Virtual Brush Sounds (NDK vs. Addictive)

[jpdelanoye]

Hello everybody! I'm a relative novice in MIDI recording and a non-drummer, but I have been learning and have gotten some OK results using EZ Drummer with various expansion packs (Nashville, Jazz, Latin, etc.). I'm generally happy with the sounds, but am hoping to upgrade to some more nuanced, versatile samples, with more options for brush work especially. From what I've been able to research, NDK (Natural Drum Kit) and Addictive Drums both offer some more advanced brush capabilities, like different swishes and flams. There's a significant price difference - Addictive is almost twice the expense (more when you add the "Modern Jazz: Brushes" expansion, with "RealSweep Technology"), and includes a lot of rock and metal-type sounds that I personally wouldn't need (being more in the "roots" genre), but also a bunch of midi loops. NDK is strictly a sample library, albeit a huge one. Does anyone have any thoughts on the relative merits of each, or some suggestions about other possibilities? And are these easy enough to work with, using a keyboard and the Cubase drum map function? Thanks, J.P.

 

[Chili]

This should be its own thread. I moved it for you.


Ah, I just noticed this is a duplicate from another post. We try to keep the forums clean from duplicates, so if you post in one forum and don't get an answer, you can ask a mod to move it for ya.


peace,

 

[FunkDaddy]

Where have you found a limitation with the Nashville EZX? Admittedly I don't do a lot of brush stuff on my music, but I haven't found that I can't go to it for when I do.

 

[jpdelanoye]

Hey Funk Daddy, Thanks for your response. What I mean is that in the Nashville EZX, even in the "Brushes Kit", which sounds really great IMHO, you don't get options other than a straight hit, like for instance real drummers use little swirls and figure-8 patterns to very expressive effect. I was able to get some decent flams by just clicking a few snare hits, in the midi editor, before a given beat and gradually increasing the velocity until the final hit. I think there's a lot you can do with EZ Drummer, don't get me wrong, and the Jazz EZX even has one or two brush sweep sounds...I'm just, like a lot of folks I guess, trying to get as close to a sentient, human sound and wondering what other options are available. I've had the privilege over the years of getting to play with some very fine brush/hot-rod drummers and, while we can't ever replace the human element, I'd want to get as far as I could toward authenticity. Really, it's incredible the software has come this far...Take care, J.P.