Feature request: separate midi notes for open/closed Hi-Hat

[arkserg]

Hi, Rob!

According to the manual

For hihats, eDRUMin employs a system where only 1-3 MIDI notes (tip / edge / bell) are
used in combination with a MIDI CC message corresponding to the position of the pedal.
The actual sound that is triggered is handled by the drum sampler

Unfortunately, some hosts, like Melodics (learning platform) does not support hihat variations via CC messages and require separate messages for open/closed sounds. Could you please consider implement this option in feature firmware updates?

Thank you.

[Pim]

Hi,

I do like the idea of being given the option to set different MIDI notes depending on the degree of openess of the hihat, e.g. one note for closed, one for half-open, one for open.

And if one uses a dual zone pad with the hihat controller, they would be able to set up 6 instead of 3 distinctive MIDI notes.

The most versatile option would be, of course, if the user could choose how many different MIDI notes there should be depending on the level of openess of the hihat controller (only 2...or 3 as described above...or 5...or...).

I don't know how hard this would be to implement but I can see this being an useful option for some drum VSTs like Microtonic.

Best regards,
Pim

[Mylo]

Yes... if this is done I would allow at least five to seven states of openness. I say this because the hi-hats in the core Superior Drummer 3 library, for example, have articulations for Closed Tight, Closed, and Open 1 through Open 5 for all bow, edge and bell.

I’m still waiting for the three zone hi-hat.

[arkserg]

For me in Supperior Drummer 3 everything works perfectly, because it understands CC messages, I have problem with Melodics and PhaseShift only.

[Arran]

+1
The Alesis Nitro drum module, Audio Assault, Ugritone, Sampletank, MT Power drum kit and Drumcore 3 all need separate notes for open, half and closed HH positions.

I don't know how hard this would be to implement but I can see this being an useful option for some drum VSTs like Microtonic.

Hard, according to the developer (Rob), but it's on his to do list. The more people who request it the more likely it is that it gets implemented.

Yes... if this is done I would allow at least five to seven states of openness. I say this because the hi-hats in the core Superior Drummer 3 library, for example, have articulations for Closed Tight, Closed, and Open 1 through Open 5 for all bow, edge and bell.

For simplicity wouldn't a single half closed zone be sufficient? Any drum VST that has more than one intermediate zone would surely also support cc positioning? Are there any drum VSTs that have more than one intermediate position and only support note triggering?

[Mylo]

Yes... if this is done I would allow at least five to seven states of openness. I say this because the hi-hats in the core Superior Drummer 3 library, for example, have articulations for Closed Tight, Closed, and Open 1 through Open 5 for all bow, edge and bell.

For simplicity wouldn't a single half closed zone be sufficient? Any drum VST that has more than one intermediate zone would surely also support cc positioning? Are there any drum VSTs that have more than one intermediate position and only support note triggering?

I don’t have experience in this part of it all as I’ve only used SD3. But... I was thinking that if my VST had articulations for several positions but didn’t support CC, the eDRUMin would figure out the position of the pedal and where it was hit (bow/edge) and then derive the appropriate MIDI note and velocity and send it over to the VST. But like you suggested these other VST that don’t support CC probably offer limited articulations for the hi-hat. There’s probably some balance there.

[Mylo]

For me in Supperior Drummer 3 everything works perfectly, because it understands CC messages, I have problem with Melodics and PhaseShift only.

Yes, it does for me too. In my post it isn’t clear I was just using SD3 as an example of a VST that offers many articulations for the hi-hat. I think seven levels for each the bow, edge, and bell as well as splash and foot chick.

[Rob]

It's unfortunate that there still exists software that is using a very outdated method of triggering hihat samples. Have there been any posts their forums asking them to implement a more modern approach? I realize there's a demand for this functionality and in all likelihood I will eventually support it, but don't hold your breath.

[Arran]

I don't think it is outdated though. I suspect the majority of people working with drum VSTs are not drummers, they're either working with midi loops, step programming or using a keyboard or finger pads, so I don't think it's going away anytime soon.
Is there a drum VST that only offers cc control?
In the interim would you consider writing a VST that modified the open hi hat note depending on cc position?

[Rob]

I guess it makes sense for virtual samplers to support both methods, for as you say people who are programming drum bits with a mouse certainly don't want to mess the CC messages. Does 2Box support hihat with different notes different hihat positions?