A question for electronic drum experts

[jake-owa]

Does anyone know of a electronic kick pedal with a MIDI output rather than a trigger out? I currently use the roland SPD6 which has a pedal input but it's a momentary switch and has no velocity control.

 

[boose44]

Man, good luck with that. I don't think there's anything like that -- seems like it would be prohibitively expensive.

Maybe your best bet would be to try to find a drum machine with inputs & control or maybe even a 2nd hand drum module.

-bruce

 

[mikeh]

I do beleive I've seen a MIDI kick pedal. Roland makes a trigger to MIDI converter - but I've never looked at one to determine what levels of velocity it accepts or tranmits.

I'm very surprised to hear that the SPD6 does not have velocity control. Is this something you're sure of? I know the pads do have velocity control and it would seem a major design flaw not to have some velocity control on the kick trigger.

I'll have to look at an SPD6 instruction manual tonight.

 

[mikeh]

I just read my post (maybe I should proof read before I transmit)

I meant to say " I do not believe I've seen a MIDI foot pedal.

 

[alienelvis]

I just read my post (maybe I should proof read before I transmit)

I meant to say " I do not believe I've seen a MIDI foot pedal.

Use the edit button on the right.

 

[mikeh]

jake-owa,

I just glanced at an SPD6 owners manual. Per the manual, the pedal velocity can be set the same way that the pad velocity is set.

However, the pads reference a velocity curve and the pedal settings refence a velocity setting (4 settings 32, 56, 88, 127). The way it is worded is ambiguous but I interpret this to indicate that you can adjust the velocity of the pedals - although perhaps not to the same level (or curve) as the pads.

I have to build a kit tonight, but if I have time after that I'll try to play with an SPD6 to confirm the velocity issue. However, I suggest you look at page 24 of your manual.

 

[jake-owa]

Thanks mikeh, the SPD6 takes a momentary switch on the kick pedal input which has no means of transmitting velocity. Sure the velocity can be set but it's static and unchanging, no curve at all. This is the problem. I would have no problem using a MIDI splitter to add a kick pedal into the controller chain but a single velocity on the kick is seriously limiting to my drum dynamics. I use real cymbals so the high hat switch input is no problem...I don't use it. This constant kick is really annoying on softer passages. Thanks anyway, I'm thinking of inventing someting out of an electronics parts catalog.