Using Awowo Live Drums as a midi controller...

Ephminus · #1 05-01-2009, 03:22 PM

I'm looking into getting a midi controller for the midi drums that I use in Reaper.
Playing my PC keyboard is pretty sloppy and annoying.

I'm thinking about ordering the Awowo Live Drums and then try using a USB to midi coverter cable to trigger the midi in Reaper.
My PC doesn't have a midi input and I heard that you can use a converter cable instead of installing a midi card.

I'm very new to this whole midi thing.
Anyone have experience with this?

Here's a couple links to the products I'm interested in....

Awowo Live Drums
http://www.awowo.com/live-drums-anytime-anywhere.html

USB to Midi Converter
http://www.uxcell.com/usb-midi-cable...c-p-12257.html

Any help would be appreciated!

seamonkey · #2 05-01-2009, 06:28 PM

The Awowo looks fun for sure. I don't know how well it works.

Consider changing your keyboard midi map to what Larry Seyer came up with
http://www.larryseyerdigital.com/ind...=85&Itemid=121
You can listen to his demos, he had a video some place, but the layout works good.

In all honesty, I wouldn't bother playing all the drum parts. There's many sequencer's/drum machine software packages that do this automatically. Many free.
Not free but cool is Jamstixs http://www.rayzoon.com/
It will listen to what you're playing and come up with a drum beats/fills/...
You can pick different drummer personalities

Ephminus · #3 05-03-2009, 12:17 PM

I think I need to be more clear in my explanation....

I've been using my computer keyboard to play the drums and I hate it.

Instead of just getting a synth/keyboard style midi controller, I'm thinking about trying the Awowo Live Drums instead.

The layout is just like a drum set so laying down the midi drums will be way easier and will sound much more like a real drummer.

It says that the Awowo drums have midi in/out but I don't have a midi card installed on my computer.

Could I use a USB-Midi converter cable and just plug the Awowo into a USB port to be able to trigger the midi drums in my digital audio workstation?

Does anyone have any idea?
Or a guess?

seamonkey · #4 05-03-2009, 12:49 PM

A usb midi converter works fine, but I have no idea on the latency this toy has on converting stick strikes and dynamics to midi. Maybe go ask at vdrums.com

Fletch · #5 05-04-2009, 02:45 AM

I've never heard of Awowo drums but I've been using a Yamaha DD55 Digital Drum Kit for a while now which looks pretty similar. I connect it to my pc with a usb/midi cable without any latency problems. Combined with a program like EZ Drummer you can get some pretty decent results. My guitar player was skeptical about it and thought it was a toy when I brought it over to his studio. 6 months later I can't get it back. Is it a real drum kit? Nope it's a controller and it beats the heck out things like the Trigger Finger or various Akai offerings for what I do. It's far from perfect but for a home studio it's worth looking into. I also a agree with Seamonkey on Jamstix. I LOVE that program!!!

Fletch

Ephminus · #6 05-04-2009, 12:17 PM

Thank's for the info....

I read that the Awowo is just as good as the Yamaha, oh yeah, and it's less expensive. I guess Sam Ash stocks them so I can go and get a hands on experience before I make a decision.
I'm going to check out the Yamaha too...I love Yamaha stuff...never been disappointed with anything of theirs.

I'm glad that I found someone that has the same ideas about putting down midi drum tracks. Those midi controllers are a pain in the butt...I at least want to capture a little personal feel when I'm putting midi tracks down.

Ephminus · #7 05-05-2009, 12:27 PM

Just in case someone comes across this thread looking for the same info....

I've been doing some resarch and apparently the Yamaha YDD-60 and DD-65 electronic drum pads have some midi issues. One issue being that the hi-hat doesn't send the right midi signals when the hi-hat is opened or closed.
If anyone has any additional info regarding this please post it here.
Also, the Yamaha's do not come with bass drum pedals, hi-hat pedals, or a power supply.
After purchasing all of that you might as well just buy a full electronic kit.
That is really disappointing to me.

I am only left with one obvious choice, the Awowo Live Drums.
In the next couple of days I am going to stop by Sam Ash and see if they have a demo for me to try before I decide to buy.

Ephminus · #8 05-21-2009, 10:17 PM

An update....

I bought the Awowo Drums and returned them within an hour.

I exchanged them and paid the difference to get the Yamaha DD-65 drum pads instead.
They are way better the Awowo's.

I still need to get a MIDI to USB cable so I can finally start recording with the Yamaha.
I can't wait!

My wife is going to order the cable for me through her work...I love employee discounts!