Loading a keymap in BFD 3.5 is a crucial step in ensuring that your electronic drum kit triggers the correct voices within the software. 


A keymap acts as a MIDI mapping that tells BFD 3.5 which drum sounds to play when you hit a specific pad on your e-kit. It also allows you to easily switch between different mappings if you have imported MIDI from another drum software instruments like Addictive Drums, EZdrummer, Superior Drummer, etc. 


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Set up your Soundcard

When using the standalone app for BFD 3.5, it's important to configure and set up your sound card so you can hear sounds - Note, BFD will not route audio through your drum modules' outputs.


A soundcard can be the internal one on your computer, or a choice of an Audio Interface. 

  1. Click the 3 lines on the top left of the GUI
  2. Select Tools > Show Audio & MIDI Settings
  3. Click the drop-down menu beside 'Output' to select your choice of sound card
  4. Configure the buffer size - We suggest 256 to start off with:
    • If you experience latency (a delay from striking your drum), reduce the buffer size in increments
      • Note, doing so may increase the chances of clicks/pops
    • If you experience clicks or pops, increase the buffer size in increments. 
      • Note, doing so may increase the chances of latency
  5. Once configured, click outside of the settings window and the settings will be retained.


Set up your e-Kit - MIDI I/O

  • If using a DAW, please revert to the software MIDI I/O settings to ensure it receives MIDI Data from your e-kit. 
  • If using BFD3 in the standalone application, see the steps below to setup the MIDI I/O for your device:


  1. Connect your e-Kit to your computer via USB (if available) OR your sound cards MIDI Input using a MIDI Cable. 
  2. Click the 3 lines on the top left of the GUI
  3. Select Tools > Show Audio & MIDI Settings
  4. Select the MIDI Input device
    • Note, you must select it to enable it - When enabled, it is highlighted with a 'tick' on the left
  5. Once configured, click outside of the settings window and the settings will be retained.


Loading a Key Map

  1. Click the 3 lines on the top left of the GUI
  2. Select File > Load Keymap
  1. Select the Key Map of your choice
    • We’ve included pre-loaded mapping from popular drum software instruments alongside e-Drum kits
  2. Click 'Load' to successfully load the Keymap desired. 


 

Manual Mapping


If you have a project that contains MIDI notes in your Piano roll, but the keymap for the original drum instrument used is unavailable… Manual mapping will help you overcome this problem. 


Note, 'General MIDI' may be a suitable pre-determined Keymap to select - Please consider this Keymap before following the steps below. 


  1. Click the Key Map icon to load the Key Map page
  1. Observe the available Voices listed on the left-hand side
  2. Select the voice you wish to change the MIDI Note value of
  1. Select the new Note Value by clicking on the available Keys- C0 is selected in this example:
  1. Ensure the correct ‘Artic’ is selected
  2. Click Assign


MIDI Learn

If the mapping for your e-kit is unavailable, MIDI Learn is a easy tool to help you map your e-Kit OR MIDI Controller. 


Note, 'General MIDI' may be a suitable pre-determined Keymap to select - Please consider this Keymap before following the steps below.

  1. Click the Key Map icon to load the Key Map page
  1. Observe the available Voices listed on the left-hand side
  2. Select the voice you wish to change the MIDI Note value of


  1. Select the Articulation you wish to re-map
  2. Click 'Learn Single'
  3. Strike the Drum/Cymbal on your kit (Or note/pad on a MIDI Controller)
  4. Repeat these steps for each drum/cymbal voice you need to re-map