Using MDrummer as a sequencer for another VSTi

[Vitaly]

Hi,

It must be a great feature but I'm having a hard time with it. Here is what I'm doing.

1. I set up MDrummer in Cubase4 and I created another track with xoxos's clapofluxury.
2. I selected MDrummer as a source for MIDI input on clapofluxury's track.
3. Now, if I press PLAY, clapofluxury will play all tracks coming from MDrummer. Means, I need to mute all tracks but a clap track, somehow. And that is where difficulties start.

The first thing coming to my mind is applying Modifier. According to Help, if a note velocity is lower then the value of 'Minimal velocity' controller, then the note wont be processed. Apparently, it doesn't work this way. No matter what 'Minimal velocity' I set, the note always goes out. I've figured out that 'Velocity alteration' controller works only if 'Minimal velocity' is lower then an actual velocity of a note. But how it can help?

I believe I don't use this feature correctly or I do something wrong. I read somewhere that Vojtech is on holidays right now, so those of you how are more lucky could you help me, please? How do you work with that?

And some ideas. I think if MDrummer has, let say, 8 single MIDI outputs (beside MIDI ch.10 it has now) it would make setting up much easier. Plus, we could connect more than one VSTi. Imagine, you can send any drum-type to any single midi output (on Global page, perhaps) and then select any of them in a host as midi source for another VSTi.

Cheers,
Vitaly.

P.S. Vojtech, check this. Output MIDI filter/Source. If I click and select another drum-type it's icon doesn't come up (the drum itself does though). If I use arrows, everything is fine.

[MeldaProduction]

1. I set up MDrummer in Cubase4 and I created another track with xoxos's clapofluxury.
2. I selected MDrummer as a source for MIDI input on clapofluxury's track.
3. Now, if I press PLAY, clapofluxury will play all tracks coming from MDrummer. Means, I need to mute all tracks but a clap track, somehow. And that is where difficulties start.

The first thing coming to my mind is applying Modifier. According to Help, if a note velocity is lower then the value of 'Minimal velocity' controller, then the note wont be processed. Apparently, it doesn't work this way. No matter what 'Minimal velocity' I set, the note always goes out. I've figured out that 'Velocity alteration' controller works only if 'Minimal velocity' is lower then an actual velocity of a note. But how it can help?

Hi Vitaly, back from holidays .
I'm afraid I do not understand this very well. I tried to attach MDrummer in Cubase 4 to a bass synth and it works. I also tried to use the Minimal velocity parameter of some notes and works too. Can you please explain a little more?

And some ideas. I think if MDrummer has, let say, 8 single MIDI outputs (beside MIDI ch.10 it has now) it would make setting up much easier. Plus, we could connect more than one VSTi. Imagine, you can send any drum-type to any single midi output (on Global page, perhaps) and then select any of them in a host as midi source for another VSTi.

So you suggest Output MIDI channel settings for each drum (similar to Output audio channel). Right?

P.S. Vojtech, check this. Output MIDI filter/Source. If I click and select another drum-type it's icon doesn't come up (the drum itself does though). If I use arrows, everything is fine.

Yaj . Nice one, thanks .

[Vitaly]

Hi Vitaly, back from holidays .
I'm afraid I do not understand this very well. I tried to attach MDrummer in Cubase 4 to a bass synth and it works. I also tried to use the Minimal velocity parameter of some notes and works too. Can you please explain a little more?

Welcome back
Sure, I can send midi data to another VSTi. What I can't figure out is how to limit MDrummer to sending one single track only.

So you suggest Output MIDI channel settings for each drum (similar to Output audio channel). Right?

Yes, I believe having a separate midi channels will make things easier. Unless you can suggest another way around for sending midi data to different VSTi at the same time.

Cheers,
Vitaly.

[MeldaProduction]

Aaaaaha! Written to "to-maybe-do" list .

Anyway there is one problem - as far as I know VSTis cannot have multiple MIDI outputs. However they can define output MIDI channels (1-16). So if it would help, it may be possible to define for each drum MIDI output channel (which is now fixed to 10 as defined by GM) from 1-16 and none, which would mute it. Is that good enough?

[Vitaly]

I see. Then having individual midi channels wont make a big difference. Because, we can use one channel only anyway, so...

In a current version, is it possible to send midi data from one track only?

Thanks,
Vitaly.

[MeldaProduction]

Well, you can solo the drum... ou now I see, it would not work now! So would it be a solution for you to solo the drum you need? On the other hand this would need one thing - you will need to load a drumset (even you won't use it) and mute all other drums. Pretty clumsy... What is it for exactly? (so I can think of something better)

[Vitaly]

Sometimes, I like using a special VSTi dedicated to a particular sort of sounds, claps for example. And if I would be able to send a snare track (only) to that VSTi and to have the rest of drums coming out from MDrummer, simultaneously, that would be great. There is a workaround like recording midi data of the snare track from MDrummer and putting it on VSTi's track , then muting the snare track in MDrummer (that is how I do it). But what will happen if in a middle of a project I'd like to change a drum pattern? Well, I will have to re-record the snare track again.

Perhaps, a switch just for midi data somewhere in midi filters?

[MeldaProduction]

Aaaaha, well, the output MIDI filters would solve it, just need to add solo/mute. The drums will need to be muted separately.