Recording Drum Machines

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Member Since: Jan 17, 2010

I have a Tascam 2488 (24 track digital recorder)..Great machine. I would like to create drum tracks for a power pop recording project using a digital drum machine.
The Zoom MRT-3 might do a fine job BUT...Can I, (AFTER drum parts have been created and assembled on the MRT-3) record each individual drum, cymbal etc. on to separate tracks on my Tascam 2488...
In other words, is it possible to mute out all (snare, toms, crash etc.) percussion instruments except one (Kick) and then record in real time the remaining instrument on a separate track? repeating this process (using midi) for each percussion instrument. That way I can adjust levels and effects etc. for each percussion instrument long after the the rest of the instruments and vocals have been recorded for that song.
I don't have a pc to use for recording, and I'm just not prepared to go down that road at this time, so I need the right hardware...Is there a drum machine out there that can do what I've indicated here?

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Member
Since: Jan 17, 2010


Jan 20, 2010 06:42 pm

Come on....throw me a bone!....somebody out there knows how to solve my problem...Feel free to demean me in the process...I need to get past this one hurdle!

www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


Jan 21, 2010 03:43 pm

I took a dig through the Zoom MRT-3 manual and it sounds like you would have to do all editiing of the drums in the Zoom. This is because it only has a stereo out (2 channels). I can't see it being practical to record one or two tracks at a time because it will be hell to line up. It is possible to do as you say (one at a time) but lining up the tracks will be a *****.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 21, 2010 06:14 pm

I think that a software sequencer or a Virtual Instrument is going to fit your needs better than a hardware drum machine. I say this because software sequencers tend to be more flexible when it comes to routing tracks. Fruity Loops has this capability to route each piece of the kit to its own track.

A software sequencer/VSTi + a MIDI controller with velocity sensitive keys is a pretty powerful combination.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jan 21, 2010 07:48 pm

Quote:
I don't have a pc to use for recording, and I'm just not prepared to go down that road at this time


Wish I knew more, but I haven't used either one. =/

Quote:
Is there a drum machine out there that can do what I've indicated here?


not to be snide, but if you're going to get a new drum machine, then maybe a PC would be much more useful, as it can be used for much more than a drum machine, plus it can be a DAW, instead of using a desk.

(forgive me if i'm being too assuming, just wondering out loud)

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Jan 21, 2010 10:38 pm

I have to agree with pjk and tadpui, it might be time to enter the digital age. I think you'll find super great quality stuff for insanely low prices for hobbiests. It might cost you a little more when first kicking up, buying the computer, sequencer, software etc. But its so much more versatile in the long run and will be sure to impress you. But of course the initial jump to buying a PC for recording and all the software will do some damage on the pocket book :\

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 22, 2010 07:22 am

I'd say if you are using a drum machine, not knowing the capabilities of your specific one, is that many hardware drum machines (as opposed to PC based software) have some amount of processing and effect abilities within it. I'd suggest doing all the sound tweaking and whatnot on that. If you have gear that can record some SMPTE (is that the acronym, it's been a while) time code to keep the drum machine in sync with the recording device you can tweak and tune during playback.

But again, it's been a while since I have done non-PC based recording, so memory may be fading.

In the end, I really don't see a push toward a PC is really necessary for this.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 22, 2010 01:57 pm

I didn't see the part where he said that he wasn't already on a PC. Yeah, that'd be a pretty big shift, especially if you already have a lot of money tied up in your current setup.

One day though, I'd give serious consideration to a PC-based setup simply for the flexability, upgradability, availability of free stuff, the enormous online support communities for all of the software and hardware available for PC-based recording.

But I couldn't suggest doing that now due to the cost and learning curve. As far as drum machines with direct outs for each piece of the kit, I really don't know of any. You can always solo a track, export it, solo the next track, export it, and continue in this fashion until you've exported each piece of the drum track as a seperate WAV file onto your recorder. It's a PITA but its doable.

dB brings up a good point though. The editing and processing capabilities of a lot of today's drum machines will allow you to get compression, reverb, special effects, and a good stereo balance all taken care of in the drum machine itself. Then export a stereo WAV file to your HD recorder and just use that. Then if you need to adjust the drum mix at all, you can re-export it from the drum machine to the HD recorder. Again, a PITA, but that's kind of the nature of home recording without a computer/DAW.

Member
Since: Jan 17, 2010


Jan 22, 2010 10:16 pm

Wow..All these responses in a couple days..thanks to all!
I just borrowed one of the Zoom drum machines yesterday. It's set up nicely for a non drummer/composer in that it will loop the same set of measures over and over allowing me to add the individual drum kit pieces one at a time in real time...I don't have to think about dotted notes and all that *%^#*
With some musical knowledge and some imagination assembling a song on this machine is pretty easy.
I just need to be able to MUTE all but one of the drum kit pieces,then record the remaining audible piece on one track of my digital recorder.
Then, one by one I could record (using midi) all the other pieces on to separate tracks.
As far as I can tell this machine does not have that capability.

Is anybody aware of a specific piece of hardware that can do what I'm looking for and at the same time, be as user friendly as the Zoom?...I could care less if it's called a "drum machine"or not.

Someday I'll pawn my digital 24 track and get a good pc (one I'm allowed to keep in my studio!) and start aquiring software...but right now I'm too poor...besides, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer and the learning curve is pretty intimidating!

Chris
Member
Since: Aug 25, 2008


Jan 22, 2010 11:56 pm

i dont know about the mute, but this is just a thought...

is there a level control on all the different drums?, you could set up the drum track, turn the level all the way down on all pieces of the kit except the one you want to record...

the other way im thinking is,

if you have stereo out and panning controls on the drum machine,

you could pan all but the piece your recording to left, and set the right as your input on your 24 track...

sorry if you dont have these options as im used to using a computer!

Member
Since: Jan 17, 2010


Jan 24, 2010 01:12 pm

Thanks Chris!
You know, if I'm not mistaken, (and believe me, I could be!)
The Zoom MRT-3 has both level and pan control for individual drum kit pieces.
The level however goes from 1-15 so if "1" is silence then that would work
If not, doing as you suggest with panning will certainly work so long as adjustments are possible AFTER creating patterns and songs.
Oddly enough,the MRT-3 is the cheaper of the 2 Zoom rhythm machines (current) and the "better" one with bass and stuff doesn't
appear to have individual level or pan....Go figure
Thanks again Chris...I'll let you know how it works out.


Chris
Member
Since: Aug 25, 2008


Jan 24, 2010 09:58 pm

glad i might have been able to help! aha

Member
Since: Jan 17, 2010


Jan 25, 2010 09:52 pm

Well #%*!
It looks like I can't edit the drum kits already "recorded" in patterns and songs...these parameters can only be set before hand.
So, I guess I'm back to square one.
Is there a cheap syth that might do the job?

Member
Since: Jan 17, 2010


Feb 07, 2010 09:57 am

Go ahead and laugh...I just bought a Roland TR 707...1980's vintage.
Good authentic drum sounds, easy to use, no stupid preset rhythms.
They call this machine a rhythm composer for a reason...and best of all, an individual output jack for each drum kit piece! (10 in all) Some of these sounds can be heard in hit music of the time...
This is synthesized drums before everybody was using pc's for recording....The only real drawback is the very limited memory...no good for live performance, but for recording, adequate...and although it also doesn't have velocity sensitive keys, it does have an accent key for snare, toms, or whatever.
This machine may be ancient but so am I...for power pop music it's perfect...I am a guitarist/vocalist who now has a drummer at my beckoned call for recording!

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