Drum controller as PC MIDI device?

[DRHewitt]

Any other sound designers considered this possibility? Doesn't look as though it would support velocity data, but rigging this as a MIDI device in your DAW of choice could be a very fun, very inexpensive way to control virtual drum kits.

[logicalnoise]

there's been a topic on it. it can be done. the 360 drum kit will likely be reckonizble by the official XP drivers for a 360 controller(there's a couple thrid party drivers that have even more flexibility). Getting your DAW to work with the drivers as a mdii intrsument would be the only hitch(I use acid and sound forge so I don't know about the more extensive DAWs).

[Huskie]

From : Rock Band Hardware Q&A (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/rockband/news.html?sid=6178927&page=2) - Harmonix producer Daniel Sussman tells us about the new hardware peripherals in Rock Band.


GS: What happens if I plug the drums into a PC? Can I use it with a sequencer program?

DS: The drums are really just a glorified handheld controller that you hit with sticks, so, no, you can't use them like a V-Drum set. Not yet?


I don't think you could do anything on a PC with the drum controller.

[krzrgator]

From : Rock Band Hardware Q&A (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/rockband/news.html?sid=6178927&page=2) - Harmonix producer Daniel Sussman tells us about the new hardware peripherals in Rock Band.


I don't think you could do anything on a PC with the drum controller.


Someone could adapt frets on fire to give us a new game with custom tracks I guess.

[psyborg]

yea already considered this and plan to add the drums to my live p.a.

I already had the xbox360 controller rigged up as a midi controller for ableton, goes over pretty well live, people really get into it. I should get some footage on youtube or something.

[logicalnoise]

like I said there are third party drivers out already. They can remap anything on a 360 controller to anything on a keyboard or mouse(which means it should work with a inor biyt ofmanual remapping.

[Bakkster]

It's not a question of if, but why? Unless you're doing really simplistic, low-fi stuff, 5 triggers without velocity just won't cut it.

[DRHewitt]

Sure it would. One could even map a transpose octave function to the D-pad (not to mention countless other parameters) and cycle through their library of sounds and kits without even having to stop playing. And you could always take your buddy's drum controller and hook it up beside yours for double bass (or hi-hat and bass) action.

[Bakkster]

Sure it would. One could even map a transpose octave function to the D-pad (not to mention countless other parameters) and cycle through their library of sounds and kits without even having to stop playing. And you could always take your buddy's drum controller and hook it up beside yours for double bass (or hi-hat and bass) action.

While I don't think the d-pad would be feasible to use while holding drumsticks (and playing, for that matter), using two drum kits is a BRILLIANT idea. You might look like a combination of 80's new-wave and Phil Collins, though...

[parastroke7]

When someone rigs up a way to use it as a drum trigger, I'll be using it quite a bit on my computer. Techno Drumzz. So basically, someone needs to do it.

[psyborg]

It's not a question of if, but why? Unless you're doing really simplistic, low-fi stuff, 5 triggers without velocity just won't cut it.

Why on earth would it have to be lo-fi? Using Battery2 or Ableton I plan to assign each pad to a different high quality one hit drum sample (realistic and technoish). velocity might be an issue but not a big deal to me.

[Bakkster]

Why on earth would it have to be lo-fi? Using Battery2 or Ableton I plan to assign each pad to a different high quality one hit drum sample (realistic and technoish). velocity might be an issue but not a big deal to me.

Velocity is the key. Maybe lo-fi isn't the best term, but few genres can get away with having every drum hit the same volume. Techno and possibly Industrial are the only ones I can really think of off the top of my head. In addition to being limited to 5 triggers, it would make a VERY simple and limited instrument. To be honest I've seen a band use a kid's toy xylophone in a song, and I think that was more versatile than an RB drum set would be.

[psyborg]

Industrial

And thats why I'm not concerned with velocity personally, i hear what your saying though. :)

[DRHewitt]

I think we're going to have fun with this, and generate some interesting content.

[Bakkster]

And thats why I'm not concerned with velocity personally, i hear what your saying though. :)

Yeah, that should do it for you, then. One thump, and 4 fuzzy sounds :D