Bass-to-MIDI on the fly...

Okay, the short version of what's happening here...

I am playing with a group that is having a hell of a hard time finding a drummer... probably would make a good post for Band management, but I digress... I was thinking about getting around this problem temporarily by using Circular Logic's InTime software to drive a virtual MIDI-based drumkit, run either alone or through Ableton Live. This would allow us to simulate a responsive drummer and then we can play live and a good time will be had by all.

Only problem is that InTIme requires a midi input to monitor and adjust tempo... and, well, nobody has a MIDI instrument that they can use to drive it. As the bassist, I feel I am the prime candidate for grooving with my robotic drummer friend, so I need some way to turn my bassline into MIDI data on the fly so that InTime has something to work with. I have seen several models of audio to midi hardware available, and was wondering if there was a software equivalent out there that doesn't suffer from latency issues. If not, then do any of you have any experience with any of the hardware bass-to-MIDI converters?

 

Thanks for the response derrico1. The only thing I FORSEE needing bass-to-MIDI for is tempo changes, yes. I am unfamiliar with the trigger-to-MIDI, but based on the name it sounds like it could be the ticket! Googling now...

EDIT: one other thing that has just occurred to me is the possibility of using Ableton live with a good MIDI drum VST. I know there is a way to tap out tempo changes with a foot switch on that, but no idea if the tempo transitions would be smooth.

 

Thanks, sir. I was trying to take the lazy way out and reduce the load on myself with InTime and the trigger, but after further thought and your guys' input I think I'll build an Ableton/Addictive Drums/footswitch rig and try to do the two tempo thing.

It'll take a couple of days as I am working around other projects, but I'll definitely be back on here to do some incremental progress reports. Thanks for everything.

 

NICE! You just gave me some options! I'm going to try both the tap pedal and the reagate options and I'll drop in with the results when done.

 

Okay so a quick update here. I went ahead and coupled the tap tempo function with a foot switch and tried that route. The concept is simple enough but I gotta tell you... It really feels awkward at this stage. Especially slowing down! Also it seems that if you don't start the taps at the beginning of a measure (or possibly a clip... I was experimenting with a one measure clip loop) then Ableton has a bit of a spaz-out and does some really weird speedup thing with the clip.

I am sure that this is just a matter of getting used to the technique, so I'm not too discouraged yet. I am going to have a look at the software that Chromer mentioned in his post and see if that does a better job than I do on the switch.

 

Thanks, seamonkey, for the heads' up there. If it weren't so late I'd try mapping the nudge buttons to the pedals. Tomorrow, maybe. If it's not an egregious hassle then that might sound and feel a little more natural than the tap tempo solution. So two more thing to try tomorrow afternoon!

 

Well I went into Ableton again last night to try the suggestion made by SeaMonkey regarding the nudge. Itdid indeed make more natural sounding speed up and slow down effects, but there was a problem with it as well ... as soon as you take your foot off the pedal the tempo springs right back to where it was! I can't for the life of me see why it is programmed that way, but after doing a considerable amount of digging I have not found a way around it. So I am left with Chromer's reagate/intime combination, or finding another DAW that isn't so difficult to beat into submission regarding on the fly tempo changes...

 

Seamonkey you ROCK! I'll give this a try tonight if I can get to it after rehearsal. Thanks! You must be pretty adept at Ableton if I had to guess.