⚠️ Note: This guide is for electronic drums on Windows, MacOS, or iPadOS only. For acoustic drum setup, see this article. If you're using Melodics on iPhone, see this article.
Getting Started
Most MIDI drum kits work with Melodics. If you’re having trouble connecting your drums or if Melodics can’t detect them, follow these steps:
Select the Right Instrument
Ensure that “DRUMS” is selected as your instrument in Melodics. Click the drums icon in the top left corner to change to drums.Check Supported Devices
Some drum kits are plug-and-play with Melodics. Go to the Settings tab and choose your device from the ‘selected device’ dropdown menu.
Note: If you’re using a 3rd party MIDI to USB interface, you will need to map your drums manually. Whenever possible, we recommend using a direct USB connection to avoid compatibility issues.
Mapping Your Drums Manually
If your drum kit isn't natively supported or doesn’t appear in the ‘selected device’ dropdown menu, you'll need to map your controller manually. This is only required if your drum kit is not automatically recognized.
Go to Settings.
Click on ‘Map MIDI instrument’.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the mapping.
Troubleshooting: Drums Not Detected
If Melodics says it can't find a connected MIDI drum kit, try these solutions:
Check Your USB Connection: Ensure the USB cable is connected properly.
Try a Different USB Cable or Port: Use a different cable or USB port on your computer. Avoid USB hubs, USB extensions, and long USB cables (>2 meters).
Alesis Drum Users: Avoid USB 3.0 cables; USB 2.0 is recommended for better compatibility.
MIDI to USB Interface Users: Make sure the MIDI IN cable is connected to the MIDI OUT socket on your drum module.
Restart Your Computer: This can reset any software/driver glitches.
Close Other Applications: Other programs might interfere with your drum kit’s connection.
Factory Reset Your Drums: This might be necessary; refer to your drum kit’s manual or check this guide for instructions.
Install Necessary Drivers: Some drum kits require specific drivers. Visit the manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers and updates:
Tips for Left-Handed Drummers
✋ Left-handed drummers can enable "Left hand drums" in the Settings to flip the layout. All lessons are compatible with both left and right-handed setups.
Still having trouble? Check out these other articles: