Need gear advice for putting my drummer on a click

[osiris]

There's a few instances in my function band where I'm using Karma as an arpeggiator to prevent me getting RSI. Unfortunately, when practising, the band speed up slightly and the keys end up offbeat.

I need a way to have the drummer on a metronome set my tempo message from my M3. The only way I can think to do this is buy a 2nd hand sound module and link them by midi. If anyone else has other suggestions please let me know.

So can people suggest what modules I could get that'd suit this purpose? I know a v-drum module would work great, but I wouldn't wanna buy one and only use it for that purpose. I was thinking maybe a Kurz micro piano or micro ensemble, but do these have a metronome feature?

My budget is about £150 (GBP), I could stretch higher if it was a module I really think I'd use for another purpose.

Alternatively, if there's another/cheaper way to achieve this, I'd love to know.


Thanks in advance,
Osiris

[mmichaelc]

Couldn't you create an extra track that just has a click on the M3 and output it to a separate out?

[SoulFire]

You could go even simpler and just make a click track, whack it on an iPod or similar, and have him play along to that.... That's going REAL simple tho, and I suppose if you want to do something more hard out that's not really for you. But I've used it before and it's worked fine in my circumstances.

[osiris]

I tried sorting the click on another output at practise but couldn't figure it out (still learning my way around the system) and also what if the click isn't loud enough? and if I've no IFX unused then I can't do anything like amplify the click or anything...

Any thoughts?

[Devnor]

Cheapo drum machine.

[osiris]

I was thinking if I have to buy a module to send a midi tempo message to that a v-drum module or similar would be the worst option I'd be willing to go for as I wouldn't use it for anything else.

The reason the two Kurz unit's are possibilities is I'm fairly sure I'd use the sounds on them as well as to supply a click for the drummer.

Another problem I've thought of if sending a click from the M3 is if I change combi's, would it not make the metronome slip slightly? Or even stop?

[sparkey]

Maybe a completely flawed idea
...but maybe you could sync a metronome to your the count on your M3 with a word clock....give the metronome feed to the drummer?

edit: i dont think you could even plug those things in....would be nice if you could,

[Maximus]

I tried sorting the click on another output at practise but couldn't figure it out (still learning my way around the system) and also what if the click isn't loud enough? and if I've no IFX unused then I can't do anything like amplify the click or anything...

Any thoughts?

Ok, for the click you could create a Seqcuence and run the click to individual output 1, or if you want to do it live use the drum track thats always avaliable and route it to individual output 1, and then send it to this

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/0/8/7/462087.jpg

i know, i know its a behringer but it works great as a click amp (and besides Its for a drummer) and its only $45, mine has over a 100+ gigs on it and i've never had a problem, i dont use it for anything else thou

[osiris]

I've actually got a Behringer xenyx mixer. So are you suggesting the M3 main outputs go to the FOH/main mixer, then output 1 with a click goes to the xenyx and then the drummer?

[Maximus]

I've actually got a Behringer xenyx mixer. So are you suggesting the M3 main outputs go to the FOH/main mixer, then output 1 with a click goes to the xenyx and then the drummer?

yup. .

[osiris]

Hmm, I shall have to try out a few of these suggestions before spending anything.

As I've already said, my only concern is when changing combi's what if the click stops or stutters slightly... Shall have to try n see.

[Devnor]

If you use the cheapo drum machine route, it solves many of your issues. Your M3 will send MTC, so whatever tempo you have set in the m3 your drum machine will sync to that. Your drummer uses the headphone output and volume control as the monitor.

[osiris]

If you use the cheapo drum machine route, it solves many of your issues. Your M3 will send MTC, so whatever tempo you have set in the m3 your drum machine will sync to that. Your drummer uses the headphone output and volume control as the monitor.

That's originally what I was thinking of doing with something like a Kurz micro piano or jv1010. Something that has GM or a metronome feature.

I'll see what I can do with the gear I have now, and if I'm not satisfied, then start looking for something to send an MTC to.

[osiris]

Okay, so I've been learning a few new things on the M3 to try n solve this problem.

Figured out how to make my own drum loop and saved it to the user bank. It's just 4 clicks on a loop, the first a higher pitch. I've also linked the Karma module to the Drum track so that they're sync'ed and work together with the timing.

Also set the drum kit to go out of output 1. Now the only thing is to get to the next rehearsal, get the drummer to wack some headphones into output1, and see how it goes...

[amopae]

If that doesn't work, you can always get one of these:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BOSDB90

It's an awesome metronome that already has a MIDI input, so you can get the tempo from your M3 and your drummer only needs to get his headphones out of this. Plus, you can mix and make any kind of subdivisions you want to make...

[Maximus]

Also set the drum kit to go out of output 1. Now the only thing is to get to the next rehearsal, get the drummer to wack some headphones into output1, and see how it goes...
You'll need to put the mixer as a headphone amp, the individual output dosen't have enough juice for a def drummer + he gets control of the volume.