Using A VSTi For Sounds For Your DTXpro or DTXproX Module

If you have a drum plug-in (VSTi) did you know that you can play the sounds out and load them into your DTXpro and ProX? Here's how...
This video will show you how to get the sounds. To get info on how to load them into the modules, have a look at;
DTXproX • Making A Detailed Mult...
DTXpro • Making A Detailed Mult...
Thanks to the VSTi companies who looked this over before publishing.
00:00 Introduction
00:23 The Legal Stuff
01:30 So whats the idea?
02:19 What sounds? What articulations?
02:52 MIDI Notes
03:20 What velocities? And how playback works
04:09 Getting 40 different samples
04:58 Loud to quiet? Or quiet to loud?
05:47 Where should each MIDI note start?
06:07 So EXACTLY what should each MIDI file have in it?
07:27 Tweaking/editing each sample
07:48 So...
08:33 Audio example

[@123unhooked]

Perfect. Yamaha is lucky to have you making these videos! Thank you!

[@edruminfo]

Thank you Paul!

[@coreyfranco8217]

This is exactly what I was looking for thank you so so much!

[@edruminfo]

Hey Corey. Glad I could help!

[@Takelow]

Great video… as always Simon! You do an awesome work to help peoples to understand the edrum world. Yamaha should be really proud to have you on board to promote their awesome new kits! Keep the great job! 😉👏🏻👌🏻

[@williamblake]

Another brilliant video!

[@edruminfo]

Thank you Mark!

[@varadgokhale2128]

Can you please make a more detailed video on this please

[@filipeperry]

Hi Simon, Great content as usual! I'm still considering the possibility of buying an eDrumin 4, but I would like to know if it would be possible to use the Roland VH-13/14 with my Yamaha DTX Pro module (which is only compatible with the RHH135, unfortunately). As for your second question, once configured, does the eDrumin need to be connected to a computer or tablet? Sorry for my NOOB questions! :)

[@edruminfo]

If you use a eDrumin4 then yes, you can use ANY conventional hi hat pad with the DTXpro but you will also need the Kenton USB MIDI Host to convert the midi from the eDrumin to USB for the module to understand. So pads, into eDrumin, into USB Midi Host via MIDI, into DTX via USB. Once the eDrumin is configured it does NOT need to be connected to a computer - it works stand alone when it has been configured.

[@galgogergo]

Thanks for the video. I have some questions, though... Instead of chopping up the velocity range from 0 to 127 in equal distances, wouldn't it be better if one would figure out where the actual "steps" are between the samples in a certain VSTi, and would adjust the velocity ranges to match those...? 🧐Also, what about round robin articulations for a certain level? Wouldn't it be better if someone split the velocity layers up to 10 parts, and then exported all the available (in this case, 4, as the module can only handle that amount of) round robin samples within THE SAME velocity layer each, and then loading THAT into the module? Because in the video above, for example A07, B07, C07, D07 slots in the module (see 3:51) would have the samples corresponding to MIDI velocity numbers #82 #85 #88 #91, assigned to them. And while A07, B07, C07, D07 are supposed to be on the SAME velocity layer, the samples imported on #82 #85 #88 #91 are not! (91 is higher > than 82) So when you're making a snare roll, wouldn't the samples sound NOT equally hit??? So wouldn't this cause a problem? Thanks for your reply in advance, I would really like to do this.

[@edruminfo]

Hi, thanks for the question. Yes, in theory, it would be 'best' to do exactly the same amount of layers, and the same amount of round robins as the original source (VSTi or module). However, no sample (or hardware) company will tell you exactly where their layers are (assuming also that they aren't using random layer cross fades, or long crossfades in the case of Alesis' Dynamic Articulation) as we would be able to tell exactly how many layers they used, etc etc. I get on pretty well with the big sample companies, but I know if I ask them where the layers are, I'd get a polite reply that wouldn't tell me what I had asked. Plus, after trying this in many ways, over the years, the one thing I've found is that for the nicest sounding result (in a mix), each sample needs to be as sonically different from the previous one as possible, otherwise it just sounds a bit bland, a bit too smooth, and it loses character. Yes, they need to be at a similar velocity level, which this method ensures, but if they are too close in sonic character, it doesn't make that much difference how many layers or how many round robins you have, it just sounds similar, and the only thing that becomes more obvious is where the layers cross. So, without knowing where the sample layers are, chopping up the whole 1-127 range, (and forcing different layers to be different round robin layers) gives a more sonically pleasing result than making it 'perfect'. Doing it this way forces the maximum 'randomness' from the available samples and works better, to my ears, regardless of whether you have 10 or 127 layers, 1 or 10 round robins. It also means I can use the same method on Superior Drummer, EZdrummer, Addictive Drums, GGD, BFD, or any other module and I know it will work. So yes, on a technical level, one might be able to get closer to 'perfection', but I don't believe any audience member would walk out in disgust as two of the round robins were a little bit more different than they would have liked! If they do, then your audience members are MUCH more discerning than mine ( and have MUCH better ears)!

[@Garagedrummer]

Simon, DTXPROx owner who is wondering what type of mic can be plugged into the aux in port? What is that feature for? Does it work like the EAD10? Does Yamaha make a mic with the correct connector to pair with the DTXPROx? Thanks

[@edruminfo]

Any dynamic mic (like a Shure SM57) with the correct cable (XLR to jack). The feature is for whatever you want to use it for - using the internal recorder to record rehearsals, singing, sampling your acoustic drums. I only mentioned it as being able to record audio into a drum module is a pretty rare thing. Use your imagination and come up with something really cool!

[@holzi2k]

That works. And sounds amazing. Only Problem: Not enough memory. Can Not even load one full Kit.

[@edruminfo]

But these kits were never designed to be user sample playback modules. The aim is use the internal sounds for all the regular stuff (toms, cymbals, kicks) for live as they are ridiculously powerful and capable in the editing department to make whatever you need. But, if you want a Ludwig Black Beauty or a Keplinger, or a snares off Ludwig 1965 COB 400 with custom Okapi heads (or anything which sounds out of the ordinary) then you can load up a few 120 file multi samples and away you go. For recording 99% of people would use a VSTi regardless of the kit anyway. But for live with a few special snare etc this is perfect and you can completely load all your kits, samples and effects from USB so you can replace the whole memory as and when required.

[@holzi2k]

@@edruminfo Right, I love my DTXPro (best sounding module I know, for any price) and did exactly that (add a Black Beauty). Just wish it was more memory, especially with the DTX Pro X (which has more, but also not a lot).

[@galgogergo]

@@holzi2k how much memory space to these have actually...?

[@guilhermecaran3363]

Hi Simon, great video as aways! Do you have any plans on making a video about adding/splitting pads? The yamaha manual is vague on this matter. I have got some aditional pads but some are not working as intended. On DTX-PROX trigger settings I did: Kick / Pad13 - separate (working fine, got the china cymbal sound) Tom 2 / Pad 5 - separate (not fine, got the original cowbell sound but there are problems): When I hit the Tom 1 it triggers the tom head sound but also a cowbell in the background. When I hit Pad 5 it triggers the cowbell sound but also the head sound in the background. I double checked and there is no crosstalk (I isolated both pads). The Rim Gain and H-R sound are also inactive on the "separate" setting. I tried using mono and stereo cables, with the same result. The splitter cable is stereo on all sides. What should I do to completely separate those sounds for each pad? Thanks!

[@edruminfo]

Hi Guilherme. Thank you. When you say the splitter is stereo on all sides, what do you mean? The jack (plug) should be stereo (TRS) but the sockets should both be mono (TS). Is that what you have?

[@guilhermecaran3363]

@@edruminfo I am sorry, I expressed myself badly. It is what you suggested, stereo jack and mono sockets. I will try with other splitter anyways and get in touch with the result.

[@guilhermecaran3363]

@@edruminfo hi Simon, it is me again. I used the splitter configuraiton that you suggested but with the same negative result. Then I tried another way to verify the issue without messing with cables: using the XP105T-X pad but in separate configuration (Tom 2 / Pad 5). The head (Tom 2) correctly triggers a tom sound and that is all. The rim (Pad 5) correctly triggers a cowbell sound but is also wrongly "leaking" a Tom 2 sound no matter the velocity I hit (there is no crosstalk by the way). I have found the same problem/pattern on pad 3 and pad 7 but with different voices. How do I avoid those leaking sounds? Is that a layer issue? Thanks

[@edruminfo]

@@guilhermecaran3363 Using the input with a splitter and 2 separate pads is different from using it with a dual zone pad like the XP105 and needs different settings. Go to Menu, Trigger, Input Mode. When you are using a dual zone pad like the XP105 you need this to be on 'Paired' as you want them to work together and not play at the same time (you want them to interact together). When you are using a splitter and 2 separate pads you want this to be on 'Separate' as you want them to act independently.

[@guilhermecaran3363]

​@@edruminfo Thanks for the reply. I know about the paired/separate setting. I did and told the separate thing setting just to show how the Tom 2 sound is also played ("leaking") when pad 5 is hit. The same problem occurs with one single dual zone pad (on stereo cable) or two single zone ones (on mono splitter cables) on separate setting. To clarify: I went to Menu>Kit edit>Voice and changed Pad 5 voice to "no voice/voice off". Then I hit Pad 5. There is no Pad 5 natural sound (obviously) but the sound of Tom 2 is played quietly. So, no matter which voice I choose for Pad 3/5/7 it still comes with Tom 1/2/3 sounds when hit.

[@JacobRoc]

Hey, can you do this for cymbals as well? Or only for drums? Thanks!

[@edruminfo]

You can do it for any sound you want, but with cymbals you'll run out of memory very quickly as they are so long, in comparison with (generally) shorter drum sounds.

[@natestewart1975]

It's great that we can do this but I just wonder why Yamaha didn't.

[@edruminfo]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Yamaha did. You can do this. That is what the video is about. We can take hundreds of samples from any location and load them into the modules. It just so happens in this video I show you how to do it with a VSTi.

[@natestewart1975]

@@edruminfo The factory sounds are built like this? Because they don't sound like they are. They sound good but they don't sound like a VST.

[@edruminfo]

Ah, I see what you mean. They are multi layer samples but they won't be 40 layers (probably). As long as the trigger settings are set up correctly to suit the player (so the gain isn't hitting 127 velocity all the time), the internal sounds will sound great in musical situations. If the triggering is too hot, then its not going to sound its best. Please excuse the playing and its got KZbin compression on it but I think these sounds pretty good for a preset kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5bIY5hqjMl4oM0

[@Takelow]

@@natestewart1975 I disagree. After 15 years in the edrum world, I was finally playing with a DTX700 and addictive drum 2 as a VST. Since I bought the DTX10K-X with the DTXProX, I sincerely didn’t find usefull to use it anymore. Frankly speaking, the sounds of the module are awesome!!! With the ambiance/comp/Fx knobs, you can easily tweak the sounds and find perfect parameters for any sample. Yamaha did an awesome job here. They provide a « VSTi » inside the box in some way… As the mimic pro… but half the cost! ;)

[@natestewart1975]

@@Takelow I felt that way about my DTX900 85% of the time, too 😄

[@hendraadityadrum]

What vsti drum do you use

[@edruminfo]

I use many - Toontrack's Superior Drummer 3 and EZdrummer 3, XLN Audio's Addictive Drums etc. Depends on what sounds I need.

[@Drummer_Kamar]

Still hard for me to edit it,lol