Legitimately, if you use this, how long does it take you to create an average song? Any tips or warnings to use with Tascam DP32-SD? I'm not sure I am going this route, but looking for the opinions of users. Thanks in advance.
Ive been using EZDrummer 2 and now 3 (since it was released) with the Tascam DP-32SD for about 10 years now. I love that work flow. It's perfect for my purposes. I'm starting to work more in Reaper - but for sketching or getting basic mixes down - this is still my go-to approach. It's quick, easy, and fun.
I typically hash out my song arrangements with an unplugged electric guitar or acoustic - and EZD setup for stand-alone on my laptop. Once the arrangement is finalized - I render the drum files to wav - and then export those files to the Audio Depot folder of the Tascam ---> then import those from Audio Depot to available stereo tracks.
(I keep my laptop connected to the DP all the time. But I also use another laptop as well and simply use a USB stick to move the files)
*How long* it takes to create a drum part depends on the tune - and the complexity or sophistication of the song and/or drum part. I often use the "tap to find" feature and start from there. Just like with anything - digging in will get you where you're more efficient with editing and tweaking parts. I'm cutting, splicing, copying, pasting, moving.... stuff all the time. You get good just by doing. EZD is very intuitive - as the name implies.
Since, in EZD, you can export anything from the EZD/mixer in whatever groupings you choose - early on I used to just move a full stereo drum mix as a single stereo pair. But this doesn't give you any control later. So - since the DP-32SD has plenty of tracks for what I typically do - I now export/import all of the drums individually. Gives you much more control later - and is a more conventional approach. Again - this still leaves plenty of stereo and mono tracks to work with.
I typically leave the reverb channel from EZD out - as I can add that in the DP as I see fit.
Once the arrangement is set and the drums are sitting on individual tracks - you can start building from there.
On the occasion that I want to change something with the drums - as long as I don't mess with the tempo or arrangment - I can lay my change right over what is there and it aligns perfectly every time (although I've learned to get the drums right from the outset to avoid having to do that).
The only other thing to keep in mind is making sure the bit depth and sample rate of the EZD wav files match the bit depth and sample rate of the song file created in the DP. Its 24/48 always for me.
I love working in EZD. It's fun and intuitive. And endlessly editable. And occasionally inspirational. F'n genius software.
There is more than one way to skin a cat - but this approach is a pretty good one. I miss working with a live drummer - but this is the next best thing - and even has many advantages too obvious to mention.
