newbie getting started type help (drums related)

[santiu]

Hey guys,

Well, I just bought a Lexicon Lambda interface that should be coming any day now and I'm excited to get started in some recording endeavors.

However, it just dawned upon me today that I have no idea how the whole MIDI chain works once it's in the computer. I have two midi instruments, a keyboard (old roland XP-10) and e-drums (Alesis D4 brain). So these instruments will go into the interface and be recorded as MIDI tracks in Cubase (software that comes with the interface). I also have GarageBand, but I'm assuming that cubase would be the preferred software. But there's where I'm stuck.

Does Cubase have any built in samples? Or do I need to buy some other software to provide the sounds that the keyboard and drums will trigger?

I'm pretty discriminating when it comes do drums sounds so I imagine I'll need to buy a sample pack at some point in time, but I'm just confused as to whether there's another software bridge between the recording software, and the samples.

Also, along the same lines. Are there any quality drum sample packs out there that aren't too expensive?

thanks a bunch for any help you guys can provide

 

[pikingrin]

Couldn't help with Cubase LE, never loaded it when I got my interface. I know that Cubase SL has a drum sampler VSTi included, but if you are overly discriminating, you may not find the drum sounds to your liking.

Having said that, for a little bit of cash (I think I paid $200.00), you could check out BFD. It's a softsynth by Fxpansion and has quite a few nice sounding kits all mic'd up and recorded professionally with 11 different mics per kit piece. It also has a few expansion packs that really beef up the arsenal. Editing is a breeze (once you RTFM ), and it really opens up a lot of options using it within Cubase (or any other recording program).

You can check it out here.

Also, check out the MIDI functions in Cubase when you get it. I know there is a way to utilize external synths (your Alesis drum module) through Cubase, you just have to get it setup. I don't have anything but softsynths, so I'm no help on that one.

Hope that helps a little! Good luck!

 

[ssscientist]

However, it just dawned upon me today that I have no idea how the whole MIDI chain works once it's in the computer.

It's not the midi chain you're putting into the computer, but rather putting the computer into the midi chain.

If you hook it up like this --- XP10 with local on/off set to 'off' midi out to midi in of the Lambda. Midi out of the Lambda to midi in of the D4, you will be able to play and hear the song by patching the audio outs of all three sound sources (the computer, the keyboard and the drum module) into a mixer like this or this. I agree with the recommendation of BFD above - it's a good program in my opinion if you want access to a quality 'acoustic' drum kit.

Here are links to three good articles on midi basics --- part one, part two and part three.

 

[santiu]

hey thanks for the help guys!

and i'm actually sort of familiar with pumping Midi out of the computer to hardware (used to compose classical stuff with Cakewalk which triggered the XP-10, but that was like 10 years ago), I'm just not familiar with software based synths and samplers, which is what I'm more interested in using (not very fond of any of the sounds my hardware can produce). But I think i'm starting to understand.

Anyhow, BFD looks pretty cool. $300 is a hefty price though. Anybody use Toontrack Drum Kit From Hell Superior? Seems to be a tad cheaper.

thanks again for the help

 

[ssscientist]

Anyhow, BFD looks pretty cool. $300 is a hefty price though. Anybody use Toontrack Drum Kit From Hell Superior? Seems to be a tad cheaper.

Yeah, we all know DKFHS. If you're desperate to save $40 then that's probably the way to go.

And if it's soft synths you're interested in go here.





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