EZDrummer GM map for Sonar?

[Dave Boulden]

You can certainly use EZ Drummer, Superior 2, BFD 1&2 with MIDI tracks... When I build drum parts using one of the above VSTi's I always end up building the full part as a MIDI track. You should be able to use all of those programs with a GM mapping for the instruments... initially by using a drum map in your DAW, or by changing the MIDI note mapping within the VSTi's themselves and saving that as a patch. Also check out Toontrack's EZPlayer Pro - http://www.dv247.com/invt/50174/ (comes free with Superior 2.0) as it's whole raison d'etre is to be an interface between a library of MIDI files and a selection of drum VSTi's.

[asimmd]

Thanks Dave

I wondered what Easiplayer Pro did,It may be worth investing £25 to see if it will do what I need.


Monarch

I have read and I think I understand your instructions but just one small point,when I get to the Select Preset,I don't have any presets the field is empty and no dropdown menu.

Alan

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Monarch

I have read and I think I understand your instructions but just one small point,when I get to the Select Preset,I don't have any presets the field is empty and no dropdown menu.

Alan

Strange. You should see a list of presets...maybe you opted to not install drum maps?

[asimmd]

After my previous escapade,I re-installed absolutely everything,I even saw it install the drum maps,but there is nothing in the drop down menu in the manager.

Now I am getting really fed up,nothing works,maybe I should delete Sonar 8 completely and do a re-install from scratch?

Another possibility from Dave bouldon is that Easy Player Pro may be the answer,but I can't even download it,as they only take credit cards,and I won't have one.

Alan

[Monarch]

Try this...

In Sonar go to Options > Global... > Click on the Folders tab...towards the bottom you should see the Drum Map entry. The exact path to your Drum Maps if they are installed should be there. Just click on the small browse box next to the path to go straight to that location.
That will immeadiately show the drum maps if they are there...just to narrow down the problem.

I have attached the drum map you need to follow the step by step instructions I gave earlier...but please do check if you have any other drum maps installed. You should have other drum maps if you installed everything. I suspect if you check as outlined above exactly where Sonar stores your drum maps you will quickly see if they are there or not.

But if you use the drum map attached you will need to copy it somewhere you can find it easily and point Sonar there from the Folders tab I mentioned in this post.

That should do it.

[asimmd]

Monarch,many thanks for the GM drum map which I will try to install later.

I have followed your directions to where Sonar stores the Drum Maps,and it is empty.The File structure is :

Prog Files - Cakewalk - Sonar 8 Producer Edition - Cakewalk User Data - Sonar 8 Producer Edition - Drum Maps.

There are other folders there that are also empty i.e Plug in Menu Layout - Step Sequencer Patterns - Track Templates,all empty.

I think maybe I should un-install Sonar8 - Kontakt 3 and Dim Pro and re-install them all.If I only re-install Sonar,it dosen't pick up on these other progs.
Honestly,this is now getting very frustrating,I appreciate you trying to help,thank you.

Alan

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Monarch,many thanks for the GM drum map which I will try to install later.

I have followed your directions to where Sonar stores the Drum Maps,and it is empty.

That is what I thought you would find.

There are other folders there that are also empty i.e Plug in Menu Layout - Step Sequencer Patterns - Track Templates,all empty.

The solution might take a bit of time but should be a few clicks.

I think maybe I should un-install Sonar8 - Kontakt 3 and Dim Pro and re-install them all.If I only re-install Sonar,it dosen't pick up on these other progs.
Honestly,this is now getting very frustrating,I appreciate you trying to help,thank you.

I think a Sonar re -install is not a bad idea. Try and double check this part of the install though....



Choose the Recommended installation...make sure Libraries are selected as well as Drum Maps. To be honest it's best to ensure they are all ticked in the Libraries section but choosing the Recommended installation and double checking the Libraries section after should do the trick. You should be set after that. There are at least 5 - 10 BFD drum maps in there (plus loads of others) so it is well worth your while to install the drum maps and other content like track templates.

I doubt you need to re- install Kontakt and Dimension. Simply browsing to the Tools menu in Sonar and choosing the Cakewalk plugin manager will enable you to point Sonar to K3 and / or Dimension if you were having trouble finding them before.

Up to you though of course, a total re install of K3 and Dimension might be better as well. It just might save you a great deal of time if you re - install Sonar (only) first and see how things go.

Let me know if that solves your problems

[asimmd]

Great,Glad you agree with me about the re-install.Last night I put the Sonar 8 disc inn the drive and tried re-installing just the Libraries as you have highlighted,didn't work so,bye bye Sonar,new install coming up.

Will keep you posted.Thanks

Alan

[asimmd]

OK,Reinstall done.

Need not have bothered, with the exception of the Drum Map you sent me,everything is same as before.

I have posted a question on the Cakewalk Forum.

Let's hope I get an answer soon.

The only alternative is to load Sonar 7.2 back and see if they are in there.

If I do get a reply,how do I use the drum maps?

Alan

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by asimmd

OK,Reinstall done.

Need not have bothered, with the exception of the Drum Map you sent me,everything is same as before.

So when you go to the default drum map location under Options > Global > Folder tab you see nothing in that folder if you browse to it?

I have posted a question on the Cakewalk Forum. If I do get a reply,how do I use the drum maps?

The steps I listed earlier should be fine. Just leave out step 4 and in step 5 choose a BFD drum map (if you have BFD) or use the steps I gave earlier to create a map of your own for EZ drummer for instance. Using Drum maps allows Sonar to map notes to the drum sounds in any drum specific VSTi....you can then trigger them from your midi keyboard, Sonars Step Sequencer e.t.c

It also allows Sonar to show drum names which of course are much easier to use for drum editing.

[asimmd]

Seems like no-one on the Cakewalk forum knows either,they al know where they should be,they say I am getting mixed up with Vista???

I even loaded Sonar 7 up just to convince myself that they should be there,and they were.
I copied the Drum Map folder from Sonar 7 to where they should have been in 8,but it didn't work.

I don't like mysteries like this but I guess I have no option but to accept it.

Thanks for the help

Alan

[asimmd]

Problem Solved.

One of the guys on the Cakewalk Forum said I should start Sonar 8 with the Shift Key pressed,so I did.

It comes up with a message about personalising Sonar,and it has now loaded all the Drum Maps in the correct place.

It even has maps for the different kits in BFD.

Mmmmmmmm BFD Eh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alan He He

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Problem Solved.

One of the guys on the Cakewalk Forum said I should start Sonar 8 with the Shift Key pressed,so I did.

It comes up with a message about personalising Sonar,and it has now loaded all the Drum Maps in the correct place.

It even has maps for the different kits in BFD.

Mmmmmmmm BFD Eh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alan He He

Result!

Yes Vista does require that step...Sonar should have popped up that message without you needing to hold down shift. I suspect it did the first time you installed v.8 on your system, but when you started having problems with Dimension Pro and then re - installed Sonar that might have been when things got messed up.

In any case yes...quite a few BFD Drum Maps in there...loads of others as well. None for EZ drummer AFAICT though but you should be able to create your own now. I created one for RMX a few days ago.

[asimmd]

Well I'm glad that's sorted,having lot's of fun trying the various settings in EZDrummer.What's next????

Alan

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by asimmd

Well I'm glad that's sorted,having lot's of fun trying the various settings in EZDrummer.What's next????

Alan

Next? ...putting your feet up and with a good book (nowhere near your PC) after the crazy week you had!

Do you want more drum options?

Drumcore?