MIDI DRUM TRIGGERS

The term MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. This enables electrical musical instruments such as the one I will need for my project an electric drum kit, to communicate and synchronize with each other. All MIDI-compatible controllers, musical instruments and MIDI compatible software follow the same MIDI 1.0 specification, and thus interpret any given MIDI message the same way, allowing two devices (a trigger device and a sound source) to communicate with and understand each other. 

As for my project I would like the triggers to sense the sound from the drum kits through the computer picking up I have researched into file formats MIDI can use. I will need to use some form of file format for the storage within the site, standard storage

The Standard MIDI File (SMF). MIDI files are typically created using computer-based sequencing software (or sometimes a hardware-based MIDI instrument or workstation) that organizes MIDI messages into one or more parallel tracks for the recording and editing. Therefore each track is assigned to a specific MIDI channel and a specific instrument patch (for my drum kit I will need to assign each symbol, snare ect).

When researching into my main purpose of midi drum triggers. I was looking at all the available ones out there for electrical and acoustic drum kits which can give me a starting point to what software I would need to build for my site.

MIDI drum trigger refers to a electronic drum module without built-in sounds. The module is only used to convert signals from electronic drum pads into MIDI messages which are then used to trigger sounds on MIDI capable devices such as drum machines

“The Trigger|iO is the easiest way to connect electronic drum and cymbal pads or acoustic drum triggers to a wide range of MIDI sound sources. Use up to ten trigger inputs to play traditional MIDI devices like drum machines, sound modules and synthesizers, or connect the USB output directly to your computer to play software drum modules or lay down tracks in your favorite MIDI sequencer application. You can capture every nuance of your drumming performance into the MIDI world using the Trigger|iO.”

“Featuring both USB-MIDI and traditional DIN MIDI connectivity, you can use the Trigger|iO with a wide variety of gear. The interface has ten TRS trigger inputs so you can use it with single or dual-zone pads and triggers, and even split the inputs with Y-cables for even larger custom setups. You can also use the Trigger|iO to expand the pad inputs of virtually and drum module from any manufacturer. “

I will possibly use this as a starting point for my midi drum triggers. The main reasons that I chose this specific one is that its small and compacted, can use up to ten triggers which is enough for a reasonable sized drum kit and it has a USB output directly to the computer where the teaching will take place.

After watching this video I just found the other day, I will need to be doing some research on ‘mini notes’ as well.

Any takers?