recording V drums to separate tracks

[Pan99]

Hi - I would like to be able to record drums using my Roland V-drums, recording different hits to different tracks for better mixing.

1. I can record stereo audio out, but that doesn't let me control the levels after the event. Little use as I have no more than these stereo outs

2. I can use the drums as a midi input, and play that midi through EZdrummer using a rack to split the inputs and get control of each EZdrummer part. (Found v helpful guides to do that on here).
But I want to use the Roland sounds, not a separate drum vst. The Roland kit is also more versatile capturing different expression of hits.

The VERY long-winded way would be to:

1. record the midi
2. duplicate the midi track multiple times and delete notes accordingly to get a different drum/cym hits on each midi track
3. bounce that back to audio through the Roland brain (it has midi in) one track at a time.

There must be a quicker way to do this?!!


Thanks in advance!

[fde101]

Most of those drum setups have multiple audio outputs that allow the sound of the drums to be sent to separate inputs on an audio interface for independent recording.

If your specific model does not, then your "long-winded" way might be your only option. If you can pan individual drums hard left/right in the stereo space, you might still be able to do two at once that way...

[Pan99]

Thanks, yes, just the stereo outs unfortunately. Have seen the panning strategy to speed things up a little but it looks like there's no other option.

[terrynoakes]

Dont know if there is such a thing, any vst that could split the midi into differen midi ch numbers, then maybe could route them to different tracks?

[Peter Widdicombe]

Unfortunately, if the drum kit doesn't HAVE multiple outputs (and your computer setup doesn't have multiple inputs to match), you'll be stuck doing it the long way, one stereo channel at a time (if you must use the V-Drum sounds) - unless Roland happens to have a complementary .VST to do that.

You CAN sometimes "cheat" and cut down the number somewhat; based on the processing you want to do on them. Kick, snares, cymbals, and toms as 4 tracks, rather than full individual 8 ? This does leave you with, say, all cymbals with relative volumes fixed...

[fde101]

It might actually be possible to split them up using Melodyne Studio by having it do its polyphonic detection on the track, duplicating it for however many instruments you need and deleting the extra "notes" from each one, but it would be somewhat hit and miss as to how accurately it will handle that (if it works at all), so if you already have studio it might be worth a shot to find out, but if you don't it probably is not worth investing the money into to find out.

[Pan99]

Unfortunately, if the drum kit doesn't HAVE multiple outputs (and your computer setup doesn't have multiple inputs to match), you'll be stuck doing it the long way, one stereo channel at a time (if you must use the V-Drum sounds) - unless Roland happens to have a complementary .VST to do that.

You CAN sometimes "cheat" and cut down the number somewhat; based on the processing you want to do on them. Kick, snares, cymbals, and toms as 4 tracks, rather than full individual 8 ? This does leave you with, say, all cymbals with relative volumes fixed...

Yes, I can handle up to 16 audio ins. I want to use the V-drums in particular because they are much more responsive - e.g. stick hits to the rim of a cymbal vs the bell vs body are all played differently - and the same for other parts of the kit. Many of this detail is lost in EZDrummer, which I also have. I also find the velocities don't map across well to EZDrummer - at least not as I play them on the kit, and need substantial boosting.

[Peter Widdicombe]

Which V-Drum set is it? From the specs, some of them don't accept MIDI-IN...

[Simon Posford]

Yes, I can handle up to 16 audio ins. I want to use the V-drums in particular because they are much more responsive - e.g. stick hits to the rim of a cymbal vs the bell vs body are all played differently - and the same for other parts of the kit. Many of this detail is lost in EZDrummer, which I also have. I also find the velocities don't map across well to EZDrummer - at least not as I play them on the kit, and need substantial boosting.

With Addictive drum or superior drummer you can remap your Roland drum and have all the articulations
So you need to change the VSTI for this

[melvinloewe]

Yes, I can handle up to 16 audio ins. I want to use the V-drums in particular because they are much more responsive - e.g. stick hits to the rim of a cymbal vs the bell vs body are all played differently - and the same for other parts of the kit. Many of this detail is lost in EZDrummer, which I also have. I also find the velocities don't map across well to EZDrummer - at least not as I play them on the kit, and need substantial boosting.

Have you played with the settings in EZDrummer? I’ve found EZD can be pretty good at representing details. Keep in mind that the samples are processed/compressed and not raw, so it should sound closer to drums in a final mix as opposed to drums in a garage/studio. You probably know this but Superior Drummer gives a lot more control over the sound of the drums in general, though I almost always find EZD to be good enough.