Easiest software to use, plus drums

[Nigel_Tufnel]

What software is easiest to use? (I previously used cool edit pro 2, and now use audition 1.5 and i also have reaper)
I would like to get ezdrummer and would like it to be compatible, so which do you recommend?
or for that matter, is there something simpler than ezdrummer i can find? I am using drums from a digitech guitar pedal for the time being, but would like something better.

Thanks for the help!

 

[darrin_h2000]

Abelton Live is pretty easy...and is compatable with ez drummer

 

[RueMorgueRecord]

fruity loops?

if your trying to do drum machine drums you can find it online and crack it for full version dare i say it! check out amputee masturbation on myspace, all fruity loops drum tracks imported to protools, then guitars and vox added. really simple, and pretty much side project so each song we ever did was a one night in and out deal. hope this is what you were asking! you can even download a fruity loops demo version to try first if you wanna actually buy.

 

[Chili]

if your trying to do drum machine drums you can find it online and crack it for full version dare i say it!

No, no, no, don't you dare say it. We don't promote theft on the boards. This will get you banned fast.

Back to the topic:

I've got ezdrummer and love it. Is there anything easier?? Maybe your digitech pedal.... but if you want great sounding drums without much effort, ezdrummer is worth the price.

As for what DAW to use. I only have experience with Cubase and Sonar. Both seem to have about the same learning curve. I'm guessing most of the rest do too. I hear the latest version of Reaper works with ezdrummer
and it is pretty cheap compared to the main stream stuff out there.

 

[Kingofpain678]

i really have to recommend acoustica mixcraft... its really easy to use, it has a great simple looking look. i really love it. sonar and cubase and all that are really great but this program gets straight to the point.

and btw i have ezdrummer and they work great together. and i really like ezdrummer. i plan on buying superior drummer and the metal foundry expansion.

just give it a try, i promise you wont be disappointed.

lol anymore i just seem like an advertiser. eh, oh well.

 

[kcearl]

Ez Drummer is by definition the easiest but dont let it fool you...these are quality samples. Initially you will get a Rock/pop and cocktail kit plus midi files to drop into your DAW, even though this may seem limiting its a very decent kit by all accounts..Also when you upgrade eventually to Superior Drummer you get to take the kits with you


But if you're in the buying mood for a new DAW then, although my good friend Darrin suggested Ableton, Id go with sonar if I was you..its easy to create drum maps when you do get bored of the midi files, you get session drummer as well which has just been upgraded to session drummer 3 with kits and midi files from Steven Slate drums, Sonic Reality, Groovemonkey, smart loops and Ocean Way (free voucher for a kit)!! this also comes with some fairly decent electronic samples and a sequencer..

No need for EZ drummer though if you do get that and Sonar you can run separate outputs from EZ drummer into Sonar so you can adjust each drum/cymbal EQ etc individually..

This may seem daunting at first but I can guarantee you that you'll get bored of just dropping midi files/loops in after a while...I think everyone does..

anyway apart from all this waffle get EZ or Sonar imho you wont be disappointed

 

[Nigel_Tufnel]

Thanks for the responces. I am going to look at every product mentioned

I guess I am limiting myself by my thinking (?)... that I have to have 2 products, a place to lay down tracks, then a drum simulation thing. (Sorry, its been a long while since I have recorded!) My familiarity with Cool Edit Pro2 has me freakin when I look at Reaper or other product demo's, feel lost... they make it look soo easy on youtube! What about Fruity Loops? That looks cool, is that something to think about as well? or Auditions current version? I dont know if they are worth messing with.

Thank in advance!

 

[kcearl]

All I'll say is most of the top programs (and Id include Reaper here even at that price) do much the same as each other...you have to look at specifics (drum samples, step sequencer, drum maps, for you perhaps) that you would find beneficial..generally the one you start with is the one you'll stick with as you invest time learning it

Its fair to say that anything above cool edit is going to have you scratching your head at first but read and ask questions (some magazines offer one off editions on single DAWs)..its best to be "over featured" than to find it doesnt do what you want a couple of months down the line imo

Though saying that Id avoid FL unless you think your music style is going to be more electronic based..I would not include that as a fully fledged DAW though I dont have experience on it so that may be arguable..

One other point...many of the Lite, SE, or LE versions of programs may offer you more than enough with the ability to upgrade, cheaply, later..Ive been impressed by both Samplitude 10SE and Ableton Lite recently...and these were free (albeit Live came with a midi controller)

Good luck