I'm going to use this thread for questions that arise over the next few weeks as I delve more deeply into AD2 and Cakewalk DAW, rather than constantly create new threads.  But I will keep the questions relevant to the title.
 
As I am reading the Keymap of AD2, XLN labels Note #60 as C3 rather than C4.  Not that it's a big deal because I know how to move around in MIDI, but it's counter to some of my other equipment and basic understanding over the ages using MIDI.
 
Can somebody expound on this issue with relevance to our DAW, and perhaps other manufacturers?  Why did XLN choose to make it C3?  What note number did Cakewalk's Session Drummer consider Middle C? Anything else you might wish to say, I'm all ears.
 
 

Toddskins
I'm going to use this thread for questions that arise over the next few weeks as I delve more deeply into AD2 and Cakewalk DAW, rather than constantly create new threads.  But I will keep the questions relevant to the title.
 
As I am reading the Keymap of AD2, XLN labels Note #60 as C3 rather than C4.  Not that it's a big deal because I know how to move around in MIDI, but it's counter to some of my other equipment and basic understanding over the ages using MIDI.
 
Can somebody expound on this issue with relevance to our DAW, and perhaps other manufacturers?  Why did XLN choose to make it C3?  What note number did Cakewalk's Session Drummer consider Middle C? Anything else you might wish to say, I'm all ears.
 
 

The first thing I would do is grab the AD2 Drum Map file & track templates from here.  https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013364/Setting-up-a-Drum-Map-for-Addictive-Drums-2-in-SONAR
 
It will make setting up and using AD2 in Cakewalk much easier.  The piano roll view will show the kit piece names rather than the note names if you use the supplied AD2 Drum Map.

+1 for using a Drum Map to avoid having to deal with octaves and note numbers.
 
There's no fixed standard for octave numbering. In the world of real pianos, middle C is C4, but MIDI controller manufacturers often label middle C (MIDI Note #60) as C3. CbB calls it C5 which avoids having to use negative octave numbers for the lowest notes in the MIDI scale. But you can change the 'Base Octave' setting in Preferences > Customization > Display to whichever standard you need at the moment.

The first thing I did was change AD to GM mode. Otherwise 200 of my projects would not work without major editing. I see the advantages of the other mapping for the hi hats etc,, but I would only use that on occation. If I need that much detail I'll use a real drum kit :) 
 
Best time spent with any software is to take the time opening ALL the tabs and menus. 

Cactus Music
The first thing I did was change AD to GM mode. Otherwise 200 of my projects would not work without major editing. I see the advantages of the other mapping for the hi hats etc,, but I would only use that on occation. If I need that much detail I'll use a real drum kit :) 
 
Best time spent with any software is to take the time opening ALL the tabs and menus. 

 

Changing to GM mode seems smart to me too, but just to make sure I'm on the same page as you, would "because I have little or no intention of creating drum tracks by playing my 88 controller, but rather by importing ideas from MIDI song collections I have accumulated over the years and then doing editing via the Piano Roll View", be a main reason?

Or let me ask it slightly in reverse - If I were going to create drum tracks by playing my 88 controller, does the AD2 mapping have a benefit over GM, and is that why maps exist to begin with?

abacab
 
The first thing I would do is grab the AD2 Drum Map file & track templates from here.  https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013364/Setting-up-a-Drum-Map-for-Addictive-Drums-2-in-SONAR
 
It will make setting up and using AD2 in Cakewalk much easier.  The piano roll view will show the kit piece names rather than the note names if you use the supplied AD2 Drum Map.

Hey Abacab,
 
I'm not really sure what your suggestion does, but should I go ahead and do it even if I intend to convert to GM like Cactus Music suggested?  

EDIT:  Okay, I see that this allows me to see which drums are being played.  That does sound helpful.  Is there more to it than that?

EDIT 2:  I read more thoroughly the notes on that link.  Sounds cool.  This is to be used "contrary to converting to AD2 to GM mode", correct, or nay?

I mostly have my own midi tracks I made over the years and I always stuck with GM mapping because that was my first drum machine a Roland. I think Yamaha used different. 
And if you download files which I now do as well, they will all be GM drums and patches. 
If you OPEN any midi file it will load the TTS-1 and that uses GM map. 
 
The only advantage to using the oddball mapping is it gives you a lot of variety in things like the Hi Hat. Then there's a steep learning curve to learn how to play it from a controller so I've never bothered. I'm not into putting that much detail into my midi drum tracks. As I said I would rather pay a real drummer or attempt it myself on real drums first. It's like spending weeks programming a guitar part with a VST instrument??? Why bother if you can play the part or find a friend willing to help out. 

Agreed, Cactus Music.  I have no intention of going down that road, either.  Way too difficult and tiring.

Abacab, I followed those instructions and "Cool!"  And I was able to drag a Beat from AD2 into Track 15 and see it and hear it.
 
I've always been intimidated by MIDI drums, because I'm not a drummer and know that I don't have a clue as to how to program them accurately, but these tools, and what you just advised me to do, does make things seem more exciting.

I think now I have 2 methods to work with.  This one, and the GM one. 

I have a lot of exploring to do!  

Thanks guys.

When setting AD2 to use GM there are two ways to see the drum kit names in CbB:

1. load a GM drum map (it is bundled with CbB) instead of the AD2 drum map provided in the KB article above or
2. right-click the keyboard in the Note pane of the PRV and set note names to "General MIDI Drums" from the Note Names drop down.