Alesis Strata Core Module settings

[rxoxbx71]

This is going to read as a very vague question, but...Assuming latest firmware update...happy with trigger settings, etc...What are the basic settings that I can make to the module to make the preset kits sound more 'natural'? Meaning ambiance, reverb, etc...?

Thank you,
Rob

[Chaser]

Welcome to the Forum !

Try the  RAW Versions...they are the Original Mixer..Least amount of Processing...
They should have done RAW Presets for each of the 10 Kits...don't know why they didn't.

There are just RAW Presets for the Acrylic (PEAR Crystal Beat) and the Artist Birch (CANOPUS Artist).
You can set the Mixer to Advanced and for each Kit Piece go and Mute the Ambience/FX..Reverb (typically there is a Reverb and a Compressor).
or turn them OFF.
I don't know why they were left on...There are No Effects on the Individual Kit Pieces....
You can also adjust the Mics..Kit Pieces are all Direct Mics..lowering the Fader moves the Mics back/farther away and it does not affect the Volume.
The Snare had Direct Mics for both the Top and the Bottom.
You do all of that and you'll have a very dry Mixer.....Under Ambience and FX...tap on AmbMix (1st Fader) and the Reverb/Effects Channels/Faders will change to Overhead and Room Mics..
Start with Tom 1 and go through (Audition) the Toms  until you find one you like..then build the rest of the Kit around it...then add FX etc...or pick a Preset and go in and start turning down or off.adjusting and saving a User preset...
Your choice...start with a RAW Preset and add..or take a Processed one and subtract....just don't forget to save or you'll lose all of your work.
I would start with a RAW Preset adjusting the Direct..Overhead and Room Mics.. before turning everything OFF or muting..
You'll get a better feel for what they do..and how much of an affect they are to the existing Mix....there is a multitude of Stereo Reverb Settings (Presets)..
which can be either Inserts or Sends..

There are not 75 different Presets... a lot of Repeat Kits/Presets (Including RAW)...are basically duplicates with a single drum change Kick or snare etc..Similar was done in the STRIKE Module

There are 10 Full Kits (Shell Packs)...and numerous Kit pieces from other Brands and a lot of Percussion and the Full Compliment of AIR Creative FX Colection...which for years were the Defaults for Pro-Tools.

(AF) A&F Drum Co - RAW STEEL
(AF) A&F Drum Co -  NATURAL WALNUT
(Can) CANOPUS Artist - BIRCH
(dub) DW Collectors - MAPLE
(Grch) GRETSCH Brooklyn - MAPLE
(Prl)  PEARL Crystal Beat (ACRYLIC)
(cue) Q CO DRUMS - MOHOGANY
(cue) Q CO DRUMS - COPPER
(Rem) REMO - ROTOTOMS
(Son) SONOR SQ2 (MAPLE)

[rxoxbx71]

This is great information! Thank you so much as this will definitely help.

[rxoxbx71]

One more question - I cannot find the 'Local Control Off' option in the Midi screen for the Strata Core. Was this somehow removed with the latest firmware update? Everywhere I look, it seems to be an option on the Midi screen, but I cannot see it.

[Chaser]

One more question - I cannot find the 'Local Control Off' option in the Midi screen for the Strata Core. Was this somehow removed with the latest firmware update? Everywhere I look, it seems to be an option on the Midi screen, but I cannot see it.

The Module has options for the MIDI DIN 5 PIN...
I see AI all over the web with multiple answers...anywhere from go to the menu and turn Local Control OFF (which was available in Early/Previous Modules)..to USB Automated and turns off Local Control when a USB connection is made.
AI is also reporting the Strata Modules accept MIDI Program Changes..
I have never seen any documentation to support it and there isn't a MIDI Implementation Chart

I Don't believe there has never been a Local Control Setting for USB MIDI and the Strata Modules.
I checked all User Guides dating back to 1.0..No Reference for a Local Control Setting.If using a DAW you can play/record the Audio from the Module and simultaneously record the MIDI performance as you are playing.
A number of the earlier Modules didn't have the option of doing both simultaneously.
You either played using the Internal Sound Generator (Local Control ON) or External Sound Source Vst Hardware etc (Local Control OFF)
Personally I wouldn't want an Automated shutoff.
I designed some MIDI File Players to send over USB and if the MIDI was Automatically shutoff I couldn't use them..

[rxoxbx71]

You are

One more question - I cannot find the 'Local Control Off' option in the Midi screen for the Strata Core. Was this somehow removed with the latest firmware update? Everywhere I look, it seems to be an option on the Midi screen, but I cannot see it.

The Module has options for the MIDI DIN 5 PIN...
I see AI all over the web with multiple answers...anywhere from go to the menu and turn Local Control OFF (which was available in Early/Previous Modules)..to USB Automated and turns off Local Control when a USB connection is made.
AI is also reporting the Strata Modules accept MIDI Program Changes..
I have never seen any documentation to support it and there isn't a MIDI Implementation Chart

I Don't believe there has never been a Local Control Setting for USB MIDI and the Strata Modules.
I checked all User Guides dating back to 1.0..No Reference for a Local Control Setting.If using a DAW you can play/record the Audio from the Module and simultaneously record the MIDI performance as you are playing.
A number of the earlier Modules didn't have the option of doing both simultaneously.
You either played using the Internal Sound Generator (Local Control ON) or External Sound Source Vst Hardware etc (Local Control OFF)
Personally I wouldn't want an Automated shutoff.
I designed some MIDI File Players to send over USB and if the MIDI was Automatically shutoff I couldn't use them..

One more question - I cannot find the 'Local Control Off' option in the Midi screen for the Strata Core. Was this somehow removed with the latest firmware update? Everywhere I look, it seems to be an option on the Midi screen, but I cannot see it.

The Module has options for the MIDI DIN 5 PIN...
I see AI all over the web with multiple answers...anywhere from go to the menu and turn Local Control OFF (which was available in Early/Previous Modules)..to USB Automated and turns off Local Control when a USB connection is made.
AI is also reporting the Strata Modules accept MIDI Program Changes..
I have never seen any documentation to support it and there isn't a MIDI Implementation Chart

I Don't believe there has never been a Local Control Setting for USB MIDI and the Strata Modules.
I checked all User Guides dating back to 1.0..No Reference for a Local Control Setting.If using a DAW you can play/record the Audio from the Module and simultaneously record the MIDI performance as you are playing.
A number of the earlier Modules didn't have the option of doing both simultaneously.
You either played using the Internal Sound Generator (Local Control ON) or External Sound Source Vst Hardware etc (Local Control OFF)
Personally I wouldn't want an Automated shutoff.
I designed some MIDI File Players to send over USB and if the MIDI was Automatically shutoff I couldn't use them..

You're absolutely correct...there is no Local Control setting for the Core Module. That's what I get for consulting with AI.
So apparently I am too used to Roland...I used to turn off the Local Control setting and plug my headphones directly into the module. With the Strata Core, I needed to plug my headphones into the laptop when using EZDrummer 3 or the like.
Thanks again for the detailed response!

Rob