MIDI Electronic Drums

Question

I am not very well versed in both MIDI and Logic so please consider this a newbie question. A friend of mine has electronic drums that he would like me to record. The output of the module has both stereo and midi. I don't want to use the stereo outs because I want to have as much control of each drum sound as possible, so I assume using the MIDI out would be the way to go. I've been reading the mapped instruments section in the manuel but don't quite get it yet. I guess my question is, given the outputs of the module, how can I record/seperate each drum sound to it's own channel. Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't want to use the stereo outs because I want to have as much control of each drum sound as possible, so I assume using the MIDI out would be the way to go.
Yes, that's right.
But there are many ways to achieve what you want;
1) Most eDrum kits use (GM) General MIDI (Extended) formats, so they transmit the MIDI data on Channel 10, using a 'standard' pad assignment to trigger a virtual instrument (V.I) in Logic. For example, the kick is on C1 (note #36), the snare is on D1 (#37) etc. Again, most eDrum kits let the user reassign those outputs to match a software instrument if you need to - often you don't, if you're using a standard kit in your V.I.
If you record the MIDI data in Logic, and use a drum sampler [(such as EZ Drummer or Superior drummer)|http://www.toontrack.com/products.asp?] the MIDI notes will play the correct drum sound, as these instruments understand which note plays the kick, snare, hi-hat etc. Using one of these drum instruments also enables you to create multi-channel outputs so you can process and mix the tracks individually, or you could use one of the drum sampler instruments in Logic's EXS24.
2) If you don't have a dedicated V.I. you still have many options. You can separate out the MIDI notes contained in your MIDI region to separate tracks. You'll find a command in the 'Region' menu in Logic's arrange window which is 'demix By note pitch.' Using this on your MIDI region will create new tracks - one for all the kick notes (C1), one for all the snare notes etc. Then you can assign multiple instances of a V.I each of which will play the only sound you have assigned to that note.
3) Mapped Instrument. This is an instrument that you can create in Logic which will take all of one MIDI note, and reassign it to another note to match your V.I. Usually, you don't have to use it, unless you have a non-standard MIDI layout for either the eDrums or your V.I. It can be convenient to have anyway, to save as templates for various setups you might want to use, but as you say you're just starting out, you may not need this feature yet. It's also useful if your eDrum kit doesn't have the ability to change it's pad assignments to different notes, or you're using a non-standard custom set of samples, such as a percussion kit, where you may want to assign your snare MIDI pad to a shaker, for example.
If you're sure you need to use a mapped instrument, then post again for details on how to set it up. Meanwhile, more details about the eDrums you are using, together with which V.I. you're planning to use, would help to give you more specific answers.