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T O P I C    R E V I E W
thebeaver Posted - 12/06/2012 : 08:58:37
Heard a lot about these guys being the dog's lately. Like better than TD20s and maybe 30s? What is it about them that makes em so special? Would love to hear from some guys that have em (*cough* Prog! *cough*). Also do they make a kit for it, and how is that if they do, or do you have to have it as an add on to a Jobkey or something?
23   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
logic_user99 Posted - 24/07/2012 : 20:16:59
Thanks for the input, all. Not quite sure why it's doing what it's doing but it'll be sorted very soon. The Jobeky gang have been brilliant in getting it sorted out for me; hearty 'big ups' for Jane and Colin!
Diamond Drums Posted - 24/07/2012 : 18:21:57
Just been and tried mine. Perfect, settings are
Gain 10 - threshold 46
curve normal
Pad type hi hat
Cross talk low

Picks up the lightest taps with no probs

If the pad was mounted wrong ie wing nut block in back to front it would not tighten on the stand

Faulty pad?

latest OS installed?
flurbs Posted - 24/07/2012 : 12:47:43
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99

To clarify, you mean 'closer to zero' when you say the threshold is too high? I had to set it to 30 (down from 40+) because of the double/multiple-triggering. Even a light-touch series of 8th notes played on the hat gave off multiple notes!


I don't mean closer to zero - 2Box is calibrated by dB (Pro Audio terms!), it ranges from (I think) -48dB which is the lowest threshold level to -18dB which is the highest. -18 will be too 'high' for most pads/players, it will reject intended notes. -48dB is the minimum threshold, it will allow pretty much any vibration to trigger. Try -42 or -36.

With the multiple note thing, that's a corsstigger/retrigger problem, not a threshold problem. It sounds to me like it's a pad vibration issue, have you checked the screw fitting as mentioned in that thread in the 2box forum?


quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99Does the 2Box hi-hat have any postion sensing? Does it have to be facing a particular way?


No it doesn't, but I suspect that the phrase "positional sensing" is not actually what you mean! The hihat should be facing the 'right' way, ie towards you! The 2Box logo on the underside should be the other side of the hihat stand from the playing side.
logic_user99 Posted - 24/07/2012 : 11:49:07
quote:
Originally posted by flurbs
No, but it's entirely possible that you have the threshold set too high! Not picking up light notes = threshold too high. This is exactly what the threshold setting controls, it's the accept/reject balance point of strike strength. The level needs to be set so that it accepts your lowest level intended strikes but rejects anything below that (ie - unintended strikes, vibration readings from elsewhere).

The other thing is that Neg curves artificially enhance the lower dynamic range, it can mimic a very natural performance if that's what you want, but it's a setting that should only be adjusted once everything else is set correctly with the regular (linear) curve. Threshold and Gain are primary parameters, if they aren't in the ballpark first, the subtle secondary parameters aren't really going to do what they're supposed to do.



To clarify, you mean 'closer to zero' when you say the threshold is too high? I had to set it to 30 (down from 40+) because of the double/multiple-triggering. Even a light-touch series of 8th notes played on the hat gave off multiple notes!

Does the 2Box hi-hat have any postion sensing? Does it have to be facing a particular way?

quote:

Super sensitive, as in no dynamic range, you're only getting maximum volume output regardless of strike variation? Reduce that gain setting and also make sure you're not using a Pos (or Max!) curve!



That one's set on a Neg curve, too!!! Probably have the wrong trigger type selected, mind you...
flurbs Posted - 24/07/2012 : 10:00:39
quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99

...I had the hat on Neg2 with a gain of 6 and threshold of around 30. It doesn't seem to pick up any intricate stick work at all... It could be possible that I don't actually play hard enough for it to work properly?...


No, but it's entirely possible that you have the threshold set too high! Not picking up light notes = threshold too high. This is exactly what the threshold setting controls, it's the accept/reject balance point of strike strength. The level needs to be set so that it accepts your lowest level intended strikes but rejects anything below that (ie - unintended strikes, vibration readings from elsewhere).

The other thing is that Neg curves artificially enhance the lower dynamic range, it can mimic a very natural performance if that's what you want, but it's a setting that should only be adjusted once everything else is set correctly with the regular (linear) curve. Threshold and Gain are primary parameters, if they aren't in the ballpark first, the subtle secondary parameters aren't really going to do what they're supposed to do.


quote:
Originally posted by logic_user99

Plugged it in and got some reasonably satisfying sounds; super sensitive, though! More tweaking on that one later on.


Super sensitive, as in no dynamic range, you're only getting maximum volume output regardless of strike variation? Reduce that gain setting and also make sure you're not using a Pos (or Max!) curve!
logic_user99 Posted - 24/07/2012 : 09:19:56
quote:
Originally posted by Diamond Drums


Make sure the hi hat is mounted securely and calibrated.
If its double triggering on normal curve try neg1.
Check you don't have the sensitivity too high and do have the correct pad type.

Also when you buy one of these modules it's a good idea to upgrade the operating system to the latest version.



Aye; I'm calibrated and plugged in! I had the hat on Neg2 with a gain of 6 and threshold of around 30. It doesn't seem to pick up any intricate stick work at all... It could be possible that I don't actually play hard enough for it to work properly?

quote:


Can't advise on Roland CY13R cymbals as i've only mainly tried Yamaha so far, maybe ask Colin on that one.
I do have a CY12 i tried very briefly and set to edge on the trigger type, it sounded good and choked.

D




Plugged it in and got some reasonably satisfying sounds; super sensitive, though! More tweaking on that one later on.

Cheers, Dave

Edit: Just found this thread... http://www.2box-forum.com/index.php?topic=659.0
Diamond Drums Posted - 24/07/2012 : 07:41:52

Make sure the hi hat is mounted securely and calibrated.
If its double triggering on normal curve try neg1.
Check you don't have the sensitivity too high and do have the correct pad type.

Also when you buy one of these modules it's a good idea to upgrade the operating system to the latest version.

Can't advise on Roland CY13R cymbals as i've only mainly tried Yamaha so far, maybe ask Colin on that one.
I do have a CY12 i tried very briefly and set to edge on the trigger type, it sounded good and choked.

D

logic_user99 Posted - 23/07/2012 : 14:37:19
quote:
Originally posted by Diamond Drums

Your supplier should have all the available information Logic_user99.

Hope you get sorted soon

Best wishes
Dave



Cheers, Dave.

Have you any tips on setting up the hi-hat so it doesn't 'double trigger' when hit? That's about the only thing that's letting it down at the moment...
Diamond Drums Posted - 23/07/2012 : 14:03:59
Your supplier should have all the available information Logic_user99.

Hope you get sorted soon

Best wishes
Dave
logic_user99 Posted - 20/07/2012 : 11:04:19
Can anyone shed any light on how the bell/bow/edge triggering of Roland's CY13R works with the 2Box brain?
Diamond Drums Posted - 14/07/2012 : 12:54:55
Yep, 8 outputs and it's an open ended module so you can drop Superior Drummer 2 sounds in or BFD. I tried it with Battery 3 and it works well, also i tried as a midi interface and it's easy to remap the notes and save for Superior Drummer 2.

Here's another vid of the 2 box, snare sounds great, we cut the decay on samples on the toms to get a more dampened sound but you can do what you like with them.

We are using Yamaha cymbals here

http://youtu.be/Ma0bhGoEldk

Have a great weekend

Dave
tristanlong Posted - 05/07/2012 : 09:39:49
Hiya, I use a Ddrum 4 module live with Drum triggers on my Ludwig kit as it handles triggers correctly like no other module, well until the 2 BOX came out, made by the same who was behind clavia Ddrum gear. I'm guessing the reason why it is so popular at the moment is due to its interface where you can upload sounds like the Ddrum, also the various outputs to route to desk live to give the engineer more control over kit.
jobeky Posted - 04/07/2012 : 13:01:17
Hi thebeaver you don't have to have them as an add on with our drums we sell them as a seperate item, this is a video of our endorsee Andy Edwards showing what the 2box module can do hope that helps if you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact us kind regards Jane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLdb_H2vvqk
Diamond Drums Posted - 17/06/2012 : 15:03:14
I did a little vid yesterday, my playing is rusty but have a listen to the snare and how organic it sounds, all the ghost notes are in there and this is just a factory patch with no EQ tweakings... http://youtu.be/XPyy0jfyYwQ
thebeaver Posted - 17/06/2012 : 02:48:51
Dave... thanks for a very informative reply! Appreciate that, helped my understand a tonne!
Diamond Drums Posted - 15/06/2012 : 07:06:53
I've had drummers including myself playing 2 box full kit, 2 box with my drums and a TD12 and a TD6 at the same time.

Of course you can compare anything and come to conclusions.

The 2 box is sample based as already said but also it's an open ended module so you can drag and drop samples or wav files in for sounds or loops. You can convert BFD or Superior Drummer samples and also drop those in. It's a very realistic sounding kit and straight away the snare is the winner compared to the synthesised Roland snare sound with machine gunning.

However, if you use a Roland TD20 you will find it wins out on expressiveness, especially on the high hat and with some Vexpression packs loaded can be a very pleasurable playing experience.

There are plusses and minuses on each module and i have to say i like both in it's own right.

We recorded a 2 box factory patch kit direct into a zoom recorder and you would think it's a real kit.

My hand built e drums work superbly with the module but then again you have differences there.
The actual 2 box kit uses floating rims so if using a hand made traditionally built drum, even if you separate the head from rim, it's still connected from head to rim by the mesh head so you have to use the modules settings to do a little tweaking. Thankfully they are mainly plug and play and the module has xtalk cancellation on both head and rim, which is handy if setting a loop to the rim.

Also remember that you cant use a Roland hi hat or pedal on a 2 box as 2 box use 1 input and a magnet sensor to detect the open and closed levels.

So you may have to buy the module and high hat as a package for RRP £1072

There is also an answer to that on the unofficial 2 box forum in the form of a useable pcb solution if you fancied some diy on the hi hat.

Roland and Yamaha cymbals will work on the 2 box but the actual 2 box cymbals are much better and get the 3 zones very clearly as they are built for the module.

Yamaha ride PCY 150s gets 3 zones but the bell is triggered by velocity and it needs tweaking.
Crashes are good if set to edge and they choke also.

So yes 2 box are very cool and fabulously realistic but you need to get into the module and work on your settings.
The module is very friendly and easy to use. You only have a little ambience and curve settings to tweak.I like that the small 2 box company really looks after you with free updates and downloadable sounds like the tama warlord kit and loops etc

I've also tried different mesh heads on 2 box, Drum-tec, Arbiter, Z-ed doubles and triples. Each are good for triggering but obviously different in feel and play experience physically only.

Have a nice day

Dave ...
flurbs Posted - 14/06/2012 : 12:10:24
quote:
Originally posted by thebeaver

Ahaaa! That sounds like the business! I take it by that then, most others just have one sample that increases and decreses in volume and so sound a little less convincing?



That's the issue here - if you're looking for a 2Box is better/worse than Roland you can't compare them because Roland modules don't use samples audio sounds. Roland uses synthesised composite sounds for massive editing potential but they don't sound like the 2Box modules because the 2Box modules use hi-res multi-layered samples instead of synth sounds.
thebeaver Posted - 14/06/2012 : 11:57:44
Ahaaa! That sounds like the business! I take it by that then, most others just have one sample that increases and decreses in volume and so sound a little less convincing?
Prog Posted - 13/06/2012 : 17:00:04
Different velocities have different samples. If you tap the pad lightly, you get the sound of a drum being tapped lightly. If you whack it hard, you get the sound of a drum being whacked. There are many variations between too.
thebeaver Posted - 13/06/2012 : 10:55:29
Ok forgive me - what's this layering then?
Prog Posted - 13/06/2012 : 10:26:10
I don't have mine yet but it's the layering that makes them sound so good to my ear.
thebeaver Posted - 13/06/2012 : 10:20:00
oh ok cool, so they do make a kit for it. Anyone wanna pitch in as to what makes em so good?
Drumbum Posted - 12/06/2012 : 20:38:52
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2Box-DrumIt-5-MKII-Electronic-Drum-Kit-/130517159482?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&hash=item1e636dce3a#ht_1459wt_1037

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