Beginner Drum Programmer Help - Guitars101

**axeshredder** · 06-03-2005, 03:08 PM

Can you reccommend a good program that i can create quality drums for originals or to create cover backings. Any info that could help would be appreciated

**KC_ArtRocker** · 06-03-2005, 04:07 PM

Yeah, me too, except I want to figure out how to program beat for beat drumlines like I've always done on my drum machine, but on the computer (no drag'n'drop drum loops). I like the method for programming drum beats from scratch on my drum machine but the interface is just ridiculously inferior and frustrating compared to what is now available on the computer, however I do not know where to start. The embarrassing thing is that I probably already have everything I need, but I probably just don't know it or how to use it.

**VHF** · 06-03-2005, 08:25 PM

You guys are both having the same problem I am/was at one time. I have a drum machine that sounds as good or better than anything aside from a real set. Programming it is a slow and painful cumbersome process....to put it lightly.

I finally figured out how to program it with midi files and there are thousnds of them free on teh net. I can find almost any song.

If I want to do originals....I don't have a good method yet. There are programs out there that make it easy to make your own midi drum tracks.....I just don't know what or how yet. The only one I have seen is the original Drumkit from hell....and it comes with all the soundfonts also...and the price is $300.

There has to be an easy/cheap way to make a midi drum track...which you can then use to program your machine. You can get a great drum machine on e-bay for around $100-150.

KC-Axe....if there is a drum track of a cover that you really need bad...send me a PM.

Goport · 06-04-2005, 01:59 AM

I put up a cubase tutorial which should help get you started http://www.guitars101.com/forums/showthr...8&page=1&pp=10. It explains how to program drums from scratch in midi and use 3rd party plugins like Native Instruments Battery to get real drum sounds. It is a really basic intro but it gives an idea of what is involved. Even if you are doing an original and have a drumbeat style in mind and you know it is in a certain song, then download a midi file of that song and rip the drum part.

I program all my drum parts from scratch and enjoy it, I am always finding out new things to make it easier/better. it is pretty much the same deal.

There are some really good drum packages like Battery, BFD, Grooveagent,Drumkit from Hell and Artist Drums to name but a few. There are also some pretty cool advancements such as Jamstix, which actually works out what to play for you in reaql time or to a prerecorded track. I tried it and it seemed a bit confusing to me but others say it is excellent.

**VHF** · 06-04-2005, 07:50 AM

Ahh Goport. That one screenshot where you show the complete list of drum set components with all the diamonds pretty much says it all. Then from that screen you can output a midi file for a machine or an actual drum track from your sound fonts.

How much does that software cost? I'm on a tight budget.

**axeshredder** · 06-04-2005, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHfanOU812

How much does that software cost? I'm on a tight budget.

me 2...i like the sound of "The Drum Kit from Hell!"

Rythameen · 06-04-2005, 08:50 AM

I use Battery, and Groove Agent. Groove Agent is great in that it has more or less pre-programmed beats that you can control the complexity of, as to how busy the drummer is, and it is very easy to throw in random fills and accents. You can record a "performance" in midi, and then go in and edit it however you want, i.e. cut and paste, etc. Once you have the midi file, you can swap the sounds for whatever you want. However, buying both Battery and Groove Agent is not really cheap. On the other hand, you gets what you pay for. So in the long run, it might be better to save up for the better quality software.

**axeshredder** · 06-04-2005, 08:59 AM

ok...if thats Groove Agent...whats battery...do i need both...how much is groove agent and would you reccommend starting off with that and maybe getting battery another day?

**VHF** · 06-04-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axeshredder

ok...if thats Groove Agent...whats battery...do i need both...how much is groove agent and would you reccommend starting off with that and maybe getting battery another day?

I have the same questions. All I need is something that builds and edits midi drum files...and as easy as possible becasue I'm very lazy.

POD GOD · 06-04-2005, 12:26 PM

Battery (like Kontakt) is a sampler. It simply loads the wav files, which you can use BFD or DFH...whatever. You then have to edit the midi, note by note, to work up a drum track. Groove Agent is different, and better geared towards those who aren't experienced in drum programming cause it is more automatic. You select style, the type of drums you want (80's, metal, jazz... whatever), choose the tempo and it works up the track for you. From there, you can change things (dynamics n stuff) and put in the fills. Also check out Jamstix, which is alot like Groove Agent

Rythameen · 06-04-2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axeshredder

ok...if thats Groove Agent...whats battery...do i need both...how much is groove agent and would you reccommend starting off with that and maybe getting battery another day?

No you wouldn't need Battery, if you're just looking to get some drums down quick with a minimum of hassle, then Groove Agent would probably fill the bill for you. It runs about $199, and remember it is a VST instrument, you will need a sequencer to run it in (cubase, sonar, etc).

**axeshredder** · 06-04-2005, 02:13 PM

thanks Alot PodgOd and Rythameen

**VHF** · 06-04-2005, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POD GOD

Battery (like Kontakt) is a sampler. It simply loads the wav files, which you can use BFD or DFH...whatever. You then have to edit the midi, note by note, to work up a drum track. Groove Agent is different, and better geared towards those who aren't experienced in drum programming cause it is more automatic. You select style, the type of drums you want (80's, metal, jazz... whatever), choose the tempo and it works up the track for you. From there, you can change things (dynamics n stuff) and put in the fills. Also check out Jamstix, which is alot like Groove Agent

Groove agent sounds like what I need to build midi drum tracks. How much is it?

chris guitar · 06-04-2005, 10:07 PM

can anyone tell me the best sequencer i could use to program my drums, i need something that is easy to use and quite indepth. at the moment im using a boss dr880 as a midi seqencer i use it to sequence the srx-01 drum board that sits inside my roland fantom.. the boss does the job but is quite cumbersome to use so i would like to use a pc programme to sequence my drums via midi to my hardware setup i hate using piano rolls. does anyone know what im looking for? cuz im stuck

Goport · 06-04-2005, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisguitargod

can anyone tell me the best sequencer i could use to program my drums, i need something that is easy to use and quite indepth. at the moment im using a boss dr880 as a midi seqencer i use it to sequence the srx-01 drum board that sits inside my roland fantom.. the boss does the job but is quite cumbersome to use so i would like to use a pc programme to sequence my drums via midi to my hardware setup i hate using piano rolls. does anyone know what im looking for? cuz im stuck

How about Fruity Loops? Personally I find it confusing and I prefer the piano roll but this has a different interface.

06-03-2005, 03:08 PM	#1
axeshredder Ready for Takeoff! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,044	Beginner Drum Programmer Help Can you reccommend a good program that i can create quality drums for originals or to create cover backings. Any info that could help would be appreciated __________________ ......................... www.axeshredder.com ....................

06-03-2005, 04:07 PM	#2
KC_ArtRocker Jeff McDonald Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kansas City, U.S.A. Posts: 4,107	Yeah, me too, except I want to figure out how to program beat for beat drumlines like I've always done on my drum machine, but on the computer (no drag'n'drop drum loops). I like the method for programming drum beats from scratch on my drum machine but the interface is just ridiculously inferior and frustrating compared to what is now available on the computer, however I do not know where to start. The embarrassing thing is that I probably already have everything I need, but I probably just don't know it or how to use it. __________________

06-03-2005, 08:25 PM	#3
VHF Unleash the Fookin Fury Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 4,099	You guys are both having the same problem I am/was at one time. I have a drum machine that sounds as good or better than anything aside from a real set. Programming it is a slow and painful cumbersome process....to put it lightly. I finally figured out how to program it with midi files and there are thousnds of them free on teh net. I can find almost any song. If I want to do originals....I don't have a good method yet. There are programs out there that make it easy to make your own midi drum tracks.....I just don't know what or how yet. The only one I have seen is the original Drumkit from hell....and it comes with all the soundfonts also...and the price is $300. There has to be an easy/cheap way to make a midi drum track...which you can then use to program your machine. You can get a great drum machine on e-bay for around $100-150. KC-Axe....if there is a drum track of a cover that you really need bad...send me a PM. __________________ My amp goes to 11!Nigel Tufnel

06-04-2005, 01:59 AM	#4
Goport excess to requirements Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Portsmouth, England Posts: 7,378	I put up a cubase tutorial which should help get you started http://www.guitars101.com/forums/showthr...8&page=1&pp=10. It explains how to program drums from scratch in midi and use 3rd party plugins like Native Instruments Battery to get real drum sounds. It is a really basic intro but it gives an idea of what is involved. Even if you are doing an original and have a drumbeat style in mind and you know it is in a certain song, then download a midi file of that song and rip the drum part. I program all my drum parts from scratch and enjoy it, I am always finding out new things to make it easier/better. it is pretty much the same deal. There are some really good drum packages like Battery, BFD, Grooveagent,Drumkit from Hell and Artist Drums to name but a few. There are also some pretty cool advancements such as Jamstix, which actually works out what to play for you in reaql time or to a prerecorded track. I tried it and it seemed a bit confusing to me but others say it is excellent. __________________ "All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?"

06-04-2005, 07:50 AM	#5
VHF Unleash the Fookin Fury Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 4,099	Ahh Goport. That one screenshot where you show the complete list of drum set components with all the diamonds pretty much says it all. Then from that screen you can output a midi file for a machine or an actual drum track from your sound fonts. How much does that software cost? I'm on a tight budget. __________________ My amp goes to 11!Nigel Tufnel

06-04-2005, 08:50 AM	#7
Rythameen Da Blooze Guy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 6,018	I use Battery, and Groove Agent. Groove Agent is great in that it has more or less pre-programmed beats that you can control the complexity of, as to how busy the drummer is, and it is very easy to throw in random fills and accents. You can record a "performance" in midi, and then go in and edit it however you want, i.e. cut and paste, etc. Once you have the midi file, you can swap the sounds for whatever you want. However, buying both Battery and Groove Agent is not really cheap. On the other hand, you gets what you pay for. So in the long run, it might be better to save up for the better quality software. __________________ "I'd like to get something together--like a Handel, Bach, Muddy Waters, flamenco type of thing. If I could get that sound, I'd be happy" --Jimi Hendrix http://www.soundclick.com/bands/1/cl...radi_music.htm http://rythameen.dmusic.com/

06-04-2005, 08:59 AM	#8
axeshredder Ready for Takeoff! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,044	ok...if thats Groove Agent...whats battery...do i need both...how much is groove agent and would you reccommend starting off with that and maybe getting battery another day? __________________ ......................... www.axeshredder.com ....................

06-04-2005, 12:26 PM	#10
POD GOD "Gas Station Attendant" Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,767	Battery (like Kontakt) is a sampler. It simply loads the wav files, which you can use BFD or DFH...whatever. You then have to edit the midi, note by note, to work up a drum track. Groove Agent is different, and better geared towards those who aren't experienced in drum programming cause it is more automatic. You select style, the type of drums you want (80's, metal, jazz... whatever), choose the tempo and it works up the track for you. From there, you can change things (dynamics n stuff) and put in the fills. Also check out Jamstix, which is alot like Groove Agent

06-04-2005, 02:13 PM	#12
axeshredder Ready for Takeoff! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 5,044	thanks Alot PodgOd and Rythameen __________________ ......................... www.axeshredder.com ....................

06-04-2005, 10:07 PM	#14
chris guitar Arena Artist Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: england Posts: 587	can anyone tell me the best sequencer i could use to program my drums, i need something that is easy to use and quite indepth. at the moment im using a boss dr880 as a midi seqencer i use it to sequence the srx-01 drum board that sits inside my roland fantom.. the boss does the job but is quite cumbersome to use so i would like to use a pc programme to sequence my drums via midi to my hardware setup i hate using piano rolls. does anyone know what im looking for? cuz im stuck

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