How to connect electronic drums to computer
To connect your electronic drum to a computer, follow the steps below:
- Start by inserting the “IN” MIDI plug on the USB MIDI to the “OUT” MIDI port on your drum kit.
- Connect the USB plug of the USB MIDI cable to the USB port of your computer
- You can now turn on your drum module and your computer.
- To know that everything is working perfectly, you will see a red light on the USB MIDI cable. The yellow “IN” light will start blinking faintly and rapidly. The yellow light will become brighter anytime to strike any drum or cymbal.
However, the connection will slightly differ if you are using separate drums or a MIDI interface box. Here, you connect the MIDI output of your drum module to the MIDI input on the MIDI interface.
How to record electronic drums on GarageBand
The first thing you will need is an audio interface or a MIDI interface to do your recording into the Mac. For audio recording, you need to have a cable. The cable will connect the output or phones of your HD1 to your Mac’s phone output.
On the system configuration, change the phone’s type of port to input. On the GarageBand settings, choose a real instrument. You should be able to record the sounds of your hd1.
For recording MIDI, you will require a MIDI/USB cable. The cable will help connect the HD1’s MIDI out to you Mac’s USB port.
In the GarageBand, you will need to choose an instrument that will playback the sounds.
Do not forget that the HD1 lacks a MIDI in port. Therefore, you may not hear what you have recorded unless you select one instrument (drums).
How to record electronic drums on audacity
Firstly, remember that the USB cable only carries MIDI, which audacity does not record. As such, you may have to use the audio output from your drum kit.
Again, if your computer has only a single audio input, it will mostly be the mic input. This input may not be ideal since it may over-amplify and distort your recording. Your computer can also have a compatible mic/line-in input that can sense high-level stereo input.
All you need to do is to buy a USB interface that has a stereo line-in. Using the Device Toolbar, select your Audacity input.
How to connect electric drums to speakers
To connect your electric drums to speakers, follow these steps:
- Ensure your equipment is set on stage before making any connection. Set the speakers on the left and right side to avoid any interference from the microphones.
- On your drum kit’s module, look for output or headphones port. This port is what you will use to connect your drum kit to your speaker. If your output jack cannot take the ¼ inch cable, you can buy a converter. A converter will make it possible to use the normal ¼ inch cable.
- Plug one end of the ¼ inch cable into your drum kit’s module output and the other end into the input jack of your amplifier. Using another cable, connect the output of the amplifier to the input of the speaker.
- Ensure you turn all the volumes to zero, then plug your system to the power source and turn on. Increase the volume slowly as you test the drums until you get to your perfect sound level.
How to record electronic drums on iPhone
The iPhone comes with an app called Voice Memos. This App is part of Apple’s core pre-installed Apps. This feature allows you to use your iPhone for recording, and you can use it to create great audio for personal or professional use.
You can find this App on the home screen of your iPhone. If you can’t trace it there, you can use the search tool to find it. You will then need to launch the App, and then you will be ready for recording.
Follow these three steps to do your recording:
- Start recording by tapping the red circle.
- After you are done, tap the red square to end your recording. This saves your recording automatically.
- To play your recording, tap new recording.