Setting MD's parameters for 3 zone Yamaha style cymbal

[kimouette]

I have completed the conversion of my A to E cymbal (see the link in my signature for more details), and once again, thanks to the bitumen tape for the miraculous difference in terms of false triggering/hot pad/too much vibration situation!

Now the tough part is to set it right!

I have assigned 3 different note numbers (bow+edge+bell) and I was assuming Midi Ox would show the 3 different notes depending where I hit the cymbal, but it doesn't. I do see all 3 notes being hit, but as aftertouch notes. Is that how it's supposed to be? ... notice the only "note on/note off" I can trigger is D1 (the bell note), nomatter where I hit the cymbal!

When I hit the bow :

bow.JPG

When I hit the bell:

bell.JPG

When I hit the edge

edge.JPG

And is BFD2 supposed to see the difference even though I can only trigger one midi note? I have tried to ad hit+bell+edge to that same midi note number, but I get messed up results!

In other words I'm having a hard time trying to get all 3 zones working (and not all at the same time)!
Here's my current setting:

md_setting.JPG

Any advise would be very appreciated!

[kimouette]

Ok let's ask the question differently. I didnt necessary mean to go that far.

This question is for ANYONE who has succesfully set Md's parameters on a 3 zone (piezo/switch/switch) cymbal.

When you monitor your cymbal, do you always see the same note number as being the triggered note and then 0 and 127 values for the 3 different key aftertouch? (see above printscreen)

Are the aftertouch notes supposed to stay that way (0 OR 127)? or are they supposed to show variable values depending on the strenght of the hit (like Note On/Note Off do)?

[r0bbie]

Hi Kim,

If you press and release the film switch with your finger , bell or edge, are aftertouch messages being send?

[kimouette]

If you press and release the film switch with your finger , bell or edge, are aftertouch messages being send?

No.... If the piezo is not triggered, no aftertouch messages are sent

[r0bbie]

Can you test with a ohm meter if your switches are working ?

[kimouette]

I have the crappiest pocket multimeter, but I did try to test my cymbal.
Measuring Ring and Sleev the pointer goes all the way to 0 with my bell switch pressed and about 10k with the edge switch pressed

[r0bbie]

Good, hardware is working allright.

You should get midi aftertouch when closing releasing the switches.
Did you try increasing/decreasing edge threshold while squeezing/releasing the edge switch and monitor Midi-ox for midi aftertouch?

[kimouette]

I did, but it's true I have not played arround with the 3 threshold settings enough yet.
Mainly because there are really basic things I dont understand...and mainly... What results should I be looking for in Midi-Ox!!?!

The "Note on" is variable and I can clearly see the changes when I play with the settings. But what about those aftertouch messages? When do I know each of the three zones are perfectly seperated? Cuz like I said, the aftertouch 0 and 127 always follow the Note-on value. I never managed to find a setting that changed these aftertouch values!

I know this all sounds stupid, but I'm sure if I knew what a perfect setting LOOKS LIKE in Midi-Ox, I could understand by deduction and finaly get to modify my own settings easily!

Could you (or anyone who reads this message) show me a printscreen of Midi-Ox showing one Bell hit, Bow hit and edge hit?

[r0bbie]

I'm not a guru on this part either.
But I have 2 Yamaha 3 zone cymbals working perfectly.
I now that it is essential that midi aftertouch is send when squeezing/releasing the edge switch.
You can do that by just looking at your midi LED while adjusting edge threshold.

[kimouette]

I now that it is essential that midi aftertouch is send when squeezing/releasing the edge switch.
You can do that by just looking at your midi LE

Thanks Robbie for trying to help! I've just tried playing with all 3 threshold (from 4 to 127) while holding/releasing the switch, and there's no way I can trigger Aftertouch messages while doing so.
The "note on" value differs depending on the threshold I chose, but the only way I can see Aftertouch messages, is with my first setting (that I have stated in my first post), and these Aftertouch messages only give 0 immediately followed by 127 values (which I believe is not good!).

I must have done something wrong... I mean something on the hardware part. But now I dont know what to check!