Looking for a NON-evil drum module/sampler

[opg]

Here's the deal. I'd like to setup a small, cheap electronic drumset that does not need to be tethered to a computer. During my research for drum modules to connect drumpad triggers to, I realized that they all are way too damn expensive, contain a bazillion drumset sounds that I don't want, and (most importantly) do not allow you to import your own sounds. I guess they're assuming that you would just use the MIDI functions to connect to a PC.

I'm looking for a machine (with no factory-installed samples or effects)that will allow me to insert drum triggers (no more than 5) and load/delete/reload 5 drum sounds. And since I'm interested in classic video games and Micromusic, I'm looking to use very small 8-bit sounds.

I've looked at tons of new and old modules, drum machines, and samplers. The old samplers come pretty close, but there are no trigger inputs.

Any ideas or will I have to build this myself?

[seraph]

[elektro80]

No trigger inputs?

You will need pads that send midi signals, or something between the pads and the module that converts whatever signal the pads are sending to midi.

You can get those AKAI S1000 and similar samplers for a sixpack or two.
They are mainly serving as space fillers these days.

[opg]

I've seen Roland's "Trigger to MIDI" converter box. That's around $200. The AKAI S1000 seems to be going for about $500 these days. I might not be able to avoid the Trigger-to-MIDI device, but there's GOT to be a sampler that's almost of Casio SK-1 quality. I mean, I don't plan on loading this mystery sampler with more than 400KB of sounds....

[Kassen]

Any drumpad thingy -> midi -> freeware vst sampler?

How about early samplers like the prophet 2002 that come with analogue filters? some of the clasic gaming´s early computer systems like the amiga 500 came with a analogue filter after the DAC that made a lot of that classic fatness.

If it realy must be trigger based you could get five of those doepfer-compattible sampler modules and book up pick ups to the trigger inputs....

[jksuperstar]

I have the Alesis DMPro...it is a great drum module. I don't think they still make it, but see them on ebay occasionally. If you add an 8MB Flash PCMCIA card, you can upload your own sounds, en essence making it a sampler. It has foot pedal inputs, that let you step through programs, use them as triggers themselves, etc. There is software that makes editing it extremely simple (it's based on Emagic's Sound Diver).

The triggers are very good, and take just about any type of trigger (piezo, FSR, I've even used mics through a mixer Sounds can be layered 4 deep per drum, with each layer having pitch, filter, and amplitude envelopes, with multiple modulation sources as well. Built-in effects (delay, reverb, etc). It can also trigger MIDI sequences that you upload to it. I've had mine for 4 years, played with it many times live, and it's still rock solid.

[opg]

Hold on...hold on. VST freeware sampler? Alesis DMPro? The point is NOT to have to use a computer and NOT to spend $500 (or even $200) for that matter.

The reason that the drum modules are EVIL is because they are charging high prices for gobs of drumset sounds (though there is velocity layering involved) that I DON'T want and NOT including any way to import sounds directly into the module without using the MIDI outs and using a computer.

Think of it more like this:

A box with 5 trigger inputs.
A floppy drive (3.5" or even 5") or some other low-capacity drive.
The ability to assign an 8-bit mono sound file to each of the five channels.
Audio out (mono is fine).

I'm talking really low budget here. I am planning on taking the top and bottom heads of my drumset, screw them together and have the inside padded with foam, and purchase the Pulse 5-pack of acoustic drum triggers. I've even read up on how to create my own triggers, if I REALLY wanted to be a cheapskate. I just can't afford to spend over $150 on some sampler or drum module that has too much of the things I don't want and barely any of the things I do want.

[elektro80]

A Roland D-110 will probably do just fine. And there are 8 separate outputs too.. price.. 75-100 USD

[jksuperstar]

If needed, you can build your own drum trigger with a kit from Paia (these kits are very easy to build even if you have no soldering experience).

http://www.paia.com/midibrn.htm

Or find a used drum brain such as Roland TD-5/7, or Alesis DM4/5 on Ebay...they go for ~$75.

Tie that to any other low-cost sampler (eg- Boss SP-303).

I don't think you can find triggers with almost no sounds/features in 1 box for $150. You'll have to peice it together with a cheap trigger interface & a cheapo sampler.

[Kassen]

[opg]

Actually, soldering is not a problem. I figured I HAD to build something being that the closest thing I found to what I wanted was the Roland Trigger to MIDI Converter and a modified E-Drum.

I have a friend that should be able to build this if it doesn't exist already. As far as I know, we'll need 5 1/4" input jacks for the triggers, an audio out jack, some sort of disk drive or USB/SCSI input (and the appropriate power supply), and a chip programmed with the assignment info. He should be able to handle that as well as the smaller electronics details that I don't know how to do.

It's so sad. I could have purchased one of those crappy Toys R Us electronic drumsets if I was able to figure out how to add my own sounds.....

[Kassen]

[seraph]

I used to have the Yamaha DD5 to trigger midi notes

[seraph]

a yamaha DD5 (if you find one) and a Boss Sp202 will make you happy

[opg]

Yeah, I've read up on the SP202 and DD5, but each one is always missing something that will end up forcing me to buy another link in the chain and so on and so on......

I drew up a diagram today of the device. Since we're talking about small low-bit samples, I think this should be relatively easy to build. I could have a floppy disk drive and a power supply, a very simple sound card and a chip to control it.

Check out his site. He programs chips all the time:

http://www.lathan.org

[seraph]

truely minimalistic web site

[opg]

[modulator_esp]

You might be able to get an old Akai S900 with the ASK90 (an optional drum trigger interface which allowed each of the 8 samples to be triggered individually) within your budget.

It fits all your criteria, except it has 8 channels instead of 5

[deknow]

casio rz1 has room for four short samples. no trigger input, but it does have midi. (and perhaps it's own triggers might meet your needs).

if you plan to use with in conjunction with a nord g2, you could easily use one slot (or part of one slot) to interface another kind of trigger (ie, a cheap keyboard/tone generator can be used with pitch track module and a midi send module to trigger midi events in the rz1).

casio also used to make a cheap trigger to midi interface (dz1...i have one). my recolection is that it resets itself on power up (and no internal patch memory).

the other good option would be some of the old digitech rds series delays. some of them have trigger inputs and "sampling" capability. you would need something to load samples into them (a microcassette for each unit would do). these delays are cheap these days (esp. the short ones), but big and heavy to lug around.

the best solution might be (i know you don't want to hear this) an older laptop that doesn't have the poop to run more modern apps, a simple sampler software (or audiomulch or something), and the new m-audio drumpad interface.

deknow

[opg]

Oh man! This is some good stuff. I guess I hadn't looked closely enough on the Akai S900 about the ASK90 drum trigger interface.

The Casio DZ-1 looks great, too!

Thanks!

[deknow]

also, i believe the rz-1 is an 8 bit sampler.

i also one time patched a radio shack "sound recorder kit" into the gate output of a novation bassstaion (the kind of kit that comes fixed in a box with springs to attach wires to). that was fun

deknow

[opg]

Finding this stuff is going to be a pain, though. It's like if it's not on Ebay, it's not going to be anyway these days. At least I live in Philly now, and my chances are a bit better.

[opg]

Screw it. I tried to bid on a Roland PM-16 Trigger-to-MIDI device (I think the final price was a fantastic $65) and lost. How often is something like that going to show up again? And even if I did get it, I'd have to find a sampler.

Perhaps Mosc's stories have inspired me to pick up a soldering iron and create the beast myself. Now where is that "Electronics For Complete Brainless Morons" book?

Electricity and I were not good friends when I was a kid. My first (and last) attempt at fiddling with electronics was when I was 8 years old. I wanted a "stronger signal" on my GoBots walkie-talkie. I cut the 9-volt connecter off, leaving the two bare wires. I got the plug from an old radio and cut it in half. I "spliced" the two together and plugged the radio cable into the wall (yes, that kind of plug). There was a loud pop. Two sparks flew out: one BURNED A HOLE INTO MY RIDE CYMBAL, the other cinged the rug.

Go ahead......laugh it up........I've got all day......

[seraph]

[mosc]