Drums MIDI Keyboard Input Using MIDI Values Translated Into Note Names

Having just bought a portable MIDI controller I was excited to try it out with Drum input with marching percussion. I was a little disappointed when I realized the way the MIDI values are matched up with the notes is not intuitive at all. For example, on Marching Bass Drums, from low to high, the default MIDI notes are D4, E4, G4, G#4, and A#4. Not even consecutive note names, and a mixture of black and white keys. Plus I already have conflicting note names memorized and associated with the notes from using QWERTY keyboard shortcuts. 99% of the time I just use the 7 or fewer notes with the QWERTY shortcuts. If I ever need a rare other note I'll use the mouse or arrow keys to key to it. I'd imagine most users are the same way.

It would be nice if there was an option in the drumset editor (like a checkbox) to process MIDI input by note name only and use the shortcuts that are already familiar. For example, F3, F4, and F5 would all register as simply F, and input whatever note is associated with that shortcut. That way users could continue to use the shortcuts they already know from using the QWERTY keyboard while also utilizing the intuitive linearity of a MIDI Keyboard. This way also doesn't mess up old/external scores by changing the MIDI values of notes.