Drum programming software

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lucid Light
  • Start date Start date
For simple stuff Acid is cool for sequencing drum samples, as well as loops. I haven't tried a demo of Attack yet, but I do like Battery. Native Instruments has put out two new CDs of kits for Battery. Someone mentioned Discrete Drums which is also a collection of drum kits on twelve CDs. I think it's gonna take a very specific type of interest to buy twelve cds of drum stuff. But if it works for you................

FXpansion's DR-008 is what I'm probably gonna try out next, with Sonar 2.0. I'm also curious about ReWire in Sonar 2.0 with Reason. I think you can get more realism using a host midi sequencer and a software drum sampler. But , who has to have realism all the time? When you make your own kits, Hammerhead is still great.
 
I'm still trying to figure out if "paint by number" was a put-down. Anyway, Reason's sequencer window is shit merely because it's stuck at that ridiculous "rack" width. Who the hell buys a computer to work in a tiny space like that?
 
Yeah, Reason is far from perfect. We will see what 2.0 has to offer.
 
Time Signatures

Which of these programs efficiently allow for time signature/ tempo changes and are compatible with Sonar 1.3.1? I have been sequencing drum tracks with my Korg Triton (I feel for ya, Lucid!) with reasonably good results, but the process is extremely tedious, taking up to 10 hours to program a song. That's not counting the rythm parts I play manually. Would much prefer to sequence with my mouse so I can spend more time with guitars, Vox, piano's etc. !
 
Fruityloops will do tempo changes just fine, and time changes as well, though getting to the time you are looking for is not as straightforward as it oughtta be. You actually tell loops the length of the beats you want and the number in the pattern. This will determine your time. I have no idea how any other proggies do it.
 
"you should give Native Instruments BATTERY a shot! "

I downloaded the demo and since the window size isn't adjustable I couldn't even see all the controls on my shitty 15" monitor!!

That sux...the mp3's sounded pretty good off the NI site....

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The Battery GUI could use some work....you shouldn't have to adjust your display settings just to see the entire window.
 
I know...

That's why I may not purchase it. Maybe before I decide I'll try it as a VST plug in Logic...

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...

or maybe you fellas should just get rid of your shitty 15 inch monitors and join the 21st century already
 
Hey fuck you buddy! ;) I've had my 15" Trinitron for seven years. I can see all of the Battery window easily though. Try upping your resolution.
 
15" is ok by me...

I'm into AUDIO...not sissy video games!! ;)

I'll try the resolution fix but since my video card is built into my MOBU it may not support it. :(

That will ALL change soon....

thanks...

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Hey COOL !!

It worked!! I tried this approach with 98SE and it didn't work...

Thanks!!

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yeah I'm into audio too...

thats why I went with 17inch and not 15... so I could see alot fo tracks, mixer, transport, plugins, etc... on the screen with a higher resolution and not have to squint my eyes to see it all.
 
You gotta go with 19".

Oh, and my monitor is big too. :D

Seriously, I don't use any of the programs mentioned (yet), but have been interested in getting a loop-based program for drums. This has been an interesting thread.

I'll add this bit. A singer/songwriter who happens to work the same day job I do recently brought her laptop to me for some OS tweaking. She is not very technically (i.e. computer) minded but has good musical skills. She had both Acid 3.0 and Fruity Loops on her laptop, but likes Fruity Loops much better. When I asked her why she gave me a short demo of both, and it became clear that FL has a friendler and simpler user interface. I'm sure they are both good programs, but it was an interesting reminder of how important the "look and feel" of a program can be.
 
yeah I'm into audio too...

I was jus messin wit ya...

I'd love to have a 19" (monitor)..hehe...

Priorities have me buying better audio gear at the moment...

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I actually use both fruityloops and acid together, because I find it's easier to create loops on fruity loop, export to acidized wave, and then use acid to create the complete drum track. Its a very quick process and it works great for me.
 
The thing that a full blown audio-midi sequencer has over something like fruity loops is that you can have your sequenced drum track and loops in midi format. The great thing about working with midi files is the control you have over them. Once you save a FL drum loop as a .wav file you are stuck with a mono or stereo audio file that has already put constraints on your final mix. Of, course, if you know what you are trying to acheive from the get go, and you are good at getting everything to sound like it should, there is nothing wrong with this method. However, I doubt most people work this way.

Of course, if you aren't trying to acheive any realism in your drum tracks, you can get great stuff out of Hammerhead, the free drum machine. But if you want to be able make drum tracks that are indistinguishable from 'real' drum tracks, a midi-audio sequencer and a drum sound module is the way to go.

There are all kinds of ways to get drum tracks these days and I'm for anything that serves its purpose. But I think that using a sequencer like Sonar with Battery, or another good drum sampler, is going to get you a lot farther than FL will.
 
Hey j...

Can you get Hammerhead at the music shareware site?

Free is always good and I can sequence in Logic!

I hate to spend $140 on Battery if I don't need to...

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