Electronic drum kits and Ubuntu

[humphreybc]

Does anyone know what happens with this? I've never owned an electronic kit before, but I've been thinking of buying an Alesis DM6 - it's on special in a music store here in NZ.

You can plug it into a computer via USB and record directly, which I'd probably like to do - but I wonder how that would work with Ubuntu?

[oldsoundguy]

lousy drummer!! LOL

http://www.alesis.com/planetill09

It is midi out as well!! If your sound set up does midi, you are golden! Requires NO "added" software.

[humphreybc]

So wait all I have is a laptop... please explain some more

[handy]

You may find that Ubuntu Studio will be helpful for your musical endeavours:

http://ubuntustudio.org/

[sandyd]

It depends on the type of drum kit your buying.
Some will have an midi output that you plug into a midi sequencer. It is then plugged into the computer through the usb output of the sequencer.

Others have a direct midi -> usb conenctor and you just need to plug the USB cord into your computer.
If the kit doesnt include a USB adaptor, you will need something like,

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-USB-to-MIDI-...item27ab53c6de
unless you are deciding to do professional recording / stage stuff. If you are, you should get a sequencer instead.

and i don't know why my mac is refusing to paste using Ctrl + V.
Its getting reallly anoying.

[humphreybc]

Thanks. I've bought an Alesis DM6 electronic kit. I think it just plugs directly into USB.

[sandyd]

Thanks. I've bought an Alesis DM6 electronic kit. I think it just plugs directly into USB.

your lucky. it has both USB and MIDI outputs. ->http://www.alesis.com/dm6kit <-

[BuffaloX]

There's even an open source solution.

http://www.megadrum.info/

My wife just ordered a kit with 56 channels for only about 150USD.
according to others that have tried it, it works without a problem in Linux. Midi is through the USB, just plug it in, fire up your favorite MIDI drumkit, and you are ready to go.
You may even be able to buy a prebuild system, but they are a tad more expensive.

Alesis is usually good, but this one should be much better.
I've even heard of someone using it over a 2000$ Roland module.

It's extremely easy to make your own e-drums, just take something suitable to drum on, and attach most any standard piezo to it.
We have tried 3 different kinds, and they all work exactly the same.

If you have some old drums, replace the drum-skin with a mesh if you want it to be quiet, and put a piezo underneath. A piezo is only about 50 cent.

Beware of cheap kits if you plan to use built-in sounds, they usually have too much latency.

There are multiple programs that can record midi on Linux. There is even a very good drum sampler. You can also use VSTi through wine in some programs. Which gives you access to some awesome pre-sampled drumkits. (at a price).

[BuffaloX]

Thanks. I've bought an Alesis DM6 electronic kit. I think it just plugs directly into USB.

Wow that was fast.

You might want some meshes for it, they make much less noise.
If you have good soundproofing it doesn't matter of course.

[33Nicolas]

Hopefully the thread isn't closed yet. What program do you use for your Alesis DM6? I tried Hydrogen but can
t any sound out of it.