Drumazon 1.4.

4
/‘drVmazon/
Owner’s manual

Acknowledgement: Sebastian Bachliński

Gary Brennan

February 19, 2010

Chapter 1

Overview

1.1 Interface
The graphical interface of the Drumazon is divided into two main parts:

Control panel - Used for main plug-in, preset, pattern and audio output management.

Figure 1.1: Control panel

Drum machine module - Essential part - responsible for editing sequence patterns and gen-
erating the sound.

Figure 1.2: Drum module

1
Chapter 1. Overview 1.2. Work modes

1.2 Work modes

Drumazon works in two modes:
Internal - The drum patterns are entirely stored in the internal sequencer of the plug-in.
External - Drumazon’s acts as a sound module playing drum sounds. Patterns are played by
sending Midi notes from host sequencer.

Note: drum sound mapping is compatible with General Midi Standard. However,
mapping can be changed by user.

1.3 Audio outs

Drumazon is a multi-output plug-in. It has 12 stereo (or mono - configurable) outputs. Instru-
ments can be freely mapped to each of those available outputs according to their individual
volumes setting.

By the default, outputs are set to be stereo. That can be changed in a Options menu (described
later):
Note: Being able to change the above settings may depend on the host sequencer.
When Drumazon is loaded, the 11 individual drum sounds (+ 1 extra trigger out sound de-
scribed later) are mapped to first output. To change the output assignment, just click and drag
on the LED above the drum sound settings.

Figure 1.3: Audio outputs configuration

Sounds can be mapped to any available output (one of 12). For example, the Open and Closed
Hi Hats could be assigned to a single output 2 together or the Clap could appear on output 1
etc. It is fully configurable.

When Drumazon is playing, it is possible to turn on or turn off individual channels (instruments)
using the Mute / Solo LED switches:

Figure 1.4: Mute/Solo switches

These stop the triggering of the instruments but allow the sounds to play until the end of the
envelope. This stops a rapid cut in the sound making the transition sound more natural.

1.4 Midi learn

This function allows Drumazon’s parameters to be easily mapped to MIDI CCs.

2
Chapter 1. Overview 1.4. Midi learn

Figure 1.5: Midi learn and preset management section

1. Click the Midi learn LED diode or choose Midi Learn Mode item from Options
menu.

Figure 1.6: Midi learn section

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode
Note Off
Trigger Out I

Midi Learn Mode

Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Load Drum Map
Save Drum Map
Default Settings I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 1.7: Options menu - Midi learn item

The Midi learn LED will light up

2. Turn one of Drumazon’s knobs and then move one of the controls on a midi controller.

3. Turn off the LED diode by a clicking it once again.

The midi controller will now be controlling the function on Drumazon. You should make certain
that the proper midi port and midi channel are set in the host application.

The midi control settings can be saved to a file (see the chapter 7 [Page 34]).

3
Chapter 1. Overview 1.5. Preset management

1.4.1 Midi unlink

To remove connection GUI Control ⇔ Midi CC, You need to use Unlink option:

Figure 1.8: Midi learn section

1. Turn on Midi learn LED or choose Midi Learn Mode item from Options menu.

2. Tweak a knob from a GUI or one of the knobs on Your MIDI controller, the connection
will be displayed on a Preset name box.

Figure 1.9: Midi learn and preset management section

3. When the connection You would like to be removed be displayed, just press Clear link
button.

1.5 Preset management

All the parameter settings (level, tuning, decay etc) for a complete Drumazon drum kit are
stored in a Preset. Drumazon can store a total of 128 presets.

Figure 1.10: Sound parameters

4
Chapter 1. Overview 1.5. Preset management

The Preset manager tool is provided to simplify the organization and use of Presets. The
Preset section on GUI is used for navigation through the preset bank. To read more about
preset management go to chapter 6 [page 29] .

Figure 1.11: Preset section

5
Chapter 2

Play modes

2.1 External sequencer - mode

Clicking the Int.Seq diode in the Seq box will switch it off:

Figure 2.1: Play mode settings

Drumazon will now act as a sound module. MIDI Notes corresponding to the Instrument
(drum sound) note numbers are sent from the host sequencer to play drum patterns. The
mapping follows the General Midi standard, the same as the original 909.

Note velocity is used to determine how loud notes are played. To play back accented notes in
this way, set the velocity to 127. For normal parts, set the velocity to a lower value (e.g. 100).
Although, notes can be played back with any velocity from 0 to 127.

In External mode, only the controls from Synthesis section and Control module functions
work.

Step buttons located on Drumazon GUI serve only to trigger individual sounds in this mode.

Figure 2.2: Step buttons

However from the host application, We aren’t able to decide about, which one note will be
played accented and which one won’t. It depends on the velocity value of each midi note. As
the result of it, We obtain smooth transition between not accented and accented instruments
(127 levels).

6
Chapter 2. Play modes 2.2. Internal Sequencer - mode

2.1.1 Custom Drum Map

In External mode, Drumazon by default works with General Midi drum mapping, but it’s
possible to load Your own drum map using an Options menu.

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode
Note Off
Trigger Out I

Midi Learn Mode

Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Load Drum Map
Save Drum Map
Default Settings I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 2.3: Options menu - under Options button

There’re two highlighted items in menu above:

Load Drum Map - Loads a custom drum map from a file (.drdrmap - Drumazon drum
map).

Save Drum Map - Saves a current drum map to a file.

Note: There’s no way to re-edit drum map using a Drumazon’s UI. You need to
save default drum map to a file first, and re-edit it within any text editor.
Files saved by Drumazon are XML compatible.

2.2 Internal Sequencer - mode

Internal Sequencer (Int.Seq LED turned on) mode allows Drumazon to act as a fully function-
ing drum machine within the host sequencer. Pressing Play on the host sequencer, or Start
on Drumazon, will start play back of the default internal patterns.

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Chapter 2. Play modes 2.2. Internal Sequencer - mode

Figure 2.4: Start, Stop buttons

Note: If a pattern is started using the Drumazon’s Start button and the host se-
quencer has not been started then, playback can only be stopped using the
Stop button on Drumazon.

Drumazon can be set to synchronise perfectly to the host tempo (by setting the Int.Sync. led
to off) or to play to its own tempo (set by turning the Int.Sync. led on).

Figure 2.5: Play mode settings

With internal synchronization turned on, each of the internal patterns has its own Tempo
value, which can be adjusted by tweaking the Tempo dial (Only in the Pattern write mode,
described later):

Figure 2.6: Tempo dial and LCD display

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Chapter 2. Play modes 2.3. Internal Pattern Storage

2.3 Internal Pattern Storage

The patterns for the internal sequencer are stored in 8 banks with each bank holding 12 patterns.
This gives a total of 96 patterns which can be stored in Drumazon’s memory at any one time.

Patterns can be selected using the notes on a connected Midi keyboard. Bank 1 pattern 1 starts
at note C-1. The patterns are stored 1 bank per octave (that gives 12 patterns per octave and
cover 8 octaves=96). The Step buttons (below) can also be used to select patterns. The first
12 buttons correspond to all the half-tones in an octave (notes are under the buttons). The
last 4 buttons are used to select the bank. The buttons toggle between the lower banks (dimly
lit red LED) and the upper banks (brightly lit red LED).

Figure 2.7: Step buttons

The currently selected pattern is show on the Drumazon interface:

Figure 2.8: Pattern display and navigation

After loading Drumazon, the pattern corresponding to the C-1 note is chosen. The current
pattern is marked by a blinking LED on one of the first 12 Step buttons. The bank is marked
by dark or bright red LED on one of the last 4 Step buttons

When the Start button is pressed, the LED on the Step Buttons will indicate the current
step in the pattern. To select another pattern whilst playing, select it using the combination
of Step Button and Bank button or select it using the keys on a connected Midi keyboard.
The next pattern will start when the current pattern comes to the end of its final step.

9
Chapter 2. Play modes 2.3. Internal Pattern Storage

Internal sequencer has two internal Play modes:

Native mode - available when the Host mode LED is turned off:

Figure 2.9: Play mode settings

Host mode - when this LED is turned on.

2.3.1 Native mode

Drumazon is in this mode when it is first loaded. This is the default mode. It allows a range
of patterns (or single pattern) to be selected and for Drumazon to continually cycle through
these patterns.

To select the start pattern, press the appropriate Step button with the mouse. To select the
last pattern in the range, select another pattern WHILST holding down the Ctrl key on the
keyboard 1 . Drumazon will now cycle up through the range and repeat. A Midi keyboard can
be used to select a range to play. To do this, press the two notes on the keyboard, which cover
the range, at the same time. Drumazon will now cycle through this range and continually loop.

Whilst playing back in Native mode, selecting a different pattern (either using a Step key
on the interface or key on Midi keyboard) will cause Drumazon to play that pattern next after
coming to the last step in the currently playing pattern. It will then continue to play the
new pattern until stopped. This can be used with the host sequencer to play back a group of
patterns in any order (not just the sequential order when selecting a range).

The currently playing pattern is shown on the Drumazon interface:

Figure 2.10: Pattern display and navigation

1
On MacOS use Apple key instead of Ctrl key.

10
Chapter 2. Play modes 2.3. Internal Pattern Storage

In format:

[BANK NUMBER]-[PATTERN IN BANK NUMBER]

Below it is displayed the pattern name (in Pattern name text box).

2.3.2 Host mode

In Host mode, patterns are triggered using a Midi keyboard only. A Note on causes the
corresponding pattern to play. This mode is recommended for creating drum line arrangement
in host application. Releasing the key and sending a Note off will eventually stop the pattern.
It depends on whether the Note off is set in Options is turned on.

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode
Note Off
Trigger Out I

Midi Learn Mode

Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Load Drum Map
Save Drum Map
Default Settings I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 2.11: Options menu - Note Off item

The pattern will play back at the tempo of the host sequencer (if internal sync turned off -
Int.Sync.) or at the tempo which Drumazon’s Tempo function is set to (if using internal
sync). This happens while a key is pressed and held.

This is a very creative mode which, by recording the notes into the host sequencer, can allow
very complex percussion structures to be created using patterns in Drumazon’s internal pattern
memory.

It should be noted that in Host mode the Start, Stop and Step buttons on Drumazon
don’t function. Patterns are only played back while a key on a connected Midi keyboard is
pressed (and held).

Note: In this mode the pattern structure is the same as it is in Native Mode. 96
patterns mapped to midi keyboard as notes: C-1 to B-7.

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Chapter 2. Play modes 2.4. Play modes - Options menu

In this mode, currently playing pattern is indicated by display unit:

Figure 2.12: Pattern display and navigation

In format:

[TONE NAME][- or #][OCTAVE NUMBER]

2.3.3 Midi output

Drumazon has permanently active Midi output, which allows to control external instrument
(virtual or hardware) by Drumazon’s internal sequencer. It works either in Native or Host
mode. Plug-in sends a midi note codes accordingly to the current drum map configuration to
its Midi output. Velocity values of Midi notes sent by Drumazon are calculated on a basis of
Step attributes (accented or non-accented) and value of Global accent.

When You set the Drumazon into External mode, it just passes Midi notes through itself
unchanged. So basically the same notes You redirect into a plug-in You will get on the Midi
output.

2.4 Play modes - Options menu

You can choose play mode for Drumazon alternatively not only from GUI, but also from options
menu:

12
Chapter 2. Play modes 2.4. Play modes - Options menu

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode
Note Off
Trigger Out I

Midi Learn Mode

Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Load Drum Map
Save Drum Map
Default Settings I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 2.13: Options menu - under Options button

Internal Sequencer - Corresponds to Int.Seq LED.

Internal Synchronization - Corresponds to Int.Sync. LED.

Host Mode - Corresponds to Host Mode LED.

13
Chapter 3

Sound editing

Instruments section is for sound editing in Drumazon:

Figure 3.1: Sound parameters

There are available parameters for 11 drum sounds like:

1. Bass Drum

2. Snare Drum

3. Low Tom

4. Middle Tom

5. High Tom

6. Rim Shot

7. Hand Clap

8. Closed Hihats

9. Open Hihats

10. Crash

11. Ride

For each of these instruments there is one common parameter:

Level - Volume level of each instrument

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Chapter 3. Sound editing

And specific parameters:

1. Bass Drum

Tune - Release time of the frequency envelope,

Attack - Amplitude value of the initial click sound,
Decay - Decay time of amplitude,
Pitch - Base frequency of the instrument,
Tune depth - Range of the frequency envelope.

2. Snare Drum

Tune - Release time of the frequency envelope,

Tone - Noise amplitude release time,
Tune depth - Range of the frequency envelope,
Decay - Decay time of amplitude,
Snapy - Amplitude value of the noise.

3. Low Tom, Middle Tom, High Tom

Tune - Base frequency of the instrument,

Tune depth - Range of the frequency envelope,
Decay - Decay time of amplitude,
Tone - Noise amplitude release time,
Tune decay - Decay time of the frequency envelope.

4. Rim Shot

Tune - Base frequency of the instrument,

Decay - Decay time of amplitude.

5. Hand Clap

Decay - Decay time of amplitude,

Reverb - Reverb time.

6. Closed Hihats

Tune - Base frequency of the instrument,

Ch decay - Decay time of amplitude.

7. Open Hihats

Tune - Base frequency of the instrument,

Oh decay - Decay time of amplitude.

15
Chapter 3. Sound editing 3.1. Trigger out

8. Crash

Tune - Base frequency of the instrument,

Crash decay - Decay time of amplitude.

9. Ride

Tune - Base frequency of the instrument,

Ride decay - Decay time of amplitude.

3.1 Trigger out

There’s possible to make audible a trigger sound, which occurs in analogue machines. By
default this signal is off. To turn it on You need to decide which track (instrument) will be
triggering this sound:

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization  Off

Host Mode BD
Note Off SD

Trigger Out I LT
MT
Midi Learn Mode
HT
Load Midi CC Map
RS
Save Midi CC Map
HC
Load Drum Map
CH
Save Drum Map
OH
Default Settings I
CR
Default Resources I
RD
About

Figure 3.2: Trigger out mapping

Chosen track (instrument) apart from regular role will also be responsible for controlling trigger
out sound.

This sound will be mixed with the last available audio output, since there can also regular
instrument appear. You cannot re-route it to any other audio output.

16
Chapter 3. Sound editing 3.2. Master volume

3.2 Master volume

To change the Drumazon’s output volume just tweak the Volume knob:

Figure 3.3: Volume knob

17
Chapter 4

Drumline editing

4.1 Pattern editing

To edit the currently selected pattern, press the Patt write button (it’s not necessary in Host
Mode, since Pattern write is the only possible mode there).

Figure 4.1: Pattern write button

To edit another pattern other than the current one playing, use the Prev and Next buttons.
The playing pattern won’t change but the edited pattern will be the newly selected one.

Figure 4.2: Pattern display and navigation

Every pattern comprises of 11 tracks, one for each instrument. The parts are edited using the
Step buttons:

Figure 4.3: Step buttons

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Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.1. Pattern editing

These keys work in toggle mode and for most instruments have 3 states:

Accented - LED on the key lights with a bright red color

On - LED on the key lights with darker red color

Off - LED on the key is off

The main difference between a non accented and accented sound is the volume but, it also
causes subtle changes to the sound character in other ways.

The Rim Shot, Hand Clap, Crash and Ride have only two possible step values: On or Off.

To select an instrument (track) to edit, use the Instr.Sel knob.

Figure 4.4: Instrument selector

However, the LEDs below the Step buttons can also be used:

Figure 4.5: Instrument LED selector

We can select a single instrument by clicking on it in the Track selector bar. However, to
select more than one instrument (for editing purposes), press and hold Ctrl on the keyboard
whilst clicking.

4.1.1 Flam mode

In addition to the 3 states mentioned above, every step can also have another state is a Flam.
A Flam is a double triggering of a sound with a short delay between each trigger. The delay
value can be set using the Flam knob.

Note: The delay is always shorter than the duration time of the whole single step.

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Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.1. Pattern editing

Figure 4.6: Flam parameter

To enter Flam edit mode, press the Flam button whilst in Patt.Write mode.

Figure 4.7: Pattern editing functions

The steps are entered as for normal parts mentioned above (with values Accented, On, Off).
Also note, any sound playing on a step as a normal sound will be overwritten if a Flam is set
for that measure (and vice versa). For example, having a snare playing on step 5 and then
putting a Flam on that step would delete the normal snare hit at that point. Flam parts can
be mixed with normal parts for a given instrument as long as they don’t occur on the same
step.

4.1.2 Tap mode

Tap mode allows patterns to be TAPped in using the Step buttons.

Figure 4.8: Step buttons

Each of Step buttons corresponds to particular instrument from a Instr.Sel. The bar below
Step buttons:

Figure 4.9: Instrument LED selector

E.g. Steps 1 and 2 correspond to Bass drum track. First five instruments are represented by
two buttons each (paired), if You press the left one of pair, the tapped instrument is entered
as non-accented, if You tap using the right button of the pair, the sound will be entered as

20
Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.1. Pattern editing

accented. The remaining six instruments have only two states (on or off), so they’re represented
by a single buttons.

The notes are quantized to the nearest step.

1. To enter Tap mode, press the Tap button whilst in Patt.Write mode.

Figure 4.10: Pattern editing functions

2. Press Start button.

3. Pressing the Step buttons will trigger the Instrument listed below them.

4.1.3 Editing functions

Standard editing functions (buttons in Pattern Edit section)

Figure 4.11: Pattern editing functions

Shift left/right - Shifts steps on the selected track left or right. The shifting is cycled. This
means if the last step on the right side (during the shifting right) it will appear on the
first step on the left side. Similarly it happens while shifting left. Pressed with CTRL
key, shifts whole pattern.

Copy -Copies selected tracks to buffer. After pressing this button, LEDs in Track selector
start to blink to indicate that there is data in the buffer. Pressed with CTRL copies
whole pattern to a buffer.
Paste - Pastes buffer to the selected tracks. If do not change destination tracks, they’ll be
copied in the same place (in the same or other pattern). But You can change it, by a
selecting some other tracks on the Track selector.

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Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.1. Pattern editing

Clear - Clears selected tracks. Pressed with CTRL key, clears whole pattern.

Note: Copying can be also performed for the tracks assigned to the different instru-
ments.

To select the destination pattern (for copying), use the Prev and Next buttons:

Figure 4.12: Pattern display and navigation

4.1.4 Length of the pattern

The default length of the pattern is 16 steps. But, it can be changed using Length function.
Whilst in Patt.Write mode, press the Length button, which will light up.

Figure 4.13: Pattern editing functions

LED’s above Step buttons indicate the number of steps in the pattern:

Figure 4.14: LEDs indicating pattern length

Pressing a Step button will make it the last step in the pattern. To leave this mode, just
press the Length button again.

Figure 4.15: Step buttons

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Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.1. Pattern editing

4.1.5 Total accent

The Total accent track is used to accent All parts on a given step.

Figure 4.16: Instrument selector

The steps to accent are selected the same as any other track using the Step buttons. The
value is either On or Off. If an Instrument has an accent on a step and Total accent is
added to that step, the two accents will be combined to give the loudest possible value for that
instrument at that step.

The Total accent knob controls how much extra volume is added to a step. Set to zero, no
Total accent is added.

Figure 4.17: Total accent parameter

4.1.6 Tempo scale

On the Active scale bar, the lit LED marks the current Tempo scale (one of four):

Figure 4.18: Active scale bar

Tempo scale can be described as the number of steps per quarter note. Default value is four
steps per quarter note. Successively counting from the bottom there are: 8 steps per quarter
note, 4 steps per quarter note, 6 steps and 3 steps per quarter note. Tempo scale is switched
by the Scale LED’s on Scale bar:

23
Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.2. Pattern follow

Figure 4.19: Tempo scale selecting

4.1.7 Shuffle
Shuffle is also called Syncopation or Swing, It is added by turning the Shuffle knob when in
Pattern write mode.

Figure 4.20: Shuffle parameter

Shuffle value is stored per pattern independently.

4.2 Pattern follow

Auto follow button works only when the Pattern write mode is active.

Figure 4.21: Pattern follow

With Auto follow button turned off, to choose a pattern to edit we need to navigate through
all the available patterns using the Prev and Next buttons.

With Auto follow turned on, currently playing pattern becomes the edited one immediately.
Switching between patterns using keys Prev and Next is disabled.

24
Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.3. Loading and saving patterns

4.3 Loading and saving patterns

It is possible to save or load a single pattern or a complete bank of patterns.

4.3.1 Saving patterns

1. Before saving, the pattern should be named (click on Pattern name display):

Figure 4.22: Pattern display and navigation

Just click on it and enter the name for the newly created pattern. Pressing enter ends
the editing process.
1
2. To save pattern just click Next button with CTRL key pressed on keyboard. The
menu should appear:

Save Pattern
Save Pattern Bank

Figure 4.23: Saving pattern

Choose the Save pattern option to show file save dialog. To save all patterns currently
stored in Drumazon, choose Save pattern bank option.

4.3.2 Loading patterns

1. To load pattern click Prev button with CTRL key pressed on keyboard. The menu
should appear:

Load Pattern
Load Pattern Bank

Figure 4.24: Loading pattern

Choose the Load pattern option to show file dialog. To load whole bank of patterns to
Drumazon’s memory, choose Load pattern bank option.

Following file types are saved and loaded by Drumazon:

1
On MacOS use Apple key instead of Ctrl key.

25
Chapter 4. Drumline editing 4.3. Loading and saving patterns

.drptrb - Bank consisting all 96 patterns.

.drptr - Single pattern.

Note: Files saved by Drumazon are in standard XML format and can be easily
edited within any text editor.

26
Chapter 5

Randomizing drum lines

5.1 Randomize
To randomize a pattern, we need to select Rand.Mode while in Patt.Write mode. In
Rand.Mode, the GUI functionality changes slightly:

Figure 5.1: Random mode button

The Track selector LEDs select which instrument will be included in the randomization.
Clicking will turn them on or off. The same principles apply as during instrument selection
(using CTRL key on keyboard).

Figure 5.2: Instrument LED selector

To randomize the pattern, press the Next button. Prev will function when we have randomized
a few patterns and wish to go back to a previous randomization.

27
Chapter 5. Randomizing drum lines 5.1. Randomize

Figure 5.3: Pattern display and navigation

The LEDs near by the Level knob for each selected instrument will flash. This indicates
that they are now assigned to Rand.Mode. They are used to determine the intensity of the
randomization for that instrument. That is, how much randomization will occur across the
selected steps.

Figure 5.4: Level knobs in instruments’ parameters

To accept the current randomized pattern, just press Accept button:

Figure 5.5: Pattern editing functions

If You wish to leave unchanged drum line after randomization, because You don’t like the
result, just press Undo.

To leave Random mode press Rand.Mode button once again.

Figure 5.6: Random mode button

28
Chapter 6

Preset Management

6.1 Browsing presets

Presets are organized into groups. Storing like this is not compatible with the native method
used by the host application. The user can see presets in the browser as being assigned to
particular groups (defined by user).

Figure 6.1: Preset management section

The user interface Preset Management controls are:

Preset name - This displays the name of currently selected preset. It also allows editing of
the preset name.

Prev/Next - Those buttons are used to navigate through all presets (whole bank), Next
button moves to the next slot, and Prev button to the previous one. When the end of a
group of presets is reached, the first slot of the next group will be chosen when the Next
button is pressed again. Similar action will be performed if we press the Prev button
when the beginning of a group is reached.
1
Prev + Ctrl - Prev button pressed with Ctrl key, copies current preset slot to buffer.

Next + Ctrl - Next button pressed with Ctrl key, pastes buffer to current preset slot with
postfix copy added to its name.

Browse - Allows selection of presets using a browser menu.

1
On MacOS use Apple key instead of Ctrl key.

29
Chapter 6. Preset Management 6.2. Loading and Saving presets

Preset Group 1 I

Preset Group 2 I

Preset Manager
 Preset 1
Load Preset
Preset 2
Save Preset
Load Bank
Save Bank

Figure 6.2: Browsing presets via context menu

It is worth mentioning that changing any of the presets is not permanent. After removing and
reloading the plug-in again, the factory presets will be recalled. However, saving the project
within the host application with Drumazon, and reloading that project will cause a recall of all
changes we have made in this project.

6.2 Loading and Saving presets

There are some additional options that add functionality to preset management. They are
placed in the context menu which is accessible from the Browse button:

Figure 6.3: Preset management section

When we click this button, the context menu is unfolded:

Preset Group 1 I

Preset Group 2 I

Preset Manager
Load Preset
Save Preset
Load Bank
Save Bank

Figure 6.4: Preset management - under Browse button

In this chapter, we’ll focus on the last 4 items:

Load Preset - Loading preset and overwrite the active slot from the file (.drprs- Drumazon
Preset).
Save Preset - Saving current preset as a file (.drprs- Drumazon Preset).

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Chapter 6. Preset Management 6.3. Preset manager

Load Bank - Loading whole bank of presets from file (.drprsb- Drumazon Bank).

Save Bank - Saving whole bank of presets as a file (.drprsb- Drumazon Bank).

Note: Internal files written by a Drumazon are in XML format and can be edited
in a text editor.

6.3 Preset manager

As was mentioned earlier, presets in Drumazon are organized into groups. Presets can be chosen
from the context menu (under the Browse button). Preset manager is a tool, which allows
to easy management of the presets structure. To open it, just click the Browse button.

Figure 6.5: Preset section

From the context menu choose Preset Manager item:

Preset Group 1 I

Preset Group 2 I

Preset Manager
Load Preset
Save Preset
Load Bank
Save Bank

Figure 6.6: Preset manager - Item

The Preset Manager menu will appear.

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Chapter 6. Preset Management 6.4. Preset storing

Figure 6.7: Preset manager window

This shows the preset structure with the bank name as the root. A preset represents the deepest
level of the structure.

Each of the items can be renamed by double clicking on the item with the mouse.

The preset structure appears as a standard list of presets within the host application making
it fully compatible with it. As a result, no matter how the structure is represented (either as a
tree structure or flat), the maximum number of presets is 128. The number of presets in this
structure cannot be changed. We can only move the presets from one group to another (by
dragging) or changing their order in group. The Group order in the bank can also be changed
by dragging.

There are two buttons at the bottom of the Preset Manager window.

Add group - Adding the empty group in a bank.

Remove group - This removes a group from a bank – but only when it is empty. It means
that all preset slots were reallocated among the existing groups.

To exit from the Preset manager press the Cross button in the top right corner.

6.4 Preset storing

Using Next, Prev buttons within Preset Manager we can navigate through the preset bank.
Any change made in preset can be stored automatically or on demand:

32
Chapter 6. Preset Management 6.4. Preset storing

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode
Audio Outputs I
Note Off
Outputs Assigns I
Trigger Out I
Internal Sequencer
Midi Learn Mode
Internal Synchronization  Automatic
Load Midi CC Map
Host Mode On Demand
Save Midi CC Map
Note Off
Load Drum Map
Host Play Detection I
Save Drum Map
Preset Storing I
Default Settings I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 6.8: Preset storing flag

Automatic - When any parameter in the current preset is changed, it is automatically stored.
This is the default.

On demand - If a parameter is changed, the change is not saved within the preset until the
Store button is pressed (Ctrl key + Browse button) 2 . Navigating to a new preset will
cause changes to be lost unless stored.

Note: In this method of storing presets, Store the preset before saving project
file in host application if You wish the current values shall be recalled after
reloading the project.

This Preset Storing flag is stored in a configuration file and applies to all newly inserted instances
of the plug-in. Saving the configuration file is performed after closing any instance of the plug-
in.

2
On MacOS use Apple key instead of Ctrl key)

33
Chapter 7

Configuration

7.1 Midi control

Drumazon has an ability to assign its controls (on GUI) to any Midi Control Change code
(MidiCC), This allows control of the plug-in using external software or hardware.

7.1.1 Loading and saving Midi Map

To save a Midi Map (mapping of GUI’s controls with MidiCC), we can use the option from the
context menu, which is accessible under the Options button:

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode
Note Off
Trigger Out I

Midi Learn Mode

Load Midi CC Map
Save Midi CC Map
Load Drum Map
Save Drum Map
Default Settings I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 7.1: Options menu - under Options button

Load Midi CC Map - Loading a Midi Map from file (.drccmap- Drumazon Control
Map).

34
Chapter 7. Configuration 7.2. Default resources

Save Midi CC Map - Saving a current Midi Map to file (.drccmap- Drumazon Control
Map).

Note: Midi Map files written by a Drumazon are XML standardized, it means You
can re-edit them within any text editor.

7.2 Default resources

There’re included some default patterns and drum kits with Drumazon. These are loaded every
time it is started. This can be changed to point to user default patterns and kits.

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode
Note Off
Trigger Out I
Presets I
Midi Learn Mode
Patterns I
Load Midi CC Map
Midi CC Map I
Save Midi CC Map
Drum Map I
Load Drum Map
Save Drum Map
Default Settings I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 7.2: Default resources

The following types of resources can be replaced by user’s ones and those will be loaded every
time new instance of plug-in be loaded:

Presets - Default Drumazon’s Preset Bank (.drprsb)

Patterns - Default Drumazon’s Pattern Bank (.drptrb)

Midi CC Map - Default Drumazon’s Midi CC Map (.drccmap)

Drum Map - Default Drumazon’s Drum mapping (.drdrmap)

7.2.1 Default presets

To set the default bank of presets, use the options from the Presets submenu:

35
Chapter 7. Configuration 7.2. Default resources

...
Save Drum Map Presets I
 Use Factory Presets
Default Settings I Patterns I
Use Clear Presets
Default Resources I Midi CC Map I
Choose file
About Drum Map I

...

Figure 7.3: Default presets

We can choose one of following options:

Use Factory Presets - This is default one after installation of Drumazon. If You choose
this option, default bank of presets becomes the factory one provided within plug-in by
producer.

Use Clear Presets - After choosing this item from menu, the default bank will contain all
presets consisting of zeroed parameters.

Choose File - It’s possible to set by user his own default bank of presets he previously made,
by using this option. Choose File opens a file dialog to browse a location where the
bank of presets made by user is saved. When user confirms, the path to that bank is
stored in the Drumazon’s configuration file. And this bank becomes the default one.

Use Factory Presets

Presets I
Use Clear Presets
Patterns I
...  User Defined
Midi CC Map I
[User’s bank file name]
Drum Map I
Choose file

Figure 7.4: User’s default presets

When the user’s bank is set as a default preset bank, the menu indicates this fact by
showing the checked User Defined menu item, and one row below the file name of user’s
preset bank.

7.2.2 Default Midi CC Map

The option used to set the default Midi CC map.

36
Chapter 7. Configuration 7.2. Default resources

...
Save Drum Map Presets I

Default Settings I Patterns I  No Mapping

Default Resources I Midi CC Map I Choose file
About Drum Map I

...

Figure 7.5: Default Midi CC Map

Only two options are available in this submenu:

No Mapping - It is the default one, mean no default Midi CC mapping is available after
loading Drumazon into the host application.

Choose file - Similarly to selecting default preset resource, this options is used to set the
default Midi CC Map, which will be loaded every time we load Drumazon in the host
application. When we set the path to Midi CC Map using this options, it’s indicated by
showing Midi CC Map file name in this submenu:

Presets I No Mapping
Patterns I  User Defined
...
Midi CC Map I [User’s Midi CC Map file name]
Drum Map I Choose file

Figure 7.6: User’s default Midi CC Map

7.2.3 Default Patterns

To set Default patterns bank, choose Patterns item in Default resources submenu:

...
Save Drum Map Presets I
 Use Factory Bank
Default Settings I Patterns I
Use Clear Bank
Default Resources I Midi CC Map I
Choose file
About Drum Map I

...

Figure 7.7: Default Patterns

We can choose one of following options:

Use Factory Bank - This is default one. If You choose this option, default bank of patterns
becomes the factory one provided within plug-in by producer.

37
Chapter 7. Configuration 7.2. Default resources

Use Clear Patterns - After choosing this item from menu, the default bank consists of empty
patterns.

Choose File - It’s possible to set by user his own default bank of patterns he previously made,
by using this option. Choose File opens a file dialog to browse a location where the
bank of patterns made by user is saved. When user confirms, the path to that bank is
stored in the Drumazon’s configuration file. And this bank becomes the default one.

Use Factory Patterns

Presets I
Use Clear Patterns
Patterns I
...  User Defined
Midi CC Map I
[User’s bank file name]
Drum Map I
Choose file

Figure 7.8: User’s default patterns

When the user’s bank is set as a default patterns’ bank, the menu indicates this fact by
showing the checked User Defined menu item, and one row below the file name of user’s
preset bank.

7.2.4 Default Drum Map

To set Default Drum map, choose Drum Map item in Default resources submenu:

...
Save Drum Map Presets I

Default Settings I Patterns I  Factory Mapping

Default Resources I Midi CC Map I Choose file
About Drum Map I

...

Figure 7.9: Default Drum Map

We can choose one of following options:

Factory Mapping - It means the default factory mapping (General midi compatible) is
applied to the External mode available after loading Drumazon into the host application.

Choose file - This option is used to set the new default Drum Map, which will be loaded
every time we load Drumazon in the host application. When we set the path to Drum
Map using this options, it’s indicated by showing Drum Map file name in this submenu:

38
Chapter 7. Configuration 7.3. Default settings

Presets I Factory Mapping

Patterns I  User Defined
...
Midi CC Map I [User’s Drum Map file name]
Drum Map I Choose file

Figure 7.10: User’s default Drum Map

When the user’s map is set as a default Drum Map, the menu indicates this fact by
showing the checked User Defined menu item, and one row below the file name of user’s
map.

7.3 Default settings

In this chapter we’re going to describe all configuration settings stored within plug-in, and
recalled every time the plug-in is loaded. Whole management for those kind of settings is
performed via Default Settings node in a Options menu:

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode Audio Outputs I

Note Off Outputs Assigns I

Midi Learn Mode Internal Sequencer

Load Midi CC Map Internal Synchronization
Save Midi CC Map Host Mode
Load Drum Map Note Off
Save Drum Map Host Play Detection I

Default Settings I Preset Storing I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 7.11: Default settings node in Options menu

7.3.1 Audio outputs

This item in Default settings submenu is responsible for choosing the type of outputs.

39
Chapter 7. Configuration 7.3. Default settings

Audio Outputs I

... Outputs Assigns I

Save Drum Map Internal Sequencer

Default Settings I Internal Synchronization  Stereo
Default Resources I Host Mode Mono
About Note Off

... Host Play Detection I

Preset Storing I

Figure 7.12: Audio outputs’ type

We’re allowed to choose one of the two available types: Stereo or Mono.

7.3.2 Outputs Assigns

Setting the default internal audio outputs mapping.

If You have Your favorite audio output configuration You may set it to be the default one,
recalled after each time when You load the plug-in into host application.

Figure 7.13: Audio outputs configuration

Map the output using the GUI accordingly to Your preferences and then use Set Current
Choice As Default option:

Audio Outputs I

... Outputs Assigns I

Set Current Choice As Default
Save Drum Map Internal Sequencer
Reset To Factory Settings
Default Settings I Internal Synchronization
BD(1) SD(1) LT(1) MT(1)
Default Resources I Host Mode
HT(1) RS(1) HC(1) CH(1)
About Note Off
OH(1) CR(1) RD(1)
... Host Play Detection I

Preset Storing I

Figure 7.14: Audio outputs’ internal mapping

Then Your map becomes the default one. If You want to reset default mapping to the factory
one, use option Reset to factory settings (all internal outputs mapped to physical output
number 1).

40
Chapter 7. Configuration 7.3. Default settings

Current default mapping is shown under separator in Output Assigns submenu as two read-
only items (rows) in format:

Instrument Name ( Ouput number )

7.3.3 Host play detection

This solves sync problems with some hosts. It mainly concerns Native mode. The properly
written host should send a Transport Change code to the plug-in after pressing the Play
button in the host application.

Internal Sequencer
Internal Synchronization
Host Mode Audio Outputs I

Note Off Outputs Assigns I

Midi Learn Mode Internal Sequencer

Load Midi CC Map Internal Synchronization By Transport Change
Save Midi CC Map Host Mode By The Lowest C Note
Load Drum Map Note Off
Save Drum Map Host Play Detection I

Default Settings I Preset Storing I

Default Resources I

About

Figure 7.15: Host play detection

When the By Transport Change option is selected, then don’t need to add an extra Midi
track to force the plug-in to start to play. It should start to play automatically. In some cases
it doesn’t work. If this happens, choose the By The lowest C Note option. Then, add a
Midi track with output set to Drumazon and place the Midi note (lowest C note) in the Midi
clip. As soon as the Midi Note On is sent to the plug-in, Drumazon will start playing.

41
Chapter 8

Appendix

8.1 General Midi Drum Map

midi note note name General Midi instrument

35 B-2 Acoustic Bass Drum
36 C-3 Bass Drum 1
37 D[3 / C]3 Side Stick
38 D-3 Acoustic Snare
39 E[3 / D]3 Hand Clap
40 E-3 Electric Snare
41 F-3 Low Floor Tom
42 G[3 / F]3 Closed Hi-Hat
43 G-3 High Floor Tom
44 A[3 / G]3 Pedal Hi-Hat
45 A-3 Low Tom
46 B[3 / A]3 Open Hi-Hat
47 B-3 Low-Mid Tom
48 C-4 Hi-Mid Tom
49 D[4 / C]4 Crash Cymbal 1
50 D-4 High Tom
51 E[4 / D]4 Ride Cymbal 1
52 E-4 Chinese Cymbal
53 F-4 Ride Bell
54 G[4 / F]4 Tambourine
55 G-4 Splash Cymbal
56 A[4 / G]4 Cowbell
57 A-4 Crash Symbol 2
58 B[4 / A]4 Vibraslap

42
Chapter 8. Appendix 8.1. General Midi Drum Map

midi note note name General Midi instrument

59 B-4 Ride Cymbal 2
60 C-5 Hi Bongo
61 D[5 / C]5 Low Bongo
62 D-5 Mute Hi Conga
63 E[5 / D]5 Open Hi Conga
64 E5 Low Conga
65 F-5 High Timbale
66 G[5 / F]5 Low Timbale
67 G-5 High Agogo
68 A[5 / G]5 Low Agogo
69 A-5 Cabasa
70 B[5 / A]5 Maracas
71 B-5 Short Whistle
72 C-6 Long Whistle
73 D[6 / D]6 Short Guiro
74 D-6 Long Guiro
75 E[6 / D]6 Claves
76 E-6 Hi Wood Block
77 F-6 Low Wood Block
78 G[6 / F]6 Mute Cuica
79 G-6 Open Cuica
80 A[6 / G]6 Mute Triangle
81 A-6 Open Triangle
82 B[6 / A]6 Shaker

43
 Contents

Contents

1 Overview 1
1.1 Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Work modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Audio outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Midi learn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4.1 Midi unlink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.5 Preset management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Play modes 6
2.1 External sequencer - mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.1.1 Custom Drum Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Internal Sequencer - mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 Internal Pattern Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3.1 Native mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3.2 Host mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3.3 Midi output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4 Play modes - Options menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3 Sound editing 14
3.1 Trigger out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2 Master volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4 Drumline editing 18
4.1 Pattern editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.1.1 Flam mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.1.2 Tap mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.1.3 Editing functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.1.4 Length of the pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.1.5 Total accent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.1.6 Tempo scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4.1.7 Shuffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.2 Pattern follow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.3 Loading and saving patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.3.1 Saving patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.3.2 Loading patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

44
Contents Contents

5 Randomizing drum lines 27

5.1 Randomize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

6 Preset Management 29
6.1 Browsing presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6.2 Loading and Saving presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
6.3 Preset manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
6.4 Preset storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

7 Configuration 34
7.1 Midi control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.1.1 Loading and saving Midi Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.2 Default resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
7.2.1 Default presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
7.2.2 Default Midi CC Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
7.2.3 Default Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
7.2.4 Default Drum Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
7.3 Default settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
7.3.1 Audio outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
7.3.2 Outputs Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
7.3.3 Host play detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

8 Appendix 42
8.1 General Midi Drum Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

45