Alesis SAMPLE SERIES (SamplePad Pro - SampleRack) - HI HAT PEDAL

[Chaser]

Alesis SAMPLE SERIES (SamplePad Pro - SampleRack) - HI HAT PEDAL


Over the years I have always seen stated that the SamplePad Pro like many other Multipads have simple Hi hats with Open/Closed.

Alesis always recommended the DMHat..which at the time there were 2 versions.. V1 is/was SWITCH - Open/Closed...(Discontinued) and a New Version of the DMHat.
Nitro 2015 ...  Drums and Percussion 2015
There was never a Press release etc for the New DMHat (V2)..Now Variable "TYPE"..Labeled as OPEN/CLOSED however is a segmented softpot
Flex Sensor or a Resistor Ladder.

The SamplePad Pro/Rack has a selector switch on the back to set the Hi Hat as either Switch(Open Closed) or Variable.
There is also a switch for the Kick..Switch/Trigger (Piezo).





User Guide pg4

Hi-Hat Input: Connect a Hi-Hat pedal here using a 1/4" TS cable to use this input to control the position of a Hi-
Hat while playing. Select "SWITCH" if you are using a standard footswitch. Select "VARIABLE" if you are using
a variable hi-hat pedal. We recommend using the Alesis DMHat Pedal with SamplePad Pro.

The Original Samplepad and SAMPLEPAD4...do NOT have this option.





I had the SampleRack (Sold it nearly a Decade ago)...basically the same except you used External triggers.
The SampleRack supported a Dual Zone Variable Hi Hat.

Both were released around the same time as the Nitro/Surge Series (Same Module..Different Hardware) which started with the 1/2 Open and the V2 Pedals.(Realhat Housing - Segmented Sensor)
The Nitro Series currently is still the only Alesis Module with 1/2 Open MIDI Notes.

There is a Position Settings under Hi hat..for Hi OPE..Hi MID..HI CLOS (Trigger Locations) to set the ranges(s).

Position Settings:
This submenu allows you to adjust the hi-hat pedal ranges for the "HAT OPE", "HAT MID", and "HAT CLO"
trigger locations




SAMPLERACK Supported a Dual Zone Hi Hat



as mentioned above I have tested the DMHat V2 with modules that support a variable Hi Hat also...it's just not as smooth transition as a 1 pc sensor and V2 has a larger range however and hits full open before the Pedal is all the way up .(as shown in the MIDIOX above) , however it does work...as long as there are Samples to support it.

There isn't a MIDI Map in the User Guide for either the Samplepad pro or the Samplerack...however the Samplepad Kit Editor displays the MIDI Assignments.
You will see a MIDI assignment for Hi Hat MID Note 23 (1/2 OPEN)

SAMPLEPAD KIT EDITOR




There is an overlap for some of the MIDI Note assignments in the case of using Pads and No External Triggers.
I didn't see both Zones for the Hi Hat (Bell,Edge)..however that doesn't mean the SPP doesn't support one as the Position Settings are exactly the same in the SR User Guide..the unknown MIDI Notes would be 26 (Edge Open) and 22 (Edge Closed)


SAMPLEPAD PRO

49 - PAD 1
51 - PAD 2
48 - PAD 3
45 - PAD 4
46 - PAD 5 (HH OPEN)
36 - PAD 6
38 - PAD 7
42 - PAD 8 (HH CLOSED)

38 - EXT 1A
40 - EXT 1B
Pad 1: Connect a dual-zone or single-zone drum pad, cymbal pad, or trigger to this input using a 1/4" TRS
cable for dual-zone or a 1/4" TS cable for single-zone. You can use this input to trigger samples assigned to the
EXT 1A and EXT 1B trigger location of each kit on SamplePad Pro.

43 - EXT 2
Pad 2: Connect a single-zone drum pad, cymbal pad, or trigger to this input using a 1/4" TS cable. You can use
this input to trigger samples assigned to the EXT 2 trigger location of each kit on SamplePad Pro.


36 - KICK

46 - HH OPEN
23 - HH MID (1/2 OPEN)  
42 - HH CLOSED
44 - HH PEDAL (CHICK)
21 - HH SPLASH

I took the time and created an Instrument List for the Samplepad Pro as there never was one.
It should be the same as the SampleRack



NOTE there is No Hi Hat MID (1/2 OPEN) articulation/Sample listed.
There are also No Hi Hat "Combos" which are typical for a variable Hi Hat.These are groups of Samples tied together and not interchangeable.
This is probably why Alesis recommends the DMHat V1.

You can set the Hi Hat Positionsettings for the MID Range ..however there isn't an articulation/Sample to apply it to...hence..NO 1/2 HI HAT.

I believe it was either an oversight or forgotten and a mistake in the Articulation/Sample Base as there wouldn't be a setting for MID(1/2 OPEN).
Modules with Variable Hi Hats don't send a 1/2 Open MIDI Note..it's Pedal Position/CC4.
The Module interprets the resistance value and applies it to the Articulation/Sample pool.

Bottom Line...

The Option for Switch/Variable for the Hi Hat sets the "TYPE" of signal for the Module to Interpret...just as the Kick sets the "TYPE" of Trigger.
It does NOT convert the Multipad to a Variable Hi Hat that sends CC4.
There is a reason for the HAT MID Position Adjustment (HALF OPEN)..there just are Not any Articulations/Samples to apply it to.
There is/should be a HAT MID Trigger Location to add a User Sample.

Assigning a Sample to a Pad or Ext. Trigger:
1. Move the cursor to the Trigger Location parameter by pressing the Cursor Up or Cursor Down buttons.
2. Use the Cursor Left or Cursor Right buttons to select the pad or ext. trigger that you would like to assign the
sample to.
3. Move the cursor to the Sample Location parameter by pressing the Cursor Up or Cursor Down buttons.
4. Use the Cursor Left or Cursor Right buttons to select the location of the sample that you would like to assign.
(internal or card)
5. Move the cursor to the Sample Name parameter by pressing the Cursor Up or Cursor Down buttons.
6. Use the Cursor Left or Cursor Right buttons to browse the internal memory or SD card and select the sample
that you would like to assign to this trigger location

I don't have any of the Sample Series so I cannot confirm if a specific Pad is used for  the Hi Hat etc or if it's an option in each Pad (like the STRIKE Multipad)
The STRIKE Multipad has the Switch/Variable option in it's Menu also however the SMP does NOT send CC4.
The option is to set the "TYPE"  of Hi Hat Controller Signal.

I believe the lack of a 1/2 open sample (or any samples between Open/Closed) and NO Hi Hat Combos in the SamplePad Series caused the confusion/problems...along with the Marketing tricks Variable "Type" which is found in numerous product descriptions..most notably the Nitro Series.

The Alesis Modules that support the V2 Pedal do Not support a Variable Hi Hat (No CC4) and send 46 (OPEN)..23 (MID)..42 (CLOSED)..44 PEDAL(CHICK)...21 PEDAL (SPLASH)....basically  GM MIDI Notes....w/Aftertouch

TO CONFIRM MIDI POSITION (HALF OPEN) MIDI Note 23

You will need a DMHat V2 or Realhat Pedal...Setup the SAMPLE SERIES (Samplepad Pro/SampleRack) with a MIDI Monitor..MIDIOX etc..note the range when the articulations change , check and see if MIDI Note 23 is sent during the Pedal Transition , then apply to the Position settings/Ranges in the SPP.

The DMHat V2 segments are a Fixed Range and add up as the actuator is depressed...so to use that pedal would require some Trial Error etc setting the range(s)..but doable..

I did similar for the STRIKE Module and the STRIKE Multipad to see if I could dial in as shown in this Topic...DMHat V2.

I can confirm the Realhat Pedal range is too small for the Nitro MAX and Pro..only half open at Full Pedal..so the result may be the same for the Sample Series..(Samplepad Pro/SampleRack)

The answer to the question "Will this Work" is always the same.
Yes..it will work... however will it work well..a Paper Plate with a Piezo/jack will work as a Cymbal.

YMMV per Module/Brand.

For Example:
Roland HH Controllers have a smaller resistance range and Modules only send 90...Alesis has a larger range and Modules send 127.
The Yamaha HH65 150k..which is in the same range as the DMHat V2..


SAMPLEPAD4 User Guide v1.2

SAMPLEPAD PRO User Guide v1.3

SAMPLERACK User Guide

SAMPLEPAD KIT EDITOR


EDIT:
Added Images , Links