ND2 issues with Beatstep Pro and other pad based controller

[wartaler]

Hi Black-Man! You could right about the difference in latency, perhaps, in theory*, but depending on your setup /what you want to do, it may not be much of an issue**. For live drumming I would definately choose true drum pads, not MIDI pads, although I read some people are using MIDI pads and say they don't notice much of a difference..
I know the ND2 responds to different velocities on the trigger inputs! Problem is that the 'drum gate' outputs of the beatstep pro don't output velocity information. ..
Cheers, Albert

edit:
*the signal at least: I'd think that a blip audio signal is transmitted quicker than a note on byte in case of MIDI
However, just looking at the ND end: it is a digital device, it too has to interpret the incoming signals on the trigger inputs, then has to generate the sound. **In the end it's the differences between latencies that matter when you combine different sound modules.

[rhombus]

I've been considering getting a BeatStep Pro for this very purpose. Has anyone gotten this to work reliably yet?

[wartaler]

Having some hands-on experience now with cv and gate control by playing with my new little green (sorry!) analog synth I doubt it is possible. These gate outputs give off a certain voltage as long as a note is played. This voltage can be used to trigger the envelope / increase amplification of a synth with a gate input. The ND doesn't have gate inputs, and the trigger inputs are -apparently- triggered twice by each note sent from the Beatstep pro drum gate outputs. Perhaps using the shortest note length (1/32th) at a high tempo might fool the inputs of the ND so that only one sound is triggered?

I have to say that playing with cv and patch cables is a lot of fun, really hands on, to experiment and make 'wrong' connections and still end up with interesting results - sometimes, but not always. I also see why things like MIDI and virtual analog synths were invented. (Winter is coming so my oscillators will need some trimming)

My question is, in case you would use the Beatstep pro to control 1 or 2 analog synths with the cv outputs, and control the ND via MIDI, will the -possibly- higher latency of MIDI really be noticable? Perhaps it is, just wondering... Or do you have another reason why you don't want to use MIDI?

[Black-Man]

I swore I saw a Richard Devine video where he triggered a Nord Drum 2 using the Tiptop Audio Trigger Riot. I have seen posts on Muffs from folks saying it works w/ no issues. So this seems to be a decent solution, if you already have a eurorack modular.

I also have a KAT DK-10 which doesn't seem to trigger the Nord Drum 2 properly (via MIDI). My Roland trigger kick drum triggers it fine (mean duration and velocity full-range).

Found it: https://vine.co/v/hULtKtJtvhB

[Black-Man]

I also found this thread over at muff's which explains the issue w/ the voltage pulse width producing double-hits on the ND2. Sounds like routing the BS2 gate out thru a simple VCA-EG would solve the issue. Of course you would need 6... probably easier to just buy a trigger riot.

https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewt ... torder=asc

[wartaler]

Hi black-Man!

[Removed, you found the solution on the Muffs forum]

What is the problem you're having when using the KAT-DK10? Is the response too slow? You also say something about velocity response. On the ND2 side I think MIDI velocity 127 should match the loudest hit on a trigger/pad, can you set a velocity curve on your KAT-DK10 ? You can also buy a bunch of piezo's and build your own triggers..For live drumming I'd use real (not MIDI) pads or triggers, or the Nord Pad, and MIDI for sequencing, -
[edit: or indeed other gear that has the right type of signal to trigger the inputs]

Cheers,
Albert

[olaims]

Another one with the same problem....

Tryed all combinations and I can´t find a way to be able to perform a Live without double triggering the notes.....

Someone has a solution or it is thought from Nord to make an "update" to fix that??

[wartaler]

Hi Olaims,

You're right, the trigger gate outputs of Beatstep Pro can't be used directly to trigger the Nord Drum 2, it's a different type of signal. I don't know if Nord or Arturia will/can easily change this to make them compatible.

There are 2 solutions though:
let your beatstep pro trigger 6 envelope generators, set these to output sharp, spike-shaped signals.. route these to the ND2 trigger inputs, and you'll probably get normal triggering

Or use MIDI...

Albert

[olaims]

Hi Olaims,

You're right, the trigger gate outputs of Beatstep Pro can't be used directly to trigger the Nord Drum 2, it's a different type of signal. I don't know if Nord or Arturia will/can easily change this to make them compatible.

There are 2 solutions though:
let your beatstep pro trigger 6 envelope generators, set these to output sharp, spike-shaped signals.. route these to the ND2 trigger inputs, and you'll probably get normal triggering

Or use MIDI...

Albert

6 Envelope generators = too much more money...

MIDI = I can´t use 6 different channels on the BSP Drum Pad, just only one... (as far as I know)

Thinking about to sending it back...

[wartaler]

Yes, 6 envelope generators, expensive stuff, that's why I'd suggest to use MIDI..

And the good news is that you can perfectly use the Beatstep Pro with your ND2!
You don't need 6 MIDI channels, you only need 1 MIDI channel to sequence/play all the 6 channels of the ND2 !
I tested it this weekend (after that, I had to return the Beatstep Pro unfortunately) - it works just fine!!

Cheers,
Albert