Recording electric drum sets

[Texas_Blues]

How would I go about recording an electric drum set?


Thanks, Im using Sony Acid...

[JohnSS]

If you have the option, I'd record the actual performance concurrently in stereo audio as well as in MIDI. That way, you can always replace a drum hit with another sample, if you need to, triggered by MIDI.

[jammybastard]

How would I go about recording an electric drum set?


Thanks, Im using Sony Acid...


Well...the two don't necessarily go together.
Acid can read MIDI data, but last I checked it's not an interface for recording MIDI.

First, what kind of interface do you have on your computer?
Computer soundcard or an external device?
Does it accept audio?
1/4 inch jack or stereo mini plug?
Does it have a Midi "in" and "out"

You've got a couple of options on what to record from the drums.
Audio or MIDI.
Audio would be coming out of the electric drums set's brain.
That "brain" will also have a MIDI "in", "out" and "thru" jacks.

If your computer you doesn't have MIDI connections then you'll need a interface like the Alesis Trigger I/O (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alesis-Trigger-IO-Percussion-Pad-to-Midi-Interface?sku=449754)
to convert the MIDI data and send it to your computer via USB.

If you want to record the MIDI data of the drummer playing the kit then get a couple of MIDI cables, plug them into your computer or interface, and off you go.

[Texas_Blues]

Its this set.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Simmons-SD5K-Electronic-Drum-Kit-?sku=443369&src=3SOSWXXA

[foghorn99]

FWIW.....I use my v-drum headphone jack (out) and run it into my laptop (line in) to record the audio. Then I monitor the sound via headphones plugged into my laptop.

IMPORTANT: Before I record the drums I create a click track at the proper tempo for the song. The click track gives you the timing reference for not only the drums, but also any other instruments to be added into the mix. Then, in a time-base edit mode....if you are patient (and skilled enough) you can slightly adjust any "too soon" or "too late" hits.

Have fun.....
-Kent

[Denyle_Guitars]

Line out from the v-drums into API preamps, then smash 'em to taste with trashy compressors. Don't even waste your time trying to make e-drums sound real. I sometimes record the midi track as well, if it's important (and it rarely is). My favorite dirt boxes are some trashy old Vesta compressors, a RPS Saturator and lately a pair of Standard Audio Level-Or compressors.

[Bryan T]

I used to have a set of V-drums. I would record the MIDI out onto a MIDI track in Pro Tools. From there, I would clean up the hits if necessary. After that, I'd trigger either the V-drums module (using the MIDI in) and record each of the drums/cymbals onto their own track. Alternatively, I'd trigger samples in Reason. That gave me a lot of options (maybe too many!) for processing the audio after the fact.

Bryan

[moody07747]

How would I go about recording an electric drum set?


Thanks, Im using Sony Acid...

The best way IMO is to record though MIDI.
I love the function of the Roland TD modules but hate the sounds from the 6V after using it for a while now and so I trigger the latest SD2.0 and setup to record each drum sound on its own track. This allows to tweak each track as well which is very nice.

[tripp2k]

Record MIDI and use Toontrack Superior 2.01. Simply awesome!

[isfahani]

If you are going to go the analog route, turn the reverb down, or off, on everything... And add it back in to taste during mixing.

[franksguitar]

I have a Yamaha DT Express kit or use an Alesis drum machine midi I run either analog reel to reel or to a standalone workstation and convert it to wav on computer and then edit.