[SOLVED !] MDrummer : How to use Velocity Layers (Drum Empire 2020) ?

[mevla]

With the Drum Empire / Dry Not Sticks / Floppy Open Low drum kit are 4 different hihat sounds provided as part of Velocity Layers.

VelocityLayers-01.jpg

How are they supposed to be used ?

By modifying the velocity of hihat notes in the Pattern Editor ?

velocityLayers-02.jpg

No. This only affects the output volume of a same chosen sound amidst the 4 hihat 1 2 3 4 sounds provided.

In Drum Pad Mode by having hihat MIDI notes of different velocities ?

velocityLayers-03.jpg

No. This again only modifies the output volume of a single sound out of the 4 provided hihat sounds.

How is it possible to easily and quickly switch between the different 4 hihat sounds as provided in the drum kit, using velocity ?

[MeldaProduction]

It is the "Mode" parameter, and there's also a note parameter Mode, so that's what you can control it with. While this can be used for anything, it's intended use (as in Drum Empire 2020) is controlling how much is the hihat open.

[mevla]

[See next]

[mevla]

It is the "Mode" parameter, and there's also a note parameter Mode, so that's what you can control it with. While this can be used for anything, it's intended use (as in Drum Empire 2020) is controlling how much is the hihat open.

I tried several combinations using the default 0 - 100 % Velocity Layers settings. All tests were done within MDrummer in regular pattern mode - no MIDI notes from the DAW. Using the first pattern of the drum set and removing the kick and snare.

velocity-03.jpg

Like considering Mode as an 'enable' (fully enabled in this test) and varying velocities :

velocity-01.jpg

velocity-02.jpg

But it's always the same hihat sound out of the 4. I also tried several other combinations although it always affect only the chosen sound out of the 4 sounds provided. The hihat pedal always stays the same. If I chose sound # 3 in Velocity Layers then it will always be sound # 3.

What would be the basic configuration to get different hihat pedal expressions within a pattern using the provided Velocity Layers 4 hihat sound variations ?

[mevla]

Bump. I get the impression that Not Many People At All are using Velocity Layers as provided in Drum Empire 2020. If not it should be darn simple to explain precisely how to use the four different hihat sounds provided in a Drum Empire 2020 drum kit within MDrummer patterns.

There's seemingly no video about using Velocity Layers (correct me if I'm wrong) and explaining it precisely in simple steps seems not-so-easy of a task.

[MeldaProduction]

I'mk not sure what you are doing really. Pls send me some small reaper project.

[mevla]

I'mk not sure what you are doing really. Pls send me some small reaper project.

Won't happen. I do not use Reaper. On the other hand I know that you do have Bitwig.

In any case, it shouldn't matter. When Chandler makes Melda videos, does he specify which DAW should be used ? No.

Same with using Velocity Layers in MDrummer with Drum Empire 2020. A tutorial on how to use them will work with every DAW.

How can I say, using the aforementioned Drum Empire 2020 drum kit, there are 4 DIFFERENT hihat SOUNDS available in the Velocity Layers section.

The question is : How to make those sounds REACH MY EARS when USING MDRUMMER PATTERNS ? Very simple question and the answer ought to be very clear and precise, along the lines of :

1) Do this
2) Do that
3) Do this in the pattern
4) Hear one of the four sounds
5) Do this in the pattern
6) Hear another one of the four sounds

No ?

[sparella]

In the Drumset Editor \ Velocity Layers pane, there is a column that lists the velocity layers where the only entry is 0%...100%. Press the button with the two overlapping squares to duplicate it. Now each of those entries in the list can be set up individually. The first entry can be set for Modes with a minimum of 0% and a max of 50%. Then the second entry in the list can be 51% min and 100% max. For each entry you can choose a different Layer Source, such as Floppy Open 1 for the first entry and Floppy Open 4 for the second entry.

Now when you go back to the Rhythm Editor and you adjust the Mode % for each hihat hit, the different layers will be triggered based on the mode amount.

[mevla]

Now when you go back to the Rhythm Editor and you adjust the Mode % for each hihat hit, the different layers will be triggered based on the mode amount.

Thanks ! Although I've messed around with these parameters previously I most certainly did not do it in the right sequence or whatever. For some reason I clang to the 'velocity' aspect of it, eg. the velocity parameter for triggering the variations, the 'mode' one being an enabler of some sort.

Now with such a clear explanation it opens the door to a lot of inspiring rhythm variations. Thanks again !

Cheers.

[DarkStar]

... or, click the [?] button in the Velocity Layers panel

[mevla]

... or, click the [?] button in the Velocity Layers panel

I disagree. Especially with the definition of :

"Mode

Mode controls the range of the 'mode' for this layer. The mode is attached to a CC controller, such as hihat opening, or controller directly from the rhythm."

As graphically shown earlier and explained in this thread, there was a confusion regarding the role of instrument velocity found in patterns and the concept of 'Velocity Layers' where Mode is considered as an enabler of some sort.

Following the rather clear explanation from sparella it is possible to conceive of hardware controllers using the 'velocity layers'. As in hardware controllers controlling many other aspects of many plugins through MIDI CC. MCCGenerator is not there for a limited use after all.

But to give as sole explanation for the use of 'mode' that it can be used via MIDI CC ?

Last year I asked for a video using Velocity Layers in MDrummer. Up to today there is no video solely dedicated to this very expressive aspect. Correct me if I'm wrong. As far as I'm concerned Velocity Layers are a great creative approach to using drum machines, with the provided layers part of drum, but also with eventually custom made variations. I only but have praise for this function.

Cheers.