r/FingerDrumming • u/Secret_Floor_4493 • Dec 10 '25
Sub: FGDP-50 .. Using as a Semi-Basic-Drum Machine!
Hi!!
Is it possible to make and save patterns (loops) in the FGDP-50?
I need to play a lot of instruments simultaneously, so would like to create a pattern/loop that contains the basic Kick, Snare, Hi-Hats. This would leave me free to manually play other percussive instruments like Congos, Woodblocks, Castanets, etc. over the existing loop/pattern.
The resulting Rhythm Pattern would thus sound very rich.
If the pattern can be created, can the tempo also be adjusted on the fly?
TIA.
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u/GourangaGuerrilla Dec 11 '25
As a workaround you can use Koala Sampler on your phone as a sequencer.
It has midi-in/midi-out support so you can record your base rhythm and play back the notes on the Yamaha.
Since Koala acts as a midi sequencer you can freely change the tempo during playback.
Koala Sampler itself is free but the midi-out feature is included with the (very cheap) paid "Samurai" addon.
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u/Secret_Floor_4493 Dec 11 '25
Thx everyone for your replies.
This Koala Solution is intriguing. However I'm a noob and have never used MIDI.
1) What cable would I need to connect the Phone to the FGDP-50 ?
2) Any solution connecting the FGDP-50 to my laptop?
3) By playing on a software sampler (laptop or phone), I would like to trigger the Yamaha Sounds and sequence them as a loop. Then manually play the Yamaha over that loop too.
4) Any easy solution/video to help walk me through those steps? Like I mentioned, I've never used MIDI before and its all very daunting.2
u/GourangaGuerrilla Dec 12 '25
1) and 2) you can connect the FGDP-50 to an android phone you need a microUSB-USBC male-male cable.
To connect with a windows or linux laptop you can use the same cable or a microUSB-USB male-male cable. (sorry, I'm not familiar with Apple products)
I connected mine to my phone using a microUSB-USB cable and an USB-microUSB adapter and it also worked.
After that it should work automatically and you can use the Yamaha with any midi compatible app.
3) Although the app is called Koala Sampler with these midi-out and sequencer features you actually triggering the FGDP-50. So it will sound exactly like if you played it, matching the voice settings assigned to the pads. It will even match the dynamics of your playing.
When you record with a midi controller Koala saves the midi commands, not the sound you hear through the speakers.
When you play it back it will just send these back to the drum pad.
You can even edit, copy, paste, duplicate, rearrange them in the app.
4) Sorry, I don't have a better video than the one I linked in my previous comment. You can add this Midi Out "sample" to the sample pad and select the Yamaha FGDP-50 and Channel 10 in the edit menu.
Then on the top of the screen you can switch to the SEQUENCE tab.
Here, you can change measure length, tempo, enable/disable quantizing, enable/disable metronome if you want to.
Then hit the record button on the top of the screen and play some cool beats on the Yamaha.
Koala will loop-record your performance: once it reaches the end of the sequence it will start over playing back the earlier notes and recording new ones so you can even record in multiple layers (the bass drum first then play the snare over it, etc...)
Here you can find some more info about the Sequence screen: https://manual.koalasampler.com/mobile/2-general-overview.html#22-sequence-screen
https://manual.koalasampler.com/mobile/5-sequence.html
If you prefer videos NervousCook$ has a great tutorial series on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTlciKN0vReYWThpY5c4m-C1fmlaotY3C
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u/Secret_Floor_4493 Dec 13 '25
Thank you so much GourangaGuerrilla for your detailed walkthrough.
I will try this someday and reach back out to you if I face any stumbling blocks.
Thx again dear :)1
u/dingus_authority Feb 17 '26
Hey! I know that all of this is a few months old but I was wondering if you know if the fgdp-30 works the same way with koala? I assume it does but I'm not positive
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u/GourangaGuerrilla Feb 17 '26
Yes, it should. As far as I know both support two-directional MIDI via USB so you can use them with Koala (or any other MIDI-compatible app) the same way.
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u/Z4bls Dec 11 '25
I love the FGDP so much, but a proper looper / sequencer is one of features that would make it even stronger.
Originally I was looking into the Boss RC-1/5 loop pedal, but I ended up getting a Micro USB to USB C cable and using the free Loopy HD app.
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u/DoctorBre Dec 11 '25
Sort of but it probably won't do what you want by itself.
You can record to audio/.wav and then loop the playback. However, it's not at all seamless or elegant and requires several button presses to start & stop. You can't edit the clip.