Help switching from drum machine to software

[maryslittlesecret]

Hi, all. I'm a long time user of BOSS drum machines (550, 660 and currently 880) and, after hearing some amazing tracks with programs like Drumkit from Hell and Groove Agent, I'm determined to switch to this type of software.

The trick is I'm a bit of a 'midiot' when it comes to this type of gear. I'm used to tapping out patterns, sequencing an entire song and then recording the MIDI track, etc. I have little or no experience with programming beats in software, soft synths, plug-in based instruments, etc.

So all that said, I'm looking for your suggestions on the best software -- in terms of sound quality and ease of use -- to get me started in the world of PC-based drum samplers. Anyone suggestions? As always, the more affordable the better, but I'll entertain any recommendation. Thanks in advance.

J

[TimOBrien]

With a cheap midi keyboard like a Keystation49e or a simple midi drumset like a Yamaha DD-55, you can still tap to your hearts content.

Depending on whatever sequencer you're using (you didn't specify), it may already have pattern sequencers built into it. Get a book of patterns and start copying them in to start learning... here are some books that you can use to start:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...drum%20pattern

For free you can start out with soundfonts.... get the free "SFZ" soundfont player from www.rgcaudio.com and some free drum soundfonts from www.hammersound.net or www.sf2midi.com

DFH and GrooveAgent, etc all work the same way, put in a pattern by tapping or building and point the track at the vsti....

[maryslittlesecret]

Thanks for the response, Tim. I use Sonar 4 as my studio software, but don't have a sequencer other than my current drum machine.

I'd like to still be able to build patterns and tie them together to complete a song, but I don't know which (if any) software -- DFH, Groove Agent, BFD, etc. -- allows me to do this, has the most user friendly interface/routing, has superior sound quality, etc.?

Any other thoughts on this? Thanks!

J

[ssscientist]

BFD, Groove Agent and DKFH are all plugins.

Sonar uses DX plugins, but makes VST plugins available through the use of a VST-DX adaptor.

When you say you 'don't have a sequencer other than your current drum machine' you're selling Sonar short. Unless I miss my guess, there's a virtual looping drum machine included in the Sonar package called 'Cyclone' which is more than the equivalent of the Boss machines you're used to working with.

As far as having physical pads to tap/bang/let loose on, http://www.zzounds.com/item--AKAMPD16 or http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOTRIGGER are two of the options, as well as the Yamaha DD55 in TimOBrien's reply.

[beezelbubba]

I've been using a program called PCDrummer for the last 5 years,which is a pattern based step sequencer basically like a virtual drum machine.Probelem is,you program your patterns into songs and then import the drum track into Ntrack(or whatever you use).I need something that basically works with NTrack and not separate from it.
I found this free plugin at KVR:
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/25.html
The FXpansion DR-005.Just a drum sampler that lets you use your own samples.
Some good free samples from HR.coms own Tom Hicks can be found here:
http://www.artistcollaboration.com/samples/drums/
Many other free samples can be found by googling "drum samples"
After avoiding using the piano roll editor for midi programing,I finally decided to give it a try,and it works pretty well,actually!You need to just jump into it,ride the learning curve,and investigate whatever helpful tools Sonar has to offer(which are probably considerable,as Cakewalk is known for good MIDI implementation,I think).

[mx_mx]

I use PC Drummer as well and i like it. But the only thing i dont like is that there doesnt seem to be a way to do cymbal chokes and rudiments and stuff like that.

[altitude909]

Akai MPD16 USB MIDI Pad Control Surface- $99

Oh, snap.. Those used to be like 279$

The drum program I use and LOVE is the Linplug RMIV .
It includes a synth for a bunch of analogue drum sounds plus a very good and easy to use sampler (ala MPC) with full controllable VCA env, start/stop, filter, and even a humanize feature.

[someotherdude]

Originally Posted by maryslittlesecret

Thanks for the response, Tim. I use Sonar 4 as my studio software, but don't have a sequencer other than my current drum machine.
J

Sonar is an excellent sequencer. It shouldn't take you long to learn the basics of it, but a long time to really be an expert at it. Just be patient and keep at it. I definitely learned the ins-and-outs of software sequencing a whole lot faster than when I was sequencing on my keyboard, though. Maybe "Sonar for Dummies" or some kind of instruction book would help.

Good luck and have fun.