FXpansion BFD Supplemental - Manual (Page 18)


Hihat
Most e-drum systems transmit a MIDI continuous controller for the hihat pedal, as well
as one or more notes when the hihat surface is struck. The actual note configuration can
vary, but the principle is the same: the note(s) should be mapped to variable hihat notes.
When BFD receives one of these notes, it plays a hihat position sample between closed
and open, depending on the position of the hihat pedal position MIDI CC, and the way in
which the Hihat pedal position define slider is set up.
If you have a 2-zone hihat, there is likely to be substantial cross-talk between the zones.
With hihats this can be a problem, due to the short Choke Fade times used for hihats.
Very abrupt choking of a hihat can occur as a second note is received very shortly after
the first. To get around this problem, the Retrigger threshold option is provided in the
Choke Fade section of the BFD Options panel, which stops BFD from playing the same
Kit-Piece again within an adjustable period.
There are two methods for getting a variable hihat system working. For both methods,
you will need to know the notes sent out by the drum brain for the hihat. Please consult
your e-drum system documentation for details on which notes are used, or record a
performance as MIDI and examine the recorded events.
Method 1
1. Map the hihat note(s) which are sent by the drum brain to corresponding notes in the
Page 1 tab of the BFD Hit Options panel.
For example, if you are using the Roland TD20 module:
Roland hihat notes MIDI note number Mapping in BFD
Open bow 46 Open tip
Closed bow 42 Closed tip
Open edge 26 3/4 shank or 1/2 shank
Closed edge 22 Closed shank
Pedal 44 Pedal
( notice that open bow, closed bow and pedal already correspond with BFD
factory defaults)
2. Set the correct MIDI CC for the hihat pedal position. On the vast majority of drum
brains, this MIDI CC is #4.
3. If your drum brain sends out a note for the pedal (as the Roland TD20 does), make
sure the note is correctly routed to the pedal Hit type and disable the Auto pedal
event option.
4. Enable the All hihats variable option.
5. Adjust the Hihat pedal position define slider to taste.
6. Enable the ‘Auto pedal splash’ option if you would like BFD to simulate the foot-open
splash sound when the hihat is depressed and released quickly.
• If you use this method, you will not be able to trigger the ‘normal’ hihat positions with
MIDI notes. You will only be able to play a hihat position Hit type by triggering a variable
note while the pedal is in the correct position.
Chapter 4: Using BFD with electronic drums BFD supplemental manual