Configuring Alesis DM6 as trigger for Session Drummer 3

Nevermind!  I just figured it out.   Had to add an audio track and route the output of the Session drummer to the input of the audio track,  then the output of the audio track to the master.

Thanks for the response, Craig.  Actually,  I have no idea.    I'm a complete MIDI newb.     I've put off learning this for years,  so now I'm forced.      I'll go over the manual and see what it says.  I was thinking that each drum would be on a different channel,  and that is why I would want to use omni.
 
  But again,  I was just  assuming since I know almost zero about this...

^Thanks for the info!    I do not know any of this,  so it's all great info for me.   I wish there was a comprehensive guide to all of this.    

 I have Scott G's book,  but don't think he goes into the fine details of MIDI in it.    

Timely thread!!!  I got my DM6 about two weeks ago and now I'm waiting for 8.5PE to come in.  Really stoked about SD3.

Thanks for the info guys.

I'm a little bummed right now,  because these technical issues are so frustrating.    I really like the DM6 drum kit, it's great for the money (I paid $399),  BUT I'm having a few issues.    By the way - the session drummer 3 samples are fantastic!

First - my kick drum is not triggering properly.   I can barely hear the sound in Cakewalk.    If I remove the cable from the kick pad,  and put it in one of the Toms,  I can hear the bass drum being triggered fine when I strike a Tom.    The kick seems to work fine with the built in Alesis kits though.  Very strange.  

Also - one of my Tom pads seems to not be working 100%.   If I strike it lightly,   no sound.   If I strike it firmly,  it works fine.    The others are all good to go.

I really want to get this thing up to 100% because I think it's going to be a great addition to Session Drummer.  

I'm in the queue for Alesis tech support as I type...

Setup can be a **** until you get it right and understand how the beast works. These aren't simple software machines to learn, there's a lot of variables at all stages in the process. Especially the multi-channel setup for Session drummer 3. Study the SD3 Editor, it has lot of variables. You can build your own kits rather than use a preset kit, which sometimes works and sounds better with a particular midi drum kit. On your DM6 you can turn off local control if you're not using the audio outs from it. This will prevent possible drum peice patch info from being sent from the DM6 which can cause some problems sometimes.

Monstertone


Craig - how do you turn off local control on the DM6?  I see the "Drum off" button on the module,  but drum sounds are still created when I have that on".

According to the manual, the Drum Off switch will mute the sound of Patterns but not the sound of the drums as you play them.

"You can press DRUM OFF to mute the drum sounds of the accompanying Pattern. (This can be a useful practice tool when playing along with Patterns.) The Drum Off Indicator will light up, and you will still be able to trigger all pads, cymbals, and pedals in this mode. To unmute the Pattern, simply press DRUM OFF again and the Drum Off Indicator will be unlit.

The DM6 module can send MIDI information in two different formats: the internal format (default) or the GM format. (Note: If you record a performance using one format, it will only be playable on other devices that support that format.)

The internal format is used for the module to function as a sound source. "Program change" and "Note on/off" messages will be transmitted in this mode. This is the default
mode

The GM format is used when the module is connected to a computer. In this format, you can use DM6 as a trigger-to-MIDI interface, triggering sounds from your favorite
drum module software. Only "Note on/off" messages will be transmitted in this mode. (Also, the metronome and music that accompanies Patterns will not be sent, since it is
not MIDI information.)"

I know nothing about the Drum Set so I looked up the manual and downloaded it. I'm getting quite a collection.

While the instrument names might not match up with the note numbers, the notes can always be transposed later to match the SD3 kit. The important thing is to get the notes recorded. If I were the OP I wouldn't even monitor the SD3 sounds. I would play the kit like I normally do while recording the midi data, then go in after the recording and move the notes around if needed.