Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
Hi,
I have two old Hardware Drum Computers (Korg DDD1, Roland RX7) from the early 90s. I would like to use one of them to trigger Drum Sounds of a VSti. Is that possible? As I understand it I would have to somehow tell the Pads that they are notes, like the keys on a keyboard are assigned to notes and on each note is a different drums sound, ie the snare is on C1 and so forth. Can I do that? And if yes, do I have to assign it on the Drum Computer or in the VSTi Software?

Sandra


"GuitarVersum" YouTube Channel: Jazz Chord Melody Tutorials
Jazz Guitar Lessons | Jazz Guitar Gear Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkT05N04ICdHgmDZrGYz-5A

Lesson Shop:
https://guitarversum.com/shop


Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 94
S
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
S
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 94
Hi Sandra,

Depending on the hardware and software you use, there may be 3 possibilities. You may be able to assign the notes on the drum machine, or get the vsti to recognise the notes the machine is sending, or thirdly, you may be able to map them through whichever sequencer you are using.

If the vsti you are using conforms to the midi spec (i.e. uses standard midi mapping) it would probably be better to change either the machine, or map it via the sequencer.

If you can change the notes on the drum machine, it will then work with any setup. So it really depends on the capability of the hardware.

You may also have sounds on the Drum machine that are not available in the midi spec, so you will have to deal with them as you see fit.

If you use a sequencer like Cubase, you may be able to find a mapping already completed.

Hope this helps

Steve


BIAB 2019
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,678
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,678
I'd hook the midiout of the drum machine to the midi in of RB or PT, select that midi input port as the main default port, and then hit the pads and watch the keyboard display at the top of PT to see what notes its triggering.
OR record each pad in order and look at it in the event list to see what notes its triggering now.
Usually a Roland machine will be pretty close to GM specs right off the bat.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
This is excellent boys. Iwill try that last one first (rharv) - seems very promising. I`ll let you know if I was successfull.
Thank you,
Sandra


"GuitarVersum" YouTube Channel: Jazz Chord Melody Tutorials
Jazz Guitar Lessons | Jazz Guitar Gear Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkT05N04ICdHgmDZrGYz-5A

Lesson Shop:
https://guitarversum.com/shop


Off-Topic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Boys? I have an off color response for that but not here.
rharv answer is what i've done.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Sandra, if all of that doesn't work, there is another way to do this - trigger the VSTi drum machine with audio from one of your drum machines.

Now, I don't know if PG products can do this, but with the DAW I use, I can have audio and midi on the same track or I can have audio input on the track, but only send MIDI output.

There is a plugin called KT Drum Trigger: http://koen.smartelectronix.com/KTDrumTrigger/

Which takes in an audio stream, divides it into 3 different frequency ranges, and then when it sees activity in any of those ranges above a threshold amount, it triggers a MIDI note event for that range(s).

So, what you do is set up your audio output of whatever (I actually have 'beat-boxed' - taught the guy on the demo on Koen Tanghe's site) and you can get a simple 3 part drum machine pattern to result from your VSTi.

Lastly, now this doesn't work with PG products, but if you have Jamstix and a DAW that works with it's JAM mode, you can feed the audio out of the drum machine as a 'seed' to the Jam engine in Jamstix and let Jamstix pick drumming patterns for you.

I do this last one by feeding drum loop audio samples that I've chained together into Jamstix and then Jamstix adds accents and fills and general goodness along the way.

Good luck using the old machines. If they were about 15 years older, they would be worth quite a bit of money. (Roland TR series).

Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
Hi Boys and Girls
I`ve teested the rharv method and finally got to work it. I jsut don`t know yet how to assign it properly, since this old machines don`t have a PC interface. Its also very huge and so I decided to buy a Korg Nanopdas. I read some test articlees about it, and it sound like what I need. What d`you think of it. The tests say its a lot more flexible than it looks.

Thank you rockstar_not. I didn`t know one can trigger via audio as well. Learned something new.

Sandra


"GuitarVersum" YouTube Channel: Jazz Chord Melody Tutorials
Jazz Guitar Lessons | Jazz Guitar Gear Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkT05N04ICdHgmDZrGYz-5A

Lesson Shop:
https://guitarversum.com/shop


Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,758
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,758


M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem M3 MacBook Air 16GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
BTW, I have a song posted where I fed Jamsitx with some rhythmic loops, and mixed in the output of Jamstix with the original loops, then fed both of those outputs to a glitching plugin. I used an electronic drum kit in Jamstix to compliment the electronic loop that was feeding it.

It provided an interesting percussion background upon which to fiddle around with some other stuff.

Here's the link:
http://rockstarnot.rekkerd.org/fawm2007/...20Song%2012.mp3

Some might call it cheating. But I think it's more like the idea of 'Real Tracks'. Or think of it as a watercolor painting - never quite photorealistic but has a certain beauty that comes from the random way that the paint interacts with the paper. Or interacting with another musician on an improvisation.

Here's a link where I just fed Jamstix with the acoustic and bass guitar lines (I did play to a click track though it may not sound like it) http://rockstarnot.rekkerd.org/fawm2007/...20Song%2013.mp3

Here's another where I automated the 'Jam intensity' and just had an 8 bar loop in there
http://rockstarnot.rekkerd.org/fawm2009/Scott%20Lake%20-%20Lunch.mp3

Keep in mind these are all 1 night compositions/record sessions/mix sessions/print sessions/post sessions. That's the beauty of Jamstix - takes the thought off of "Geez, I have to come up with a drum pattern that doesn't sound like a drum pattern?" as part of the songwriting process.

It's not perfect - but it has helped me to quickly get song ideas down with more than a dopey sounding drum loop.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane

zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!

Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.

Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music

Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!

Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,638
Posts807,825
Members40,179
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
maiyagg, RAYPA, Neveralull, alebasa, Shegzy Empire
40,179 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 85
rsdean 75
WaoBand 48
vicarn 44
Today's Birthdays
pochofenix, sslechta
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5