Choose a controller. A controller is anything that can function as a MIDI output device. For example, you can use a controller keyboard, a general music keyboard with MIDI capabilities, or a digital drum machine.
Connect your controller to a MIDI input device -- any device that receives MIDI information and plays music in response. You can use a MIDI sound module, which contains a built-in instrument bank, or use your computer as the receiver. Use a digital recording program with MIDI virtual instruments. To connect, use a MIDI cable. Connect the cable to the “MIDI-In” jack on your receiver and the “MIDI-Out” jack on your controller.
Select a percussion instrument using your receiver. For example, a sound module has a “Voices” menu with an array of virtual instruments, while a digital music recording program has a menu for “Software Synthesizers,” “Virtual Instruments” or just “Instruments.” Select your “Drums” or “Percussion” sub-menu, and then choose a drum kit. On a typical receiver device, you will see many types of drum kits such as “Rock Drums” and “Electronic Percussion.”
Begin playing keys on your controller. Different drum kits have different configurations, but you can quickly determine which keys correspond with which drums by playing the controller. For example, if using a keyboard as a controller, you can often play a kick drum sound by playing the second or third “C” key. Using the keys following the kick drum key, you can usually find a snare, hi-hat, cymbal, toms and various effects like chimes, triangles and bells.
Set your MIDI controller to “Channel 10,” if you cannot produce sound. General MIDI includes 16 channels, accessible from a knob or menu -- depending on the device. Channel 10 is designated specifically for percussion. With most newer devices, though, the MIDI channel should not matter.