Drum and bass

[babafats]

Hello all,

I'm *completely* new to this. The most I've done in the way of recording is using one of those H4 Handy digital recorders.

Here's what I'd like to do: I'm a bass player, and at this point all I really want to do is get a drum machine to create beats over which I can play, and if I especially like anything that results, I'd like to record it. I've perused some of the 'getting started' posts and did a search, but to be honest, I'm a bit bewildered.

I'm not trying to get professional-quality sound, and at this stage I'm not thinking of adding any vocals or other instruments. I don't have a lot of money to throw around, but I don't have to do this all at once; I'm okay with acquiring the gear over a period of time.

Also, it doesn't pertain to recording per se, but in light of my stated goals, can anyone recommend a good drum machine to look at?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[moresound]

Hey Baba no idea on a drum machine .... just wanted to welcome you here.

 

[VESSEL2020]

It's a little on the BIG side,..

But, an Alesis Performance Pad would do the trick.

It has some very good high quality drum sounds in it.
It's easy to program.
You can add 2 pedals to it (one for H.H.,one for Kick), in case you have a "real" drummer come over.

I have played little "live shows" with it, and it sounds killer comin' outta the p.a.
Recorded with it, and it doesn't sound "very drum machiney". Especially the high-hats.

Stereo out,... Stereo in for jammin' along with whatever.

Can probably get one used for about $125.00 - $150.00
Brand new, about $299.00

 

[kcearl]

if you just want a simple machine that plays realistic rhythms without much programming try something by Zoom...they are cheap and sound remarkably good

many end up using old boss or alesis machine but the sound really dated, i have a little mrt-3 to jam with and it blows these older machines away...id maybe go for something a little bigger as the mrt is tiny and a pita to programme

 

[TetraFish]

many end up using old boss or alesis machine but the sound really dated

I've got one of these badboys if you want to hear dated. I paid $600 in 1990, uggg. Funny thing is it has individual outs.I still use it as a metronome the odd time.



http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/626.php

 

[kcearl]

i love the old stuff, Id buy all that shit if i had my own place here....

12 bit technology, youve got to love it

 

[Gizzmo0815]

Reaper, Drumatic, Keyboard

I'd just look at doing it with an MIDI editor and any one of the free VSTI's out there.

Grab Reaper and read up a bit on how to use it's MIDI features (I say Reaper because the demo is unhindered, and technically free, though you should pay if you like it). Then grab a simple drum VSTI or a drum synth like Drumatic (which I recommend because it's easy to use, but it's not meant to sound like a real kit) and a cheap keyboard or set of pads to use to program the beat you like (I'm a big fan of the Akai LPD 8 and LPK 25 for a cheap and portable, but simple way to get MIDI data into my laptop).

That way you can program your own drum beats, and then record whatever audio you want on top of it.

 

[guitarplayr82]

Another alternative to the Alesis Performance Pad is the Yamaha DD-65. I have a DD-65 in my studio and it ROCKS! Sounds just as great as a real kit, especially live. If you can't afford the DD-65, the DD-55 is a little cheaper. I'd head over to Yamaha's drum site and take a look at all their drum machine products. However, if you can't play drums and want an actual "drum machine," I hear the Boss drum machines are pretty good. To record the drum machine and your bass you will need an interface, preferably a two channel one. Take a look at Mbox, M-Audio, and PreSonus.

 

[CFox]

Are you using a computer to record at all ? Does the H4 function as an Audio Interface to your computer ? I think it has that capability.

If so..yes, definitely Reaper, you wont regret it.

Check out the Korg Nano Series - very compact controllers

Here is Drumatic

 

[grimtraveller]

if you just want a simple machine that plays realistic rhythms without much programming try something by Zoom...they are cheap and sound remarkably good

Gotta second the Earl of Homre Cording here, those Zoom rhythm tracks {I think that's what they call them} are really fantastic. The smallest one has loads of drum tracks as well as you can create your own. I used to use 2 of these in a live situation {One for verses, one for choruses} and they will sharpen up your timing, believe me !

 

[kcearl]

i was surprised how good my little 'un sounds...id use it for recording if i needed to...it syncs with my four track and my mpd can trigger it......just the samples are too acoustic for my stuff

 

[grimtraveller]

just the samples are too acoustic for my stuff

Babafats, if you needed any proof as to the realistic sounds of the Zoom, ~ there you have it !

 

[Eric Peterson]

You can also get a piece of software like Reason for your computer that will kill any available drum machine in terms of capabilities and ease of use... And will grow with your abilities. Or perhaps just using some loops in Garageband (you already own it if you have a Mac!) would serve your needs.

 

[dintymoore]

Buying a drum machine in 2010... I guess there are some instances where that wouldn't be completely bonkers (just guessing )... the best selling drum machine of all time would have to be the Alesis SR-16.

One thing they did right on that machine was realize that often songs work in a few energy levels, not just one, and at least the SR-16 has a regular beat and a related busier beat for each pattern.

Plus whoever chose the drums to sample in the Alesis did a much better job than average. Most drum machines are too thin and bright, the Alesis is kinda dark and bottom heavy.

Buy used off of eBay or Craigslist.

You're way better off using a computer though.

 

[mcmetal]

I agree with some of the other guys here.You can download Reaper or Audacity for free.If you take the plunge now and start recording on the pc you'll be able to learn a lot more about multi track recording.

A lot of us started with 4 tracks and drum machines and eventually moved into pc recording.With modern technology,most ordinary pc's can do a great job of recording.

All you need is an interface and the rest can be downloaded for free most of the time.There's plenty of beats out there you download.I use drum loops which are clips of a real drummer playing that can be looped,copied and pasted,and arranged any way you please.

I use the Beta monkey loops but there are others out there.I used a Yamaha drum machine for years and feel the drum loops are so much better.You can get drum loops way cheaper than most used drum machines and will sound much better in my opinion.

 

[CFox]

From the [url=https://en.audiofanzine.com/pocket-recorder-multitrack/zoom/H4/user_reviews/]Zoom H4 Website [/URL]

The H4 also will function as a direct audio interface for your computer. Connect the supplied USB cable and record directly to your computer. And the H4 comes bundled with Cubase LE 4 from Steinberg so you can start to produce and edit music straight away. Thanks to the direct hardware monitoring function, there is no latency problem, you can hear what you're recording as you're playing it.

*Effects can only be used when the sampling rate is 44.1kHz.

 

[babafats]

Wow, thanks all for the great advice. So, it seems like the fastest and cheapest way to get started would be to get my hands on the H4, a drum pad, and software? Is that really all I need to get going?

Will using the H4 allow me to run my bass directly into the computer so I can play live over the beats? I need something that will allow that, as my 'composition' method is to improvise until I do something that seems cool, and then mess around with it.

 

[TetraFish]

Yup. From the Zoom Web site.....

Combination XLR-1/4" Inputs

The H4, with its two phantom powered XLR-1/4" input jacks that support direct connection of external microphones, is the solution to an infinite number of recording situations. You can also use the H4's Hi-Z rated phone inputs for direct connection of guitars, bass, or any other line-input device.

 

[zazz]

i have a ton of high end stuff but for sheer bass player fun i bought a roland micro cube bass rx. It has a built in drum machine that spits out grooves that you can play over all in one handy little package. Just check it out ..it really rocks.. i think thats what you want. If i was starting out again i would get me one of those!!

 

[mcmetal]

Wow, thanks all for the great advice. So, it seems like the fastest and cheapest way to get started would be to get my hands on the H4, a drum pad, and software? Is that really all I need to get going?

Will using the H4 allow me to run my bass directly into the computer so I can play live over the beats? I need something that will allow that, as my 'composition' method is to improvise until I do something that seems cool, and then mess around with it.

I'm a little confused.Do you own the H4 or is it just something you borrowed or used to record.

If you have it at your disposal than you have an interface so all you'll need is software and whichever method you choose for beats.

If you don't actually have the H4 than you'll need an interface.There's a lot of them out there and a lot of them come with software bundles.