Hi gang,
I just bought a DRM-1 and it sounds amazing… I’ve been lusting for one of these babies for a while.
Currently I am looking to use it in 2 ways, either live sequencing with the MD or via Ableton.
On the machinedrum I’ve managed to get it to work… tracks 9-18 are Midi Tracks and its as simple as following the power on/start up on the Vermona to put it in midi learn mode and then press the corresponding trigger on the MD… no sweat…
But, I cannot figure out how to get it to work in Ableton. The default factory settings of the DRM are to receive midi on channel 10. So I set up an external instrument and can now trigger using the Midi Notes (which annoyingly are not in consecutive order).
Having recorded into a clip (to figure out whats mapped where) I’ve laid out 8 tracks corresponding to each of the 8 tracks on the Vermona. Now, I want to re-name C1 to Kick, F1 to Snare and so on and so forth so I can set up a template to work with in the future but can’t figure it out.
I have a feeling I should be using drum racks in Ableton but it doesnt allow me to select the correct midi port that my DRM is on… ? I think that’s used to just play back samples?
In this case you want more info (don’t think necessary because Midi is working) my setup is as follows:
iConnectMidi4+ is the Hub
DIN 1 = DRM-1
DIN 2 = OT
DIN 3 = MD
DIN 4 = Perfourmer MKII
HST 1 = OP-1, OB-6, AJH Synth (this is the Host Port for connecting midi controllers or USB enabled synths for midi over USB)
I think I figured it out… if anyone disagrees or knows a better way please do let me know.
Create Drum Rack and insert external instruments… then use the INSERTS to set the notes… you can name each version of the external instrument whatever you wish: KICK, SNARE, etc. etc…
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Can you not just collapse the piano roll and save the template
That means you will only have 8 tracks, im not sure if you can rename the notes tho
What you are referring to is an external instrument track where indeed you can click ‘fold’ to collapse the roll but not rename the tracks.
Whereas if you load up a Drum Rack and place external instruments on each pad, you can bring up the inserts (via the little insert button within the drum rack) to assign whichever notes you wish and also rename each of those 9 tracks (becausethe DRM has an extra track for Hi hat 2)
I’m not sure if the MK version changes this functionality but I think page 18 of the vermona drm-1 manual is what you are looking for:
MIDI Functions
The DRM1 MKIII receives MIDI notes including corresponding velocity data. This way, the sound
can be played dynamically. Other MIDI data such as controller data are not processed.
Setting the MIDI-channel and note number for an
individual instrument channel
- Press the TRIG button ② of the corresponding instrument channel while switching the unit
on. Hold the button for about three seconds until the sound and the corresponding LED is
triggered. The DRM1 MKIII has now entered learn mode
- Now, send a MIDI note number to the unit, e.g. by pressing a note on a connected keyboard.
The note number and the MIDI-channel used will be learned by this instrument channel. The
DRM1 MKIII automatically and immediately jumps into normal play mode.
Repeat these steps for each instrument channel if needed. This way you may play the DRM1 MKIII’s
sound on different MIDI-channels.
Setting the MIDI-channel and note numbers for all
instrument channels
- Press any two TRIG buttons ② while switching the unit on. Hold the buttons for about three
seconds until both instrument channels and its corresponding LEDs are triggered. The DRM1
MKIII has now entered learn mode.
- Now, send a sequence of eight note numbers to the unit, e.g. by pressing notes on a
connected keyboard. All note numbers and the MIDI-channel used for transmission will be
learned.
The first transmitted note number refers to the DRM MKIIIs KICK instrument channel. Its
TRIG LED will shortly light up and the sound will be triggered. This confirms the saving of the
note number for KICK. The DRM1 MKIII now automatically advances to the next instrument
channel: DRUM 1. After that DRUM 2, MULTI, SNARE, HI HAT 1, HI HAT 2 and finally CLAP
will be assigned.
Yes I am aware of that thanks. It’s basically exactly how I set up with the MD by peessing both trggers and switching on the unit thus activating Learn Mode; after which I pressed trigs 9-16 on the MD to assign them to each of the tracks. This was vey simple as all I had to do thereafter was ensure that tracks 9-16 on the MD were Midi machines. Hit record and start pressing trigs. Happy days… 
However…Ableton is more complicated when you want to create an external instrument track to trigger sequences, especially without a controller. This is actually not covered in the manual (and I suppose rightly so), but it would be nice to add an appendix with setup options for various DAWs.
The only useful page in the manual for this is the note chart which provides the user with the default midi notes corresponding to each track - this is p20 (factory reset and default mapping). In my case as I am not using an external controller, the learn function is not relevant for Ableton.
Made an account just to say thanks! I knew about the Piano Roll but that sucked not being able to rename the notes.
