Can someone please explain Drum sounds in Sonar?

[Jedman]

I'm really a noob at using Sonar -- what I'm wondering is, can I make my own drum sounds for a beat, or do I have to buy a drum machine?

Thanks for help,
Jed

 

[moskus]

Yes, you can have make your own drum-beats. If you have a SB Live or Audigy, you can use Soundfonts. It's brilliant. And if you don't have a SB Live! or Audigy, get the Livesynth Pro DXi (Copyright by James Argo).

Now, point your browser to www.hammersound.net and www.thesoundsite.net and get those beautiful soundfonts. (And there's a great drum-soundfont on the Sonar CD).

 

[James Argo]

Yes... you can use SONAR to do the beat for you. You can do either use MIDI (like moskus mentioned above ) or use some loops. You can even import drum loops, and do the sequencing in SONAR. What's your sound card Jedman?

 

[moskus]

Loops is for sissies, James, and you know it!

 

[James Argo]

Ssssshhh...

...don't let Pedullist read this thread

 

[moskus]

Well, if he doesen't know by now, it's about time!

 

[Jedman]

Hey, thanks to both of you for the help! Sound card is a used Delta 1010 off Ebay -- in fact, I just setup my Delta 1010 2 days ago, and have installed Sonar on my Dual Athlon machine...so I really don't know how to use it very good. I know, I should read the manual, but I got the "Academic version with cd only" off Ebay, (yes, I'm currently a college student) and it does have decent online tutorials, but looks like I'd have to print like a hundred pages! I was thinking about getting that book, "Sonar Power" -- I saw it at Barnes and Nobles -- is it any good?
Anyway, about that livesynth - did you really make that? It looks cool, but I'll have to save up some money to buy it. I'm kinda over as it is, and I still have to get Mic preamps! (I'm starting to see the $pending pattern in this hobby!)
What would sound better: Doing it myself MIDI with that livesynth, or "robbing" some drum loops off CDs?

Thanks,
Jed

 

[James Argo]

Sound card is a used Delta 1010

Woo hoo, that is a great weapon you have up there, Jedman.

and have installed Sonar on my Dual Athlon machine...

And sounds like you also pick a right choice of vehicle...
Academic version, whatever... SONAR is SONAR... and All Cool Kids Use Sonar™ !!!

"Sonar Power" -- I saw it at Barnes and Nobles -- is it any good?

Yes, I believe it's a good book to help you learn about SONAR. In case you find difficulties, you have this forum to disscus

Anyway, about that livesynth - did you really make that?

Who...? Me...? Not really... I just wrote some tutorial about how to use it. It's easy. I will let anyone try first. And in case they have any difficulties, here is what this forum for... Lets disscus...

and I still have to get Mic preamps! (I'm starting to see the $pending pattern in this hobby!)

I will say, go get the preamps first. It's worth for you to have one. Something just can't be "softwared" and that's deffinitelly good preamps. SONAR bundled with Livesynth pro Demo which will be usefull for you to play around and learn until you can afford the full version.

What would sound better: Doing it myself MIDI with that livesynth, or "robbing" some drum loops off CDs?

Both have their own bennefit. Althought most "perfectsionist" prefer MIDI (...unless they're drummer of course ). For instance, with MIDI you'll have most total control on every single thing you want to hear. You can choose your kit, make the "feel", adjust tempo here and there, customize manythings rather than canned pre built sample. But sample is usefull if you don't have any much time to think about the beat. When you more concern about -lets say, guitar, vox, or anything else. If you're kinda into hip hop, R&B, rap, disco, etc... sample will help reduce your time work. It also help song writter who just wants a beat to represence his song... Both MIDI & sample will do just fine.


Jaymz

 

[moskus]

Who...? Me...? Not really... I just wrote some tutorial about how to use it.

You have written a Livesynth Tutorial and you didn't tell me?!?

 

[James Argo]

... And if you don't have a SB Live! or Audigy, get the Livesynth Pro DXi (Copyright by James Argo).

...Now, you tell me

 

[moskus]

DOH!!!!

Woops... that should come right after the "If you have a SB Live or Audigy, you can use Soundfonts"-part....

 

[Jedman]

Thanks for the warm welcome...I feel like I'm joining the ranks of a great hobby here. (And learning a boat load as I go) Well, I'll try MIDI drums first then, and when I get my preamps, I'll see where this all will take me.

Can I get the demo of that Livesynth off the same website? Or is that for "paying customers" only?

Thanks for all your time,
Jed

 

[moskus]

You can find the demo here and on the Sonar 2 CD...

 

[Jedman]

That's sweet -- I didn't realize I already had it on the CD!
Thanks Moskus,

Jed