Hey everyone. Been teaching myself on an Alesis turbo kit for a few months now. Recently said what the hell and bought an Alesis crimson 2 kit. However, I have several questions about it and looking for an outlet to maybe get some answered. Thanks for any help.
1. The hi hat pedal on the kit. A quick google search has revealed its widespread problems. It?s not triggering right, even after I looses the bolt on the front of the pedal. It feels like it?s getting stuck or not depressed the whole way. If I step on the front, I can get a closed hat sound, but splashes or open hats are impossible. I tried my old turbo pedal with it and didn?t really help. Any suggestions?
2. Doesn?t seem like I?m getting the volume or sound I want from the pads or cymbals. I?ve adjusted the sensitivity, but playing along with a song I feel like I can barely hear them. Any suggestions on what to change in terms of trigger settings?
3. The 3 zone cymbals are a new concept to me, and I?m still adjusting in terms of where, how to hit them. I?d love to here any suggestions on techniques.
4. I?ve been using Melodics to learn with the turbo kit and it worked great with a MIDI cable. The crimson kit seems to be a little bit off synch, maybe it?s just growing pains? Again though, the hi hat doesn?t register at all. Anyone else have that problem? Or suggest any other programs to use that help with learning?
5. Are there any good sights where I could upload kits that maybe come with already preset trigger settings? Not sure if that?s even a thing but as I?m learning I?m not too picky in my ken specific sound.
Any suggestions to the crimson kit, techniques, programs, or just general advice would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot.
Welcome to the Forum !
The Turbo Kit (
Medeli DD401) is basically a fundamentals Kit for beginners.
You adapt your playing to the module as there isn't much in the way of adjustment/features...more advanced modules adapt to your playing.
The next module up is the
Medeli DD512..(Nitro/Surge) which is entry level introducing a few more features.
The Crimson II Module is based on the Medeli DD650 and is an Intermediate module with a lot of adjustments/features so you can adapt the module to your playing style.
Raising the Sensitivity isn't a cure all and adjustments need to be made in more than one setting..
You want the lowest Sensitivity..with the Highest Threshold or you'll have nothing but problems including Cross talk.
Here is a Link to the
Medeli DD650 manual..a much more in depth manual I recommend read through it at least once and familiarize yourself with all the features/settings the Turbo Module doesn't have...and shows you the strike zones on the triggers along with the additional features including splash settings etc.
I presume you purchased the complete Crimson II Kit , so you have Dual Zone Toms..Dual Zone Cymbals (DMPad) a single cable 3 zone ride and the RealHat Pedal for the Hi hat.There was also an expansion for it adding a cymbal and tom.
E-Drum Hi Hat pedals have too much travel so aren't very accurate as you have a lot of pedal movement before anything is actually effected.The Realhat pedal needs a few tweaks/tricks to take the travel out of it.
See this topic..Also,when powering on a drum module make sure your foot is not on the Hi hat Pedal..
To get the Module louder , adjust the EQ's..
You can increase the EQ's (-12dB~12dB),factory defaults are usually at Zero except for the High which is 4.Try raising them evenly or max them all out and slowly lower until you reach desired levels.
This will also increase the overall volume so if are using headphones you definitely want to lower the main/headphone volumes first.
Between the EQ's..Kit Volume and Main Volume you should be able to achieve a good balance.
The MIDI Mapping for the Crimson II module uses a Variable Hi Hat has a single note tied to the Hi Hat open/closed..change the Note to 9 for Vst/Software that only recognizes MIDI Notes...or if the Vst/Software allows... assign a Variable HiHat to Note 8.
see this Topic.
As far as Melodics goes..it only supports GM Mapping the last I checked..so it doesn't support a Variable Hi Hat.
Go into the Settings on the Module and Turn
GM Mode ON.
The current Melodics may not have a MIDI Map with the add on expansions or the Note assignment for 9 so try the default one first and see what is actually working.
Melodics Help Triggering/TroubleshootingI don't know if you purchased New or Used but the first thing I would do is a factory reset as you don't know who or what the settings are or of correct and you will have a clean start...the link applies to ALL Alesis modules
Alesis | How To Factory Reset The Module For Your Drum Kit
Once you have all the above in order you should be good to go and start adjusting the module to your playing style etc as you get used to the module and learn it's capabilities.
A Great Standalone Drum Software is
BFDDrums BFD Player..and it's
FREE with no limitations/exceptions on the included Core Library.
I attached a Variable Hi Hat MIDI Map for the Crimson II in the Main
BFD Player Topic.
EDIT:Added Links
