MDrummer : adding an instrument to a drum set

[mevla]

I'm trying to add two 'conga hi' that I renamed 'conga hi01' and 'conga hi02', each one having a different sample. The congas are not part of the original drum set. When a track is added in the rhythm editor neither of these congas are shown as choices. Is it possible at all to have different samples for one instrument at the same time and, what is the purpose of renaming an instrument if the new name is not used thereafter ?

mDrummerCongas.jpg

[MeldaProduction]

If you want different sounds of one instrument, there are choices:
- Use multiple drums of different types (my favourite)
- Use velocity to distinguish between them
- Use the "Mode" to distinguish between them - in velocity layers panel you just create multiple layers with the same velocity range and different mode range. I used that for different hihat openings in Drum Empire 2020

[mevla]

Thanks. Especially about the velocity layers and "Mode".

UPDATE : The rest below is now explained as 100% velocity in Bitwig is 127 in other DAWs. So it's now possible to establish a correspondence.


Original text left as reference to the question :

There's something about velocities values in Bitwig. When I look at an example given by Chandler with the DAW he's using (Cubase I think, not sure) velocities values can go beyond 100. In Bitwig velocities are expressed as a percentage and stops at 100. I'm currently asking on the Bitwig side if there's any correspondence that can be made. Or maybe I just got this not exactly right. Clearly the MDrummer velocity values shown for instance when using the Loop Box are going beyond 100. Is this the same as dB values ?

[tonycore]

How do I associate a MIDI controller with the Mode control? This thread clued me into the Mode value, which I see in use for example in the closed hi-hat settings for Drum Empire 2020, but I cannot find Mode as a MIDI target parameter. (I'm using the 16.04a beta)

[mevla]

How do I associate a MIDI controller with the Mode control?

The velocity of a MIDI note will choose which sample to play. Any MIDI keyboard will do.

[MeldaProduction]

How do I associate a MIDI controller with the Mode control? This thread clued me into the Mode value, which I see in use for example in the closed hi-hat settings for Drum Empire 2020, but I cannot find Mode as a MIDI target parameter. (I'm using the 16.04a beta)

In the Drumset editor, open the collapsed "Advanced" pane under the drum list and there's "Mode CC".

[tonycore]

Thanks - but the "Mode" operation is different, it's a way of changing sample with a CC controller so that even at the same velocity different samples can be chosen, or conversely, a single sample from a set can be played at different velocities from the same MIDI note. This way for example I can choose the half-closed hi-hat and play it at different velocities, or the 1/4 closed one, all on the same key (MIDI note), without the velocity change triggering a different sample. Clever implementation, and Vojtech's answer clarifies how to use it.

How do I associate a MIDI controller with the Mode control?

The velocity of a MIDI note will choose which sample to play. Any MIDI keyboard will do.

[mevla]

Thanks - but the "Mode" operation is different, it's a way of changing sample with a CC controller so that even at the same velocity different samples can be chosen, or conversely, a single sample from a set can be played at different velocities from the same MIDI note.

It would be nice to have a comprehensive and practical view on this creative feature.

To explain further, what I did was to select several samples for the 'conga hi' instrument and let MDrummer arrange them when asked. It yielded this :

MDrummerVelocityLayers.jpg

The velocities this time around are expressed in percentages instead of values. To test this I put a few MIDI notes on a track and heard that a different sample is being played according roughly to the range of percentages shown in MDrummer, when in Drum Pad Mode. It actually sounds very natural to have these different samples being played. Add to this Bitwig's per-note modifications and the result sound quite natural. And the add the default setting of MTurboDelay, with slightly less feedback. C3 in Bitwig is C4 otherwise :

MDrummerBitwigMIDINotes.jpg

So I asked myself, following your initial question, if there are other ways to use this feature. In Pattern Mode maybe ? So I've put some notes with different velocities :

MDrummerVelocityPattern.jpg

The effect is less distinct and gives way to an important question : What if I want to hear the first sample (0% ... 27%) at a high output volume ? Is there a way to have varying output volumes for the samples that can be changed on the fly as notes are played ?

[tonycore]

I would guess that has to be done by traditional dynamic processing, could be done on the mixer channel within MDrummer.

You make me think: the Mode operation kind of makes velocity layering not work, but there might be some interesting/creative ways for the 2 to interact.

[mevla]

Or, with the multi-channel output version, automated by the DAW. But that's tedious, as compared to working at a event/note level where it happens. Drum hits can come by real fast at times, automating them, each drum instrument on their own channel, for volume level effect takes much longer time.

An important question IMHO is, is that exploration of the meaning and intent of features to be done by musicians creating music ? There had to be use cases for developing these features, even if MDrummer's software code is 'spaghetti', as Vojtech describes it. There has to be an idea or two or three to use these features before spending time developing them.