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ON/OFF MIDI MegaDRUM MONITOR

UP

DOWN

LEFTCRTL

RIGHTCRTL

HiHat Impedance

56 CHANNEL MIDI TRIGGER DRUM MODULEwww.megadrum.info

MegaDRUM<Load ROM Kit >

<BASIC >

MAP & Kit Presets Guide for MegaDRUM & ADDICTIVE DRUMS 2

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Version 4 July 2014 9:14 AM

IntroductionI am an e-drummer since many years and got involved in the MegaDRUM midi trigger device a couple of years ago. The MegaDRUM device is a DIY project which have evolved during a decade and today offers all techni-cal features and benefits you could just dream of inconjunction with an active forum/community which drives the platform forward! All together - the MD has become a nice partner for e-drummers that want to utilize the com-puters advantage of usings VST plugins as their sound engine!

In February 2014, I got the fantastic chance to participate in the beta program for next version of Addictive Drums (2) from XLN Audio. I am guessing the XLN people had seen our work with the MegaDRUM MIDI Trigger Device and our efforts with the previous version of Addictive DRUMS.

Another fact which could have been impacting my BETA involvment, was I at that stage owned almost all AD-Paks released by XLN (Hmm..yes...I do own all ADpaks now...)

However, during the BETA period a couple of real good connections were made with the people at XLN and finally I took the chance and asked the question: - Would XLN be willing to add a midi map preset especially de-signed for the MegaDRUM in the upcoming AD2 release? - I was expecting a big fat NO...but the product manag-er at XLN just replied...- Yes, of course! So both I and Dmitri (The MegaDRUM driving force and who also have been participating in the AD2 discussions) got extremely excited about this and we started to make plans how we could benefit from this opportunity to evolve the MegaDRUM platform!

So in this documentation, you will find the result from this opportunity and maybe get some future ideas how we can adopt the MegaDRUM platform even further to fit VST applications better. This is maybe a small step for Ad-dictive Drums but a huge step for the MegaDRUM community and the people behind the MegaDRUM device!

Also the fact that people interested in MegaDRUM now will (or in the near future) get a smoother and faster jour-ney to reach the goal to be able to play drums using MegaDRUM and Addictive Drums 2!

Stay Megaddicted!

Anders Gronlund, alias ANGR77www.zourman.com

Stockholm 2014-06-29

ThanksDmitri for your fantastic dedication for the MegaDRUM Device/Community/Forum and all nice people at the MegaDRUM.INFO forum. Lars Erlandsson & the team at XLN Audio for opening up AD2 for great ideas and for listening to the BETA community. Allan John at digitalDrummer for great inspiration and the kindness to host this document.

NotesThis initiative is maybe a bit questionable from a technical perspective, because of the nature of the MD, which actually can map whatever you want from a midi perspective, but seen from a users angle with easier handling, we are convinced this is good way forward for the MegaDRUM community! Also to be found in the same preset list as leading vendors like Roland, Yamaha, Alesis, 2Box and also in leading VST software’s is good marketing! It is also a big step forward to the vision to be a bit more plug and play, bring down the complexity for Mega-DRUM and just be able to play drums!

www.digitalDrummermag.com

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Some AD2 BackgroundThere are tons of new features in AD2 which will make your e-drum life easier and smoother! The new sound engine, sound shaping, rhythm creation, midi recording, kit piece linking, great new ADPaks, transformation tools and work-flow enhancements. Even support for touch based computers like windows 8.x Check it out on xlnau-dio.com and download the trial version – I am both excited and thrilled about AD2!

The new AD2 version do now support up to 18 drum slots (With multiple samples for each drum supporting Head/Rim/Bow/Edge in some cases even positional sensing based sounds) Compared to the previous version of AD (V1) which offered 12 drum slots – we truly believe MegaDRUM fits AD2 just perfect with all its channels and flexibility!

In AD2 there is now a snare and two ride slots which all supports positional sensing functionality. (Again – a per-fect match for the MD) The offered sound slots are Kick, Snare, Hi-hat, Tom 1-4, Cymbals 1-6, Ride 1 & 2 and 3 Flexi slots (Where you can address whatever you like here!)

A screenshot from the Kit Window in AD2

The MAP Window in Addictive Drums 2The map presets are presented in AD 2 by pressing the “?” question mark and select the map window menu. The device list are sorted on the manufactures and their related models. AD2 includes two MegaDRUM preset Maps directly off the shelf from XLN Audio which can found under the MegaDRUM folder. We have named them MegaDRUM Basic and MegaDRUM Advanced. See screenshot below:

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MegaDRUM & Addictive Drums 2 ConfigurationSchematics - who to adopt MegaDRUM and AD2.

MegaDRUM Trigger Device MegaDRUM Manager

<Load ROM Map >

<ADVANCED >

<Load ROM Kit >

<BASIC >

<Load ROM Kit >

<ADVANCED >

<Load ROM Kit >

<Default >

<Load ROM Map >

<Default >

<Load ROM Map >

<BASIC >

Addictive Drums 2

AD2 MAPS AD2 KITS AD2 MAPS AD2 KITS

Continue to con�gure the pads/cymbals

Connect the selected reference pads/cymbals to the right input

Download the MAP or KIT �les from Megadrum.info and send them to MegaDRUM device.

1 OR 2

Select the right MegaDRUM Map in Addictive Drums 2.0

Play!

AD2 Map Window

And just....

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The Addictive Drums MegaDRUM Map PresetsBoth the MD presets are following AD2’s default map in terms of note values and the reason for is to make it easier to support and maintain the MD presets in the future. However, both presets are a bit different compared to each other on a couple of points. Here is an exponation of the two preset found in AD2.

MegaDRUM Basic MapAll mappings of the hi-hat pedal and related type of hits have been mapped to each note in MD, e.g. Closed, Half closed-Open, Chicks and Splash. In this preset, AD2’s own hi-hat logic for han-dling chicks or splashes have been switched off. This way to handle the hi-hat is mentioned in the Addictive Drums manual named as the scenario 2 for hi-hat implementation. AD2’s hi-hat articula-tions have been set to be rather flat based on the cc:04 pedal value. You could change it to fit your play style and hi-hat gears.

In the MegaDRUM Basic settings - We have not used any advanced functions like positional sens-ing for the snare - all key maps in the MegaDRUM Basic Maps/Kits are pointing to the exact value. (No cc:04 or cc:16 based input notes has been used)

MegaDRUM Advanced MapThe hi-hat settings is using AD2’s own hi-hat engine and logic for handling closed to open hits and functions like the chick and splash. This hi-hat functionality is described in the AD2 manual as sce-nario 3. The MD is only sending the bow/edge hits + the hi-hat pedal position value over the cc:04 channel. The rest is handled by AD2’s own hi-hat logic to determine hi-hat splashes or chicks. (Done through setting the sensibility in AD2.)

The MegaDRUM Advanced preset also includes the positional sensing settings configured to receive on the cc:16 channel for the snare. These setting has also have been slightly adjusted on the sensitivity for positional sensing. We have also enabled cc:16 for the two ride cymbals for future MD purposes. (Further investigations requiered in the MD algorithm to handle PS on ride cymbals)

Note: The cc:16 channel for the snare or rides won’t be used unless you appoint and use the right input note for cc handled sounds (note 3-6), so we are able build a basic MD configuration file or a MD advanced configuration file (*.mds) with settings and still be able to use the MegaDRUM presets in AD2. If not using CC: at all, these sounds have other notes in the structure, like for an example the snare which have note 40. Also the cc:04 implementation for hi-hat has its own notes e.g. 7-9 where the sound will be picked from a layer based on the cc:channel input value on the mapped notes.

The AD2 default DRUM Map looks like the attached picture.

The rest of the mappings is more or less open and can be controlled through MD regardless which approach you take – Basic or Advanced. The Maps in AD2 are the same for both map presets.

NoteI just wanted to raise a small warning - Using the Map Preset “GM” in AD2 will give you a lot of more work in AD2. If you want to do your own map in AD2 - Promise me that you always starts with the Map Preset AD2 Default. Reason - looking in the map for “GM”...I am estimate that only 40% of the sounds have been addressed with a midi value in AD2...and you will need to do the rest of the sound mapping yourself inside AD2. Time consuming!!

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MegaDRUM DRUM MAPSAs mentioned earlier in this guide - both the MD presets in AD2 are following AD2’s default midi map in terms of midi note values and the reason for this is to make it easier to support and maintain. Based on this map structure in AD2 we have created two corresponding drum map files and also been implementing them in the MD Firmware. Both designed drum maps are a bit different com-pared to each other on a couple of points: (just as the presets maps are in AD2)

The generic difference between the Basic/Advanced MD settings are the following:• Default - What you get if reset the MD.• Basic = MegaDRUM will do all hi-hat sound articulations• Advanced= AD2 do will all hi-hat sound articulations based on the cc:04 pedal value: closed to open, chick &

splash + Positional Sensing for the snare.

The idea we had from the beginnig was to create a generic map for AD (midi notes) which the user could bring up in MDM and get it to pre-populate a number of channels – example 1-32 (for MegaDRUM-32 where certain chan-nels will be fixed) or 1-56 (for MegaDRUM-56) with the right notes for head/rim/Bow/Edge/3 way ride and set the custom names according to the related AD2 names. (Names / midi notes set according to our defined MAP preset in AD2)

In this case - we have not really taken care about the actual input settings for e-pad or e-/cymbals – Our idea with the map presets was to easier get the right drum maps faster and in a fixed way before continuing to dial in the e-pad/e-cymbal settings. In the end of the project we even implemented the 3 maps directly in ROM - distributed in the firmware!

So we have created four complete MDS files with the right mappings done. We have posted all four configuration files on the Megadrum.info and in the area Related Software.• MegaDRUM_Basic_32.mds (file only)• MegaDRUM_Basic_56.mds (file and in firmware)• MegaDRUM_Advanced_32.mds (file only)• MegaDRUM_Advanced_56.mds (file and in firmware)

The MegaDRUM fixed name/input/drum map for AD2 is now looking like this:Drum MD input Midi note Basic Map Midi note Advanced map

Kick 1 36 36

Hi-HAT BOW/EDGE 2/3 49/50 8/7 Pedal cc:04

Snare Head/edge 4/5 38/37 6/37 Positional Sensing cc:16

Tom 1 6/7 71/72 71/72

Tom 2 8/9 69/70 69/70

Tom 3 10/11 67/68 67/68

Tom 4 12/13 65/66 65/66

Cymbal 1 14/15 77 77

Cymbal 2 16/17 79 79

Cymbal 3 18/19 81 81

Ride 1 Bow/edge 20/21 60/62 60/62

Ride 1 Bell 22/23 61 61

Flexi 1 24/25 47 47

Cymbal 4 26/27 89 89

Cymbal 5 28/29 91 91

Cymbal 6 30/31 93 93

Flexi 2 32/33 96 96

Flexi 3 34/35 100 100

Ride 2 Bow/edge 36/37 84/86 84/86

Ride 2 Bell 38/39 85 85

The map files can be downloaded as MDS files from megadrum.info forum.

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MegaDRUM ROM MAPS The MegaDRUM firmware implementation (from version 2014-06-29) The “Load ROM Map” menu comes right after ‘CustomNamesEn’ and loads the drum map (plus custom inputs names) from ROM. All defined channels from 1-39 + hi hat pedal settings are populated with a note value which maps to the MegaDRUM presets found in AD2.

In ‘Load ROM Map’ there are three kits available: Default, Basic and Advanced.• ‘Default’ has obviously everything defined as default MegaDrum settings. (what you get if reseting the MD)• ‘Basic’ will bring up the previous defined AD2 maps to fit MD drum maps and custom names.• ‘Advanced’ will bring up the previous defined AD2 maps to fit MD drum maps and custom names.

All ROM configs/maps have 56 inputs but when you load them and the ROM Map will only change the drum map and custom names in the present configuration - the rest of the settings will be left remain untouched - leaving the user to be able to continue the dial process for the e-pads/e-cymbals of their choice or to keep existing pad settings.

Please visit the megadrum.info forum in the ‘Related Software’ for latest updates.• Basic Map/Kit• Advanced Map/Kit

<Load ROM Map >

<ADVANCED >

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MegaDRUM DRUM KITSAfter having defined the drum maps - we came up with the idea to also create and include two reference kits e.g. two complete configured kits with all drums maps, custom names, input settings, misc, pedal etc for a list of defined refer-ence products. The idea behind this was to give non-experienced MD users a great chance to experince plug and play out of the box!

We have prepared 2 reference kits with all named pads/triggers/cymbals fixed for MD and implemented the kits as downloadable files and finally we even implemented them directly in firmware. This first family of kits are based on standard gears from Quartz Percussion, Triggera and Roland.

This MegaDRUM approach will give the user e-pad settings/midi mappings and a compete controlled system that works with AD2 in just one click. (Which will save weeks in configuration...and years of MD experince!)

All ROM KITS with configuration/maps have 56 inputs when loading them. (Will work on 32 channel devices also)In the Basic and Advanced kits we have populated both the maps & names (as in ROM MAPs) togheter with the actual PAD/Cymbal configuration in a kind of a reference kit.

The reference kit looks like this:• Kick - Quartz Percussion on harness trigger in a 22 inch kick drum with meshhead• Hi-hat - Roland VH-11 with a 15k resistor installed on the pedal (cc mapping in AD2 for Advanced)• Snare - Quartz Percussion on harness triggers(35mm) in a 14” snare with meshhead (PS enabled in AD2 for

Advanced)• Tom 1 - Tom 4 - Quartz Percussion on harness triggers in all the tom’s with meshheads• Cymbal 1 - Roland CY-8 Bow/Edge• Cymbal 2 - Roland CY-8 Bow/Edge• Cymbal 3 - Triggera D14 China Bow• Ride 1 - Roland CY-15R 3 way Edge/Bow/Bell (Using 2 channels)• Flexi 1 - Roland BT-1 Bow/Edge

The rest of the defined input channels have got the drum map outlined but the inputs have been switched off.

The two reference kits(Basic and Advanced) do follow and maps to AD2’s MegaDRUM map presets (Basic and Advanced)

Other pre-defined kits/maps will be added in the future if needed/wanted.

Please visit the megadrum.info forum in the ‘Related Software’ for latest updates.• Basic Map/Kit• Advanced Map/Kit

The kit files can be downloaded as MDS files from megadrum.info forum.

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MegaDRUM ROM KITSAvailable in firmware from version 2014-06-29. The “Load ROM Kit” menu comes right after ‘CustomNamesEn’ and load all defined channels from 1-39, Misc, Pedal, Inputs settings and drum map (plus custom inputs names) from ROM. Everything will map to the MegaDRUM presets found in AD2.

In ‘Load ROM Kit’ there are three kits available: Default, Basic and Advanced.• ‘Default’ includes everything as default MegaDrum settings do offer. (like a reset the MD)• ‘Basic’ will bring up the previous explained in AD2 Basic Kit according to Misc, Pedal, Input settings, drum

maps and custom names.• ‘Advanced’ will bring up the previous explained in AD2 Advanced Kit according to Misc, Pedal, Input settings,

drum maps and custom names.

All ROM configs/maps have 56 inputs when you load them - Can be loaded even if using a 32 channel devices - but you need to change the MaxInputs to 56 in the global settings.

MaxInputs and all other Global settings and even velocity curves are kept as a they’ve been set by the user.

There is an future possability to add more configs/maps if needed (even on older Atmega644) but this list of ROM configs/maps but we have for the moment kept this list at a minimal level for not confusing beginners. We think Default, Basic and Advanced is a good start and should be enough for now.

Please visit the megadrum.info forum in the ‘Related Software’ for latest updates.• Basic Map/Kit• Advanced Map/Kit

Note: If loading a MAP or a Kit from ROM when MAXInputs set to a lower value than 56 will give you a fail error on the MD device. Set this value yo 56 and try again. Caution - Loading a kit from the firmware will clear the cur-rent settings in RAM. Please save your current settings in to a MD slot before loading a ROM kit.

<Load ROM Kit >

<BASIC >

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ConclusionThis MegaDRUM/Addictive Drums implementation have several dimensions and the opportunitys are more than great and cool! One of our goals were to place place the MegaDRUM device as a natural trigger device platform for major drum puglins like AD2. Other benefits are of course to give our MegaDRUM users a great jumpstart and we truely believe this new feature will be greatly appreciated by MegaDrum newcomers!

We will in the future add more configurations through the ROM Kits!

Links and ReferencesSome useful web links:

• MegaDRUM Forum, http://www.megadrum.info• ADDICTIVE DRUMS, http://www.xlnaudio.com• digitalDrummer, http://www.digitalDrummermag.com• VDRUMS Forum, http://www.vdrums.com• My forum: http://www.zourman.com (You can find settings for more individual e-pads/e-cymbals here)

Software & firmware downloads• Map/kit files: http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&p=26743#p26743 • Firmware: http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1075

Gears and EquipmentWeb links to the gears used in the ROM Kits.• http://www.quartzpercussions.com• http://www.roland.com• http://www.triggera.com

TrademarksVST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Addictive Drums is a trademark of XLN Audio. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.