How do I get my Octapad SPD-30 to trigger sounds in Sonar X2? Specifically, can I use my SPD-30 to play/trigger Session Drummer? Does not seem to be a lot of info out there on this...

MikeHell


How do I get my Octapad SPD-30 to trigger sounds in Sonar X2? Specifically, can I use my SPD-30 to play/trigger Session Drummer? Does not seem to be a lot of info out there on this...

I use an SPD-20 to trigger sounds from XLN Addictive drums.


First thing:

• Connect the SPD-30 MIDI OUT to the MIDI IN of your computer (what MIDI interface do you use? I use Midisport 2x2 USB);
• Create a midi track in SONAR project;
• Verify that hitting pads on the SPD will show up as midi notes recorded in SONAR

You will need to know:

• what MIDI channel the SPD-30 transmits on (Actually, perhaps not: SONAR will accept notes on all channels in OMNI mode so you don't need to know this);
• what MIDI notes Session Drummer responds to (with which corresponding sound);
• how to alter the SPD-30 so that the pads are assigned to appropriate notes. 

Then:

• Drop in an instance of Session Drummer into an audio instrument track into the project (use separate MIDI and Audio tracks, fughedabout integrated instrument tracks)
• Set up programs in the SPD-30 so that the pads are matched up to the sounds you want to hear from Session Drummer

You do NOT NECESSARILY NEED TO KNOW about Drum Maps, but they can be handy because they will allow you to do note names in the PRV and also can handle some of the mapping functionality for you. I only use them to get note names in the PRV.

Now: Which parts of what I've described above are you having difficulty with?

Hey Mike are you running version 2 firmware? Check: 
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=SPD-30 
Also note you don't have to install/download a driver for Windows 7 64 bit. Windows supplies it.

Also:
I'm looking for an instrument definition file for SPD-30 V2 - does anybody know?
I've posted on the Roland forums about it and have contacted Roland themselves... awaiting...

Cheers

Thanks Stickman! Finally got it sorted though, with very quick response from from Roland Tech Support. But there really needs to be a Step by Step guide somwhere, see below for the process. Only things different from your description for the SPD-20, is that the SPD-30 connects with USB (but still has Midi also). Once SPD-30 is connected to your computer and you have Sonar running, you need to go to Options > Midi Devices then select the SPD in the Inputs and Outputs. Once you have done this, insert Session Drummer as a Softsynth Track, then select the SPD for the Input for that track (Midi Omni is fine). Then load a drum kit into Session Drummer. When you Right-Click on a drum in Session Drummer you will see a number beside the drum description, which you will need to assign to the pads in the SPD-30. To do that, in the SDP-30 go to the Midi tab which will bring up a graphic of the pad layout, (Use Drum Pre-set 99 which is a basic kit). Each pad will already have some numbers in there, but you need to change them to the numbers you see when you Right-Click on the drums in Session Drummer. The User Guide for the Octapad will explain how to navigate the menus and assign parameters, it's pretty easy once you know how, of course. Cheers, M.

Hi Alex, Yes, have V.2 upgrade. Not sure about Instrument Definition files, see my explanation in my response to Stickman for how to use SDP-30 with Session Drummer within Sonar X2. Cheers, M.

I'll post here if I find anything about instrument def files (hope someone will beat me to it though). Info looks useful Mike - thanks!

Thanks Mike

That worked nicely, I threw in the session drummer settings into Preset 99 of the drum machine..
The confusion later will be how to get it to map up with the other Roland presets but that will do for now, just set to 99 and I'm off.

Still nothing about instrument definition files from Roland (that's for trigging the SPD-30 drum machine sounds from Sonar, other way around if you like), I'll wait for a few more days and then chase 'em up.

Cheers

Alex

Hi Alex, thanks I forgot to mention the Drum Preset to use/edit (I also used 99)and have added that into my comment above. And yes, I also am still yet to figure out how to record and playback the Octapads drum pre-set Sounds through Sonar. I can actually record using the Octapads drum pre-sets into Sonar but cannot cannot hear them through my regular audio/midi interface, I can only hear the sounds when played back through the Octapads output, so yes obviously the instrument definitions are within the Octapad itself. Surely there must be way... Cheers, M.

You will only be able to hear the sounds via the Octapad sound outputs. An instrument definition file allow you to do this:

1) Insert a new MIDI track in Sonar
2) Select Octapad for MIDI out
3) Select via Sonar the Octapad preset number between 1 and 99.
4) Program the Octapad from Sonar

... without ever touching the Octapad (other than power on). Useful when using Cakewalks step sequencer rather than the Octapad's to produce sounds.

Cheers....