How to use Drum Map with LiveSynth Pro DXi

[James Argo]

Hmmm... many people still don't understand how to use LiveSynth Pro DXi, along with Drum Map in SONAR / HS. Takes a little trick to work this way, I hope this session could figure out and you can understand how to use LiveSynth Pro DXi with Drum Map features in SONAR / HS. (...In this example, I use SONAR 2.2XL, but I believe it'll do the same on HS)

How to use LiveSynth Pro DXi with Drum Map

First, fire your SONAR. Click Insert --> DXi Synth --> LiveSynth Pro SE. It will open Insert DXi Synth Options.

Create these tracks :

-MIDI Source Track
-First synth output

open these windows :
-synth property page

Click Okay.

LiveSynth Pro property box will appear. Browse, and select your Soundfont to load, repeat as you like. Save this setting as Presets for future reference. In my example here, I load Bluejay kit on bank 0, and Electronic2 Club on bank 1. It's saved as Bluejay Electronic

 

[James Argo]

Well, it's true, the confusion begins in selecting the propher output on the MIDI tracks output port, and also the rest of Track properties.
Set the track's MIDI output to New Drum Map --> Blank Map (or whatever your set, it's for example only... )
In : MIDI OMNI
Ch : (Drum Map)
Bnk Drum Map)
Pch Drum Map)

Like this...

 

[James Argo]

Here's the most important part...

Click the output on the track again, and choose Drum Map manager.
Create a new Drum Map. Name it, and save as preset. Then in the Setting For DM1... area, click New notes. Set the trigger key, and what key assigned sould be sounded when we hit the trigger key. In my example below, I put 36 (C3) - usual kick drums to trigger 38 (D3) - usual snare drums, and I put 37 (Db3) - usual drums to trigger 36 (C3) - usual kick drums. You may name that set, or leave it (I name it as Snare on C3, and Kick on C#3). Set Ch 1, and output to LiveSynth Pro. The idea is to assign MIDI channel of the MIDI track, so if you have 3 MIDI tracks, you can set them to 1 on the first track, 2 on the second track,3 on the third track, etc... It's usefull when you put separate track for each drums sound (kick, snare, hihat, etc...)
Right after you set the output, suddenly it will add Port / Channel below the dialog box (see the blue circle).
In the Port and Channels below the dialog box, select the bank and patch you like. In my example below, I put bank 0-BlueJay SmallAmbient, and patch Kick Q2_Yamamaple...

 

[James Argo]

Now close the Drum Map Manager. Click the Audio engine. Sometimes the engine "confused" you'll need to turn on, off, on again... play... off... on again... It should work. It's time to make an audition. Hit C3 on your keyboard controller. Using my setting above, you should hear snare drums sound. And hit C#3, you should hear kick drums sound. You can also draw notes in PRV. Got any difficulties ? post here with your detail... Happy sequencing...


Jaymz