drum machine or usb controller?

  • Thread starter Thread starter strat0tele
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strat0tele

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I currently use fruity loops, and I have to edit each drum hit with selecting it with my mouse, then add it into the playlist. Which is very time consuming. I was planning on getting a drum machine like the Boss DR-3, but someone mentioned to me that I could basically do the same thing with fruity loops with a midi controller. Could it be done with something like this? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...ase_pid/701542/ . So I could plug into that into my USB, then assign the different keys, to snare, kick, tom etc.?
It would be cool to have a portable drum machine, but the versatility of software drums with the physical aspect of a drum machine would be awesome.
 
I spoke to someone on another forum, and they said I could make drums by assigning drums to keys on the keyboard. How could I do this?
 
I would get the keyboard controller, no doubt. Drum machines are cool, but the sounds never change, and in two years, the sounds will be old, you'll be tired of them, and you won't be able to change them. However, you can always use any samples you want for the drums in FruityLoops. You can also use the computer keyboard to trigger samples (Options > Typing Keyboard to Piano), but it's not velocity-sensitive. However, it works in a pinch, and I use it when I'm at work. In that mode, Z, Q, and I are "C" notes, and various other keys provide the other natural and flat notes.

There are a couple of ways to "play" drums in Fruity. You can make a "Layer" sound, by taking a bunch of sample channels (your drum kit), then selecting them all and making a new layer. I forget the exact process... anyway, then each sample channel is assigned to a key on your MIDI keyboard, starting with C, and moving up chromatically.

Or you can use a drum soundfont in the Fruity LiveSynth, probably the easiest way to go. There are lots of free soundfonts available on the web.

Or you can use the Fruity DrumSynth Live, which is like an 80's electronic drum machine, but that is assigned to keys on the keyboard.

Both the soundfont player and drumsynth live you can use with Fruity whether you own them or not, but to save them with your songs you need to own the plugins. I think the SF player is $35, and drumsynth might be a little cheaper.

Ping me if you have any more questions.
 
My guess is you really need to familiarize yourself with fruityloops: learn to use the piano roll, etc...

Soundfonts are a spectacular option, and a midi keyboard will really help you grooves down.

I think there are a few free soundfont players (VST instruments) availible. Check out www.kvr-vst.com

Good Luck
Chris
 
Eek! How do I load these vst files? I put the .dll into my fruity loops vst plugin folder. What do I do from there? I'm completely new to this.
 
Channels > Add One > More...
Then click Refresh > Fast Scan at the bottom. When the new plugin appears in the list, click the box so a little F appears in it. Then close the box. Now go to Channels > Add One, and pick the VST channel you want to add.
 
Have you got a drum soundfont? Load it up into the VST instrument, and then fire up the piano roll. Click on the piano keys to learn which samples are loaded for each key- most likely they'll be set up in GM mapping (c3 is the kick, d3 snare, F#3 hi-hat, etc...)

-Chris
 
=(

Anyone want to IM me or pm me to help me further?

SN : strat0tele
 
charger said:
I

There are a couple of ways to "play" drums in Fruity. You can make a "Layer" sound, by taking a bunch of sample channels (your drum kit), then selecting them all and making a new layer. I forget the exact process... anyway, then each sample channel is assigned to a key on your MIDI keyboard, starting with C, and moving up chromatically.

Click to expand...

How would I do this? it seems the best way. I look for layer in the fruity loops help but nothing is there about it. This seems like the easiest and cheapest route. I haven't bought the midi keybaord, but just so I know how it will work will be nice. I would use the soundfont player but then I would have to buy it and I have had trouble finding good soundfonts.
 
Am I asking really stupid questions or something? has this been covered a million times? If so please lead me to similar threads because i've searched and seen nothing.
 
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