Alesis

This eight-piece electronic drum kit features an exclusive Alesis mesh snare and mesh kick that deliver an authentic drumming experience. This article walks through a number of frequently asked questions about the Alesis Command Kit.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What do I need to get started playing my Command Kit?
• How many sounds and samples are included in the Command Kit module?
• Can the Command drum module connect to a computer?
• Can I use my own audio files and create my own kits?
• Can I use my own pads with the Command module?
• Can I save and load an entire kit from my USB flash drive?
• Is the Hi-Hat pedal a continuous or a switch-type pedal?
• Can I reset the module to its factory default settings? How?
• My headphones have a built in microphone. Can I use these with my module?

What do I need to get started playing my Command Kit?

The Command Kit comes with everything you need to start playing right away! Including:

• 10" dual zone mesh snare pad
• (2) 9" dual zone rubber tom pads
• 11" dual zone rubber pad
• 8" mesh kick pad
• Kick drum pedal
• 10" ride cymbal w/choke
• 10" crash cymbal w/choke
• 10" hi-hat cymbal
• Hi-hat pedal
• 4 post chrome rack
• Cable snake
• Cable wraps
• Drum key
• Drum sticks

How many sounds and samples are included in the Command Kit module?

The Command Advanced Drum Module comes with 70 kits (50 factory + 20 user) and 600 sounds. You can load WAV samples and play-along with tracks via a USB memory stick. Additionally, the Advanced module has real-time recording (5 tracks internally; up to 99 tracks via USB memory stick)! It comes with a USB/MIDI output for use with virtual instrument and recording software that allows the module to send MIDI information to the computer to trigger your favorite DAW or virtual instrument.

Can the Command drum module connect to a computer?

Yes! Simply connect the USB cable to your computer and it will function with any DAW or music software that accepts MIDI information. It is class-compliant which means that it will work with any modern Mac or PC without the need to download any software or drivers.

The default Trigger MIDI Note assignments are as follows:

Can I use my own audio files and create my own kits?

The Command Kit allows you to add any WAV file up to 16-bit/48kHz to a 4GB - 64GB FAT32 formatted USB drive. It also allows you to add to or create your own unique kits. Each sample must be a16-bit mono WAV file with a maximum size of 15 MB. It can have a sampling rate of 48, 44.1, 32, 22.05, or 11.025 kHz.

To load your own samples from a USB flash drive to use as voices within a kit:

1. Press Kit to enter the Kit Selection page (if you are not already viewing it).
2. Press Menu to enter the Kit Menu.
3. Use the Down and Up buttons to select USB Memory, and then press Enter.
4. Use the Down and Up buttons to select Sample Load, and then press Enter. A list of your samples will appear in the display.
5. Use the Down and Up buttons to select a sample, and then press Enter.
6. When Load to User Voice? appears in the display, press Enter to load the sample or Exit to cancel. You may need to wait a minute for the sample to load, depending on its size.

Can I use my own pads with the Command module?

While other standard or dual-zone single pads will likely work, the Command Kit module is configured to respond optimally with the included drum kit. You could potentially use third-party standard triggers, however, since other manufacturers design triggers specifically for different drum modules, not all triggers may respond as expected.

Can I save and load an entire kit from my USB flash drive?

To save a kit to a USB flash drive:

1. Press Kit to enter the Kit Selection page (if you are not already viewing it).
2. Use the dial or Left and Right buttons to select the kit you want to save. To switch between the preset kits (001–050) and user kits (051–070), press Kit.
3. Press Menu to enter the Kit Menu.
4. Use the Down and Up buttons to select USB Memory, and then press Enter.
5. Use the Down and Up buttons to select Kit Save, and then press Enter.
6. Use the Down and Up buttons to select a kit number (00–99). A number with no name next to it indicates an empty kit. A number with a name next to it indicates a saved kit.
7. To save the kit to the selected number, press Enter. If the number already has a kit saved to it, Data will be overwritten! Enter or Exit? will appear in the display. Press Enter to overwrite the kit or Exit to return to the list of kits.
   To cancel, press Exit.

To load a kit from a USB flash drive:

1. Press Kit to enter the Kit Selection page (if you are not already viewing it).
2. Press Menu to enter the Kit Menu.
3. Use the Down and Up buttons to select USB Memory, and then press Enter.
4. Use the Down and Up buttons to select Kit Load, and then press Enter.
5. Use the Down and Up buttons to select a kit number (00–99). A number with no name next to it indicates an empty kit. A number with a name next to it indicates a saved kit.
6. To load the selected kit, press Enter.
7. When Load to User___? appears in the display, use the dial or Left and Right buttons to select the desired “destination” user kit number.
8. Press Enter to load the kit.

Is the Hi-Hat pedal a continuous or a switch-type pedal?

The Hi-Hat pedal included with the Command Kit is a continuous variable type pedal. This pedal allows for open, half-open, and closed hi-hat sounds, and will also allow for "chick" and "splash" sounds when the pedal is pressed down and released without striking the hi-hat cymbal pad.

Can I reset the module to its factory default settings? How?

To return the drum module to its original default settings:

1. Press Kit to enter the Kit Selection page (if you are not already viewing it).
2. Press Menu to enter the Kit Menu.
3. Use the Down and Up buttons to select Factory Reset, and then press Enter.
4. Use the Down and Up buttons to select which settings you want to return to the defaults.
5. Kit (only the user kits)
6. Song (only the user songs)
7. Voice (only the user voices)
8. Trigger Settings (all trigger settings)
9. All (all of the above).
10. When All data will be lost! Enter or Exit? appears in the display, press Enter to continue or Exit to cancel.
11. Wait a minute while the module restores its default settings. After Reset OK! appears in the display, the default settings are restored.
12. Press Exit to return to the previous page.

My headphones have a built in microphone. Can I use these with my module?

The headphone output of the module is a common 1/8th inch (3.5mm) stereo output. Using headphones with a built in microphone (TRRS) may cause drops in your audio. It is recommended to use standard headphones with a TRS cable.