Addictive Drums 2: Playback quality differs between synth and in DAW

[Dave G]

In sampling drum kits within Addictive Drums, I'm hearing a strange problem in regards to playback between the synth and the DAW itself.

When I sample a drum kit in the AD2 synth browser, it's crisp and clear. But when I play the kit in the Piano Roll of the DAW, it sounds...well, "not as present". As if I don't know if the volume's too low or that the sample sounds like it's "in the next room". Just doesn't sound as present or "open". It's puzzling my mind and ears and I can't figure out how to regulate it.

Of course, the AD2 mixer faders are all at their default positions and the faders in the DAW are what they are, represented in Console view.

I don't know if there's an anomaly there or my imagination -- or it's only an imbalance in volume between the two and nothing more.

Can anyone evaluate and help me identify the imbalance and understand regulating it there? Furthermore, when I mix that AD2 track into the DAW, whether to use the AD2 mixer or the DAW console mixer?

Anyway, answers would be appreciated! Thank you in advance.

Edited December 6 by Dave G

[Glenn Stanton]

firstly make sure the AD2 standalone and the DAW are using the exact same output paths... secondly, check your velocities on your MIDI notes. clicking on the instrument in AD2 standalone and in the DAW should be the same (assuming you click on the same location on the instrument), but if you're MIDI playback is quiet - you might need to adjust the velocities.

check that you're not getting extra MIDI input which is triggering multiple hits (this can cause some phase issues). also, (at least for me) i use individual outputs from the AD2 into the DAW - each instrument get it's own track (except overhead cymbals which can only be placed on a stereo track). for my customized kits, i turn off all overhead for the cymbals and only leave them in the room stereo pair, all other instruments are turned off in the room.

so far, this approach let's me tweak a kit as needed for the overheads (snare, hh, toms, flex) and the cymbals separately, plus some panning in AD2 etc to create the stereo balance on the cymbals. all other tracks (except OH) are mono.  all levels on the AD2 mix are set to unity. all levels etc are controlled in the DAW.

[Dave G]

On 12/6/2024 at 5:25 PM, Glenn Stanton said:

firstly make sure the AD2 standalone and the DAW are using the exact same output paths... secondly, check your velocities on your MIDI notes. clicking on the instrument in AD2 standalone and in the DAW should be the same (assuming you click on the same location on the instrument), but if you're MIDI playback is quiet - you might need to adjust the velocities.

check that you're not getting extra MIDI input which is triggering multiple hits (this can cause some phase issues). also, (at least for me) i use individual outputs from the AD2 into the DAW - each instrument get it's own track (except overhead cymbals which can only be placed on a stereo track). for my customized kits, i turn off all overhead for the cymbals and only leave them in the room stereo pair, all other instruments are turned off in the room.

so far, this approach let's me tweak a kit as needed for the overheads (snare, hh, toms, flex) and the cymbals separately, plus some panning in AD2 etc to create the stereo balance on the cymbals. all other tracks (except OH) are mono.  all levels on the AD2 mix are set to unity. all levels etc are controlled in the DAW.

Thank you for your explanation. In reference to your first few paragraphs, I can safely say that this is a basic project with no modifications to output paths or anything unusual that I'm not familiar enough to mess with. 

Here's what my volume faders look like:

~ AD2: Every kit piece set to its individual volume level: Snare & Toms at 0db, HiHat and Flexis a few db less. Master -3 db on this particular kit (I don't know why.)

~ DAW console faders: Every instrument track default to 0db.

~ DAW note velocities: All default volume of 100 (out of max of 127) to begin with.

Obviously, what I'm hearing is that the AD2 kit pieces' individual tracks combining to make Master Volume vs. the kit playing on one instrument track in the DAW -- the AD2 kit being slightly louder. So I feel there's no clarity/fidelity issue after all...just a basic difference in output volume. Especially in the fact that, when I increase the velocities in those notes in the DAW, it is much clearer. (It may also benefit me to have my ears cleaned. LOL.)

I'll put this one to rest for now and experiment with proper mixing and volume control so I can understand better. Thanks for your help on this!

[Chaps]

When you use the standalone AD2 the audio is going straight to your audio device. The AD2 audio in your Cakewalk is going to the master bus. Try changing the output of your Cakewalk AD2 track to your audio device, not the master bus. All other things being equal they should sound the same, unless the main audio output slider set to 0 dB is attenuating the signal enough to make an audible difference. I do not recommend this as a standard practice but for experimental purposes it might be useful.