Hi-Hat Calibration; Storing Ext. Trig Settings; Exploring Optimal Sensitivity And Threshold Settings - Alesis DM8 Operator's Manual

HI-HAT CALIBRATION

The first time you connect a hi-hat pedal to the DM8 module, we recommend
calibrating it so the module can "read" the pedal's movement optimally. If you
use the same hi-hat each session (even if you have disconnected and
reconnected it), then you shouldn't need to calibrate each time as long as you
store your trigger settings after calibrating (see STORING TRIGGER SETTINGS
in the STORING & COPYING chapter for more information). However, anytime
you connect a different hi-hat from the previously connected one, you should calibrate it.
To calibrate the hi-hat pedal:
1. Connect the hi-hat pedal to the module but do not press it down.
2. On the module, press EXT TRIG.
3. Use the CURSOR UP / DOWN buttons to highlight the "Input" field at the
top of the screen then use the VALUE UP / DOWN buttons or VALUE
DIAL to select "HiHat."
4. Press CAL (F1).
5. With the hi-hat pedal completely raised ("open"),
press OPEN (F1) and wait for a message saying the
process is complete.
6. With the hi-hat pedal completely pressed ("closed"),
press CLOS (F2) and wait for a message saying the
process is complete.
7. If you want to fine-tune how the module detects your
pedal's "open" and "closed" positions, press TRIM
(F3). Use the CURSOR UP / DOWN buttons to select "Open" or "Closed" and use the VALUE UP / DOWN
buttons or VALUE DIAL to adjust the setting. (Tip: Increasing the "Closed" value makes it easier to close the
hi-hat or "choke" it.)
8. If you want to adjust the response curve of the pedal, press CURV (F4). Use the VALUE UP / DOWN buttons
or VALUE DIAL to select the curve that best suits your playing style. (Tip: We recommend using LINEAR,
LOG1 or LOG2 for conventional hi-hat performance.)
9. When you have adjusted the hi-hat settings to your preference, press EXIT to exit the calibration page (or press
DRUM KIT to return to the main screen).

STORING EXT. TRIG SETTINGS

Any changes you make to the parameters in the Ext. Trig Menu will remain for the current session but will return to
their defaults if you turn off the module. We recommend storing your settings when you change them so you can use
them in future sessions.
To store Ext. Trig settings:
1. Be sure you are in the Ext. Trig Menu by pressing EXT TRIG.
2. Press STORE.
3. A window will appear asking you to confirm your choice. Press CANCEL
(F2 or F3) to cancel storing your Ext. Trig settings. Press YES (F1) to
store them.

EXPLORING OPTIMAL SENSITIVITY AND THRESHOLD SETTINGS

We created the DM8 module's default settings to allow for great playability right out of the box, but we recommend
experimenting with different triggers settings – particularly sensitivity and threshold – so you can find the settings that
best suit your playing style. Here is one recommended way to explore these settings:
1. Press EXT. TRIG to access the trigger settings.
2. Make sure NOTE CHASE is activated (the LED should be lit).
3. Strike a trigger on your electronic drum kit whose settings you want to adjust. The name of the trigger will be
displayed at the top of the module's LCD.
4. On the INP page, adjust the "Sensitvty" setting to an appropriate level as you strike the trigger with moderate
force, typical of how you play. The resulting sound should be neither too loud nor too quiet. (Make sure the
"Function" setting is set to "TRIGGER.") If the level meter in the upper-right hand corner is "clipping" or maxing
out too soon, reduce the sensitivity.
5. On the TRIG page, adjust the "Threshold" setting to an appropriate level as you strike the trigger as lightly as
you would while playing. You can use the level meter in the upper right-hand corner of the module's LCD to
see whether the module is detecting your hits.
6. After setting the threshold, return to the INP page and readjust the "Sensitvty" setting as you strike the trigger
with varying force.
7. Repeat this process for other triggers in your electronic drum kit.
8. Press STORE to save these changes.
Note that you can also adjust the velocity curve for each trigger, which can help in the "shaping" of the triggers'
volume levels relative to the range of force you use while playing. Also, the Utility Menu allows you to set the rough
"global" sensitivity of all triggers in the Kit. ("Trig Sens") See the UTILITY MENU chapter for more information.
Open
Closed
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Note: The module's HI-HAT
CONTROL TRIGGER INPUT
does not support keyboard-
style expression pedals.
Pedal (side view)