MIDI Question

[MJB]

I recently discovered the eDRUMin and I think it looks super promising. I do wish there was something available with at least 10 inputs, but I understand this is a one-man show, which makes it super impressive that it exists at all. However, I'm wondering if even the 4 input version might be useful for my needs (I do love the compact form factor).

So I am currently using a Pearl Mimic Pro, no complaints there. I'm converting to center triggers due to some issues with side triggering on the larger drums. I have some concern about hot-spotting, but I think probably trigger settings can alleviate the worst of it. However, I'm intrigued by the eDRUMin's hot spot suppression algorithm, as well as positional sensing functionality (not supported by the Mimic).

I have no plans to currently give up the Mimic. I might do so, if I enjoy the eDRUMin to VST experience enough, but it would need more inputs before I could fully replace a module as capable as the Mimic. However, I'm wondering what would happen if I ran all of my center-triggered drums into the eDRUMin, and then sent MIDI out to the Mimic, and then sent MIDI out from the Mimic to my audio interface for VST triggering. By the time the MIDI signal made it's way to the VST, would it still contain the hot spot suppression and positional sensing information? Or would this be lost when the signal went through the Mimic, since it does not support these features?

Thanks for any insight you can offer, I'm a MIDI noob.

[Rob]

The hotspot suppression is used to compensate the velocity of MIDI Notes, so eDRUMin is not sending out some extra MIDI data for that. While I don't have a mimic to test with, I think it's a safe bet to assume it would pass on any positional CC data as well.

[MJB]

Interesting! I should be able to confirm unequivocally within the VST that positional sensing is actually working or not, right? I mean, other than just by listening with my ears that is.

Also, how is hi-hat triggering with the eDRUMin? Is it functionally different than any other module? I'm wondering if it would have any advantage over the Mimic that you can think of. I've heard some people say that it can be a little bit of a pain to set up the hi-hat in SD3 when using the Mimic to trigger, for example. i don't know exactly why, though.

Anyway, my main concern is trying out the hot spot suppression and positional sensing. Thanks for your response. I'll place an order as soon as stock becomes available again.

[Mylo]

Is there a benefit you are getting by running it through the Mimic? If your plan is to trigger a VST with the MIDI coming from eDRUMin why go through the Mimic at all? This is more curiosity on my part.

I run straight from eDRUMin into SD3 and everything works great. PS on the snare and hi-hat, in fact two hi-hats, work very well. And setup was not that bad. On my hi-hats I have all the articulations working from very tight to Open 5 both for edge and bow.

[MJB]

My audio interface only has one MIDI in, so I can't have both the Mimic and the eDRUMin connected at the same time. Also, I would prefer to hear the onboard sounds from the Mimic, capture the MIDI notes, and then set up the VST when I'm mixing in the DAW. Although I suppose I could trigger the VST while recording and just monitor from my audio interface.

[Mylo]

My audio interface only has one MIDI in, so I can't have both the Mimic and the eDRUMin connected at the same time. Also, I would prefer to hear the onboard sounds from the Mimic, capture the MIDI notes, and then set up the VST when I'm mixing in the DAW. Although I suppose I could trigger the VST while recording and just monitor from my audio interface.

Roger that... doing all the mixing and DAW stuff... not for me. I need simple.

If the Mimic is truly just passing it through I don’t see where there’d be a problem. If you get that far let us know how it goes. I suspect as the eDRUMin market heats up these types of questions are going to be asked again. I think the eDRUMin’s biggest group of customers are going to be people wanting to add more pads to a maxed out module.

[MJB]

If the Mimic is truly just passing it through I don’t see where there’d be a problem. If you get that far let us know how it goes. I suspect as the eDRUMin market heats up these types of questions are going to be asked again. I think the eDRUMin’s biggest group of customers are going to be people wanting to add more pads to a maxed out module.

That's just it - I don't know if the MIDI signal is just going through the Mimic, or if it's being changed in some way.

What I'm thinking is this: the eDRUMin is sending MIDI from the triggers to the module, which is triggering sounds. Then the module is sending MIDI data to my computer (through the audio interface). So is the Mimic sort of creating the MIDI signal from scratch, or is it using the data as supplied by the eDRUMin? Any positional information data would not be recognized by the module, so would I'm worried it would be "discarded" and the rest of the data would be recompiled by the module as one "package" to be sent downstream.

I'm probably not mkaing much sense, and I'm certainly not using the correct technical nomenclature - I'm just trying to describe in lay terms one possibility that I'm imagining. Someone else that understands the 1's and 0's will probably come along soon enough and tell me I'm being stupid, lol.

In any case, I'm pretty sure I'm going to try this, and I will report back my findings. Thanks again.

[Pim]

My audio interface only has one MIDI in, so I can't have both the Mimic and the eDRUMin connected at the same time. Also, I would prefer to hear the onboard sounds from the Mimic, capture the MIDI notes, and then set up the VST when I'm mixing in the DAW. Although I suppose I could trigger the VST while recording and just monitor from my audio interface.

Hi,

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding something here but if you wanna use the Mimic and eDrumin to trigger a VST but you only have one midi input on your Audio Interface...then why not just connect the eDrumin via USB with your laptop?

Best regards,
Pim

[MJB]

Oh, mainly because I want the flexibility to just sit down and play the module most of the time, and then trigger VST for recording, and I would prefer to not have to move cables around once everything is connected. If i'm using module sounds, obviously the eEDRUMin would have to be hooked up to the module to trigger those sounds.

But, I've never used a VST before - once I try that I may find it fairly simple and preferable to using the module's sounds at all (although the Mimic does have very high-quality sounds). I guess maybe also I didn't realize that the eDRUMin could do MIDI over USB. I guess it looks like I have options.

[Pim]

Oh, mainly because I want the flexibility to just sit down and play the module most of the time, and then trigger VST for recording, and I would prefer to not have to move cables around once everything is connected. If i'm using module sounds, obviously the eEDRUMin would have to be hooked up to the module to trigger those sounds.

But, I've never used a VST before - once I try that I may find it fairly simple and preferable to using the module's sounds at all (although the Mimic does have very high-quality sounds). I guess maybe also I didn't realize that the eDRUMin could do MIDI over USB. I guess it looks like I have options.

Hi,

If you're new to VSTs, I'd recommend to do some research on various forums like Vdrums. If you just want to do some recording via PC, you don't really need a drum VST...you would just need a DAW. Inside the DAW, you can, of course, also run VSTs to produce sounds...or you just use your Mimic to produce the sounds.

I agree that the Mimic has great sounds...in a nutshell, the Mimic is a mini PC that runs a VST (here: multi-layered drum samples). It's basically the VST "Steven Slate Drums 5" but without the need to buy a PC, an audio interface and a DAW. (But that convenience is also very expensive...last time I checked the Mimic cost over 2000 Euros.)

There is also the option to replace the DAW with a simple "VST Host" programme like Cantabile or Live Professor. These are cheaper than DAWs but you usually won't have the possibility to record anything, so I guess that's not an option for you.

Maybe a word of advise: If you want to use VST inside a DAW or VST Host, you should invest in a decent audio interface. I can highly recommend RME audio interfaces (e.g. Fireface, Digiface etc.) when it comes to Software drumming. RME has developed a really great ASIO driver which allows for very low latency. They are expensive but they're also totally worth it.

Another thing to keep in mind is the PC itself. Get as much RAM as possible, then processor, then SSD hard drive (in that order). If you want to use a Windows PC instead of an Apple, have a look at the guide "Glitch Free" from Brad Robinson (the PDF is free to download), in which Brad demonstrates step-by-step how to set up a PC for making music. I never ran into any issues with my Windows PC but Apple usually takes less effort (but they are also more expensive).

Bottom line is, it all depends on how much time and energy you want to invest in all of this (since there IS a learning curve). Investing more money will save you some of that time. Using a module like the Mimic will save you even more time.

But a software solution will grant you more flexibility and freedom overall. For example, you could play SSD5 (like with your Mimic) AND Superior Drummer 3 AND Addictive Drums 2...AND electronic drum VSTs like Microtonic...all at the same time (if your PC is powerful enough, that is). Not to mention all the other useful VSTs out there (like transient shapers, EQs, compressors etc.) that allow you to manipulate sounds and let you shape them to your liking.

I prefer the freedom (and spending less money overall), but I totally understand everyone who prefers a plug&play solution (like the really great Mimic module) and is happy with that.

Best regards,
Pim

EDIT: After reading the whole thread again, I think most - if not all - of what I've written you already know. I will leave it as it is though in case somebody else coming across this thread might find this information useful.