Alesis DM5 User Manual
Chapter 6: External Triggering
44
DM5 Reference Manual
T
RIGGER
N
OTE
A
SSIGNMENT
Each trigger can be assigned to any MIDI note number, which is associated with a
corresponding drum sound (programmed according to the instructions on page 27).
corresponding drum sound (programmed according to the instructions on page 27).
Trigger note assignments are the only trigger settings that are recalled as part of a
Drum Set whenever a new set is selected.
Drum Set whenever a new set is selected.
With the NOTE parameter selected (flashing), turn the [VALUE] knob to select the note
that will be assigned to the selected trigger input.
that will be assigned to the selected trigger input.
G
AIN
To compensate for differences in transducer outputs, the gain for each trigger can be
set independently.
set independently.
With the Gain parameter selected (flashing), turn the [VALUE] knob to select the
desired amount of gain (00 is minimum gain, 99 maximum gain).
desired amount of gain (00 is minimum gain, 99 maximum gain).
To aid in the adjustment of this parameter, strike the pad or drum whose transducer
is plugged into the selected input. The TRIG LEVEL bar-graph meter at the bottom of
the display will show the peak strength of the transducer signal. Adjust the gain so
that a powerful strike results in the meter reaching the right-most side of the display
This indicates that the input is reaching it’s full dynamic range. When a trigger’s
Gain is properly adjusted, this will occur
is plugged into the selected input. The TRIG LEVEL bar-graph meter at the bottom of
the display will show the peak strength of the transducer signal. Adjust the gain so
that a powerful strike results in the meter reaching the right-most side of the display
This indicates that the input is reaching it’s full dynamic range. When a trigger’s
Gain is properly adjusted, this will occur
only on the strongest hits .
V
ELOCITY
C
URVE
The velocity sensitivity of each trigger input can be adjusted to accompany a wide
variety of playing styles, and to help compensate for sensitivity variances between
various brands of drum pads and transducers.
variety of playing styles, and to help compensate for sensitivity variances between
various brands of drum pads and transducers.
Example: A hard hitting player might have a difficult time in playing the softer
velocity sounds available in the DM5 due to the high impact of most of his hits.
Using a lower Velocity Curve setting (1 - 3) would require a much harder strike to
generate a full MIDI velocity of 127, and make it much easier to obtain the more
“subtle” velocity sounds when playing the drum pad. When using a higher Velocity
Curve setting (5 - 7) the opposite applies, or a much softer hit would generate a MIDI
velocity of 127.
velocity sounds available in the DM5 due to the high impact of most of his hits.
Using a lower Velocity Curve setting (1 - 3) would require a much harder strike to
generate a full MIDI velocity of 127, and make it much easier to obtain the more
“subtle” velocity sounds when playing the drum pad. When using a higher Velocity
Curve setting (5 - 7) the opposite applies, or a much softer hit would generate a MIDI
velocity of 127.
With the VCrv parameter selected (flashing), turn the [VALUE] knob to select the
sensitivity value desired to suite the style of play, or the pads being used. The default
setting of 4 is the “median” Velocity Curve . For average play (hits ranging from very
soft to very hard) this curve gives you the full range of sensitivity which corresponds
to MIDI velocities 1 through 127.
sensitivity value desired to suite the style of play, or the pads being used. The default
setting of 4 is the “median” Velocity Curve . For average play (hits ranging from very
soft to very hard) this curve gives you the full range of sensitivity which corresponds
to MIDI velocities 1 through 127.
Note: The setting of 0, Unassigned, is selected by rotating the [VALUE] knob fully
counterclockwise. This is a
counterclockwise. This is a
special case Velocity Curve setting which allows a trigger
input to contribute to the DM5’s master suppression threshold. However, it will not
trigger any sounds or MIDI note messages. In certain circumstances this setting can
help suppress false triggering on the other inputs.
trigger any sounds or MIDI note messages. In certain circumstances this setting can
help suppress false triggering on the other inputs.
Example: Suppose three drum pads are mounted on a single drum stand while set up
on a noisy stage. Normally, a higher Xtalk setting would be used to eliminate
on a noisy stage. Normally, a higher Xtalk setting would be used to eliminate