When I first started recording with Cubase, drum maps were important. They were also easy to use and allowed me to make drum patterns that were good enough to form the basis of an audio track.
When I moved on to Reaper and the Logic Pro, the drum maps weren't as easy to make or use. As a result I made videos that were largely for my own benefit. There would often be months between recording sessions and the videos were a useful reminder.
I wrote the following some years ago:
Drum Map in Reaper
This is my biggest hit on YouTube with 26000 views to date. I have no idea if the video is still relevant as it was made in 2011. I think it is best viewed full screen, 720p.
A drum map for Reaper essentially consists of a text file (.txt) which includes numbers (which correspond to notes on a midi keyboard controller) together with the name of the drum part. The number and name are separated by a space.
The text file used in the video starts like this:
// MIDI note name map
60 SIKit.txt
//Kick Drums
35 AcousticBassDrum
36 BassDrum
etc. etc.
i.e. Note 35 will play the Acoustic Bass Drum, and Note 36 will play the Bass Drum. Note 60 doesn't play anything so I've used it to label the Drum Map. The // is used for comments which do not show up when the drum map is loaded into Reaper.
By double clicking on the midi track in Reaper, the midi editor is opened. The usual drum view is enabled by going to:
View --> Mode: named notes
and
View --> Mode: Diamonds (drum mode)
The map is loaded by going to:
File --> Load note names from file
Drum Map in Logic Pro
In 2014 I made a short screen recording video on how to make a drum map in Logic Pro X. By that time I only recorded periodically, often forgetting how to do things between sessions. So I started making quick screen recordings for my own benefit.
I'm still not brilliant at recording, but I've produced a few that I'm happy with. However, the Video on Making a Drum Map has had over 20,000 views on YouTube. Not exactly viral, but one of my bigger hits.
Best viewed full screen in HD
1. New Project --> Open Software Instrument --> Drum Kit
2. Right click on drum track --> Create empty midi region
3. Double click on empty midi region if necessary to open the editor
4. Select Step Editor --> Lanes --> New Lane Set for GM Drums
5. Re-size as necessary and draw in drums as necessary
One of the features of Logic Pro X is 'Drummer'. As well as being able to edit the drummer track directly in the drummer editor, it's also possible to convert the track to midi and then edit it using the step editor as a drum map. Here's how it's done:
1. Open a drummer track
2. Right click on the track --> Convert to midi region
3. Open the step editor --> Lanes --> New Lane Set for GM Drums
4 Re-size the lanes as necessary and edit away!
By going to the library the drum kit can be changed or a drum machine can be chosen to play the map.
