MIDI drum tracks - questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter DingBat
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DingBat

New member
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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