Keystep Pro and TR-8S Issue

21 Sep 2022, 11:03

Hi there.

Firstly, I'm new to DAWLess so hence the newbie question...

I recently bought a TR-8S and a Keystep Pro and am trying to control the TR-8s using the KSP via MIDI.

I've connected MIDI out on the KSP to MIDI in on the TR8S. Both are set to MIDI channel 10 and in drum mode on the KSP I can play all of the drum sounds from my chosen kit on the TR8S. However, in Seq mode on the KSP the keys will only play some of the kit sounds from the TR8S.

Also, when I try and create a pattern using the KSP (by pressing a key to select a drum sound then adding it into the sequencer) it won't play back on the TR8S - The sequencer pads light up on the TR8S as though a pattern is playing but it's blank. I've selected a blank pattern on the TR8S and a kit that I want to use.

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong? TIA

Re: Keystep Pro and TR-8S Issue

23 Sep 2022, 10:44

mattmcc wrote:
The sequencer pads light up on the TR8S as though a pattern is playing but it's blank. I've selected a blank pattern on the TR8S

You've sort of answered your own question - the TR-8S is playing along with your KSP, having received a midi start message, but the pattern is blank so you don't get any sounds. If you programme a pattern, you will hear it. However, if you want the KSP to actually trigger the notes (rather than use the TR-8S sequencer), you need to make sure the KSP is playing back the correct notes (eg C1 for the BD, Bb1 for the OH etc).

mattmcc wrote:
in Seq mode on the KSP the keys will only play some of the kit sounds from the TR8S.

This links to the previous point - your KSP appears not to be playing the correct notes. The TR-8S uses note numbers 35-51, 54, 56, 58, 61 and 63, aka B0-Eb2, Gb2, Ab2, Bb2, Db3, Eb3 (assuming middle C is C3 rather than C4).

Re: Keystep Pro and TR-8S Issue

23 Sep 2022, 11:10

Just had a quick look at the KSP manual online.

P153: "Utility>Drum Map>Config>Custom: Enables you to link each of the 24 Drum keys on the keyboard to a MIDI note number in the range 0 to 127. The default mapping starts at MIDI note 36." So your 24 Drum keys will play notes 36-59 which will be sufficient:

If you play the keys in order you should get:

BD, RS, SD, HC, SD, LT, CH, LT, CH, MT, OH, MT, HT, CC, HT, RC, nothing, nothing, HC, nothing, RS, nothing, OH, nothing

P97: "you can create your own custom Drum mapping in Utility>DrumMap>Config>Custom. This Utility setting enables you to map each key on the KeyStep Pro to a specific drum (MIDI note number) in your DAW. The MIDI Control Center has a similar feature if you prefer to work from there."

Substitute "TR-8S" for DAW and this is what you need to do if you want to match the TR-8S note numbers in order:

BD = 36, SD = 38 etc (see the MIDI implementation pdf for the full list).