Drum Software?

derek · #1 06-29-2009, 01:07 PM

I am looking for some sort of drum software to practice bass with. I can use BIAB, but am looking for something with a bit more realisim.

Drum machines are fairly affordable, but I have zero interest in tapping in rhythms. Looking for something that covers all sorts of styles, not just jazz, and can adjust tempo. Ideas? Thanks.

Jazzarian · #2 06-29-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek

I am looking for some sort of drum software to practice bass with. I can use BIAB, but am looking for something with a bit more realisim.

Drum machines are fairly affordable, but I have zero interest in tapping in rhythms. Looking for something that covers all sorts of styles, not just jazz, and can adjust tempo. Ideas? Thanks.

Learn to use BIAB better. Seriously.

You could go the ACID route, I don't see why.

derek · #3 06-29-2009, 03:11 PM

Can use BIAB, but some of the loops and drum machines just kill it tonewise. Just looking for other options.

Jazzarian · #4 06-29-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek

Can use BIAB, but some of the loops and drum machines just kill it tonewise. Just looking for other options.

Ah what a difference a software synth makes in terms of realism with BIAB. It can be "Night and Day" so to speak.

There's many a DXi/VST out there, some cost ridiculous amounts of money.

For drums, piano, and bass, NI's Bandstand sounds really fine with BIAB. The horns suck though. For $100, a most excellent deal. Real nice jazz drum set.

Big Fish Audio has a package for $99 too. I'd imagine it to be fine for the fundamentals as well.

Cakewalk's Dimenson Pro might be a good way to go too, but getting up there in price, at least $200.

The Garritan Big Band and Jazz Collection for $170 is bound to be very good too.

bfloyd6969 · #5 06-29-2009, 09:11 PM

probably the most "real" drum sounds you might get are going to be from premade loops. Drag some into a DAW for splicing together what you want.

heavyblues · #6 06-29-2009, 11:25 PM

EZdrummer is the most AMAZING vst drum program I have found...no joke...you will instantly believe it once you hear the demo...with Band in a Box it is easy...export the midi, and use the midi file in another program to trigger ezdrummer...the realism and ease of use might shock you at first.

here are the demos

Toontrack®

I have not yet found any program that can top this, its easy to use and sounds great.

make sure to listen to the jazz expansion up top, its so smooth

derek · #7 06-30-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavyblues

EZdrummer is the most AMAZING vst drum program I have found...no joke...you will instantly believe it once you hear the demo...with Band in a Box it is easy...export the midi, and use the midi file in another program to trigger ezdrummer...the realism and ease of use might shock you at first.

here are the demos

Toontrack®

I have not yet found any program that can top this, its easy to use and sounds great.

make sure to listen to the jazz expansion up top, its so smooth

That was pretty nice. Not a stand alone though? I was also hoping for something that would do a variety of styles, not just jazz. I see you have to buy a different module for each style. Still, very nice. Thanks for the link.

Jazzarian · #8 06-30-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfloyd6969

probably the most "real" drum sounds you might get are going to be from premade loops. Drag some into a DAW for splicing together what you want.

How are loops supposed to sound more like real drums than BIAB playing thru a software synth that uses real drum sample patches?

Sorry, I've heard the argument before and it doesn't hold water.

bfloyd6969 · #9 07-01-2009, 04:05 AM

Real drum loops are real recorded drums recorded by studio musicians. I haven't played with BIAB since they started using their real instruments so I can't comment there. I was referring to that real drum loops will sound better than midi drums.

Jazzarian · #10 07-01-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfloyd6969

Real drum loops are real recorded drums recorded by studio musicians. I haven't played with BIAB since they started using their real instruments so I can't comment there. I was referring to that real drum loops will sound better than midi drums.

Nothing MIDI about my BIAB arrangements. No MIDI used at all. Songs directly rendered to .wav format.

Since the drum patches in Bandstand are recorded from real drums, loops have no advantage. They have a distinct disadvantage due to splicing that you don't get with BIAB. Bad splices are a dead giveaway.

Denny1945 · #11 07-03-2009, 09:47 PM

I received the Ultra Pak from PG Music a week or so ago, I had parts of it before, but now I have all RealDrums, RealTracks, and RealStyles, and using Yamaha software which is at least 11 years old, and Altec PC speakers with subwoofer, or Bose in ear earphones, I don't know how much better it can get. As Jazzarian said, it's real. Terry Clarke and the Trading 4's style is lots of fun. I'm using the 2009 edition, and there are almost 5000 samples; I just substitute real instruments if I want to experiment. I just love sticking a resonator (dobro) guitar in where it just isn't normally heard, it changes the whole character of the music. I'm still a beginner, but the RealDrums are amazing in BIAB, if you just take the time to work with them, and that goes for any style. Just take any one of the demo songs, and type in the chords with .d immediately after, and you have a drum track, any style, any tempo; it's up to you.

Also, put lots of tags in the song, and you'll get lots of drum fills.

nado64 · #12 09-14-2009, 08:09 AM

two wonderful vsti :
- toontrack, ezdrummer
- native instruments, battery

Bluevalentine · #13 10-09-2009, 06:00 AM

Try PC Drummer PC Drummer - Drum Machine Software Solution especially the Pro version.

bass2man · #14 11-30-2009, 07:43 PM

I do a lot of recording and the two VST's for drums I use are Ez Drummer and Addictive Drums. Both sound great but different.

Both sound great but Addicitve Drums has a lot more flexibility...four different kits that you can mix and match. Very handy if you want to from basic swing sound to more smooth jazz sound. Additve Drums has a bunch of pre-sets that go from a Tommy Lee sound to Steedy Dan/Gadd sounds.....they both have about 500 preset midi grooves and you can even download some free grooves from Groove Monkee....

BIAB drum tracks are pretty lame...great for practice but not real "live" sounding if you are going to record a tune....

heavyblues · #15 12-01-2009, 01:08 AM

oh ya, and battery is another sweet program for sure(as mentioned), you can also use it for hip-hop, electronica etc. But it is way different from ezdrummer and programs like it. Basically Battery is a sampling program, so you have to provide your own samples, and therefore you don't get realisitic velocity sensitivity like programs like ezdrummer(they record the cymbal struck at low volume to high volumes and in between volumes so that you get more realistic tone depending on the velocity you assign to each individual drum hit). I have never tried addictive drummer, sounds pretty sweet, but I just bought the jazz expansion for ezdrummer which is stunning. Go to toontrack's website and listen to the jazz expansion demos, even uses brushes. Love it.

gravyTrain · #16 12-02-2009, 06:45 PM

I've taken the MIDI tracks for BIAB and imported them into Logic Pro with very nice results.

For drum loops, Superior Drummer (or EZ drummer), and Addictive Drums are great. You can buy drum MIDI packs for Superior Drummer/ EZ Drummer: check out http://www.toontrack.com/products.asp?item=44