HiHat Control with Alesis ControlPad in Cubase

[davinwv]

Hello:

I am using an Alesis ControlPad with EZDrummer in Windows Vista.  I constructed a preset on the ControlPad using Toontrack Solo.  I have assigned an open HiHat sound to one of the pads and selected “E-Drums” from the MIDI menu in Solo.  With this configuration, the HiHat pedal plugged into the ControlPad opens and closes the HiHat properly.

However, when I attempt to use the ControlPad as a controller inside Cubase 4.5 with EZDrummer as an instrument track, the HiHat no longer works properly.  I assume it has something to do with the “E-Drums” setting in the MIDI menu in Solo.  I have applied no “Drum Map” in Cubase.

Is there any tweak available to get the HiHat control working with EZDrummer in Cubase?  Playing drum tracks into Cubase is the main reason I invested in EZDrummer and the ControlPad.  It seems as though some type of MIDI filter would do the trick.

Thanks in advance for your assistance,
Davin

Topic

[Scott]

First, EZdrummer edrumming support is very limited. As you’ve discovered, EZdrummer works best for edrumming with Toontrack’s Solo host. This is because it’s our own host and we can offer the best compatibility because of it. When using EZdrummer in another host, in your case Cubase, response isn’t nearly as good due to how each host handles each VSTi. Mostly it’s the hi hat that suffers the most when using EZD in a host other than Toontrack’s Solo.  

I know that isn’t much of a help. There is full edrumming support in EZdrummer’s bigger brother Superior Drummer 2. It offers many more adjustments for integrating edrums in any host. I would look at the crossgrade option from EZD to S2. Yeah, it’s more money and probably not what you want to hear but if edrumming is something you’re really wanting to do, I would take a good long look at it. Take a look at the http://www.toontrack.com/ezd_s20_comparison.asp to see what each product offers.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[davinwv]

Scott:

I fixed this on my own in about five minutes, purchasing neither Superior Drummer nor EDrum Monitor/eTrigger.

Thus, for all you Cubase users, here is how you can get open and closed HiHats in Cubase using only the EZDrummer VSTi and Cubase itself:

1. Set your HiHat to note 60 in your trigger interface or pad controller.
2. Fire up Cubase.
3. Insert EZDrummer as a Instrument Track.
4. In the Track Explorer pane, click on MIDI Filters.
5. Insert the MIDI Filter called Transformer.
6. Insert the following in the Transformer window:

FILTER/CONDITION/PARAM1/PARAM2
Type is/Equal/Note/ and
Value 1/Equal/60/ and
Last event/Equal/Midi status/176 and
Last event/Equal/Value 1/4 and
Last event/Bigger/Value 2/64
ACTION TGT/OPERATION/PARAM1/PARAM2
Value 1/Add/1
7. Save the Transformer file for future use. I called mine EZDRummer Hihats.
8. Play your new HiHats that actually work!
I altered an Input Transformer configuration that I found on the Addictive Drums forum. All you have to do is change the open HiHat note number (here, 60), and the offset (here, Add 1).
Hopefully this will help others.

[Rogue]

Hi – good tip, however let me try to decrypt it for the less technically inclined 🙂

… essentially what this transformer does, is switch from note 60 to note 61 when the foot controller is about half way down (depending on quality of controller). That’s very crude, but if that works for you I am happy.

My point though is that, while this transform is useful, you are very far from mimicking what the solo ‘edrum’ options perform, let alone any level of refinement offered by Superior 2.

Some people will be happy with varying degree of expression with their hihat, not least depending of their technique, but that does not mean however that we are trying to flock Superior 2 as an edrum friendly product just to get people’s cash, there are genuine reason we recommend it over EZdrummer for this application.

Anyway don’t take this as a defensive post, but one of information. As I said good tip, I’m glad you posted it, I just wished you had given others the opportunity to judge for themselves the extend of its magic (useful but limited).

Rogue Marechal - Toontrack
Configuration Manager

[davinwv]

My controller (Alesis ControlPad) only supports on/off HiHat control when using its HiHat Pedal Imput.  Thus, this solution does not provide support for continuous HiHat controller pedals.  However, for a hobbyist non-drummer just looking to play his own drum tracks into Cubase, and with no need for the complexity of Superior Drummer nor a fully articulated HiHat performance (I’m not that good – just a keyboard player who also plays drums), this solution works great!
 
I thought that others would know from my hardware configuration that I was not looking for advanced variable control of the HiHat.  Sorry for any confusion.
 
Now that this is working, I’m going to get a bunch of EZXs!

[Rogue]

thanks for clarifying. If I may advise an alternative I would recommend you map your pad to note 46 and change the last line of your transform to read:

Value 1/Subtract/4

it will not yield a hats as open as you have currently but the recorded MIDI will at least be GM compatible. It may also sound slightly smoother in the transitions.

That said this may not be a concern and your personal preference may be a wide open sound for your parts. I thought I’d mention it so you may choose the best option for your purpose.

Rogue Marechal - Toontrack
Configuration Manager

[davinwv]

Thanks, I will compare the two note configurations to determine which one works better.

[Author]

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