How do I properly map my electronic drums to GarageBand?

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Level 1

14 points

How do I properly map my electronic drums to GarageBand?

Hello,

I have a set of Yamaha DTXplorer (DTXPL) midi drums, and have a problem using them with the majority of samples for GarageBand.

The biggest issue is that the Snare Drum doesn't seem to be mapped from the drum set to the software instruments. (Hitting the snare doesn't produce any sound). The other drum parts seem to work fine, just not the Snare Drum.

Is there any information on how to map my drum set to be completely in synch with GarageBand standards?

Dual G5, Mac OS X (10.4.5), Yamaha DTXplorer midi drum kit

Posted on Feb 18, 2006 3:18 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

eriklan7

Level 1

10 points

Jul 20, 2006 12:47 PM in response to laserheart

Mapping DTXPLORER MIDI using GarageBand

Here is the (hopefully) definitive guide for getting a Yamaha DTXPLORER (a.k.a. DT-Explorer, DTXPL) electronic drum set to connect to Apple's GarageBand via MIDI.

SYMPTOM: When connecting DTXPLORER to GarageBand using MIDI, the snare drum is silent and the bass drum triggers a sort of snare roll instead of a bass hit.

PROBLEM: The DTXPLORER (for whatever reason) sends out the snare note on G2 (key 31) and the kick note on A2 (key 33). This is a non-standard MIDI key mapping for these instruments.

SOLUTION: Remap the snare and kick MIDI notes using the freeware app MidiPipe from SubtleSoft ( http://homepage.mac.com/nicowald/SubtleSoft/) to the standard GarageBand MIDI keys using the following steps:

(Note: These settings were tested using GarageBand 3.0.2 and MidiPipe 1.4.1.)

1. Connect your DTXPLORER via MIDI to GarageBand and verify that GarageBand can record the drum sounds.
2. Close GarageBand.
3. Launch MidiPipe. You will create a Pipe that looks like this:

Midi In
Key Mapper
Key Mapper
Midi Out

Do so by dragging the appropriate components from the Tools column to the Pipes column in the appropriate order.
4. Once you've assembled the pipe (with the components in the correct order listed above), configure the settings as follows:

Midi In:
- Midi Input: (Your USB or FireWire MIDI device)
- Options: check "hijack"
Key Mapper (kick drum):
- Key In: A2 (33)
- Key Out: C3 (36)
- Options: UNcheck "Solo selected "Key In""
Key Mapper (snare drum):
- Key In: G2 (31)
- Key Out: D3 (38)
- Options: UNcheck "Solo selected "Key In""
Midi Out:
- MIDI Output: MidiPipe Output 1
- Options: UNcheck "Pass Through" and UNcheck "Use Note Off Velocity"

5. Choose File: Save As and save your pipe to a memorable location. You will need to retrieve this file every time you wish to record your drum set using GarageBand.

6. Relaunch GarageBand and attempt to record your drum set. The snare and the bass drum should now be mapped correctly!

Note: If you have having difficulties with the pipe and would like to verify that the key mapping is taking effect, add a "Keyboard" component to the pipe after the "Key Mapper"s. That will give you a visual representation of which key is being triggered for each drum pad.

MacBook Pro 17" Mac OS X (10.4.6) 2GB RAM

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Answer 2

TGV

Level 1

104 points

Feb 24, 2006 12:48 AM in response to laserheart

How stupid of me! I should have thought of it in the first place. If you have a MIDI key mapper, you can map the DTXplorer's snare note number to GarageBand's note number. That should solve your problem.

There's a free MIDI key mapper called "MidiPipe" available at versiontracker: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/mac/16154

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Answer 3

TGV

Level 1

104 points

Feb 19, 2006 1:49 AM in response to laserheart

When you edit a drum loop that works for the software instrument you use, you can see what they do. Or, you can select the drum track and choose "Musical Typing" (cmd-shift-K) and try it for yourself. When I try "Pop kit", it seems to correspond to the General MIDI mapping.

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Answer 4

Feb 20, 2006 3:56 PM in response to laserheart

The midi map for GB's software instruments does (give or take the odd anomaly) conform to standard. If your snare isn't working it's more than likely a problem with your kit, not GB. Check on how to set the kit up . . . your problem is probably not GB's fault.

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Answer 5

Feb 21, 2006 9:19 AM in response to Justin Connolly

I used to have this problem with an old Roland TD-5 set I had. I wasn't able to change the notes for each pad. Example, the "snare pad" would be like a "C" key on a midi controller. There wasn't a way to map it to a certain note. I dunno if this is exactly what your problem is.

This was a few years ago, there may be some clever software out there that can resolve this. Or maybe your drum module is smart enough to change what midi notes it plays.

Hope that helps

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Answer 6

TGV

Level 1

104 points

Feb 22, 2006 7:13 AM in response to laserheart

I've taken a look at the DTXplorer's manual, and it seems MIDI note outs are fixed. And you cannot edit GarageBand's instruments either. So, it seems you're stuck.

However, I see a few possibilities:
Convenient: Get a software sampler that allows you to create your own instruments. Check "soundfont" on macupdate.com and versiontracker.com. Note that you need an Audio Unit (AU) plug-in to work with GarageBand.
Hassle: Record your drums, including the inaudible snare, open the recording in the note editor and reassign your snare notes to the General MIDI snare note (D2, I think).
Difficult: Create a copy of the software instrument you want to use, find out the file format, and change the snare drum assignment.

iBook (july 2005), PowerMac Dual 2.5GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

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Answer 7

laserheart Author

Level 1

14 points

Mar 4, 2006 2:09 AM in response to TGV

These are all very useful tips. Thank you!

MidiPipe looks like it will do the job if I can get the drum set to remap the midi output to another number.

Anyone know of a MIDI map for GarageBand (or General Midi), so I can determine what number it needs to output?

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Answer 8

Nov 4, 2006 12:25 PM in response to eriklan7

Hi, i've followed the instructions posted above but it's not working!!!

I'm trying to key map the bass drum from a ddrum4 electric drum kit. The module outputs a C0 so i'm trying to key map C0->C1 to give me the bass drum key in GB.

everything is set up as described but even when i add a keybord component after the key mapper it still outputs C0 😟

If anyone could help me i would be in you're eternal debt... were recording tomorrow and i really dont want to have to shift all the midi notes around manualy

Thanks

Mac Mini Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 9

Nov 4, 2006 1:17 PM in response to The Hambugler

Ooops!

Talk about two busses turning up at once... I just realised i was thinking MidiPipes C1 was the equivalent to C1 in Gb.
Its not... Garageband is two octaves higher :-&

anywho, after refering to the ddrums online module there is also an option to change the midi output from the module, i'm spoilt for choice 🙂

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Answer 10

bseifert

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2006 6:59 AM in response to TGV

The discussion is the problem I have been having with adding an electric drum kit to garageband. I downloaded midipipe, but how do I get it to work?

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