Midi: Where to start?

[CaptainClogs]

I have used Audition & Audacity for multitracking for a few years. For drums, I program with something like leafDrums & simply insert into Track 1, and from there build up my song.

However, I'm wondering now if I can simply create a simple drum loop as a "guide track", build my song over it, then go back LATER & replace the guide drums with proper drum patterns etc?

Someone told me midi can do this - BUT I don't know where to start?

What software do I need? Are there good free alternatives?

Can I still use, say, Audacity for recording my instruments?

I'm pretty much clueless to this whole thing - a total midiot! Can anyone possibly steer me in the right path?

Appreciate it - thanks!

 

[ssscientist]

I recommend you visit two places.

First, Cockos Software makes a nice, easy midi and audio recorder called Reaper. It's $40 shareware and you have a 30 day trial to decide if it suits your needs before paying the shareware fee. Here's a link to their website - LINK. You'll need a midi interface for your computer and some kind of midi controller too, but those can be had very cheaply these days.

Then visit KVR Audio. Do a search for free drum sample software --- specifically a VSTi called Drumatic and one called DR-Fusion V2.

Also of interest may be a small software drum machine called Leaf Drums. It uses wav files for drum sounds and renders to a new wav file once you've perfected your pattern. It's shareware too, and you can try it out by downloading a copy here.


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[CaptainClogs]

Thanks a lot dude, Reaper looks unreal. I shoulda picked up on that before. Thanks!