Good drum pads for creating realistic drum track?

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keithpurtell

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I'm home recording to record a demo CD of original music. The only instrument I can't play is drums. I found a virtual drum machine (Hydrogen) that has a simple user interface and will use samples (I never use synthesized sounds).

The problem is the two ways of creating the pattern. I can click in the Hydrogen pattern editor to create dots where different parts of the drum kit are to be played, then monkey with the results so it doesn't sound robotic. Or, I can get midi drum pads and tap out the drum patterns. Yes there are pads that use real drumsticks but if I'm going down that road I might as well just become a drummer.

Who can advise me as to some good drum pads for playing my drum patterns (and routing them into my software) with fingertips?
 
I think korg or akai is the way you want to go, and it depends how many pads you want, The akai lpd8 is a great pad controller with 8 pads, and 4 banks of pads, it also has 8 rotary knobs, if you want more pads the akai mpd 18 has 16 pads and i think it has 3 banks and one fader, they are both good controllers, hope this helps
 
My advice would be to start with the Akai LPD8 which you can get for $49.99 @ Musicians Friend. I agree w/the-muisic-man that it's a great pad controller and at the price it's an incredible value. It will also let you get your feet wet in playing drums w/ your fingers to see if you like it or not ---- and you may well find that it's the first and last percussion controller you'll need to buy.
 
ssscientist said:
My advice would be to start with the Akai LPD8 which you can get for $49.99 @ Musicians Friend. I agree w/the-muisic-man that it's a great pad controller and at the price it's an incredible value. It will also let you get your feet wet in playing drums w/ your fingers to see if you like it or not ---- and you may well find that it's the first and last percussion controller you'll need to buy.
Click to expand...

Ditto. That is what I use.
 
+1 on Maschine. most sensitive pad controller I've touched, and you get some great dynamics as a result. you can get a first gen mischine mikro for under $200 if you look around. the software is REALLY great, and comes with some great plug-ins (like massive, which is $200 on its own.) only beef withem is no knobs.

If you want knobs and faders though, akai is definitely a great company too. not quite as sensitive, but akai basically invented the pad controller with the MPC. you have to have a some really great samples though if you get the akai, as it doesn't come with any if I'm not mistaken.
 
I just bought an M-Audio Midi Controller so was looking into some of this stuff. My first choice however because I'm cheap was the Korg Nanokey. It's $50.

There is one equally as cheap specifically for drums/pads, it's $53(CAD) has highly responsive touch pads with flam/roll buttons giving a realistic sound. Maybe check out a review on youtube.
You just need anything touch sensitive. XLN Audio has addictive drums free plugin...which is great, but has no toms prompting you to buy the full version.
I bought Addictive Drums for $250 and have never regretted it. You get high quality drum samples in real recording studios, and the best part keeping me loyal is my license can be re-sold. If I don't want the software anymore, they'll transfer it to whoever I choose to sell it to. But wouldn't think of it.

Korg NanoPad 2 Percussion USB Controller with 12 Highly Responsive Trigger pads - Flam/Roll Buttons and X-Y Pad - Black - Axe Music Canadian Online Music Store Guitars Bass Drums DJ Vancouver Toronto Montreal Canada
 
I'm a non drummer in a similar position as the OP. I use Sonar's drum module to keep time while writing, and/or a Boss DR3, which has finger pads and simple verse/chorus/fill sequencing to flesh out an idea.

I also have a Yamaha DD55 "All In One" set of pads for use with sticks, and have replaced the cheesy footpedals with an Alesis hihat pedal and a Roland bass drum pad with double bass pedal.

In using the Yamaha pads, I have discovered something which all drummers must know, but which doesn't seem to have made it into the mainstream recordist's awareness.

The stands and hardware which support a drumkit are not static or rigid. In smacking the pads with real sticks, they give and flex, then rebound on a measurable, finite timescale. Once you get in the groove with real sticks, this effect begins to take over your hands and sticks, in effect the drums and stands are not only keeping the time for you, they are introducing a rhythmic swing and groove I have been unable to get any other way, most definitely NOT with finger pads or a MIDI keyboard.

Try it once and I suspect you will make the same decision I have...its time to become a real drummer!
 
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