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Calling all ex-Alesis-heads - DMPro assistance, please


bleen

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...or even current Alesis-heads (Ben)! :D

 

I figure with Ben, Dave, Steadyb, Mike Peake and anyone else here that used to work for 'em, or even folks that have one and use it a bunch, I can hopefully get an answer.

 

The setup: I was asked this past year to mentor a high school senior that was interested in making an electronic drum kit. That was fine - I helped him build and wire up a bunch of pads, but he's having an issue with the DMPro he bought as a sound source.

 

He wants to transfer samples from his PC (already out of my comfort zone...no Apple, no worky for me) using the SoundBridge software. He and I followed the manual to the letter and can't figure out how to access the samples once they are in the DMPro. The display reads that it is receiving the data from the PC, but once it finishes neither of us could figure out how to get to 'em to map them to a MIDI #! :mad:

 

Now I live on the other side of the country, he still can't load samples and I'd like to see him be able to use this before he heads off for college. I'm in Seattle this week, so if anyone has some suggestions, I'd be much obliged and can give him a ring while I'm in town.

 

Thanks!!!! :thu:

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Originally posted by bleen:

He wants to transfer samples from his PC (already out of my comfort zone...no Apple, no worky for me) using the SoundBridge software. He and I followed the manual to the letter and can't figure out how to access the samples once they are in the DMPro. The display reads that it is receiving the data from the PC, but once it finishes neither of us could figure out how to get to 'em to map them to a MIDI #! :mad:

First of all, I'm amazed that he could find the right type of flash card - that's a tough trick these days.

 

After you transfer files via SoundBridge, they show up as new voice groups. You can't do anything with them until you assign them to a program.

 

In drum edit mode, go to page 2 of the VOICE menu (GROUP). The new sample group you created in the SoundBridge project should be at the end of all the onboard ones, after the Chromatic group.

 

Hope that helps.

 

dB

:snax:

 

:keys:==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <==:rawk:

 

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First, just to frame what Dave said in the terms the DMPro uses:

 

The DMPro has 64 KITs which are made up of DRUMs, which are made up of (up to 4) SOUNDs. Each SOUND is a sample (called a VOICE in DMPro-speak) with it's own filter, filter and amp envelopes, and some other settings. What's important is the you need to press [DRUM], then [EDIT] in order to get to the samples.

 

Second - and very important - in SoundBridge, there is a place to select whether the sample is a "drum" sample or "keyboard" sample. You must select "keyboard" sample, or the DMPro will never find it. I believe the latest version of SoundBridge doesn't let you select "drum" samples when you select the DMPro as the destination device, so hopefully this point is moot.

 

There is pretty detailed information in the Drum Edit section of manual, which should get you the rest of the way. (Setting up the rest of the Drum parameters: envelopes, pitch, etc.) If you need more help though, I can provide more detailed instructions.

 

Ben, Alesis guy

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Originally posted by steadyb:

Hey Chopped,

 

If you'd like, I could give your number to a guy who needs help working his 3630.

Aren't people who use a 3630 beyond help? :)

 

ba-dum-splash!

 

Actually, someone did a 3630 mod awhile back that chopped out the gate circuit...said it was a lot better. Less pumpy and breathy.

 

And the little NanoCompressor was much cleaner, as you probably know. I haven't used Alesis' newer compressor (CLX-440), so maybe someone can let me know how they like it.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mister Liver

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I have to say here that I think the DMPro is one of the most underrated piece of gear in the entire Alesis timeline. I used to fill the PC Card with loops and leave my S5000 at home for live gigs.

 

I think the DMPro suffers because so many people were (are) still using their D4's and DM5's. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I wish there was an easier way to get the large memory cards. Anyone have a reasonably-priced source?

"For instance" is not proof.

 

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Originally posted by Jeff the Weasel:

Oh, hell yeah. DM Pro rocks, and the best minds in the Alesis synth camp were behind it.

 

- Jeff

I still can't believe it hasn't trickled down into a replacement for the SR-16. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
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Originally posted by felix:

Originally posted by Jeff the Weasel:

Oh, hell yeah. DM Pro rocks, and the best minds in the Alesis synth camp were behind it.

 

- Jeff

I still can't believe it hasn't trickled down into a replacement for the SR-16. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
You'd think so, wouldn't you? :rolleyes:

 

Don't think we didn't try...repeatedly...

 

...grumble grumble... :mad:

 

dB

:snax:

 

:keys:==> David Bryce Music • Funky Young Monks <==:rawk:

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ok fellaz,

 

I am the dude that Bleen was mentoring in use of the DMPro. Still having troubles...

I followed the instructions as they were said by ya'll and by the DMPro manual concerning voices and voice groups. The new problem that seems to be arising is that when I go to look for the new voice group I sent, after the chromatic group, it is not there. The scrolling value setter won't even go past the chromatic group. This is very strange because according to the DMPro and the computer, I sent the MIDI data and the "card is ready." I wonder what could be wrong now... :confused:

 

Thanks for all your help.

-Xiao

There is no "i" in GEEKS

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Originally posted by xiao:

do you know a place where I could get another one cheap to rule out that variable?

You can get a card that will work from Pretec here. Note that this is not an official endorsement of the Pretec brand by Alesis. There are other manufacturers that make compatible cards as well, including AMD. I just know Pretec off the top of my head, and know that they tend to have them in stock. The card you want is the AMD C/D series compatible, Linear Flash.

 

Having said all that, it'd be easier for you to just give me the brand and model number of the card you have, and I can tell you if it's supposed to work or not.

 

Ben, Alesis

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