FXpansion BFD Premium Acoustic Drum Module Mixing with BFD - Manual (Page 11)

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Mixing with BFD www.fxpansion.com
2:6. Keymapping tricks
• Layering individual Hit types
The Key parameter in the Advanced keymapper (Hit Options panel, Advanced tab)
allows you to layer sounds on a Hit type level - as opposed to the Kit-piece level
described above. So you could set the Key parameter for the Snare1 rim hit to trigger
the Snare rim, while leaving the other Snare1 and Snare hits unlinked. You could also
assign it to a drag, flam, percussion hit or a half-open tip hat for example... there are
endless possibilities.
• Left and right hand hits
Some drum libraries feature ‘left and right hand’ hits. In effect, this is simply a result of
differences in striking force between the two hands of a drummer. Because of the high
amount of velocity layers in BFD, you should simply use a lower-velocity note for the
‘weaker’ hand.
You can set up an additional ‘left’ hit in BFD very easily in the Advanced keymapper. On
an unused MIDI key, create a new assignment for ‘snare hit’. Change the Vel Hi parameter
to 100 or so, and adjust the velocity response curve. This additional key, along with the
original snare hit key, will give you the ‘weaker hand’ hits.
• Keyboard performance setups
You can take this further by creating more than one extra snare hit, and setting up
different velocity ranges for them all. This is great if you’re fond of ‘finger drumming’ on
a MIDI keyboard! Setting up very low velocity ranges on some of the keys is perfect for
ghost notes and drum rolls.
• More keymapping tricks
The Advanced keymapping system allows many creative possibilities, from the nicely
useful to the crazy and experimental. Using large amounts of VD (Velocty to Damping)
can result in extra dimensions to the drums’ dynamics, especially when combined with
external compression. Meanwhile, subtle amounts of VP (Velocity to Pitch) can inject
some extra spice and variation into your drum parts. The velocity curve controls are good
for fine-tuning the drums’ dynamic response.
2:7. Creating patterns
A guide to drum pattern programming is beyond the scope of this tutorial - like good
melody and harmony parts, there are no shortcuts to good drum composition! However,
here are a few hints and tips to point you in the right direction.