AVL Drumkits VST with DDrum DDTI Trigger on Ubuntu Studio 24.04

This article documents a low-latency, PC-based drum setup designed to replace expensive hardware drum modules by using open-source software on Linux.

The goal is to show a practical, reproducible workflow using Ubuntu Studio, a USB drum trigger interface, and the AVL Drumkits plugin, with a strong focus on latency, routing, and reliability.

👉 If you prefer a fast walkthrough, you can watch the full video tutorial on YouTube below.

Why this setup

Modern drum modules can be expensive and closed. With a properly configured Linux system, it is possible to:

Use USB drum trigger interfaces instead of MIDI-only modules
Run high-quality drum samples (AVL Drumkits)
Achieve very low latency with a real-time / low-latency kernel
Build a flexible and upgradable system

This approach is ideal for electronic drummers, hybrid acoustic/electronic setups, home studios, and open-source enthusiasts.

Hardware used

Trigger interface: DDrum DDTI (USB connection, not MIDI DIN)
Drum pad: Roland PD-9 (snare)
Connection: Jack cable from pad to trigger interface
Audio output: Integrated PC sound card
Monitoring: USB headphones with integrated microphone

Operating System

Ubuntu Studio 24.04
Low-latency kernel enabled
Audio system: JACK server with ALSA backend

Ubuntu Studio provides an optimized environment for real-time audio, making it well suited for this kind of setup.

Software stack

AVL Drumkits (x42-avldrums) – LV2 / VST plugin
Download: https://x42-plugins.com/x42/x42-avldrums
Carla – plugin host and PatchBay
KXStudio repositories – for audio tools and plugins
https://kx.studio/Repositories
OBS Studio – desktop and webcam recording
DaVinci Resolve – video editing

Installing AVL Drumkits

Download the file: x42-avldrums-x86_64.tar.gz
Open Dolphin (file manager)
Right-click the file and select Extract Here
Follow the included instructions to install the plugin in the correct LV2 path

Finding Carla in Ubuntu Studio

From the Ubuntu main desktop press the application search button (top-left or Super key)
Navigate to: Audio Production → Effects → Carla
Launch Carla

Creating the plugin rack in Carla

Open Carla
In the main window, click Add Plugin
Search for Red Zeppelin Drumkit (AVL Drumkits)
Select the plugin and confirm with Add Plugin

Routing with PatchBay

In Carla PatchBay:

Connect Trigger I/O (DDrum DDTI input) to the AVL Drumkits plugin
Connect the plugin output to the system audio output

You should see activity when hitting the pad, confirming that the trigger is detected correctly.

MIDI and trigger notes

The DDrum DDTI uses USB, not traditional MIDI DIN
Channel is typically 10 (standard for drums)
In this setup, the snare sends Note 38, which matches the AVL Drumkits snare mapping

Testing the setup

Click directly on the drum pieces inside the AVL Drumkits GUI
Hit the physical drum pad and verify that:
- The GUI responds
- The audio output is audible

Latency optimization

If needed, further latency reduction can be achieved by:

Adjusting buffer size in Ubuntu Studio audio configuration
Fine-tuning JACK parameters
Disabling unnecessary background services

Detailed latency tuning can be explained on request.

Backing track

The backing track used in the video was composed and produced by me specifically for this tutorial.

You can listen to it on:

YouTube: Sam Porter Bridges – Babunker (official video)
Bandcamp: https://babunker.bandcamp.com/track/babunker

Courses and contact

If you are interested in drum lessons, electronic drums, or digital audio, feel free to visit:

https://babunker.com

Feedback and suggestions

If you have suggestions for:

Alternative software
Different routing approaches
Even lower latency setups on Linux

Please leave a comment on the YouTube video. Community feedback is always welcome.

Video production notes

Screen recording: OBS Studio
Video editing: DaVinci Resolve
Operating system: Ubuntu Studio

Prefer a faster walkthrough? Watch the tutorial on YouTube below: