Drum Module/Cakewalk/Trigger Question

[sjaguar13]

I'm thinking about getting some drum triggers to record drums into Cakewalk Pro Audio or Sonar. Will the triggers work with Cakewalk? All the tirggers I seen are hooked up to drum modules. Can I just run the triggers into my computer, or do I have to have a drum module?

[Tim Brown]

Well,
In THEORY you should be able to do it, but what you are going to have to have is a "Trigger To MIDI Interface".
A TMI converts the electronic "Pulse" from the Piezo Trigger into a MIDI note.

Roland makes a TMI that is supposed to be fairly good - much better than the TMI's that are in the Alesis drum modules.(The TMI in the Alesis products are fine for "internal "sounds, but if you MIDI out to anything, it's just not very fast.

It's going to run you about $300 though.

So, if you are going to spend that, you might as well get the cheapest of the Roland V-drum modules and have some decent sounds as well!


Tim

[sjaguar13]

So I should just get a drum module? I've heard a lot about the D4, is that a good one, or should I look into cheap V-drum modules? My triggers really suck, and I suck at the drums, I just wanted to play around, so it doesn't have to be the greatest.

[boose44]

The D4 and D5 are pretty outdated these days. Neither will record variable hi-hat data -- but then from your description, you might not need it if you aren't using a hi-hat controller. The D4 is one of the cheapest modules you'll find anywhere.

Both the DMPro and DTX2 are decent modules. The DTX2 has some nice layering capabilities, but it may be over kill if you just want to capture midi data. Still, you can pick one up fairly cheaply on the 'bay.

The DMPro is more robust, and you can also make your own samples, but again, if you're just looking for a trigger interface it may be over kill. Lots of inputs on that one though.

The TD-6, Roland's low end V-drum is a bargin if you can find a used one at a good price. It triggers very well and is pretty accurate, though I haven't read of many people using acoustic triggers with it.

hope this helps,
-bruce