Hi,
I see. I haven't used the drum pads before so I tried it out just now. I actually found it to be a pretty good experience; though I have to admit I've become a little adept at using some of Notion's short cut keys. I think if you incorporate some shortcut keys, your life with the drum entry will become easier.
We'll approach this from the idea of a single cymbal grid as you seem to prefer this. My recommendation is two voices (because that's how I learned to notate drum parts
and it's actually easier - and it's all about me right?
), but we'll stick with one voice for the example. Some quick entry tips:
1. For real estate purposes, I recommend selecting from the menu View > Continuous so that your staff just goes across the screen. You can set it to pages later, but for editing, this may be helpful. Also, Ctrl + ; will show or hide the note pallette. Sometimes when it's visible it's just in the way.
2. When you want to enter notes, make sure the little pencil is highlighted (Entry Mode) on the drum entry pads. select it now. You probably couldn't edit the notes before with the arrow because this mode was engaged. This mode allows entry from the drum pads. Press escape to exit this mode. but enter it for our example. Also press the "2 notes" button directly under it. This is melody mode for single note entry.
3. Each note value can be called up with the first letter of that note. E for example means eight note. Once you have your note value, just click on the pad for the specific drum. We'll click the ride cymbol pad 16 times. For a rest, just press the spacebar or the note value key twice and a rest will be automatically inserted at the current staff position highlighted in yellow.
4. Navigate quickly through measures using the bracket keys [ ] to move forward or backward by measure. Hold Ctrl + left bracket to go to the beginning. use the arrow keys to move note for note or beat for beat.
5. Click on the chord symbol. Click on the kick and ride pads. Both pads should highlight. Move to the beat the kick should be and press enter. You could go and add all of the kick now, or switch to snare as you go. When you switch to snare and ride, make sure the kick pad is turned off.
Overall the process condensed is:
1. Edit Mode/Melody Mode
2. Choose note duration (E for eigth) - click ride cymbal pad as many times as needed
3. Ctrl + [ to go back to the beginning or just [ to go back 1 measure at a time.
4. Click on Chord mode
5. Click kick pad and ride pad so both are lit.
6. Navigate to individual beats or notes using the arrow keys where you want the kick. Press Enter to add "chord" of kick and ride
7. Repeat number 6 for the snare and ride pads being sure to turn off the kick.
8. Exit edit mode. Press Ctrl + A to select all.
Right click on highlighted notes Notes > Stem Up