I am new to VD and have just purchased a MalletKat Express.
Is there an easy way that I can use the VD samples on the MalletKat?

You could certainly connect the MalletKat to a laptop/computer via a MIDI interface.  The laptop could run VDL in standalone mode using the MalletKat for an input device.

Tyler,

Thanks for the info. Can you give me a quick how-to on what I need to do on the MalletKat side?

Also, am I right to guess that I have to load the sounds I want to use into VDL? Are the sounds switched from the computer as well? Let's say I need to use Chimes, then Ocean Drum, then Marimba. Do I use the laptop and VDL to switch between each of these or can this change of sounds be done by the malletkat?

How about the sound itself? My guess is that this is controlled by the laptop and not the Kat.
My Malletkay has built in sounds and can be connected directly to an amp, but I am guessing since I am getting the information from the laptop, that the sound card there controls everything. IS this correct?

Scott

Hi Scott,

The malletKat would function the same as a MIDI keyboard would.

I'm not sure if the newer versions (if there even is one) have USB output, but if your model has MIDI IN/OUT only, you can certainly connect the 'Kat to the laptop via a MIDI interface, such as an M-Audio Uno.

Yes, you would have to load the sounds in VDL.  The easiest way to switch sounds would be to use the computer.  You can run VDL in standalone mode, or host VDL in a sequencer (such as Ableton).

Hosting in Ableton is pretty easy and can be a good option if you are going to use some other VST's (like Reason or Absynth).  I used Ableton last winter with a malletKat and 4 synths connected to a computer and it worked extremely well.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Right now I have a MalletKat Express (2 Octave) running a MIDI out to a laptop running VDL 2.
I load a sound into VDL and it plays great from the Kat. The problem is that if I load a second sound into VDL and switch to it, I still get the first sound playing. As an example, I have CHIMES and HANDCLAPs loaded into VDL, with CHIMES being the first. No matter what I do, I always get CHIME sounds from the kat, but if I use the keyboard from the laptop, I can get the CLAP sounds.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Scott

Scott,

I think what you'll need to do is send a ";Channel Change"; message from your MalletKAT if you want to switch from one patch to another. For example, if your Chimes are assigned to channel 1 in VDL, and your Handclaps are assigned to channel 2, be sure the keyboard is sending out on the channel corresponding to the sound you want to play. I'm not very familiar with the functions of the MalletKat Express, but I'd assume it's capable of switching channels.

[quote author=Jim Casella link=topic=2913.msg17421#msg17421 date=1251337434]
Scott,

I think what you'll need to do is send a ";Channel Change"; message from your MalletKAT if you want to switch from one patch to another. For example, if your Chimes are assigned to channel 1 in VDL, and your Handclaps are assigned to channel 2, be sure the keyboard is sending out on the channel corresponding to the sound you want to play. I'm not very familiar with the functions of the MalletKat Express, but I'd assume it's capable of switching channels.
[/quote]

Exactly.  You would want to make sure you have a pedal plugged into the edit jack on the Kat.  You can also set up a chain on the Kat.  You can set up your Kat to do your change without having to use the edit pedal.  Consult the Kat owners manual to learn how to setup chains.