ALESIS DM5 Reference Manual
INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the Alesis DM5 18 Bit Drum Module. To take full advantage of the DM5’s functions, and to enjoy long and trouble-free use, please read this user’s manual carefully. HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various modes of the DM5.
2 DM5 Reference Manual
Index CONTENTS 1: SETTING UP ................................................................................. 5 Unpacking and Inspection.......................................................................................5 AC Power ..............................................................................................................5 Line Conditioners and Protectors.................................................................5 About Audio Cables ..............................................
Index Ext Trig......................................................................................................31 Group........................................................................................................31 MIDI..........................................................................................................32 Copying a Note’s Parameters to Another..................................................................32 5: MIDI FUNCTIONS ..........................................
Setting Up: Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1 SETTING UP UNPACKING AND INSPECTION Your DM5 was packed carefully at the factory. The shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely event that you need to return the DM5 for servicing.
Chapter 1: Setting Up ABOUT AUDIO CABLES The connections between the DM5 and your studio are your music’s lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low-resistance shield. Although quality cables cost more, they do make a difference. Route cables to the DM5 correctly by observing the following precautions: • Do not bundle audio cables with AC power cords.
Setting Up: Chapter 1 MIDI HOOKUP If you are using a MIDI keyboard or sequencer, connect its [MIDI OUT] to the DM5’s [MIDI IN]. If you have another MIDI device you wish to control from the same keyboard or sequencer, connect the DM5’s [MIDI OUT/THRU] to the other device’s [MIDI IN]. This also requires that you turn the DM5’s MIDI Thru parameter on. To turn on the MIDI Thru parameter: ➀ Press the [MIDI] button. The [MIDI] button will light. ➁ Press the [ ] button twice to select the Thru parameter.
Chapter 1: Setting Up EXTERNAL TRIGGERS HOOKUP Plug all of the triggers you will be using into the rear panel jacks. Since the triggers are interactive, the DM5 needs to “see” all of the signals simultaneously. Therefore, you should make sure that all triggers are connected before you begin editing the External Trigger parameters. Use the table below as a guide for connecting your trigger inputs. The trigger default note numbers correspond to these drum sounds.
Your First Session With The DM5: Chapter 2 CHAPTER 2 YOUR FIRST SESSION WITH THE DM5 POWERING UP After making your connections, turn on the system’s power using this procedure: ➀ Before turning on the DM5’s power, check the following items: • • • Have all connections been made correctly? Are the volume controls of the amplifier or mixer turned down? Is the volume of the DM5 turned down? ➁ Turn on the [POWER] switch on the DM5 front panel.
Chapter 2: Your First Session With The DM5 WHAT’ S A D RUM SET? A Drum Set is a stored configuration of drum sounds and their parameters. This setup of drum sounds and parameters can be stored so that you can get back to it instantly. When you select a Drum Set, all of its sounds and parameter settings are recalled to recreate the original kit. The DM5 provides up to 21 internal Drum Sets. A Drum Set contains 61 notes. Each note is assigned a voice.
Your First Session With The DM5: Chapter 2 CHOOSING VOICES IN A DRUM SET In this section, we will choose Voices for a Drum Set. There are many other parameters of a Drum Set we may wish to edit, however. Refer to Chapter 4 for more information about editing. There are 61 possible notes in a Drum Set. To select a note, turn on the [NOTE CHASE] button (it will light). Now, whenever you play a note on your MIDI keyboard, the corresponding pitch will be displayed.
Chapter 2: Your First Session With The DM5 STORING AN EDITED DRUM SET Once you have made changes to a Drum Set, you will need to store it; that is, if you want to keep the changes you have made. The internal memory is designed to hold up to 21 (00 – 20) Drum Sets. Once you store over an existing Drum Set, the previous Drum Set that was stored in that location is gone forever. However, you can recall any of the 21 original factory preset Drum Sets at any time (see below). ➀ Press [STORE].
Connections: Chapter 3 CHAPTER 3 CONNECTIONS MIDI MIDI is an internationally-accepted protocol that allows musical-related data to be conveyed from one device to another. See the MIDI Supplement in Appendix B if you are not familiar with how MIDI works. The MIDI connections on the DM5 provide three different functions. To trigger the DM5 from a MIDI control device (keyboard, drum pad, guitar or bass controller, sequencer, etc.), connect the control device’s MIDI OUT to the DM5’s [MIDI IN].
Chapter 3: Connections EXAMPLE 1: U SING A MIDI KEYBOARD The DM5 may be “played” from a MIDI keyboard (or some other type of MIDI controller) by connecting the keyboard’s [MIDI OUT] to the DM5’s [MIDI IN]. This is illustrated in the diagram on page 17. This connection requires that two MIDI parameters be set to your satisfaction: MIDI Channel and Root Note. MIDI Channel Once connected, you will need to set the MIDI channels on both your keyboard and the DM5 so that they match.
Connections: Chapter 3 EXAMPLE 2: USING A MIDI S EQUENCER The DM5 can be used with a MIDI sequencer in one of three ways: • As a sound module which is “played” by the sequencer (MIDI In only); or, • As a controller, sending MIDI notes (generated by the external triggers) to the sequencer to be recorded (MIDI Out only); or, • As both a controller and a sound module (both MIDI In and Out).
Chapter 3: Connections Local Mode The Local parameter determines whether or not the external triggers will “play” the internal voices of the DM5 or not. The triggers will generate MIDI note information when played, which can be recorded onto a MIDI sequencer (as long as the DM5’s MIDI Thru parameter is turned off; see page 17).
Connections: Chapter 3 EXAMPLE 3: USING TWO OR MORE DM5 MODULES The DM5 provides 16-note polyphony, which means at any single moment, up to 16 different Drum Voices can be triggered at once. This polyphony is “shared” by all 61 notes in a Drum Set. So, although you have 61 different Drum Voices available to you, a maximum of 16 can be played at the exact same time. Once a Drum Voice is finished playing back, polyphony is restored so another Drum Voice may be played.
Chapter 3: Connections EXTERNAL TRIGGERS The DM5 has twelve trigger inputs designed to accommodate the most widely used drum pads and other triggering sources. It’s triggering mechanism is an advanced Signal-to-MIDI converter which incorporates five user controllable parameters. Trigger parameters are independent for each of the twelve inputs, and the set up is global for all Drum Sets. The five types of user controlled parameters are: Gain Gain.
Connections: Chapter 3 To setup the external triggers: ➀ Plug in all of the triggers you will be using. Refer to the chart on page 8 as a guide for connecting your triggers. ➁ Press the [NOTE CHASE] button to turn the Note Chase feature off. The [NOTE CHASE] button’s light should be off. Note Chase is a feature that automatically displays the most recently struck pad, enabling you to easily “move” around the kit for editing purposes.
Chapter 3: Connections Repeat steps ➃ through ➆ for the remaining triggers you will be using. After completing these steps, you should be able to play on all of the pads plugged in to the DM5 and hear the sounds being triggered. Before going on to the next few parameters (described in the following sections), you should be aware that the amount of adjustment needed for the remaining parameters will depend on several variables.
Connections: Chapter 3 Decay Note: In this scenario we will use only the snare pad. Depending on the type of pads being used and your mounting configuration, you may be experiencing some “double triggering”. If shortly after the initial strike to the snare pad it re-triggers or sounds a second time, the pad is “double triggering”. This can be controlled by altering the Decay parameter value. To set the DECAY value: ➀ Press [EXT TRIG] repeatedly until PAGE 2 is selected.
Chapter 3: Connections ➄ Repeat steps ➀ through ➃ to correct the problem with the tom 2 pad. ➅ Finally, return to the Drum Set mode by pressing the [DRUM SET] button. This will protect from the possibility of accidentally editing your settings. Note: Whenever possible, keep some distance between your drum kit and the nearest speaker cabinets (especially bass cabinets), and make sure they are not facing directly at your set up.
Overview: Chapter 4 CHAPTER 4 OVERVIEW BASIC AND DEFINITIONS THE VOICE Each time the DM5 receives a MIDI or acoustic trigger, it plays a voice. A voice is a sound-generating element with several variable parameters: Drum sound, tuning, volume, output assignment (the voice’s audio output can go to either one of two sets of stereo outputs), panning (the voice’s audio output can be positioned at any of the seven positions available within the stereo field of the chosen set of outputs), and MIDI note number.
Chapter 4: Overview Often the default is “whatever was selected last.” Example: If the DM5 was set to Drum Set 14 just before you shut off power, upon power-up the DM5 will return to Drum Set 14. MIDI NOTE R ANGE The DM5’s sounds can be assigned to any note within a 5-octave (61 note) range, from MIDI note 36 to 96. However, this range may be shifted using the Root Note feature (section page 33).
Overview: Chapter 4 ABOUT THE USER INTERFACE READING THE DISPLAY The display is made up of 6 sections. 1) Drum Set Number. This consists of two large digits which indicate the currently selected Drum Set (from 00 to 20). 2) Page Number Strip. When a Function button is selected (lit) which contains more parameters than will fit in the display at once, they will be divided among multiple pages.
Chapter 4: Overview FUNCTION BUTTONS The eight Function buttons select eight different groups of parameters, as shown in the display. Upon pushing a Function button, it will illuminate and deselect any previously-selected Function button (its button’s light goes out). The Functions are: Button VOICE TUNE MIX OUTPUT DRUM SET EXT TRIG GROUP MIDI Function Chooses the drum sound to be edited and/or assigned. Sets the drum sound’s tuning. Sets the drum sound’s Volume and Pan parameters.
Overview: Chapter 4 EDITING PARAMETER VALUES After selecting the parameter to be edited, use the [VALUE] knob to vary its value. Once a Drum Set has been edited, a period appears in the display after the Drum Set number. Example: This Drum Set has been edited. Notice the period on the right. Standard Set . The period reminds you that if the [VALUE] knob is rotated and another Drum Set is selected, any changes made to the current Drum Set will be lost.
Chapter 4: Overview FUNCTION BUTTONS VOICE Press [VOICE], and the display shows the selected MIDI note number in the middle of the display and two parameters, Voice Family and Voice Number, on the top line (see display example above). To select a Voice Family , use the [ ] and [ ] buttons to place the cursor (underline) under the Voice Family name and turn the [VALUE] knob.
Overview: Chapter 4 MIX Press [MIX], and the display shows the selected MIDI note number in the middle and two parameters, Volume and Pan, on the top line. To change the Volume, use the [ ] and [ ] buttons to place the cursor under the Vol value and turn the [VALUE] knob. Values are variable from 00 to 99. The DM5 has two pairs of stereo outputs.
Chapter 4: Overview Output Options Having two stereo output pairs allows for several options. Stereo with Fixed Placement: Plug the left Main output into the left channel of your amp (or mixer), and the right Main output into the right channel. The default voice mix for the preset Drum Sets pans the drums between the Main output jacks in a way that works well for most applications.
Overview: Chapter 4 DRUM SET Press [DRUM SET], and the display shows the selected Drum Set number on the left side and the Drum Set’s name on the top line. To select a particular Drum Set, turn the [VALUE] knob. The range is from 00 to 20. Drum Set selection and management is covered in more detail in Chapter 2. EXT TRIG Press [EXT TRIG], and the display shows the Trigger input at the bottom and Trigger Characteristics on the top line, and the note associated with the Trigger in the middle.
Chapter 4: Overview The DM5 can play up to 16 voices at a time, so it’s possible to run out of voices if you play a flurry of notes and have lots of drum sounds assigned to Multi mode. If 16 sounds are playing and you ask the DM5 to play another one, the sound that’s closest to finishing its decay cycle will be “stolen” so that the most recent sound can be played. In practice, it’s difficult (and usually not artistically desirable!) to create drum parts so complex that voice-stealing becomes a problem.
MIDI Functions: Chapter 5 CHAPTER 5 MIDI FUNCTIONS The MIDI Function contains five pages of parameters. When you first press the [MIDI] button, it selects page 1. Pressing the [MIDI] button again selects page 2, pressing it again selects page 3, and so on. If the page 5 is selected and you press the [MIDI] button again, it will cycle back to page 1. Remember that you can also use the [ ] and [ ] buttons to go from one page to another by “cursoring past” the parameters on the current screen.
Chapter 5: MIDI Functions MIDI CHANNEL The DM5 can receive and transmit MIDI data in Omni mode (receives data appearing on any of the 16 MIDI channels, transmits data over channel 1) or Poly mode (transmits and receives over any single one of the 16 MIDI channels). Use Omni mode when playing only the DM5 from an external MIDI controller (MIDI drum pads, MIDI keyboard, etc.) since it’s not necessary to match channels. When several instruments are being driven by MIDI (e.g.
MIDI Functions: Chapter 5 LOCAL C ONTROL MIDI page 2 has only one parameter: Local Control. The Local parameter determines whether or not the external triggers will “play” the internal voices of the DM5. The triggers will generate MIDI note information when played, which can be recorded onto a MIDI sequencer (as long as the DM5’s MIDI Thru parameter is turned off; see page 34).
Chapter 5: MIDI Functions CONTROLLERS ENABLE The DM5 can respond to several standardized MIDI controllers appearing at the DM5’s [MIDI IN] jack: 6 Data Slider (0-127) This allows an external data slider assigned to Controller 6 to vary values, just as if you were using the Data wheel. 7 Main Volume (0-127) Controller 7 messages set the DM5’s master volume. Note that this is independent of velocity settings.
MIDI Functions: Chapter 5 PROGRAM CHANGE T ABLE MIDI page 4 lets you view and edit the Program Change Table. The Program Change Table determines which Drum Set will be called up in response to a particular Program Change number. The default is Program Changes 00-20 select Drum Sets 00-20; so do Program Changes 21-41, 42-62, 63-83, 84-104, and 105 to 125. 126 selects Drum Set 00, and 127 selects Drum Set 01.
Chapter 5: MIDI Functions To allow for running several DM5s in the same MIDI setup, System Exclusive data is channelized. In other words, if you save the data while set to channel 1, the DM5 must be set to channel 1 (or Omni, which receives all channels) when you send it back to retrieve this data. It’s a good idea to include the channel assignment in the System Exclusive file name to prevent possible confusion.
External Triggering: Chapter 6 CHAPTER 6 EXTERNAL TRIGGERING OVERVIEW External triggering has three main uses: • Driving DM5 sounds from electronic drum pads. Some electronic drum pads provide MIDI triggers when hit; these can feed directly into the DM5’s MIDI input. Other pads generate analog triggers, which can interface with the trigger inputs. • Using contact transducers (triggers) mounted on acoustic drums to trigger sounds from the DM5.
Chapter 6: External Triggering ABOUT TRIGGER PARAMETERS The DM5 now offers five user controllable trigger parameters. These are: • VCrv. (Velocity Curve). This represents the velocity curve, or the sensitivity of the trigger input. There are eight separate curve tables, 0 through 7. Using these settings it is possible to adjust the DM5’s triggers to accompany a wide variety of playing styles, and to help compensate for sensitivity variances between different brands of drum pads and triggers.
External Triggering: Chapter 6 This chart represents three signals which are “seen” by the DM5. Signal 1 is a legitimate hit from the snare pad. Signal 2 is the Tom 1 pad, but it is not a hit. It is the pad being triggered by stand vibrations from the first snare hit. Signal 3 is a second "real" hit from the snare pad. As you can see the Xtalk threshold is set at a value of 30 (represented by the dotted line). The two snare hits (signals 1 and 3) both register well above the Xtalk threshold.
Chapter 6: External Triggering Example: This chart simulates the waveform of a snare drum hit. The first big point in the signal is the actual hit, the rest of the waveform is all decay. Since the Decay time threshold is adjusted too low, the Decay level curves off too soon allowing a second point, during the signal’s decay, to exceed the threshold. Once this happens the DM5 will trigger the sound. On the other hand, this chart shows the same hit but with the Decay parameter set at a higher value.
External Triggering: Chapter 6 Higher settings are useful when trying to extract drum sounds from tape where other sounds are present; often the snare or kick drum will be louder than other sounds, so setting the threshold above the other sounds will allow the snare or kick to trigger the DM5. However, the higher the threshold, the more likely that the instrument’s full dynamic range won’t be captured and some soft hits to the pad may not be recognized.
Chapter 6: External Triggering TRIGGER NOTE ASSIGNMENT Each trigger can be assigned to any MIDI note number, which is associated with a corresponding drum sound (programmed according to the instructions on page 27). Trigger note assignments are the only trigger settings that are recalled as part of a Drum Set whenever a new set is selected. With the NOTE parameter selected (flashing), turn the [VALUE] knob to select the note that will be assigned to the selected trigger input.
External Triggering: Chapter 6 interaction between the pads, and a high Noise floor setting would be selected to reject the high level of ambient Noise and vibration. In certain cases with crosstalk and Noise floor settings too high, softer hits might become rejected because the DM5 assumes that they are Noise. Instead of compromising between the two parameters, there are two methods which can improve this scenario.
Chapter 6: External Triggering Note: Note Chase will not follow any trigger that has been set to Unassigned. To view an Unassigned trigger’s VU-style bar graph meter in order to adjust gain (page 44), use the [VALUE] knob to select the corresponding trigger input (page 43). CROSSTALK If several pads are mounted on one stand or rack it is possible to experience interaction or “crosstalk” problems. Adjustment of the Xtalk parameter makes it possible to resolve these problems.
External Triggering: Chapter 6 DECAY If a pad or drum “double triggers” when it is struck, it may be necessary to adjust the Decay level. This is evident when shortly after the initial strike to a pad, a second trigger from the same pad is generated, or it “double triggers”. Note: With certain pads it may not be necessary to adjust this parameter.
Chapter 6: External Triggering UNDERSTANDING HI HAT PEDAL MODE This is a feature for hardcore drummers. It’s a little complicated, but hang in there— the DM5 finally gives you a way to get truly realistic hi hat effects with electronic drums. An acoustic hi hat produces three main types of sound: • Open hi hat. The pedal is up so that the upper and lower cymbals do not touch. Striking the upper cymbal causes it to ring until it is struck again, or until the pedal begins closing. • Foot closed hi hat.
External Triggering: Chapter 6 TIPS ON TRIGGERING FROM ACOUSTIC DRUMS When triggering from an acoustic drum, that is using a contact pick up (transducer) mounted to the head or shell, the same general set-up procedures and parameter principles of triggering from pads apply. However, due to extreme head vibrations and resonance of acoustic drums, keeping the “factors” under control is considerably more difficult. These tips should help you in eliminating potential problems.
Chapter 6: External Triggering BASS DRUM ➀ Mount the trigger directly on the impact head. ➁ Place the trigger approximately 2-4 inches in from the rim, and level with the beater. ➂ Slightly reduce the sensitivity of the trigger if it has an adjustment. SNARE DRUM If you play with a fairly tight batter head, try this: ➀ Mount the trigger on the batter head. ➁ Place the trigger approximately one inch from the rim, on the opposite side of the drum from the player.
External Triggering: Chapter 6 LARGE TOMS 14"-18" In most cases shell mounting will work the best. However, you might experiment with head mounting and find great results. ➀ Firmly mount the trigger to the shell so that it is approximately one inch from the batter rim. ➁ Placement of the trigger should be near the side you sit, within a lug or two of where your stick would hit if you played a rimshot. ➂ Use a mid to high sensitivity setting if the trigger has an adjustment.
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Troubleshooting: Appendix A APPENDIX A TROUBLE-SHOOTING TROUBLE-SHOOTING INDEX If you are experience problems while operating the DM5, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis customer service for assistance. Symptom The display does not light when the [POWER] switch is turned on. No sound. No sound from external triggers. No MIDI input Cause No power. Solution Check that the power cable is plugged in properly. Bad connections.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting MAINTENANCE Here are some tips for preventive maintenance. • Periodically check the AC cord for signs of fraying or damage. • Make sure the entire bottom part of the keyboard is supported so that the case is not subjected to unnecessary bending. • Place a dust cover over the DM5 when it is not in use.
