Your favorite Drum Software

Mike-Mat · 03-22-2011, 11:29 PM

Which do you like best....
MDrummer
EZ Drummer
Addictive Drums
Groove Monkey
other

Pros and cons.

Thanks for your input,

Mike

chrisharbin · 03-22-2011, 11:41 PM

One thing about addictive drums is it can be taxing on your ram. For ease of use I like ezdrummer and it's a light footprint cpu and ram. Unfortunately I have not used mdrummer.

If you are not aware of it check this out http://www.mixdsp.net/SearchResults....arch=toontrack as everything is on sale. They even have the newest kits at reduced prices.

Mike-Mat · 03-22-2011, 11:41 PM

Here's an interesting comparison...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmUjk...eature=related

Mike

Caustic · 03-22-2011, 11:57 PM

none- use the grid layer wav samples, or record real drums, who wants drums that sound the same as everyone elses............i never understood these plugins, or better yet an mpc.......battery and guru are ok IMOO

Mike-Mat · 03-23-2011, 12:06 AM

"use the grid layer wav samples, or record real drums"

Sounds like work! Time that I would rather do other things. I've fooled with the freebies and now I'm willing spend a few $ for a decent package.

I've done some great things with the free MDrummer and editing a MIDI event list.

EZDrummer looks easy. I assume you can create your own drum grooves and build your own kits from sampled drums. The drag and drop, looks very appealing.

Caustic · 03-23-2011, 12:11 AM

"sounds like work" ??
really, if you want soulless easy music making try ableton

junioreq · 03-23-2011, 12:12 AM

The prob i find with the drum sample loops.. well DOD just sound too processed and weird. Beta monkey has some nice ones, but not much variety. And a big change in sound between loops. There's not many beats per tempo... so your kinda stuck with the high hat patter etc for that speed.

I REALLY want to use pre-made drum loops, as I know how to edit them etc to get good stuff(for rock).. but. just different sounds per pattern, not much variety, makes me weeeeaary of.. hmm thinking can I get 13 songs out of this sample back... from the small amounts of grooves they have for 120-140 (because anything else you s trech seems all weird sounding..

Really, I have over 20 songs to do. not sure i can get much out of the limited amount..

Who else is there? I dont much like dod and betamonkey is pretty limited.

Yeah, its a little bit of work, but its REALLY rewarding using loops chopped up like that... it really is..

Here's a demo of some song i was messing with.. superior drummer.. lacking grooove and feel : http://www.robrokkenaudio.com/stuff/...-no-groove.mp3

~Rob.

Caustic · 03-23-2011, 12:21 AM

the advantages of using single hits layered with real recorded drumloop/breaks is massive compared to using a all in one drum kit program with midi loops or whatever, 1 is cpu use, not really an issue, 2 having a proper wav veiw of the drums (phase relationships etc) 3, having proper control over every single hit in the drum track (not via midi or plugin interface). i could go on but most of the drum software ive tried is completely bloated and super slow compared to traditional mathods

Sergenious · 03-23-2011, 12:22 AM

I used EzDrummer. Disappointed about limited mixing options.

Then I used Superior Drummer. Disappointed. Kick and snare just didn't sound as they should.

Tried Addictive Drums for a couple of hours, and it was not what I was looking for, just too chaotic sound.

Then I found StevenSlateDrums and I will never use anything else. The first time my mixes sound natural and authentic.

Veneteaou · 03-23-2011, 12:25 AM

I'm a fan of Steven Slate's stuff. I don't kid myself, I don't think MIDI drum samples will ever be able to have believable play to them (without a session drummer on an electric kit).

ivansc · 03-23-2011, 12:27 AM

Depends if you want to rely on someone else`s idea of feel and groove.

I use EZD, Superior and Battery 3 plus the Steven Slate EX stuff in Kontakt.

They are all good, but opnly if you are prepared to do the work.

I just play stuff in with an e kit and fix it after by editing the midi now, but used to program my own MIDI grooves in.

FWIW I never did get on with either addictive or Jamstix demo versions.
I also have but never use BFD. Just doesnt float my boat for some reason.

About to experiment with a novation Remote Zero for triggering latin percussion on top of the e kit stuff.....

Mike-Mat · 03-23-2011, 12:28 AM

@ Caustic: Thanks for your input. But I'm actually looking for information from people who have used 1 or more of the packages listed above. Or Someone who might have other suggestions for other similar packages. The fact that you don't like to use them is great, But it doesn't help my research.

I dont think this sounds "soulless" But, I think it will save me time for doing other things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmISX...846884BE0BD124

I've been editing MIDI files to create beats for 25 years now and I'm just looking for a simpler alternative, from re-creating the wheel on these kinds of things. I can take something "good" and still edit it for my liking (if I want).

@chrisharbin: Thanks for the useful information. System resources is something to consider.

Mike

junioreq · 03-23-2011, 12:29 AM

I really think superior drummer would be great if they would get the overheads and rooms sounding "CLEAR" instead of that murky 57 ish midish stuff. Its really hard to even try to get a decent sound out of those overheads in my opinion..

Superior Drummer is the easiest of them all on resources... for that sample i posted above, it used 57 mb of ram:

the link:
http://www.robrokkenaudio.com/stuff/...-no-groove.mp3 - just a demo thing..

My computer only has 480 mb ram too lol...

broknstrngz · 03-23-2011, 12:37 AM

Mixosaurus - the best sounding.
Superior Drummer - the most flexible.

(YMMV).

Caustic · 03-23-2011, 12:44 AM

the whole video sums up souless music making very nicely,
i have tired several of these programs and dont rate them compared to the other methods i mentioned,
sorry i wont comment any more.

Mike-Mat · 03-23-2011, 12:45 AM

Someone sent me a link for this...
http://www.cakewalk.com/Download/sfz.aspx
But I'm really not sure what to do with it. Seems like a "build it yourself" kind of a thing. Uses Sound fonts, which I dont have or know what they are.

Mike

rossh · 03-23-2011, 12:55 AM

Steve Slate drums are just great. Get a hand with some Groove Monkey loops and you're off and running.

I've assisted in many sessions of recording "real" drummers and I know which method I'd prefer.

Anyway, I couldn't fit a drum kit into my office/studio and I definitely don't have enough inputs or mics to do the job.

Sibben · 03-23-2011, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-Mat

Someone sent me a link for this...
http://www.cakewalk.com/Download/sfz.aspx
But I'm really not sure what to do with it. Seems like a "build it yourself" kind of a thing. Uses Sound fonts, which I dont have or know what they are.

Mike

SFZ is a simple player for rgcAudio/Cakewalk's sfz-format, which is a sample playback format that uses an external text file to control how samples are triggered. It has nothing to do with drum programming per se, even if you can use it to trigger drum samples. The same way you could use ReaSamplomatic to trigger drum sounds via MIDI. It supports stuff like velocity layering and round-robin triggering which might be why someone mentioned it in regards to drum programming.

http://www.cakewalk.com/DevXchange/article.aspx?aid=108

hopi · 03-23-2011, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caustic

none- use the grid layer wav samples, or record real drums, who wants drums that sound the same as everyone elses............i never understood these plugins, or better yet an mpc.......battery and guru are ok IMOO

IMO that is nonsense... or like you say, you 'never understood' these vsti's....

you certainly can make them sound like whatever you wish...

jax · 03-23-2011, 02:39 AM

I have both BFD and Steven Slate Drums and use SSD more often lately.

Sergenious · 03-23-2011, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caustic

the advantages of using single hits layered with real recorded drumloop/breaks is massive compared to using a all in one drum kit program with midi loops or whatever, 1 is cpu use, not really an issue, 2 having a proper wav veiw of the drums (phase relationships etc) 3, having proper control over every single hit in the drum track (not via midi or plugin interface). i could go on but most of the drum software ive tried is completely bloated and super slow compared to traditional mathods

If I would be able to record my own drum samples, then I would rather record the whole drum tracks altogether, without MIDI. But as I cannot do this, I rather stuck with the drummer VSTi.

Manually layering the drum samples is a nightmare and takes toooo much time and patience, which I don't have. The drummer plugins today are very realistic, as the use humanizer algorithms, which simulate the real human drummers quite well. For those with time and a lot of money, it is better to record whole songs in the studio.

anokah · 03-23-2011, 03:27 AM

If you're gonna program drums, i would recommend renoise or some other tracker. It's so much faster than using piano roll.

junioreq · 03-23-2011, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anokah

If you're gonna program drums, i would recommend renoise or some other tracker. It's so much faster than using piano roll.

No doubt.. Thats a lil bit of an issue still....

Geoff Waddington · 03-23-2011, 03:36 AM

For the "heavier" side (metal. etc.) SSD is great, but here I tend to do more RnB / Blues / Jazz, etc. and for that I really like Ocean Way.

CrankyChris · 03-23-2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caustic

"sounds like work" ??
really, if you want soulless easy music making try ableton

:eyeroll:

CrankyChris · 03-23-2011, 05:01 AM

I've never had great success with pre-recorded/saved midi files

a.) the drummer had no idea of the 'groove' you're going for. You'll almost be adopting his groove.

b.) for metal and other style that play a lot of beats- they may work, but it's like pulling teeth find a standard pattern/groove with kicks on 1 & 3 and snares on 2 &4 . These packages seem to have more stuff in 7/4 than straight-forward basic pop/rock stuff.

I usually get the best results by
a.) playing in on keyboard
b.) fix manually - or light quantization
c.) then humanize just a little (like 3% in Reaper)
d.) manually touch up again

It's kind of an ordeal. But I like my results. It seems like it takes forever but doesn't.

It's important to remember: Nobody has a preconceived notion of your song like you do. You may cringe b/c your drums don't sound 'real enough' to you. But nobody's heard the version in your head. There are TONS of great/hit songs that have simply straight forward drum machines. So what. It lays down a steady beat - and lets the other instruments shine (which is what some would argue they're supposed to do in the first place).

Lokasenna · 03-23-2011, 05:14 AM

Jamstix for the drumming, Slate for the sounds.

leolosic · 03-23-2011, 05:17 AM

I'm using addictive.

Just like CrankyChris mentioned, I'd just fix the velocity to match the song's harmony and then 'humanize' it by 2~5%.

pleased with the results so far.

Leo

King Prawn · 03-23-2011, 06:06 AM

Superior is INCREDIBLE. Sure it took a hell of a lot of time to tweak and work with, but without that I wouldn't even be mixing anything. It single handedly got me into mixing.

winbe · 03-23-2011, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caustic

i never understood these plugins, or better yet an mpc.......battery and guru are ok IMOO

so this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naamVcFHQ1Y is totally "soulless" I guess !

That being said I personnally only make "hiphop beats", and only use Reasamplomatic with individual wav, single hits...

What I am looking for is not a "drum software", but good drum samples !!
I tried Addictive Drums and found it really nice, but I also need totally different sounds for my beats, so the price to pay was a bit high...

Guncho · 03-23-2011, 08:20 AM

I've only used EZD but I've been totally happy with the Vintage and Pop/Rock kits.

Pros - Easy to use, sounds great

Cons - Samples are already "processed". (Eq'd, compressed, etc)

Sheppola · 03-23-2011, 09:27 AM

Jamstix for me as well.Totally changed the way I write/compose.Once learnt it makes it sooo... easy.I could never go back to midi files or hand programming.

bigwoody · 03-23-2011, 09:41 AM

I have EZD and Jamstix. When I can't use a real drummer it is Jamstix about 90% of the time. Once you get the hang of it, it is way cool. If I was on a budget and could only choose one, I would go with Jamstix without a doubt.

Mike-Mat · 03-23-2011, 09:43 AM

So near as I can tell, I need the Kontact player along with Steve Slate drums package to make that work. Kontact Player is free and SS Drums is about $100.

What I'm looking for is a single source package that has good and plentiful drum beats and good quality drum sounds. Easy to use is important. And something I can modify or add to, If I need. I appreciate everyone's input .

Mike

Third Son · 03-23-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-Mat

So near as I can tell, I need the Kontact player along with Steve Slate drums package to make that work. Kontact Player is free and SS Drums is about $100.

What I'm looking for is a single source package that has good and plentiful drum beats and good quality drum sounds. Easy to use is important. And something I can modify or add to, If I need. I appreciate everyone's input .

Mike

A ton of us got in on the audiomidi deal and got SSD for $20....it may come around again...

Mike-Mat · 03-23-2011, 10:33 AM

Jamstix is only available from Rayzoon? Cant find it being sold anywhere, not even ebay.

Mike

CrankyChris · 03-23-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheppola

Jamstix for me as well.Totally changed the way I write/compose.Once learnt it makes it sooo... easy.I could never go back to midi files or hand programming.

Wow! I just checked out the Jamstix demo. That's some pretty cool stuff. I think I might try it.

A couple of question for anyone w/ jamstix:

a.) does it work OK with reaper?

b.) how are the sounds? There isn't much mention of that on their web site. Are the samples good?

Thanks

kindafishy · 03-23-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-Mat

Jamstix is only available from Rayzoon? Cant find it being sold anywhere, not even ebay.

Mike

License is non-transferable. Purchase is non-refundable. Used copies are not available. If you find it for sale by any other means, it is not legit. None of that really matters because once you get used to the software, there's virtually no chance you'd ever want to get rid of it, except if you were to music altogether. It generally goes on sale a couple times per year for 20% off too.

steveo42 · 03-23-2011, 11:13 AM

Addictive Drums played on a keyboard for me.
MIDI loops are mostly soul-less for the kind of music I do, jazz and pop.

Earache · 03-23-2011, 11:35 AM

Jamstix works fine with Reaper, there have been minor issues as with any complex VSTi, but Rayzoon is very dedicated and responsive much like the Cockos devs. Being as it's totally subjective I will rate the sounds as Good, you may find them to be completely appropriate for what you do. They are not as processed as some of the other libraries suggested here. One of the strengths I find with Jamstix is that you have lots of options. Jamstix can play MIDI data fed into it "as is", or it can use that input data as a starting point to create alternate beats. Jamstix can also host other VSTis internally and/or output MIDI to feed to other instruments/libraries like Steven Slate, BFD etc.