MDrummer: how to change midi channels (change grooves)?

[Marc2109]

I' dont know how to get Mdrummer to effect midi channel changes using the midi command method. Here is what I want to do - any help would be appreciated.

I want Mdrummer to play 8 bars of just shakers, the 8 bars of a groove, then 8 bars of an altogether different groove. If I am thinking correctly on this, the shaker rhythm would have to be on one midi channel, groove 1 on a second midi channel, and groove 2 on a third. If that is correct, how to you switch midi channels in the midi command method?

IS there a different way to do this? [/b]

[goldglob]

You only need to switch midi channels if the different sections have different time signatures. You can achieve what you want by creating each section (with it's own drum tracks) in it's own keyboard box (or boxes) in Rhythm Editor> Loop-box Selector. Each loopbox equates to a different midi note in your DAW's midi editor. If you do want to change midi channels, then you use different Rhythm Channels (Rhythm editor> Globals> Channel) and (I think) tick 'Use drum channels as MIDI output channels' in Menu> Global settings> Midi settings.
Sorry for brief reply, I'm tired.

[MeldaProduction]

Well, yes, you can edit the rhythm, but switching between rhythms is probably "cleaner". So, you simply use "Stop" command (above the outro). Of course you need 3 MIDI tracks in your host, one for each rhythm. More about MIDI command method here:

[Marc2109]

3 midi tracks but still only one instance of Mdrummer? Each track on a different midi channel?

[Marc2109]

You only need to switch midi channels if the different sections have different time signatures. You can achieve what you want by creating each section (with it's own drum tracks) in it's own keyboard box (or boxes) in Rhythm Editor> Loop-box Selector. Each loopbox equates to a different midi note in your DAW's midi editor. If you do want to change midi channels, then you use different Rhythm Channels (Rhythm editor> Globals> Channel) and (I think) tick 'Use drum channels as MIDI output channels' in Menu> Global settings> Midi settings.
Sorry for brief reply, I'm tired.

I appreciate the help.

[MeldaProduction]

3 midi tracks but still only one instance of Mdrummer? Each track on a different midi channel?

Yes! Some hosts can have multiple MIDI channels in one track, but that's very "untidy".

[goldglob]

3 midi tracks but still only one instance of Mdrummer? Each track on a different midi channel?

Yes, one instance. What DAW are you using? I use Reaper, and what we are talking about here are 3 midi items, not DAW 'tracks'. Set item 1 to midi channel 1, item 2 to midi channel 2, etc. Then in MDrummer create your 1st section (shakers) in Rhythm channel 1, 2nd section in Rhythm channel 2 and so on. Rhythm channel in MDrummer corresponds to midi channel in DAW. As your project plays and goes from say midi item 1 to midi item 2 MDrummer will play Rhythm ch 1 then Rhythm ch 2 (but you'll need a stop command at the end of midi item 1..see tutorials). By the way, you don't need to tick 'Use drum channels as MIDI output channels'; that's about drum channels not rhythm channels).
As I said, this is the only way to do things if you have time signature changes. If you don't, and your project is simply shaker, then two different 8 bar grooves all at the same tempo, you really can do this easily in just one rhythm channel. Like anything sophisticated, MDrummer takes some time to come to grips with, but when it all clicks it is superb.

[Marc2109]

3 midi tracks but still only one instance of Mdrummer? Each track on a different midi channel?

Yes, one instance. What DAW are you using? I use Reaper, and what we are talking about here are 3 midi items, not DAW 'tracks'. Set item 1 to midi channel 1, item 2 to midi channel 2, etc. Then in MDrummer create your 1st section (shakers) in Rhythm channel 1, 2nd section in Rhythm channel 2 and so on. Rhythm channel in MDrummer corresponds to midi channel in DAW. As your project plays and goes from say midi item 1 to midi item 2 MDrummer will play Rhythm ch 1 then Rhythm ch 2 (but you'll need a stop command at the end of midi item 1..see tutorials). By the way, you don't need to tick 'Use drum channels as MIDI output channels'; that's about drum channels not rhythm channels).
As I said, this is the only way to do things if you have time signature changes. If you don't, and your project is simply shaker, then two different 8 bar grooves all at the same tempo, you really can do this easily in just one rhythm channel. Like anything sophisticated, MDrummer takes some time to come to grips with, but when it all clicks it is superb.

I'm using Sonar X2.

Forgive me for being a little dense. By midi "item" do you mean a midi note (like c0 to play a grove), and that notes is set to midi channel 1? I'm sorry but I don't think I am following.

[Marc2109]

[quote="MeldaProduction"]Well, yes, you can edit the rhythm, but switching between rhythms is probably "cleaner". So, you simply use "Stop" command (above the outro). Of course you need 3 MIDI tracks in your host, one for each rhythm. More about MIDI command method here:

[/quotE


Thanks for the link, but this particular tutorial doesn't seem to cover what I am asking about. I am still a little lost.

[Marc2109]

3 midi tracks but still only one instance of Mdrummer? Each track on a different midi channel?

Yes, one instance. What DAW are you using? I use Reaper, and what we are talking about here are 3 midi items, not DAW 'tracks'. Set item 1 to midi channel 1, item 2 to midi channel 2, etc. Then in MDrummer create your 1st section (shakers) in Rhythm channel 1, 2nd section in Rhythm channel 2 and so on. Rhythm channel in MDrummer corresponds to midi channel in DAW. As your project plays and goes from say midi item 1 to midi item 2 MDrummer will play Rhythm ch 1 then Rhythm ch 2 (but you'll need a stop command at the end of midi item 1..see tutorials). By the way, you don't need to tick 'Use drum channels as MIDI output channels'; that's about drum channels not rhythm channels).
As I said, this is the only way to do things if you have time signature changes. If you don't, and your project is simply shaker, then two different 8 bar grooves all at the same tempo, you really can do this easily in just one rhythm channel. Like anything sophisticated, MDrummer takes some time to come to grips with, but when it all clicks it is superb.

I think I've got it! I set it up Mdrummer like this:

midi channel 1 a percussion groove
Midi channel 2 a drum groove

I added a C0 at measure 1 in the piano roll of Sonar and set it to midi channel 1. Then I drew another c0 in the next bar, and set it to midi channel 2. At the start, mdrummer played the percussion groove in measure 1, then added the drum groove in measure 2. I can add a stop to the percussion groove (again this note would have to be on midi channel 1). Then, only the drum groove will play.

I hadn't realized I could assign specific notes to different midi channels in Sonar.

Is this what you mean? I'm I doing it correctly? Sorry for being kinda dumb on this.

[goldglob]

What I mean by midi item in reaper is I think a midi clip in sonar. I'm not familiar with sonar at all so sorry can't really advise, but I can see your confusion and suspect that you're not doing it correctly. Perhaps you should forget about midi channel channels for now and go back to the basics of the midi command method.

[MeldaProduction]

3 midi tracks but still only one instance of Mdrummer? Each track on a different midi channel?

Yes, one instance. What DAW are you using? I use Reaper, and what we are talking about here are 3 midi items, not DAW 'tracks'. Set item 1 to midi channel 1, item 2 to midi channel 2, etc. Then in MDrummer create your 1st section (shakers) in Rhythm channel 1, 2nd section in Rhythm channel 2 and so on. Rhythm channel in MDrummer corresponds to midi channel in DAW. As your project plays and goes from say midi item 1 to midi item 2 MDrummer will play Rhythm ch 1 then Rhythm ch 2 (but you'll need a stop command at the end of midi item 1..see tutorials). By the way, you don't need to tick 'Use drum channels as MIDI output channels'; that's about drum channels not rhythm channels).
As I said, this is the only way to do things if you have time signature changes. If you don't, and your project is simply shaker, then two different 8 bar grooves all at the same tempo, you really can do this easily in just one rhythm channel. Like anything sophisticated, MDrummer takes some time to come to grips with, but when it all clicks it is superb.

I think I've got it! I set it up Mdrummer like this:

midi channel 1 a percussion groove
Midi channel 2 a drum groove

I added a C0 at measure 1 in the piano roll of Sonar and set it to midi channel 1. Then I drew another c0 in the next bar, and set it to midi channel 2. At the start, mdrummer played the percussion groove in measure 1, then added the drum groove in measure 2. I can add a stop to the percussion groove (again this note would have to be on midi channel 1). Then, only the drum groove will play.

I hadn't realized I could assign specific notes to different midi channels in Sonar.

Is this what you mean? I'm I doing it correctly? Sorry for being kinda dumb on this.

Yes, exactly!
Basically all hosts should be able to send different MIDI channels into each plugins, but some of them are, eh, a little unfriendly.

[goldglob]

Hi again Marc2109, I've just discovered that in Reaper too, specific notes can be assigned to different midi channels, and your method does indeed work (as MeldaProduction has already confirmed). My talk about different midi items (clips) set to different midi channels sprung from a project involving time signature changes, where it was easier to quickly enter full bar midi command notes by having separate items (clips) for different signatures. Sorry to unnecessarily complicate things..anyway, looks like you're on the right track, and I have learned something new about Reaper midi.

[Marc2109]

Hi again Marc2109, I've just discovered that in Reaper too, specific notes can be assigned to different midi channels, and your method does indeed work (as MeldaProduction has already confirmed). My talk about different midi items (clips) set to different midi channels sprung from a project involving time signature changes, where it was easier to quickly enter full bar midi command notes by having separate items (clips) for different signatures. Sorry to unnecessarily complicate things..anyway, looks like you're on the right track, and I have learned something new about Reaper midi.

No problem at all! I am delighted for all the help I can get.