Drum Map vs Drum Track

What exactly is a drum map? I want to create a basic drum pattern basically used for timing at this point. Also, I've never really used piano roll view, so I don't know my way around it too well. When I open it up, it has a keyboard along the side. I forget, how do I change it to get drum sounds? Sorry, really useless at this one.

Thanks.

Annette

Ah okay...so now I know what the map is...but how do I get them ol drums to show up in PRV..I just have the keyboard....I know Gregy told me a long time ago, but I forget.

I just really want to try a song without having to rely on Band in a Box for my timing. The metronome isn't enough for me. I try really hard to watch the time bar...but it's doesn't do it for me either...I need serious timing help.. I can only concentrate on so many things at once....the chords, the words, the melody and then the timing.it's all too much....

Thanks.

Annette

I was just going to use TTS-1. I have Studio Instruments and Session Drummer 2, but I'm embarrassed to say I don't know how to use them. But I would like to come up with a half decent drum track that will keep me on target and in rhythm..so if it is a bit more than a click track...that would be great!

Thanks.
Annette

Me like, me like. I have a song now I'm writing at 100 bpm. So, if I could set up the basics that would be great. For some reason PRV always scared me LOL...so I've relied on BB to get me through, which is not a bad thing. It is a great program for what it does,,. I just need to branch out a bit.

Thanks Steve.

Annette

I'm sure Steve will do a fine job of walking you through this, but as a footnote, you don't need to mess with drum maps with TTS-1. If you select the Preset Rhythm Bank in your MIDI track, it will be mapped for you. It doesn't matter which channel you select, but channel 10 is most conventional.

He he - nice one Bob!!

Yeah - with the TTS-1 open on the screen, hit the button at the top of Channel 10 and the Standard Drum Kit will be waiting there for you.

Make sure you've got this:




Now minimise the TTS-1 and the Synthrack.

The reason it works is because TTS-1 uses the General MIDI drum map. Since this is a sort of universal map, the key that triggers a kick drum will always be a kick drum, or snare, or what have you. Some drum devices have unique settings, and the idea of a drum map is to make sure the proper key is assigned to the proper drum. GM takes the guesswork out of it and you can use the standard map to simplify things.

I wasn't getting any sound at first, but then i just started banging around and then hit one! So, I'm suspecting not all "keys" have drum sound associated with them? Is there a map somewhere?

Thanks for your help Steve. Now, I hopefully can put something useful together. I think I recall that you have to use the paint brush tool to enter the 'hits".. can I use the keys from my Axiom controller keyboard? I don't have the pads set up yet.

Annette

It may not be immediately obvious, but what Steve just did was tell the software to use the GM drum map.
Pretty cool, huh?

Won't be long Annette!!

Right - let's make a drum loop!

OK, for this exercise:

* Set the Snap to Grid to Eighth

* Set the note length from the toolbar to Sixteenth




If it isn't already selected, click on the PRV Draw Tool

At the resolution we're working at, you should see the first measure divided into four sections.

Use the Draw Tool and left click at the start of the measure in the Acoustic Bass Drum row - it will insert a block of colour repersenting the striking of the bass drum and you should also hear the sound.

Don't worry if you get it wrong - they can be moved around and resituated using drag and drop - personally, Ctrl+Z (Undo) is just as useful! (You can also remove notes at any time using the Erase Tool).

Copy my pattern and enter the five drum strikes - as you can see there are 3 on the kick drum and two on the Acoustic Snare:




If you're with me so far, you're almost there

Be with you shortly...kids are going off to bed...

Good job, Steve.
Annette, I used to use the brush tool, set my note resolution and drag the cursor out to the right side of the window. When I got to the edge of the window, the screen will start moving beneath the cursor allowing you to drag the brush as far as you want.
That was before I discovered groove-clip looping (pretty recently, I'm embarrassed to write). It's much easier to make a short clip like Steve described, convert it to a groove clip and drag that thing out as far as you want.

Nicely done, Steve.
Yes, once the basic loop is built you can drag it out. You can also alter certain measures in the PRV if you so desire.
You can use the pattern brush, or the pencil tool. This sort of thing reveals the real power of MIDI. You can lay down a basic track, and elaborate on it at will.
Get the basics down, and run with it.

I'm not sure....I may never have had it. I just set it up to play from TTS=1 to the rhythm preset...standard set.

Something squirrelly has happened to my view...I tried using the + and - tools, cut I can't get the view back?



Help!