Drum machine as control surface?

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radioactiveblue
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2011/10/25 21:19:50 (permalink)

Drum machine as control surface?

Anyone use a drum machine (I havethe old Alesis SR16) as a controler?
 
I haven't attempted such a thing as of yet...my needs haven't really made this a priority...(recording as a hobby...and at a leisurely pace at that)
 
But it seems that it might be a useful tool down the road. 

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    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 02:40:28 (permalink)
    If you mean using the SR-16 for tapping in drum lines the answer is yes, you can & yes I have.

    It's not great though I find the pads are not sensitive enough and if I adjust the sensitivity I end up with no dynamics i.e. everything at one level. They are also quite small pads. I have a Zoom MRT-3 which is much better both in sounds and pads BUT.... doesn't have MIDI out.

    I usually end up using my keyboard keys, I don't use the pads on that either for much the same reasons as the SR-16 although the sensitivity is better. Perhaps it's just me and pads.

    It definitely works though, remember that you'll need to make sure the SR-16 is broadcasting MIDI. That's in the SR-16 MIDI setup page IIRC.

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    ampfixer
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 03:33:03 (permalink)
    I'm using an SR-16 for drums as well. I like to use it with Session Drummer to audition kits. Best $40 I ever spent.

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    radioactiveblue
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 07:27:00 (permalink)
    Thanks for the replies guys,
     
    But I was thinking was it possible to use the said device as one would use a controller for ...what do they call it ACT?
     
    OR  as a device to "MIDI learn" some SONAR functions which I guess folks do as an alternative to keyboard shortcuts.
     
     
     
     
    post edited by boblette - 2011/10/26 07:48:28

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    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 08:05:10 (permalink)
    Theoretically you could but there's only 12 buttons putting out any sort of MIDI info so it's uses will be limited to button presses.



    Karl
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    radioactiveblue
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 11:58:12 (permalink)
    Yes FatBikerBoy,
     
    You of course are right that the effectiveness as a controller would be limited without knobs and other variable type switches...but I was just curious if anyone attempted this as such. 

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    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 12:43:25 (permalink)
    boblette


    Yes FatBikerBoy,
     
    You of course are right that the effectiveness as a controller would be limited without knobs and other variable type switches...but I was just curious if anyone attempted this as such. 


    Yet another one who has seen the pictures............

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    radioactiveblue
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 14:17:19 (permalink)
    HAHAHA....sorry about that FBB.....truly a typo...really!!!

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    FastBikerBoy
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    Re:Drum machine as control surface? 2011/10/26 14:34:12 (permalink)
    boblette


    HAHAHA....sorry about that FBB.....truly a typo...really!!!


    No..... the typo was made by me when I signed up. Your version is closer to the truth.

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