There are several ways to use MDrummer to build track for your songs:

• MIDI command method - this is the most flexible method currently invented. However it is not very well-known, so you have to learn it, e.g. from our tutorial videos.
• Song structure system - MDrummer's built-in sequencer can be used as quickly as possible. Just run MDrummer, load a drumset and rhythm and your song is finished. On the other hand it is impossible to use it to create more complicated arrangements sontaining stop times etc.
• Automation - system copied from Groove agent is very simple - enable automation-write and just press the buttons on MDrummer to control him. However we do not recommend this method. It is slow to use, there is no flexibility at all and there may be various problems between hosts.
• Custom MIDI - you can use MDrummer as a sound source only of course. MDrummer accepts notes on channel 10 (or others using MIDI mode). However this way you loose advantages of the probably most advanced rhythm system ever.

There are multiple ways to update MDrummer (and other products):

• Run Update manager - in Start menu/MeldaProduction/product an update manager item has been created, so you can simply click it and it will perform any actions necessary. It requires internet connection. If you have deleted the start menu items, run update.cmd file located in the software installation directory. If not available, download it here and place it to the installation directory manually.
• Use Update installer - in most cases we supply an executable version you can download from our site. This way you can update machines without internet connection. The update installer is not available for freeware plug-ins, but is for the bundle.

MDrummer jam mode tries to play with you, but it still requires the song layout to be defined. Which means you have to tell MDrummer if it should play or not and where to put breaks. It may seem constricting, but in most cases you will need some predefined structure anyway.
You have following choices:

• Song structure system - when song structure is enabled, you just need to enable the jam mode too. Then play with MDrummer on channels you normally used for commands - MIDI channel 1 for rhythm 1 etc.
• MIDI command method - this method is a little more complicated. Since you need to send MDrummer commands and also play with him, it needs to distinguish between those two. Therefore MIDI commands are working as usual (except ignoring some properties which depending on how you play), but you have to use different channels. Since 1-9 are reserved for commands and 10 for notes, 11-16 are the obvious choice. For example to jam with rhythm 1, enable jam mode, send MIDI commands on channel 1 (as usual) and play on channel 11.

Jam mode is still evolving, as most of MDrummer features, so if you have any idea about how to make it better for you, please do not hesitate and contact us.

This is typically caused by mingling different versions of MDrummer. If you are using MDrummer Large, you should uninstall MDrummer Small. Then install all updates. If the problem still occurs, run MDrummerConfig. Even if you do not change any settings, MDrummerConfig checks for the modules and ensures everything is in proper place. If the problem lasts, contact our technical support please.

MDrummer standalone application automatically loads default rhythm and drumset. VST plug-in however does not load the default drumset, because it is time-consuming. To check it you have to proceed like this:

• 1. Load MDrummer into your VST host.
• 2. Load a drumset e.g. by double-clicking on some.
• 3. Press play button in MDrummer playback panel and you should hear the sound immediately.

This is obviously not very typical way to use MDrummer, but it is intended to check, if there is some kind of problem.

VST plug-ins can have multiple output channels. Using MDrummerConfig you can configure how many you need (from 1 to 16, 8 by default). MDrummer uses drum types to automatically route drums to first 4 channels like this:

• 1 - drums and toms
• 2 - hihats, ride and cowbells
• 3 - crashes
• 4 - background percussion (shakers, tambourines...)

Why? Because in most cases you want to setup volumes for those groups in your mixer. Remaining channels you can use freely, e.g. to route some specific drums. Unfortunately some hosts (e.g. Reaper) accept multiple output, but ignore all except the first one by default. Therefore only the first one is not muted and you hear only drums. If you are advanced user of the host, you can configure those outputs. Otherwise use MDrummerConfig to set only 1 output channel up and let your host refresh VST plug-ins afterwards.

Check if the drums are in your drumset and load/create them if not. MDrummer cannot play instruments which has not been given to him.