Working with drum loops

[gordholio]

Hey guys and gals:

I asked a question here a week or so ago and got a few answers. Thanks very much. It's obvious to me though that I should rephrase the question, so here goes:

I want to work with pre-recorded drum loops/single drum hits. I make rock and roll music, so electronic-type drums will not work. I want real, recorded drums.

ANYWAY, up 'til now I've been doing this in the Sonar 2 main window. Here is my question: What is the best utility for working with drum loops? No MIDI, no soundfonts, etc. - just audio files (pre-recorded drum loops and single hits). Something that integrates well or works within Sonar and will allow me to chop up loops, build my own grooves, etc. If this utility would allow me to build an entire song (not just a single loop or a specific section), that would be even cooler.

I'd prefer something that doesn't have a huge learning curve because I already have the responsibilitites of writing the songs, playing all the instruments (apart from drums!), singing it, recording it properly, etc., etc. And of course, I have to find time for all this AND my job. Whine, whine, whine...

Please excuse me if I sound ignorant. Thanks very much once again.

gordo

 

[moskus]

You can use Acidized loops directly in Sonar, but if you want more control you should check out the bundled DXi Cyclone.

 

[imalion]

Hey there. Sounds like we are in the same boat. I too play straight up rock-n-roll, and NEED realistic sounding drums in my music.

I use a program called Fruity Loops for all of my drum patterns. I can create as many patterns as I want for each song. It is easy to use and with professional drum samples you can make the drum tracks sound like a real drummer. possibilities are endless.

As for drum samples. I use "Drumkit From Hell". These samples are absolutely the BEST drum samples for Rock music.

I hope this helps.


Steven

 

[moskus]

If you really would like good drums, then learn to program MIDI and use the absolutely lovely Drumkit from Hell. Once you've tried it, you'll never go back! I guarantee it!

 

[acidrock]

Sonar has every thing you need.

I usually just drag the clips from the loop explorer into a muted track and copy/paste from there.

If you want to chop up existing beats you can do it right in the track view using the cut tool.Some people may prefer loop construction view.

The Cyclone DXI is a cool tool also if you're willing to learn how to use it.

No MIDI, no soundfonts, etc. - just audio files (pre-recorded drum loops and single hits).

Once you get rolling you really owe it to yourself to learn about these things.An initial investment in time will pay off a hundredfold.You just have to get over the hump.

One of my favorite features in Sonar3 are the midi groove clips.You can flesh out a backing track to jam with in a matter of minutes,and any sound,pitch,arrangement or tempo can be changed at any time,something that can't always be done with audio groove clips.

Good luck!!!

 

[Paul881]

Acid Rock and Moskus are both quite right, the quickest way to make music might be to use loops, but a bit of time investment by you in using Soundfonts and Piano Roll View/Midi files will pay dividends.

 

[DEKAmusic]

I import all my drum tracks from Jammer Pro. I create and edit in Jammer, import into Sonar as individual tracks. I then use the midi tracks to trigger the sounds on my drum module and record them back into Soanr one track at a time as audio.

 

[jazzyblues]

I tried looking in Sonar for drums, but either the files are empty or I'm really stupid (or both). There aren't any drum beats in the drum files. (I'm new at this.)

 

[acidrock]

I tried looking in Sonar for drums, but either the files are empty or I'm really stupid (or both). There aren't any drum beats in the drum files. (I'm new at this.)

When you say drums do you mean loops?If so Sonar comes with stock loops that should be in a default folder in the loop explorer.

 

[lapieuvre]

Hi,

I don't know how good are acid, fruity loops, etc.. but I do it all in Sonar. I use all I know to do drums: Midi, loop samples, real drums. Sonar can create loops too, didn't find it hard to understand.

Lapieuvre

 

[moskus]

Jazzyblues, open the manual and open Sonar, and go through it step by step. It's the quickest way to learn, and you'll learn plenty of other tricks too.