Realistic velocity setting for drumming

[Michaël Poncin]

Hi,
I just bought SD3 and I setting my module triggers.

When I look at the midi “Groove” in SD3 (for exemple a toontrack midi pack played by a real drummer) and the velocity value of the different instrument, it seems for exemple every backbeat and downbeat are at 127. Is this guy a robot or is it supposed to work like that ?

So am I right if I configure my module for my standard snare drum hit are at 127 ?

What are the good value to set the velocity output compare to the strengh of my hit ?

Topic

[Daniel Hildebrand]

I don’t get it either. I’m struggling with my Roland TD-50 getting the dynamics close to playable using the base ‘Roland’ e-drum setting as a starting point.

The velocity scaling seems out-of-whack. To my ears, the ‘normal’ hit level sounds on SD3 samples aren’t until ~100-115 velocity but this is completely unrealistic for E-Drums where if you have it set up correctly, you’re average (normal) hit velocity should be around 64, i.e. right in the middle of your overall 0-127 available dynamic range, in order to ensure you have the ability to get louder/softer. If the ‘normal’ sound is close to the max, where do you go from there? Somebody please make sense of this. I feel like I’m missing something fundamental.

[Michaël Poncin]

I ask myself if at least one people know this, because your post and mine combine 170 views and no one has a answer.

I will be really happy the day I will can play a real drum at home and not these fucking pads.

[ColdSteel_1]

The velocity 127 and general high values could be a style choice, probably when playing heavier music. If I understand how SD3 can be configured to choose articulations, you can setup a property (or load a pre-configured preset) that uses a rimshot sample for the snare when a velocity of 127 is encountered.

[RcKDrUmm3R]

Have you guys tried adjusting the velocity curves in the settings/edrums settings area?? If you pay attention to the line when dragging it around, it will tell you what the output velocity would be for the specified input velocity. So for lower velocities, if they’re too high, drag the line down so it lowers the output velocity for that input velocity.

You can also drag the dots on the top down to lower/limit the overall velocity or drag the bottom dots up to increase soft/lower velocities for the selected midi note/instrument. Hope this helps!!

- Dan, Drummer of Deadtide

[ElfDragon]

Its odd how many people are having velocity issues with SD3. Mine seems a little more unique in that my cymbals, and particularly my Crashes are barely heard even if I really whack my Pads which Id much rather not do to wear out the sensors quicker which Im afraid are already going slowly judging by the fact I had the kit for over a decade already. Incidentally for what its worth I’m using the TD-11 which I like, neat and simple. I also find it odd that in this forum people are having issues with their velocities being too loud since everything I’ve read elsewhere was the opposite. btw, Thanx RCKDrummer, I seen others informing on where to set the velocity curves but not how. Much appreciated for your attention to detail and going the extra mile

• The post has been modified 3 times, last modified 2 years, 7 months ago by ElfDragon.

[Robert Paten]

I have had similar thoughts recently from a programming/ mixing perspective. A lot of the midi packs seem to have their velocities maxed out on repeating hits.

Another drum library company stated their max velocities were just that – not really playable consistently and are for one-off hits. They also go on to say that when mixing you get a lot of attack but choke the drum etc with some suggested velocities to use. I am looking for something similar from TT I.e what would be a suitable range of velocities to work with in a rock/ metal context or are the samples even captured in the same way.

[Author]

Replies