MIDI drum tracks - questions

[DingBat]

Hi All,

I have a few questions regarding drums and MIDI - I have searched through the (100's) drum posts, but have not found what I am after.

I use a basic sequencer to open MIDI files (downloaded from the web) and change the instruments/assign soundfonts to playback as backing tracks. I do not have a MIDI controller of any kind.

In the quest for better sounding tracks, I have been looking through the forums at options. I noticed that for drums, a lot of people recommend DFH (Drumkit from hell)

My question is that is it possible to open a standard MIDI file in DFH and associate a kit/drums with the drum track as I would do with soundfonts? This would then obvioulsy allow for better sounding drums from what I understand. I am trying to keep the amount of editing to a minimum, and don't want to have to convert/edit loads of things to do this. Does DFH support std midi files (those freely available on the web)? The other application I have read about is BFD. Does this support the above feature?

The other question is that if this is supported, is there a way to edit the drums tracks to edit each individually (snare/hihat etc.) in order to add effects/vol/panning etc.

My problem is I don't have the equipment/time to create my own drum tracks, and since it is for practice/jamming, the MIDI files I have are great - just want to get the instruments sounding good.

Any help would be great.

Cheers,
D

[James Argo]

Well, I don't use DKFH, nor any knowledge about it (yet). But I believe it's doable as long as your sequencer alows it Eg, in Cakewalk Sonar, you can use "Dram mapping" feature to assign each timbre of DKFH kit into GM standard. What's your sequencer anyway?


Jaymz

[DingBat]

I'm using Cubase VST (an old version bundled with the SBLive card)

As I say, I don't need anything other than to be able to mute different channels (vocals etc.) and convert to WAV from there using Soundfonts.

After doing a bit more reading, I see that DFH uses ReWire - if I upgraded my sequencer, would this be the correct route? Would I still have control of the GM drums and be able to assign DFH samples to each piece (snare, hihat etc.) ?

At the end of the day, I don't want to get DFH thinking I can do this, and find that I cannot assign samples to downloaded MIDI file drum tracks.

[ssscientist]

If your version of Cubase supports VSTi's --- plugin instruments conforming to Steinberg's VST standard --- then DKFH comes with a Native Instruments plugin that will allow you to use it.

If you want to run DKFH full-bore you'll need a computer with at least 512k of ram if not a gig -- the samples are HUGE and consume a ton of memory.

And are you sure it's not Cubasis you have? Steinberg is famous for packaging cut-down versions of their software with all kinds of computer music doodads.