Best drum / perc. app for MIDI triggering

MarkR

I've got a regular gig doing pit orchestra (theatre) work. With my acoustic drum kit I need to also trigger samples, mostly percussion and effects either stock or user-created. Most drummers use either use a purpose-built unit like a Yamaha DTX-Multi or Roland SPD-SX, or a MIDI pad into a laptop. I'd prefer to use my iPad! I first tried with DM1. I loaded in a bunch of samples to create a User Kit but, like DM1's pads, they are set at only one velocity. Am I missing something here, or is it just DM1 and should I look for another app? I'm a bit of a newbie at MIDI triggering so advice is needed!

Thanks, Mark

Fitz

You could try DrumPerfect. Depends on what samples you want to use. There are several preloaded kits, but you can create your own too.

Peanutcram

Beat-Machine is worth 0,99€ „Beat-Machine“ von Primitive Digital Software
https://appsto.re/de/fPKjE.i

Here's a nice YT tutorial

I also like noise pad „Noisepad - Create Music“ von MediaGROE
https://appsto.re/de/aFfeD.i

And for sure legendary DrumJam

JohnnyGoodyear

@MarkR Good suggestions above. For the record you can change the per pad velocity in DM1 I believe.Go to 'Mixer' and then look for the button with a small bar graph on it (next to the 'twister' and the metronome)....good luck.

Coloobar

Thumbjam can do it all:

http://forum.audiob.us/discussion/7772/tutorial-video-create-your-own-thumbjam-instruments-from-wav-samples#latest

In the case of drum hits, when you import the samples you'll want to tick the box that defaults to "pitched" to "one-shot" instead. Then your new instrument will be a sample grid.

Martygras

You could try the Launchpad app. Load in your samples as one shots or loops. Simplify your live setup. Heck even a real launchpad would be of help to you live.

CalCutta

That's a tricky one. Because there's no native velocity sensitivity on an iDevice screen, it's hard to replicate velocity sensitivity. I know some developers have tried to create workarounds/alternatives. I'm not around my iPad to check so I can't think of any drum apps where user samples can be loaded, and pressing the pads on the screen can respond to some kind of velocity specific response.

A couple alternate suggestions:

1. Could you rely on your sequences being premade and only doing a start/stop triggering live? If so, DM1 will work for you (@JohnnyGoodyear listed where to edit velocity on a premade sequence in DM1)

2. If not, you can use programs like Beatmaker 2, iMPC Pro or BeatHawk which have "16-level" features. Those layout the same sample across the pad grid, and each pad is the sample in a different velocity. This could be tricky if you need to trigger multiple samples in one sequence.

bsantoro

Both DrumJam and DrumStudio respond to external MIDI triggering with velocity sensitivity. The drums in SampleTank also respond to MIDI velocity. I am sure there are others. These apps, however, do not allow for you to import your own samples. SampleTank, with some extra-purchased addons contain a huge variety of drum kits from acoustic to electronic.

CalCutta

For external MIDI triggering, there's a ton of apps that would work. DM1 should even work then.

edit: I guess it should be clarified, is the OP actually using an external MIDI controller of any sort to trigger these samples? I got the impression that they weren't.

bsantoro

BeatHawk works great for external MIDI triggering of drum sounds with MIDI velocity. You can import your own samples also.

nic_b_nice

Beatmaker2 is still my choice when i need to basically do it all.

Will

Lots of apps will do this. What else do you have? If you need to trigger more than 12-16 samples over the course of a gig I vote NanoStudio or Beatmaker 2. They'll allow you to set up way more sounds at once.

MarkR

Thanks all. I don't need to trigger sequences (yet), just one shots (mainly small percs. but also the odd effect like a horn or gunshot). I do need the utmost in volume / velocity control for the sort of music being done.

For triggering I have an elderly Roland SPD8 that still works great. I will check on the DM1 mixer velocity as suggested, and I do have Sampletank, Beathawk and ThumbJam. I'll spend the weekend testing things and report back.

supadom

@CalCutta said:
For external MIDI triggering, there's a ton of apps that would work. DM1 should even work then.

edit: I guess it should be clarified, is the OP actually using an external MIDI controller of any sort to trigger these samples? I got the impression that they weren't.

The OP has specified what hardware gear drummers normally use to trigger with therefore giving an idea of what he might be using. You must have missed it.

MarkR

And the winner is... Beatmaker 2! I hadn't yet spent much time with this app, but now I have. lol Easy to load via DropBox, and the triggering is working out fine.

A cool thing is that while BM2 has 16 pads and the SPD-8 has eight pads, a foot-switch (momentary or on/off) with the Roland can step it into an alternate eight. And if the gig ever calls for more than sixteen samples at a time I'll ask for a raise!

Thanks again for all the advice.

Will

Thanks for reporting back. Glad it worked out.