How do midi packs work/map with different kits?

[JN999]

I’m not sure my subject title is really what I want to ask because I’m really not sure how to ask the question. I am a complete noob to DAWs and EZdrummer and I bought EZdrummer and the classic EZX this weekend so all of this is new to me with lots to learn of course.

I am also considering purchasing some of the toontrack midi packs and was wondering exactly how these work. Since they are not shipped with or tied to specific drum kit(s) how exactly do they map to whatever kit might be in use? For example, I may have the default 9 pc kit loaded up or I might have kits with more drums available or less. Obviously the midi is what it is and so how do these generic or independent midi files map to various drum sets given that? I guess this question would apply to any 3rd party midi grooves/packs not just the toontrack midi packs. I probably don’t really need to know or understand this at this point but I’m curious if nothing else as to how this works and how mappings are handled.

Topic

[Juicy]

The main difference is the toms and cymbals.
TT’s kits all follow similar Extended Gm Format.
In the Case of midi made for a bigger kit ,you will find instead of Tom1,2,3,4,5 you will get sound applied over tom 1,1r,2,2r,3
I know this is a really basic way of answering the question but the kits with less pieces have duplications on next keys so they dont have any spaces unfilled.
Suffice to say it actually works out well,even for a 4 piece kit
Most the midi is done in a 6 piece format .

[JN999]

For 3rd party midi tracks, do they need to be formatted specifically for EZdrummer, or will any midi pattern file work?

[Rogue]

it depends, it those 3rd party follow the GM standard or not. If they do than it is unlikely their packs will cause any trouble as our own mapping is 98% GM compliant. Well, that is assuming we are talking about drums and not percussion MIDI, of course.

Regarding your earlier question, almost all our commercial MIDI are mapped to use 3 toms and 2 cymbals, so will play almost identically, kit character notwithstanding, on all kits. Some however may use more toms, and occasionally cymbals but this info is stated on the product page. Even so, those packs will substitute musically to smaller kits, i.e there will be no ‘dropped notes’, so there is not really any issues to speak of.

Rogue Marechal - Toontrack
Configuration Manager

[Author]

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