Editing MIDI Blocks

[JimRhythm]

I need a software program to create backing tracks for my music — mostly pop, country, soft rock venues in a time-efficient manner.
EZdrummer2 has some great time-saving features (Search, Tap 2 Find, etc.) and think I’d like to purchase the software.

There are TWO questions I have:

1. Regarding editing of parts or (EZD2 MIDI grooves) that I have selected to assemble into a basic song within
the mini sequencer of EZD2.

Can I use my BOSS DR 880 Drum Machine (hardware drum machine) as a trigger — just to enter drum hits (snare, kick drum or cymbal events)
in order to edit a selected EZD2 drum part?
The plan is to install EZD2 on my iMac OS X 10.8.5. Hopefully, the BOSS DR 880 is able to act as an input device via some of
the pads on the machine; much like the pads on an elecronic drum.
Evidently, the DR 880 CAN communicate MIDI if a USB midi driver is installed on the iMac. Or, DR 880 should communicate with iMac
using a Tascam US-144 USB Audio/MIDI Interface.
I assume there would be some MIDI mapping involved; but if it’s possible to trigger the different EZD2 drum kit instruments,
I could probably handle the MIDI mapping.

I do not own any Electronic Drum Kits or sets ie., Simmons SDX or Alesis DM Lite.
In time, I would LIKE TO USE the Alesis DM Lite, which is supposed to be compatible with EZD2.

2. Is it possible to save the EZD2 drum track as a WAV file?

Once my EZD2 drum track is complete, I need to import the file into a Pentium 4 PC which hosts an older version of
Samplitude Music Studio 15 — an effective and familiar MULTI-TRACK DAW. I would need the EZD2 drum track to be saved as a
compatible audio file which I can import into Samplitude (via Flash Drive).

Thanks for any advice,

Topic

[John]

Hi,

yes, if you can get the DR 880 to act as a MIDI controller with your iMac, it should work with EZdrummer 2, since it is GM compatible.
If so, you will be able to record from the DR 880 to the EZdrummer 2 Song Track. Recorded parts can be edited with the Edit Play Style function, as can existing MIDI parts.

When done, you can export the Song Track as a Stereo WAV file.

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[John]

Hmmmm…. from what I can see, the DR-880 may not be GM compatible so while you can record from it, the pads will most likely not correspond to the instruments you expect.
May not be a problem for you, since you are using the EZdrummer 2 sounds.

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[JimRhythm]

Hi John, and thanks for the feedback.
I actually interfaced with EZD2 demo using the DR 880, with mixed results. There’s no way to map the pads to the individual drums in EZD2.
The other 2 banks on DR880 are mostly repeats and quite randomly mapped.

Anyway, today I ordered Superior drummer (which has a Mapping module), and just seems like it will meet more of my needs.
I do also have an old but fine Roland R8 machine stored away, and it’s possible that may actually serve better as a midi trigger with the Toontrack product until I can get an EDrum kit.
Can’t wait to try it!

Jim

[Author]

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