Roland BT-1... strange behaviour

[JohnM]

I've mounted a BT-1 on the snare drum, using Xtalk mode and linking it to the snare drum (SD3 map). I use it mostly for sidestick, but sometimes use the MIDI learn function in SD3 to trigger other sounds e.g. cowbell, handclaps etc.

I've not had any luck configuring it as a kit piece (with sidestick icon), so I'm using Custom Notes and setting the midi note to E4. Once setup, it works perfectly. BUT... when I come back to it the following day, the BT-1 channel has an orange exclamation mark and the BT-1 has to be configured all over again, despite having saved all settings during the previous day's session.

It usually takes 2 or 3 attempts (choosing BT-1 preset, selecting xtalk mode, linking to snare, assigning midi note etc) to get it behaving properly again. Once it's working, it remains stable for the rest of the session. When it's working OK, I can exit the edrumin software, shut down SD3, open SD3 again and it still works perfectly. The issue only seems to arise following a fresh boot of the laptop.

Any ideas?

[Rob]

My BT-1 is behaving very reliably for me--no compatibility issues. Are you using version 2.2 of the eDRUMin software? Version 2.2 has tweaks to improve the reliability of the compatibility check

You can also completely disable the compatibility check from the firmware update section.

[JohnM]

My BT-1 is behaving very reliably for me--no compatibility issues. Are you using version 2.2 of the eDRUMin software? Version 2.2 has tweaks to improve the reliability of the compatibility check

You can also completely disable the compatibility check from the firmware update section.

I'm using version 2.2.8.15

I haven't tried disabling the compatibility check. I'll give that a try.

[JohnM]

Disabling compatibility has helped but I'm now getting occasional random muffled sounds when I hit the snare. It only seems to affect the 'Center' articulation, but not on every hit. When it happens, it sounds like an acoustic snare with a t-shirt over the head.

I'm guessing the snare hit is somehow cross-talking to the BT-1 and the sidestick sound is cutting it off. If I set the BT-1 to trigger a different instrument, the snare plays fine. I've tried various xtalk settings on both the snare and BT-1 but haven't managed to totally eliminate random muted snare hits.

Just to confirm - the BT-1 is set to Xtalk mode and linked to the snare pad. It's securely mounted to the snare via the stock BT-1 tension rod bracket.

Does the sidestick sound ALWAYS mute/cancel other snare articulations (Off Centre, Edge and Rim Shots), regardless of whether it's being triggered by the snare hoop or a separate trigger, such as the BT-1?

[Rob]

What is the BT-1 xtalk control set to?

[JohnM]

What is the BT-1 xtalk control set to?

Just booted up SD3 and eDRUMin software. Taking a more analytical approach this time, I set focus on the BT-1 with X-talk at 15. Started hitting the snare, looking (and listening) for muted hits to show in the scrolling window. Increasing X-talk bit by bit to 39 eliminated all false triggers.

Not sure if this next bit makes sense... after playing for 10 minutes or so, I started lowering the BT-1 X-talk to find the exact spot where false triggers started happening. Found I could now reduce X-talk to a much lower figure (low 20s) than when I first fired up. It's as if the snare head (or something) takes some warming up and becomes less prone to cause cross talk once I've been hitting things for a while??

Whatever's going on, I think I've got my head around the issue and found the sweet spot for reliable snare and BT-1 triggering.

Nice one!