variable hi hat with dm5/pc

[H3RB]

just a quick question, basically im new to drumming and for my first kit ive bought the dm5 pro. i already new about the hi hat thing but didnt and still doesnt really matter to me. what i wanna know is if i connected the dm5 module to my pc via midi-usb can i use a program like ez drummer to get the variable hi hat? and use it for the whole kit? as i assuming there will be more sounds etc for the pc based programs?
any help is great thanks

[ghostman]

yes, you should be able to do that.  All the VST software work via MIDI.  there is a VST section on this forum - ask your questions and read the posts in there.

[H3RB]

ah fair enough ill give it a blast, didnt realise there was a specific forum for this im new to it all and have no idea what vst is lol

[Hellfire]

just a quick question, basically im new to drumming and for my first kit ive bought the dm5 pro. i already new about the hi hat thing but didnt and still doesnt really matter to me. what i wanna know is if i connected the dm5 module to my pc via midi-usb can i use a program like ez drummer to get the variable hi hat? and use it for the whole kit? as i assuming there will be more sounds etc for the pc based programs?
any help is great thanks

To be blunt, No. The DM5 doesn't send the CC#4 control signal that is needed to get a variable hi-hat. You would need an Alesis Trigger I/O or DM10 to do that. The DM5 can only send midi notes numbers. With a DM5 that is only three. Open hi-hat, Closed hi-hat, and Foot chick. I hope that helps.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

[ghostman]

Good catch HF,  Although you could still use a VST as a sound source, you just won't get the full dynamics of the hats.  And it might sound better!

VST:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology

[stevewahl]

This would be a very DIY approach, but if you've got a DM5 pro, a PC, and EZ Drummer or similar software, there's a chance you could add Edrum Monitor www.edrummonitor.com, which is free, and connect some sort of variable hi-hat pedal to a joystick input or cannibalized USB joystick.

In theory it could work.  In practice?  I have no personal experience.