Newb

[Guinness]

I imagine you're tired of seeing "Newbie" in the intro's, but well... it describes me perfectly. :)

Hey there. I'm Guinness. Being playing accoustic for years... mostly in college. Age: 41. Married, kids, the whole nine yards. My accoustic set collects dust and cobwebs in the backyard shed. (Too loud for inside + we don't have the room.)

For my recent Birthday, my wife bought me an Ion rockstar e-drum set. The sounds were pretty good, but it only lasted about 2 days. One head started to fail, and then the headphones jack broke. So, I returned it. I read and expected the Ion kit to break, so I wasn't dissappointed. But playing, gave me the bug again!!!
So, I purchased Alesis' DM5 Pro kit. (DM5, not DM5pro) Just set up the kit last night. The samples aren't that great. The Ion sounded better (same module as the DM6). Further, the learning curve on getting custom kit/some tweeking is a bit high. I'm learning.

Speaking of which, and this is why I'm here. I need to learn HOW TO load new kits.. how to use MIDI with my PC.. and any other tips and tricks I can gather from this forum.

Earlier in the day, I joined vdrums.com forums. I received a good welcome. One guy said that Hellfire knows all about Alesis. The first thread I saw here was Hellfire. My guess is it's the same guy. So, coolness. I can't imagine the need for me to be active on both forums, and since I figured out vdrums is mostly Roland users, my bet is that you'll see me here most often. :D

So, thanks for having me. ttl on other threads.

[Scorch Whammin]

Hey Guinness!..and welcome to the forum!..hope you enjoy your time here..and yes it is the same HellFire (aka..Phil)....and he probably will be the guy that can answer your questions about Alesis products

[BobbyMck2]

Hi Guinness, you're in good company on this site. You're chosen name would suggest you're geographically closer to me than most on the site... Welcome

[Hellfire]

I imagine you're tired of seeing "Newbie" in the intro's, but well... it describes me perfectly. :)

Hey there. I'm Guinness. Being playing accoustic for years... mostly in college. Age: 41. Married, kids, the whole nine yards. My accoustic set collects dust and cobwebs in the backyard shed. (Too loud for inside + we don't have the room.)

For my recent Birthday, my wife bought me an Ion rockstar e-drum set. The sounds were pretty good, but it only lasted about 2 days. One head started to fail, and then the headphones jack broke. So, I returned it. I read and expected the Ion kit to break, so I wasn't dissappointed. But playing, gave me the bug again!!!
So, I purchased Alesis' DM5 Pro kit. (DM5, not DM5pro) Just set up the kit last night. The samples aren't that great. The Ion sounded better (same module as the DM6). Further, the learning curve on getting custom kit/some tweeking is a bit high. I'm learning.

Speaking of which, and this is why I'm here. I need to learn HOW TO load new kits.. how to use MIDI with my PC.. and any other tips and tricks I can gather from this forum.

Earlier in the day, I joined vdrums.com forums. I received a good welcome. One guy said that Hellfire knows all about Alesis. The first thread I saw here was Hellfire. My guess is it's the same guy. So, coolness. I can't imagine the need for me to be active on both forums, and since I figured out vdrums is mostly Roland users, my bet is that you'll see me here most often. :D

So, thanks for having me. ttl on other threads.

Welcome aboard Guinness. I think you will find the people here very helpful when it comes to edrumming. As Scorch stated, I'm the same Hellfire as at Vdrums.com. I see you already have a couple posts about your DM5 Pro Kit. I don't own that specific kit but, I will do my best to answer your questions.

The Ion Drum Rocker is similar to the Alesis DM6 Kit but not exactly the same (at least based on what I've seen). Ion and Alesis are one in the same company. That's why their products look so similar. Just a little extra info for you.:)

As far as tweaking your kit, your manual is your best friend. You stated that the sounds of the DM5 are not as good as your Ion. The DM5 samples are dated. The DM5 module came out in 1996 however, with that said there is a lot more tweak-ability to the DM5 than your Ion (or DM6).

As to your question about "How to load new kits". The DM5 (and this goes for all but two modules on the market) can only use the internal sounds that it came with. You can not load in new sounds into it. You can customize the sounds that are in the DM5 (i.e. pitch, sensitivity) and then save those settings to your PC via midi.

As to you question about "how to use MIDI with my PC" that is a much harder question to answer because everybody's computer system is a little different. Here's some basics. First you will need a midi to PC cable (I would go with the USB type, Do a google search). You will also need software. If you are just wanting to back up your setting of the DM5, I believe that can be down with a lot of free midi (.syx) file software (I believe Alesis recommends a software on their site). If you are wanting to use something like a VSTi (basically using your computer for drum sounds) you will need to buy that software. There are a few choices there, BFD, EZdrummer, Superior Drummer and a few more I can't think of off the top of my head.

One more thing I would like to state. When playing on edrum kit, try to use a lighter weight stick. A lot of new people in edrums like to try to use a 5B stick and just whale the heck out of their new edrums like an acoustic set. They find out very quickly that is a great way to kill an edrum kit. Some of the edrum kits out there can handle it (Dauz pads comes to mind), but a lot of the budget stuff (i.e. Alesis, Simmons, Ion, etc.) can not for long periods of time without some kind of modifications. Just something to keep in mind.

[CharlyG]

Howdy and welcome! I tried to help out in your hat thread. I have been a bassist for years but only been drumming a year. I know a lot about electronics, and I'm trying to use that knowledge for these e-drum issues. I also dabbled in midi wayback in the dos ages. So.......

[Guinness]

Alesis = Ion.... Interesting!

Thanks for the tip with sticks. I used to use 5B's on my accoustic set. I have 2B Alum sticks, but they have solid weight. I'll pick up some 2B's later today so I don't wreck the heads prematurely. thanks for the tip.
I also want a mesh head for the kick. I can hear the thud too clearly through the headphones with the head I have on it now (not an issue with snr, toms, and cym... just the kick)

Thanks for the Welcome!

[by_tor]

Welcome,

The short time ive been here i have noticed that there are some really cool and nice people here,

I thank my lucky star that i found this place ;-)

[CharlyG]

aren't 2bs heavier and fatter than 5bs?

I would think 7As would be good. I'm using Steve Jordan VF sig, which are a bit narrower and longer than a 5A

[Guinness]

LOL ... I can't remember stick sizes. Later today when I go to GC, I'll look for lighter sticks. :)

[dschrammie]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I remember 2B's being the marching band tree-trunks. A lot of people have advised that 5As should be fine. Personally, I use a very light jazz stick, similar to 7As. You'll typically want to use a nylon tip when using a mesh head, just because with a wood tip once it starts to get beaten up a little then there's the potential for it to get caught on the mesh.
Personally, I did not care for the mesh head on my kick...I got way too much bounce and it felt really unnatural/uncomfortable. I ended up switching out the trigger to a standard reflector plate design with a layer of foam and it triggers perfectly while not being too thuddy. Just my $0.02.
Welcome, and enjoy the forums!

[by_tor]

http://www.drumsticks.org/


;-)

[Pink Led Rush]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I remember 2B's being the marching band tree-trunks. A lot of people have advised that 5As should be fine. Personally, I use a very light jazz stick, similar to 7As. You'll typically want to use a nylon tip when using a mesh head, just because with a wood tip once it starts to get beaten up a little then there's the potential for it to get caught on the mesh.
Personally, I did not care for the mesh head on my kick...I got way too much bounce and it felt really unnatural/uncomfortable. I ended up switching out the trigger to a standard reflector plate design with a layer of foam and it triggers perfectly while not being too thuddy. Just my $0.02.
Welcome, and enjoy the forums!

My $.02 you have the most awesome avatar ever! lol
Yeah, I like 7A's personally as well. I don't like big clunky sticks.