Triggering sound samples via MIDI/drum machine

  • Thread starter Thread starter Adam P
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Adam P

Well-known member
Hi all,
Since there isn't really a forum dedicated to MIDI (unless I'm grossly overlooking it), I figured I would ask this here (more traffic than the computer recording forum I think).

Anyways, my band would like to incorporate some sound samples into our live show. We have a Powerbook, M-Audio Quattro interface, and an Alesis SR16 drum machine with MIDI output. What I'm wondering is if we can use the drum machine to trigger samples on the computer via MIDI. We have Reason on the Powerbook (and another sequencing program, I think, who's name escapes me). I think it would be easier for our drummer to press one of the pads on the drum machine than for him to operate his touchpad to load and play sounds. The sound files being triggered would just be simple .WAV files. How would we go about doing this? I'm kind of in the dark with MIDI beyond plugging my MIDI keyboard into the Quattro to play the softsynths in Reason, so any quick crash courses I could get would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!
 
The midi forum is called 'midi mania' and it's under the 'general discussions' heading.

Midi is a control protocol that carries no audio. Go here for further info -

Midi Basics

To the 'drum machine as sample trigger' question, the answer is a qualilified 'yes'. The Alesis SR-16 sends midi note numbers from it's pads --- the problem is that it's very easy to get the small pads confused and hit the wrong one especially on a dark stage under the pressure of a gig. You COULD trigger Reason module samples with the SR-16, but for the sake of comfort and practicality I would recommend in investing in a second-hand Octapad, an Akai MPD-16 or some other purpose-built sample trigger device.

Oh, and you will also need to bring your computer to the show. Or maybe you could look into a dedicated sampler module...
 
Hey, thanks a lot. I usually don't browse that far down so I missed the MIDI forum. Hopefully I will figure out how to get all of this working this weekend. Like I said, we have a Powerbook so taking that to shows won't be a problem. Again, thats for the input!
 
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