Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Pro Tools Software > Pro Tools | Intro Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-18-2020, 10:23 AM
BLG BLG is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Pleasanton
Posts: 115
Default Using my Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a MIDI controller

Is there any way to use my old Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a midi controller (to control Xpand2 to generate drum tracks)? I think I prefer the drum sounds in Xpand2 to those in my drum machine and I'd rather not buy an external controller. And using the built-in MIDI controller seems like a real pain.



I'm brand-new to Pro Tools, so I'll need detailed instructions.



Thanks in advance!



p.s. cross-posting this in two forums since I'm new here and don't know the best place to ask this.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-18-2020, 11:39 AM
albee1952's Avatar
albee1952 albee1952 is online now
Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Norwich, CT
Posts: 39,307
Default Re: Using my Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a MIDI controller

Cross-posting is against the rules, so maybe try to delete the other. It should be possible to use the RX-8 as long as things are set up correctly. Assuming you have a midi input on your interface, open PT and go to Setup>Midi>Midi Studio. Create a new "instrument" and name it whatever makes sense. The model and brand are not required. What IS required is the input port so PT knows where to "look for"incoming midi data. That setting will likely refer to the midi input of your interface. Unless you plan on sending midi back to the RX-8, you won't need a midi output port assignment. Traditionally, midi channel 10 is used for drums and percussion, so set the midi send to channel 10(de-select the other channels).

By default, any midi or instrument tracks will receive on all midi channels, so create a stereo instrument track, insert Xpand 2 in the top insert slot and put the track in record-ready. Play the pads on the RX-8 and hopefully you will trigger some sounds. The tricky part will be assigning midi note values so that each pad triggers the sound you want.
__________________
HP Z4 workstation, Mbox Studio
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...0sound%20works


The better I drink, the more I mix

BTW, my name is Dave, but most people call me.........................Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-18-2020, 11:53 AM
BLG BLG is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Pleasanton
Posts: 115
Default Re: Using my Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a MIDI controller

Thanks! I had it partially working for a short time before I changed something and it stopped. I'll definitely try this out. Any idea how you assign midi note values so that each pad triggers the sound you want?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-18-2020, 02:28 PM
Top Jimmy's Avatar
Top Jimmy Top Jimmy is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 5,919
Default Re: Using my Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a MIDI controller

Quote:
Originally Posted by BLG View Post
Any idea how you assign midi note values so that each pad triggers the sound you want?
If the RX8 is like most pad controllers, you should be able to choose which MIDI note is assigned to each pad in the settings.
__________________
James Cadwallader

Mac Studio, 64GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, Glyph 2TB USB3 HDD, OWC drive dock, Mac OS Monterey 12.6.8

Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.9, HD Native, Focusrite Red 8Pre

Presonus Faderport, Pro Tools | Control
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-18-2020, 02:59 PM
BLG BLG is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Pleasanton
Posts: 115
Default Re: Using my Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a MIDI controller

Where would I change this setting? On the RX-8 or within Pro Tools?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-18-2020, 03:23 PM
albee1952's Avatar
albee1952 albee1952 is online now
Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Norwich, CT
Posts: 39,307
Default Re: Using my Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a MIDI controller

Quote:
Originally Posted by BLG View Post
Where would I change this setting? On the RX-8 or within Pro Tools?
In the RX-8. Consult the manual to see how to change midi notes
__________________
HP Z4 workstation, Mbox Studio
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...0sound%20works


The better I drink, the more I mix

BTW, my name is Dave, but most people call me.........................Dave
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-21-2020, 10:48 AM
BLG BLG is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Pleasanton
Posts: 115
Default Re: Using my Yamaha RX-8 drum machine as a MIDI controller

I got it working. On the RX-8 I just had to go into MIDI (press the MIDI button twice), go to Note Assign, click on the button I want to use and then use +/- button to change the note it sends. (I think 038 is middle C).
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
boss/roland/hardware etc..Drum machine as midi controller/trigger into eleven rack yellow Eleven Rack 5 09-30-2013 12:30 PM
Using Yamaha Keyboard as midi controller Loper7 MIDI 3 08-05-2013 12:05 PM
Pro Tools MP 8.0.1 with BOSS DR770 Drum Machine controller SoMedia Pro Tools M-Powered (Win) 1 05-07-2011 08:42 PM
Just got a Yamaha DD55 drum machine! Swaphappy 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 2 09-16-2002 05:21 AM
Yamaha O1V as a midi controller yesudas Pro Tools TDM Systems (Mac) 4 01-05-2002 03:42 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:45 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com