play rudiments etc on them as well as beat on the small foot pedals. The main point is that it has MIDI for connectivity.

Edit - Thought I’d better give a plug for the Shop :) There are Twiddly Bits midi files for Drums/Percussion and I’m sure I’ve seen Dave Polich or someone doing great keyboard drumming in some videos.

Regards,
Jim

Unfortunately, one area the DD-65 has limitations is with the hi hat, which muscarella specifically mentioned concern about.

See reviews for user opinions on that and more…
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/drums/drums_digital_percussion/portable_digital_drums/dd_series/dd-65/

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DD65-Electronic-Premium-Headphones/product-reviews/B0044WVOJ6/

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DD65/reviews

DD-65 Owner’s Manual: http://download.yamaha.com/file/9287

You tend to get what you pay for, including with the Yamaha DTX series. For a beginner, inexpensive electronic drums are probably OK. For an experienced drummer, I’d suggest a trip to a well-stocked music store and “try before you buy” - if that’s not practical, buy from a dealer with a good return policy.

5pinDin,
Ack all your points you raised.
My response was to answer Muscarella’s original post in how to enter drum midi data without using the keys (which can be done with great results with practice) It seems an expensive way to do it by using either a dedicated e-drum kit and module, or by using any of the pad type systems available.
As you’re aware the pedal for hihats is only for the open/close or pedal specific function. There’s also the sensitivity, cross talk issues with pads etc.
I wish Muscarella well (and without too much frustration)in whatever way he decides to enter his data.
Regards,
Jim

I didn’t mean to suggest that the DD-65 couldn’t work, just that it has limitations and might not satisfy a drummer who has certain expectations - hence my “try before you buy” suggestion. If the DD-65 is found to be adequate, it’s certainly a reasonably priced way to go.