Midi drums need to sound better!

[sjaguar13]

I have this song I need to record, but I can't play the drums. Instead, I used midi drums, but they sound really dumb. How would I make them sound better? If I get a better sound card, like the Delta 1010, would that help? What about a drum machine/module (whatever they are called), something that wouldn't sound so lame.

[laj35]

When you say "MIDI Drums" do you mean sounds coming from the soundcard triggered via MIDI??? Where you getting the samples from????



Laj

[TimOBrien]

The standard MIDI drums in your soundcard were programed in the '70s so they're not going to knock your socks off.

You need to use a MIDI software that will replace those hits with real sampled sounds. There's tons available - try www.hitsquad.com - but here are 3 ways:

FruityLoops - about $100 www.fruityloops.com - a full software drum machine that can use any .wav sample (I'm using Tom Hick's free acoustic set from www.artistcollaboration.com/samples )

Computer Music magazine's "SR-202" a free VST plug-in for your sequencer that can be loaded with any .wav samples. Good magazine to pick up anyway for the beginner and the monthy CDs have tons of stuff on them including this great plug-in...

If you have megabucks you can get one of the high-end packages like "GigaStudio" from tascam or IK Multimedia's "SampleTank". These are pricey but used in pro studios.

[sjaguar13]

If I already have the midi track made, I can still use it with those other programs, or do I have to redo it with the new sounds?

[laj35]

Naw, you should be able to route the mapped drum track to any sound module/source you choose, long as it has MIDI capabilities.




Laj

[sjaguar13]

So I have to get Fruity Loops, get some wav files of drums, from hitsquad.com, and set the wav files to each note, import the midi file, and the new wav drums should be played instead of fake midi drums?

[laj35]

roughly yeah, get back at us when you make ehadway on the first two...

[sjaguar13]

I got Fruity Loopps, drum sounds, I tried to import the midi, but it didn't work. I got mad and gave up. Someone else told me to try SoundFonts instead.

[Riggy]

Fruity loops can be a little tricky. Just look around for some help on the web before you waste the money you spent.