Drum Machine or Sampler Software?
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Posted on Oct 30, 2004 03:04 pm
joemexistrat
Member Since: Sep 19, 2004
WHat do you guys prefer for laying down drum tracks? Drum machines or Software? Been playing around with software only and it seems pretty much a hassle on the software end, any recomendations?
Thx
Joemeximelt
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Oct 30, 2004 04:11 pm I have a Zoom RT-123 drum machine, and I also use Cakewalk Home Studio. I prefer the software over the drum machine simply because it is quicker for me to enter patterns and copy them into songs. The Softsynth sounds are not as good (to my ears) as the Zoom, but there good enough for my purposes.
Jim
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 30, 2004 08:05 pm I prefer software sequencers because you can plug in any sound that you want for your drums, while a "hard" drum machine is confined to its own banks of sounds. There are so many millions of sampled sounds on the internet, you can surely find a collection of them that will satisfy your tastes for drum sounds. If your hard drum machine sounds don't do it for you, then you're SOL until you save up and buy a new machine.
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Oct 30, 2004 09:28 pm I personally use Fruityloops, and love it, composing most of my music in it. Project 5 I'm hearing is good too. I think software is way more flexible than a hardware unit, but the hardware is more portable. I don't know. Thers going to be a learning curve with any new gear, hard or software, but I prefer software for drums, like fruityloops. I find it more intuitive and also has so much more flexibility in my opinion.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 31, 2004 01:33 am Agreed, the software drum synths are far more versatile then the hardware counter parts. In Porject 5 as well as Kinetic and Sonar they have dedicated drum samplers and synths that are stunning.
gelaynobody is perfectMember
Since: Oct 15, 2004
Nov 02, 2004 01:23 am Loki, i am on it too. FLstudio is so simple, easy and sounds great.
but after i try the groove agent demo and call it as FLstudio VST, i immediately prefer groove agent drum sounds to the sample files of FLstudio.
FYI guys, I am from Indonesia!!
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Nov 02, 2004 03:31 am gelay - the wonderful thing about fruity though is the ability to load up your own samples so that you aren't stuck with the defaults.
Nov 02, 2004 07:01 am I also have a Zoom RT123 machine but I like to marry the 2 together i.e. Hardware/Software.
Believe it or not, I design all my beats in Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 !! (I just like the simple midi features). Then, I export the midi file into Cubase, set the channel to midi and run this via the ZoomRT123 for its banks (I love the drums on there).
Best of both worlds methinks!! I can design away on the screen, get the sounds from the machine AND keep a copy of the beat (as the RT123 fills up pretty darn quick).
I do however, prefer real drums! But, sometimes for a quick beat or whatever, yi canny beat the machine/software combo!
Coco.
Nov 02, 2004 08:56 am Coco, I have often wondered how you did your drums. I knew you had the Zoom, but I always thought you programed using that...a mammoth task for sure!
I don't seem, at the moment, to have a way to get MIDI information out of my computer and into the Zoom. How exactly do you do it?
Jim
Nov 02, 2004 09:09 am I have the DR-660 from Boss. It has ok sounds. I usually lay a straight beat for recording the guitar and then go back and add in parts manually to get a more realistic "drummer" part. I've tried FL, and the sounds are great, especially being able to add your own samples. Because I'm not into dance and hip hop and it seemed that most (if not all) the sounds were geared toward tha genre of songage. Sometimes I'll use Acid to create a drum part, but it's more time consuming for me. Well, that's my bit. Bada-boom. Kirk
chex81CheeseMember
Since: Jul 21, 2004
Nov 02, 2004 01:51 pm Coming from an experienced drummer, I would suggest a software over a drum machine.
I find them simpler to use, easy to set patterns and great sound quality.
I myself only use the software for foundation, until I can physically lay down real drums tracks.
Fruity Loops is great software. It may take some time to understand, but is worth the stress of learning. The end product is great.
Nov 02, 2004 03:30 pm Jim
You need a midi interface (I use the M-Audio Midisport uno - 1 in and 1 out) which gives me a unit allowing me to plug one end into the PC's USB port and the other into the zoom.
Then, you just design the beat in your app (using a midi editor - I use Cakewalk but you may have it in your app?). Just route the channel out to the USB Midisport (rather than the standard GM sound bank built inot the PC) and your midi will come out the zoom (playin the beats you need).
I done the beats for some of my songs using the Zoom (what a pain in the butt that was I tell ya) but I done some in Cakewalk too (tho you sometimes need to tweak it but its easier to tweak). Experimentation is the key...
Gid luck to ya
Coco.
Nov 02, 2004 04:33 pm Aye, I just need to get me an interface. My sound card (SB Audigy...yeah, I know) doesn't have a game port built in to it to get MIDI info out.
I have lost several eBay auctions trying to get me a M-Audio Delta 44. Once I land one, I may investigate the USB MIDI interface as well. My birthday is coming up this Saturday, and I just may have to treat maself to some new gear!
Jim
Nov 03, 2004 07:08 am Hey Jim
You dont need a new sound card just for the midi (tho I would get one if you dont like the audigy which I dont blame ya for - dont tell dB you have a SB!! hehe).
You can get the USB midi thing for about £30 (aboot $50 USD I think I spied it for) and that gives you midi in/out. Great value.
Also, the Delta has no midi capabilities. Thats why I got the M-Audio Midi Sport (UNO). There are other options with more ins/outs but I only needed the 1/1. However, the Delta44 is a great card - I use it and love it. Also the audiophile 24/96 is a good card and cheap too - may be worth a thought tho there is no breakout box.
Worht it tho - I also use it for my VAMP - control the VAMP with the PC .... great. It allows me to quickly create custom amptones using drop downs and save em....cool.
Coco.
Nov 03, 2004 07:27 am Thanks Coco. I have also had my eye on the Audiophile 2496. It looks like 2 audio channels and one MIDI channel. That's really all I need, because I have the multitracker for bigger projects! I only intend to use my computer for smaller projects and for HRC collabs, which I hope to do a lot more of in the near future!
The Soundblaster has got to go fo sho!!
Jim
Nov 03, 2004 08:10 am I would go for an ESI Juli@ over the Audiophile...oh, wait, actually, I DID get a Juli@ to replace my Audiophile...
