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https://images.thomann.de/pics/prod/221685_ezdrummer_manual.pdf

Virtual Studio Technology (VST) is an audio plug-in software interface that integrates software synthesizer and effects in digital audio workstations (DAW).Protools is a DAW.  VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing (dsp) to simulate traditional recording studio hardware in software.

AD2 is Addictive Drums 2 by XLN Audio. It is a VST for edrums.

You can easily configure the 6 analog outs (1-4 and headphones) on the di3 module to any combination of cymbals, drums or hi hats you like. Read the other post on output options. You might want to find some YouTube tutorials on Protools, VST’s and midi.

  You can record in any DAW using analog (physical audio outs from module to the ins on the focusrite and from there to the computer (DAW) via usb. Midi is not used in this case and the recording is in wav. You are restricted to the number of analog audio ins and outs I.e. 6 with the di3 giving you 6 audio tracks.
  When recording utilizing the midi out from the module to midi in on the focusrite then usb to computer DAW and now using the VST plug in within Protools, you can record each individual drum, cymbal and hihat on their own track I.e. 10 drums and cymbals = 10 midi tracks. You also have much better and easier editing capabilities.

It’s not all that complicated once you understand it but may seem so at first.

I don’t use protools but I do use Logic Pro X on a Mac. They are very similar. I connect to the DAW via midi and open an instance of addictive drums 2 in Logic. I can then assign each drum to its own track to record as well as play them live from the laptop to an audio interface then to my mixer and out to the speakers. I have much more control of the drum tracks when recorded in midi vs analog wav. I can easily quantize the timing, add effects and so on. Also have full control of the mix of the entire set. IMHO that’s the best and only way to go. Basically the drums and module become a midi trigger I/o interface to a computer. The computer generates the sound via the DAW loaded with a drum VST then out to a sound system. In your case, di3 midi out to midi in on the focusrite. Focusrite to computer via USB to Protools (set up vst software i.e. Ad2, Superior drummer etc. in protools and assign each channel accordingly). In my case when Ad2 is open in Logic, there is a + symbol on the initial track to add more tracks and assign them to the appropriate drum. I would think there is something similar in protools. Computer Output should be to the Focurite via usb then your Focusrite analog outs to an audio system. The only time I do this is when recording otherwise for live play only, I go straight from the di3 analog outs to a mixer then to sound system. I use all 6 outs (1-4 and headphones) on my mixer an yes it does work as advertised. One other thing. If you have your di3 analog outs plugged to the fosrite as well as midi to the focusrite and computer, then you have to choose what sounds you want to hear over your speakers, either the module or the computer vst. If you choose the module for your live sound and record via midi in protools, of course what ever vst sounds were used will be heard during playback. You can load the vst sounds into the module via Lustar software as well. The advantage of using the module for live sound is the reduced latency, even though I haven’t ever experienced much in any situation. Hope all that rambling helps.

Set all channels on the internal mixer on the module that you don’t want on the headphone outs to minimum (Unit-mix page). It is all explained in the manual (manual stinks) and you can assign  single or multiple channels to I.e. Bus 1 or Bus 2 or bus 1 and 2 etc. For channels you only want on the headphone outs, do not assign them to a bus. As for NOT hearing the rest of the channels you have assigned to a bus but still in the mix on the headphone outs try to think more of you’re unassigning whatever channels by turning them all the way down in the internal mixture. Read the notes under the pics as well,. You don’t have to pan anything unless you want to. Another thing to remember when wanting 6 separate outs is to only assign the mix to the headphones not to outs 1-4. That’s why you turn down the fader volumes of the the channels you don’t want to be heard in the mix only, since that’s a separate volume control of its own.

Mine is a Dell Inspiron 5767 and has windows 10 64 bit, intel i5 core processor, 8 gb ram. No issues. Not a fan of windows anymore especially with their automatic updates and prefer the Mac but the Dell fits the hole.

I would go with a D3. The D5 headphone output has problems and the hihat is proprietary. The D3 has universal pad support and a good price point for its capabilities. Now if you need a bunch of ins and outs and can afford it, the pearl mimic pro is by far the best module on the market imo but it is a little pricy.

Yes you can use the headphone outs to give you 6 outs total. You need to use the buses and assign them. Check out the D3 manual on the 2box website.

I prefer MAC but I also have a windows laptop. If you do a lot of tweaking, use VST’s and/or have the 32gb mod, then the SDSE and the Drumit software is a must. The Drumit kit software basically mirrors the module, but with a much easier to use layout. It makes navigating the module menus a snap. I use SDSE (need Reaper, it’s on the Lustar sight) to convert VST’s (AD2 etc) to use in the module and the now the included DSsoundtool to tweak the zones. I purchased all the software to get all the capabilities. Of course running all on the windows machine. Maybe one day it will go MAC but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Lustar’s support is the best and very quick with responses to any questions. Highly recommended.

Thanks Jerry. The problem I was having was I could not find the DSoundtool. Lustar pointed me in the right direction. It’s in the SDSE program file folder now and can be launched from there. Created a shortcut on desktop and got it going. All is good now👍.

I have been trying to figure out where you can set the zone volumes for a 3 ride in Dkit manager. I don’t see anything for zones except the +++ or the bell gain low,med,high. I don’t see anything in DSsound tuner that has anything to do with zones either. Is the DSsound tuner the same thing as the DSsound tool that has been mentioned? I have read every user manual out there. I am guessing the DSound tool is no longer available. Need some help.

 For the most part I found the bell did not work on the crashes but I did find one that did. The circuitry supports it with the 14” Alesis rides but most of the crash samples did not.  I guess my point was you’re not stuck with only Roland’s to get the function of the crash B channels.
I did get the drums dialed in but will continue with the hihat and cymbals, and thanks for the suggestions.

Finally after 3 months of owning the d3 module I found the time to start getting it set up.
1. Using the newer Alesis 14” rides as crashes ( not stirike cymbals) , the a and b work like the Roland’s; I get the bell on the crash.
2. Using Jman’s stealth hihat trigger on a Sabian hihat upper cymbal with a geo drum controller, It works “ok”. Still trying to dial it in. Need to run it thru sdse to balance out the sound. Chick sound, when using pedal, is louder than when striking the cymbal. Also still not getting a tight closed sound when fully pressing the pedal and striking the cymbal as well as not getting quite a fully open hi hat sound. It’s a little sizzley. Still messing with calibration settings.
3. The drums sound great, however I am not impressed with the crash, ride or hi hat samples. They all seem somewhat tinney and do not sustain well at all, especially the rides. I have tried various settings but haven’t found any that I consider good sounding samples yet. I will import some ad2 cymbal samples that I know sound good and hope they stay that way after the conversion.  Also need to run them thru sdse to get the sounds better balanced between the edge, bow and bell.
4. Just really getting started with this thing. I did select the appropriate type pads for each, set the gains (heavy strike =0.0) , then adjusted individual output volumes. Have not messed with faders yet for any volume control. Also messed around with different curve settings (normal for most, couple of pos 1’s as well.)
5. Not sure why channel 2 is the default used for midi out. Channel 10 is the standard for drums unless I am missing something here.
Overall pleased with the module, especially the ability to use ad2 kits without a computer, but the factory drums  are really good, again the cymbals are so so thus far.

Anyone know the specs for the outputs 1-4; line level, instrument level, balanced, unbalanced? I understand all the inputs need trs cables to accommodate the zones, but are the outs balanced and do better with trs cables due to their grounding/noise eliminating capabilities?

Sorry, I missed it. My age is showing, CRS and all.

Jman, on your 32gb card mod, are the drumit3 sounds preloaded or do I need to pull them off the factory SD card? Haven’t had time to compare them yet. Thanks