Setting up the Alesis Trigger|iO + percussion triggers

[hannes911]

What solution do you use for playing with headphones? I noticed the Alesis Trigger IO has no headphone out jack, my computer is about the same distance from my drum set as yours is, so plugging headphones into the computer or the interface would not be ideal. Any ideas?

PS. great vid i'll definitely use this when/if I buy the Trigger IO!

[JessyUV]

@hannes911 Just get a female to male cable if the one attached to your headphones isn't long enough. I always check FireFold first, because they're cheap, but they don't have consistent, easily searchable stock for pro audio cables. I go to Amazon or Sweetwater next.

[MindMushMusicGroup]

@hannes911 I'm more messed up now after watching this video, I think the text was too fast and missed a few steps!!

[JessyUV]

@MindMushMusicGroup You've got to be kidding me. :-| Maybe the description will help??

[chaoshixie]

Hi thank you for your help on my last comment. I've ordered this kit online and guess it's on the way. Just another question, as I connect this kit to my computer, is the output really from the computer? Then if I want a large volume do I have to find a amp that connects to my computer or there's other ways to do so? thank you!

[JessyUV]

Congratulations on the purchase! I hope you enjoy it. Getting sound out from drum software is no different than getting sound out from your computer in general. You can always just plug the line output, that every computer I know of has, into basically anything that has an audio input. However, you'll get the best results with a dedicated audio interface. The least expensive one that I've used and liked is called the Lexicon Alpha.

[JessyUV]

You can plug cables from the audio interface into many destinations, but studio monitors are a good, common choice for home use. Alesis makes a nice, inexpensive pair called the M1 Active 520, that may work out for you.

[YTcomic]

His videos are awesome. I agree.

He really wants you to know what is going on instead of telling you to set them to something specific.

[cast390]

Jess,

Since you're using the Alesis Control Pad,I've heard that the HH and KIK inputs(for pedals) are NOT velocity sensitive. If this is true how do you control your velocities on your kik and foot chik sounds?

[JessyUV]

I think those inputs are worthless, but there are two "real" trigger inputs on the Control Pad, to which you can connect whatever you like.

[cast390]

Jess,

 The 2 REAL inputs you are reffering to,are they velocity sensitve?

[JessyUV]

That's not exactly how I'd put it, but you can think of them that way. They respond to varying voltage levels, like any standard trigger input. Velocity information gets created based on that, and your input settings.

The are also two on-off inputs, which, like I said, are pretty worthless for percussion. They're the same thing as sustain pedal jacks on a keyboard.

[mkitch]

Your videos are awesome. I plan on getting this kit unless you recommend otherwise.

[JessyUV]

Thanks!

I would say that this kit is probably the best value for the money you will find. Its construction could stand to be nicer, but it's not crap. The cymbals are especially impressive. My recommendation to you is to get an Alesis Control Pad. It's exactly the same thing, but a small, all-in-one unit. You can pay a lot less for that, and see if this whole thing is for you.

[JessyUV]

Then, you can sell it an upgrade to the USB Pro Kit if you want, or, you can mount the Control Pad on your USB Pro Kit rack, and have a bunch of extra sounds. It mounts using the same thing that the Trigger|iO does.

[Rocktofakie]

Hey Jessy, I'm the same setup as you only I'm using EZDrummer not BFD.

Basically following your setup video I've managed to setup the kit but I'm having problems with the zual zone ride; both zones are triggering together!?!

Could you post your Trigger IO setting maybe then I can tweek it to suit?

Cheer!

[JessyUV]

The only way to get the zones to not trigger together is to set their crosstalk and threshold values very high. This kit piece is not designed to have good separation - on a real cymbal, there is no way to just play one physical part. The idea is that you will always be triggering a mix of two different samples. And sorry, I don't own the Trigger|iO anymore. :-(

[mcstratele]

What did you replace the trigger io with or have you changed the whole drum kit

[JessyUV]

There's no replacement for the Trigger|iO that I know of. I just realized that having actual drums and cymbals wasn't that helpful, as the Alesis Control Pad does that same thing.

[MusiciansQuarters]

Gang for the money you spend on the Dm5 kit with trigger and or module go with Roland Td7 kits trust me, it killes this. I picked mine up 400. I hated the module sounds however, the module killed the Alesis Io as far triggering hands down! all dual trigger choke and all real feel and sounds. With The IO trigger no matter how long I tweaked I was never satisfied. That or Td-3V module gety some roland pads win win either or! good luck drumming

[JessyUV]

The Trigger|iO is not a good product for people who aren't very good with computers and MIDI.

[MusiciansQuarters]

Well thats not true? Im fairly good at both! However, the Roland triggers/modules are far superior then Alesis IO. Not trying to start a fight or major debate. Im only going by my experience with both. The Dm5 pads are no where compared to any of Rolands triggers and even the module Td7 or Td3 will trigger far better and more natural then the Alesis IO. I get "0" latency truple core 4 gug ram 500 g Hd! Plug and play!

[JessyUV]

I didn't say anything about the pads. It's true that the Alesis pads aren't particularly awesome, but they're not terrible, either.  There is no such thing as zero latency.

[iamametaldrummer]

I guess to sum up what i just asked is. Is there another output other than the USB and MIDI I noticed there is a 1/4 jack that says INC/DEC would you happen to know what that is

[iamametaldrummer]

ok so i just bought the Alesis Trigger I/O and my question is can i run it directly into a PA or a Monitor without purchasing a module or running it through a computer please help me im desperate

[bhmr5711]

can i use this module on DDrum trigger while recording? i have a huge drumkit which uses ddrumtriggers.

[JessyUV]

Yes. All drum triggers, whether for acoustic drums or not, put out the same kind of signal.

[earl28656]

Can you use a drum module with the Trigger i/o instead of using a computer software? Thanks in advance :)

[JessyUV]

Yes, but why would you want to bother? Any other drum module is going to do the same thing the Trigger|iO does, as well as send MIDI out, so the Trigger|iO would be a worthless expenditure.

[earl28656]

Oh, thanks :) and sorry, i dont know much since im bearly gonna buying my first drum set, hehe. would you recommend this set for begginers? it sounds complicated to use :|

[JessyUV]

If you're talking about the USB Pro kit, it depends. I'm tempted to say "no", because I do think it is complicated for the uninitiated, but drum kits are expensive, and hard to sell for a good return on eBay because they're so big and heavy (shipping cost). So if you're technically inclined, I recommend getting this and learning it, because otherwise you're working with antiquated technology, if you get any other products that cost similar.

[JessyUV]

That said, Alesis makes another product called the ControlPad, which costs only as much as the Trigger|iO ($159), and does the exact same thing as individual triggers (pads and cymbals) will do, along with the Trigger|iO. It's just a lot smaller than a full kit, and doesn't look like an acoustic set. You can even plug two other triggers into it. One option might be to connect Pintech K-3 Ergokicks $60 to some pedals, and then you have triggers for both hands and feet.

[JessyUV]

If running through your own Mac or PC really isn't your thing, you can still connect the ControlPad to a drum module with a MIDI cable. You could also wait until the Alesis DM10 kit comes out (Q3 2009 is the current release date, but I am skeptical of that, as the USB Pro kit came out about nine months late), which may be easier to use for you than a combination of various products. I have no idea how much that will cost, though.

[denialkevin]

awesome....vid

[ransisua]

Jessy, I don't get it about threshold value and cross talk

The goal of setting the threshold is to eliminate cross talk, so you can play it softly or thrashy without any false triggering.

But you said it depends on personal style. What does that mean?

Sorry for my English and noob question.Thanks

[JessyUV]

If you're a heavy-handed player, you will need to set the Threshold value to be higher than if you tend to play softly. It's not possible to be able to play both extremely hard and extremely delicately, without having problems, unless your drums are not connected by a rack.

Also, your English is great!

[ransisua]

Ouw...not possible. Man, that sucks...lol

Thanks for the quick reply mate. I really appreciate it.

[JessyUV]

Notice how I used the word "extremely". Using my method, you can still achieve a really good physical dynamic range. It's just not going to be as dynamic as an acoustic kit.

[XcoteX]

hi, first, very good tutorial,

second, i have a question;

¿how worck the lateny in the alesis trigger i/o?

is slow?, becouse i see some videso of miky vpt and he use a prsona sound firebox,

i'm asking if is necesary this, or is just ok whit only the alesis i/o

[JessyUV]

"Latency" really has nothing to do with the Trigger|iO. What you are referring to is audio latency, not MIDI latency, and the Trigger|iO does not deal with audio data. The Firebox is a fine choice, but there are a ton of other interfaces that will also work fine.

You need both a Trigger|iO and an audio interface to get MIDI data in and low-latency, professional quality audio out.

[cast390]

Jess, love your vids. so straight forward and informative. Thanks for all your efforts.

[toadums]

thanks! i have a problem finding the rim aswell...i will try hitting the bottom