- How to Connect the Electronic Drum Module to Your Computer<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Enable the Drum Module in Your DAW<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Recording Electronic Drums in a DAW<\/strong><\/a>
- Recording Electronic Drums as a MIDI Track<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Recording Electronic Drums as an Audio Track<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Recording Electronic Drums as an Audio & MIDI Track<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Electronic Drum Setup & Connections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before using and recording your electronic drums in a DAW, you’ll need to connect them to your computer and install its driver software. After the module has been configured, connected, and properly installed, you’ll be able to enable it as a MIDI controller and then start recording electronic drums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electronic drum modules can connect to your DAW or virtual instrument via USB or MIDI. USB is the most common because it will often power the module and carry MIDI messages to and from your computer. That’s handy but does take a USB port, so if you’re running out, you might consider getting a powered USB hub<\/a>. While passive hubs can work, we’ve had the best luck with powered hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way to send MIDI data from your drum module is via MIDI cables. They won’t provide power to the module, but if your interface has MIDI ports, it’s an excellent alternative to using up another USB port. Just connect the MIDI OUT on the module to the MIDI IN on your interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Connect the Electronic Drum Module to Your Computer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While some drum modules are class-compliant, others require special driver software for it to work correctly. If your electronic drum set came with an installation guide, use that to install the drivers and firmware. Follow these steps to get your module connected to your computer. Once done, you can set it up within your DAW software or standalone virtual instrument. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Visit the manufacturer\u2019s website and download the latest version of the drum module\u2019s driver software for your operating system.<\/li>
- Open your downloads folder and launch the installer file. If the driver has been delivered as a .zip file<\/a>, follow these instructions:\n
- \n
- PC<\/strong>: Right-click the .zip<\/strong> file, select Extract all\u2026<\/strong>, and then click Extract<\/strong>. Double-click the .exe<\/strong> file and follow the on-screen instructions.<\/li>\n
- Mac<\/strong>: Double-click the .zip<\/strong> file to decompress it (this may already be done for you). Double-click the .pkg<\/strong> file and follow the on-screen instructions. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>
- Connect the drum module to your computer either with a USB cable or an audio or MIDI interface via MIDI cable.\n
- \n
- If you\u2019re connecting the drum module via MIDI cable, make sure that you connect the cable from the MIDI OUT port on the module to the MIDI IN port of the audio\/MIDI interface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
MIDI out and USB ports on a module.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enable the Drum Module in Your DAW<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once the drivers have been installed, the next step is to update your DAW\u2019s MIDI settings to communicate with your drum module. This means enabling its input and output ports so it can send MIDI data onto a track. Follow these steps to enable the MIDI ports on your drum module.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Launch your DAW and navigate to the MIDI<\/strong> settings window.<\/li>
- Locate the drum module and enable its MIDI Input <\/strong>and Output<\/strong> ports. Suppose the drum module is connected to a MIDI interface or MIDI port on an audio interface via MIDI cables and not USB. In that case, you\u2019ll need to enable that device\u2019s MIDI input and output ports.<\/li>
- Hit a drum pad and look at the MIDI or Output meter within your DAW to confirm it\u2019s triggering as it should.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Is your drum module not showing up?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you don\u2019t see your drum module or interface listed as an available MIDI device, confirm that everything is connected correctly, the correct drivers are installed, and if your module has firmware, it\u2019s up to date. If it\u2019s still not being detected, check out our guide on resolving MIDI connections on PC and Mac<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>Recording Electronic Drums in a DAW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Once your module is connected and enabled within your DAW, it\u2019s time to start recording your electronic drums. You have a lot of flexibility when recording with an electronic drum module because you can record MIDI, audio, or both simultaneously. No matter which you choose, you first need to create a track(s) and update the DAW\u2019s inputs and outputs so you can record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recording Electronic Drums as a MIDI Instrument Track<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When recording electronic drums as a MIDI track, you can rearrange notes and quantize them, so they match the track’s tempo, among other things. MIDI doesn’t make sound, so you must route it to an instrument track. Follow these steps for routing and recording your electronic drum module to a virtual instrument. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Create a MIDI <\/strong>or instrument <\/strong>track within your DAW.<\/li>
- Update the MIDI track so the drum module is set as the input, and the virtual instrument is set as the output.<\/li>
- Hit a few pads to confirm you’re getting both MIDI and audio signal.<\/li>
- Record-enable your MIDI track and press record.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Not seeing MIDI response?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you dont\u2019t see any response when recording your electronic drums, check that your MIDI input and output are set correctly and that you\u2019ve created the correct type of track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Enable the module then record on a MIDI instrument track.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recording Electronic Drums as an Audio Track<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you don’t have access to a drum virtual instrument, recording your module’s sounds to an audio track is a great alternative. To record the sounds, though, you’ll need TRS to TRS cables<\/a> and an audio interface<\/a>. Follow these steps to record the samples from your module onto an audio track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Connect two TRS cables from the Main Outs <\/strong>on your drum module’s back to two inputs of your interface. \n
- \n
- If your interface only has one input, connect a cable from your drum module’s L output to the input on your interface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>
- Create a Stereo<\/strong> audio track and update the input routing to match the input(s) you’ve connected to your module.<\/li>
- Record-enable the audio track and press record.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Select the audio input then record.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
No audio input or output?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not seeing input or output, make sure your audio interface is set as the primary audio device, that the correct physical input(s) and output(s) are selected. If the issue remains, check out our troubleshooting guides for PC <\/a>& Mac<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Record-enable the audio track and press record.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Locate the drum module and enable its MIDI Input <\/strong>and Output<\/strong> ports. Suppose the drum module is connected to a MIDI interface or MIDI port on an audio interface via MIDI cables and not USB. In that case, you\u2019ll need to enable that device\u2019s MIDI input and output ports.<\/li>
- Launch your DAW and navigate to the MIDI<\/strong> settings window.<\/li>
- Mac<\/strong>: Double-click the .zip<\/strong> file to decompress it (this may already be done for you). Double-click the .pkg<\/strong> file and follow the on-screen instructions. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>
- PC<\/strong>: Right-click the .zip<\/strong> file, select Extract all\u2026<\/strong>, and then click Extract<\/strong>. Double-click the .exe<\/strong> file and follow the on-screen instructions.<\/li>\n
- Recording Electronic Drums as an Audio Track<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
- Enable the Drum Module in Your DAW<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>