Skip to content
Notifications
Clear all

Drums

14 Posts
5 Users
0 Likes
2,275 Views
(@jeffster1)
Reputable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 231
Topic starter  

Hi everyone,

I have kind of a noob question about drums. I've really been enjoying recording some guitar with my PC, but the sound quality isn't the greatest and I'm looking to get a little more serious about it. What I'm really missing is drums. I can't really play drums, and I don't have a set/pads. Do drum machines make half decent "recording" buddies? I'm not looking for awesome sound, just something that I can record simple stuff with, and do some songwriting.

I've tried some of the software ones like leafdrums but I was wondering if an actual hardware drum machine would be a better idea? If so, any information/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, should I just try to figure out leafdrums?

Thanks


   
Quote
(@scrybe)
Famed Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 2241
 

I haven't tried leafdrums myself, but you could always try using some free drum loop samples. I've got a whole bunch in different styles which came free with magazines like Computer Music and Music Tech, and a lot of the time they are royalty-free, so you could even go ahead and sell somecopies of your work. I find them really useful to improv over (they're usually only a couple of bars in length but you can loop them with most audio software, even quicktime) and will be using them on some recordings too, no doubt.

As for the merits/demerits of drum machines.....every drummer I know hates them lol, but so would I if they had a guitar-machine (I actually loathe that nintendo guitar game). They can be used fairly easily and fairly well, but I've also seen/heard drums being programmed using a midi keyboard to an equal standard. You didn't mention if you had a midi keyboard already, but a keyboard like the M-Audio Axiom 61 (61 keys version, obv, but they do 49 key versions and other versions too, I think) has a small 'drum machine' component at the top of the keyboard, and they keboard itself is a really good standard for the price. I'd sugest that if you purchase hardware for drum sequencing purposes, give the Axiom some serious consideration, since you can also use it to programme any other instrumnt you can't record live.

The Axiom can be found here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Axiom-49-49Key-USB-MIDI-Controller?sku=706314 and if you're from the UK/Europe, here: http://www.thomann.de/gb/maudio_axiom_61.htm

hth

Ra Er Ga.

Ninjazz have SuperChops.

http://www.blipfoto.com/Scrybe


   
ReplyQuote
(@misanthrope)
Noble Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 2261
 

I'm not looking for awesome sound, just something that I can record simple stuff with, and do some songwriting.
With that in mind, you might think about using something like guitar-pro? I use it to lay out my songs, drums included... it's perfectly good for demo purposes and when it comes to getting a proper recording done, I can just export the drum track as a MIDI, import that into Reaper and use it to play a VSTi drumkit.

ChordsAndScales.co.uk - Guitar Chord/Scale Finder/Viewer


   
ReplyQuote
(@dogbite)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
 

I have a Boss drum machine and MIDI. lately I am using MIDI drums and will eventually get ahold of EZ Drummer software.
the drum machine I have used in recording. it works fine. I haven't learned how to successfully program beats so I use the presets or play in real time with the key pads.
both midi and machine sound like real drums. the midi is better because it is quiet. the drum machine makes an annoying hum that the computer picks up. I probably have to move the drum or plug it into a different socket.

and you are right...drums add to the experience. bass is excellent too. I need to get one.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
ReplyQuote
(@hueseph)
Noble Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 1543
 

I use EZdrummer. It's mighty handy and sounds as real as you make it. The midi loops are drag and drop and the audio samples are top notch. Of course you need software that supports it as a plugin. If you're on a budget, there are tons of audio loop libraries out there that can be had for $30 and up. Search Ebay or try http://betamonkeymusic.com .

https://soundcloud.com/hue-nery/hue-audio-sampler


   
ReplyQuote
(@jeffster1)
Reputable Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 231
Topic starter  

Thanks for all the help guys.

Guitar Pro - I've never used it. I didn't know it recorded guitar? I thought it was more of a tabbing program?
That keyboard looks great, I've got it bookmarked.
I'm also going to give EZdrummer a shot.

On a side note, what's everyone using for an audio interface?


   
ReplyQuote
(@dogbite)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
 

audio interface? I am using Lexicon Lambda. Cubase recording software came inside. for now I like it. it has enough inputs for me. I can record a couple of tracks at the same time. haven't done that yet. inexpensive and USB hookup.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
ReplyQuote
(@hueseph)
Noble Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 1543
 

Mackie Onyx Satellite : Firewire interface, Two decent, transparent mic preamps. Two line inputs per channel, One instrument input per channel, 6 outputs, two headphone outputs, Phantom power, Talkback. Basically two channels input, 6 output.

As much as I love this piece of gear, I don't necessarily recommend it. I had some issues with mine. Sticky selector button, wobbly volume pot. Nothing major but not very impressive. It does come with Tracktion though which is worth the price of the unit.

Cubase Studio Case 1, Samplitude SE, Acid Music Studio and Tracktion 3.

https://soundcloud.com/hue-nery/hue-audio-sampler


   
ReplyQuote
(@scrybe)
Famed Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 2241
 

mine should be arriving any day now, so I'll post again on here w/ a brief review once I've toyed around with it a bit more - used the shop one for about half an hour and really liked it, but didn't fully explore it since it had been well recommended independently of the store.

as for an interface, right now I'm using a crappy Tascam US224 or US244 or something......runs to check............US-224, two ins, does midi, line and mic, but no mic pre :evil: mind, at the price the unit was, a preamp would have probs been rubbish anyway. hoping to upgrade sometime this year, but hanging on as I want to get a firewire interface which will allow for around 8 inputs (e.g. 1mic for each of 2 vox, 2 mics on each of 2 guitar amps, and 2 mics on a bass amp) so I can get record some live music, jams, improvs and the like. my biggest gripe about how music tech has changed is that it has made music such a solitary pursuit for a lot of ppl. it's kewl to record solo if you're restricted, but the 'feeding off each other' element seems to have been replaced by a do-everything-yourself-and-be-a-prodigy route.

software is Virtual DJ (great fun for messing around, and can help ear development, if ya get bored of standard exercises, but mostly used for creating quick remixes for parties and the like), and Nuendo. I've worked on Cubase, Nuendo 1 and 2, and Sibelius in the past tho - would love my own copy of Sibelius or something similar (I'm never impressed by DAW's score programmes/elements).

Ra Er Ga.

Ninjazz have SuperChops.

http://www.blipfoto.com/Scrybe


   
ReplyQuote
(@hueseph)
Noble Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 1543
 

Scrybe:

The US 224 does indeed have two mic preamps. No phantom though. Regarding micing an amp with two mics: unless you are particularly careful to listen for phase problems, this can cause more problems than anything. If you're willing to put the time into it, it can be worthwhile. I'm assuming you're using one mic for close and the second as a distant. IMHO using two close mics is pointless. Especially when dealing with stereo amps. I know that seems contradictory but there will be so much bleed that the stereo seperation will be almost imperceptable unless you have a two separate cabs. Again, it is just my opinion. Add salt to taste.

https://soundcloud.com/hue-nery/hue-audio-sampler


   
ReplyQuote
(@hueseph)
Noble Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 1543
 

Oh yeah. That US224 is a control surface so I hope you're not getting rid of it.

https://soundcloud.com/hue-nery/hue-audio-sampler


   
ReplyQuote
(@scrybe)
Famed Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 2241
 

no, I wont be getting rid (it'll also become my transportable interface once I can set my laptop up with DAW :) ) and you're right about te preamps, I meant to say no phantom power, hence my thread in this forum on decent mic pre's (my head's melding the two into one right now from info overload, lol).

I want to experiment with one close mic, one room....but also, e.g. one mic at fron of speaker one at back (my marshall jtm45 combo is open backed), and other arrangements. I figured that, provided I can keep all the mics on separate tracks phasing wouldn't much of a problem to the recording, since I could drop micB out of the end mix and just use micA if there was a phasing problem. I also wanted to try two close mics on acoustic and classical guitars (micing in front of the sound hole) as I've seen done in photos of studio sessions and the like, but was gonna go with a paired set of mics for this. what are your thoughts on this?

lol, as much as I hugely appreciate everyone's advice in this forum, I have an inbuilt tendency to want to experiement and mess around with 'new' approaches anyway (I recall feeding a keyboard into a karaoke machine using the headphone feed off the keys to the mic input on karaoke, recording one track, switching tapes and bouncing the recorded trak onto a new tape with 2nd keyboard part on top....this was way back when I was about 10, and the tape hiss was insane by the end of it, but it was great fun).

Ra Er Ga.

Ninjazz have SuperChops.

http://www.blipfoto.com/Scrybe


   
ReplyQuote
(@hueseph)
Noble Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 1543
 

Regarding double micing an amp. It's not a bad thing to do. It just takes some diligence to get it right. Phasing is something that occurs in the air where the sound mixes so, it doesn't matter if you're using separate channels. If there is a phase switch on the console or in the software though, that helps a lot.

As far as using a matched pair of mics, it's fine but I wouldn't go that route. Matched pairs are generally for stereo recording and usually only work well as distant mics. For close micing a guitar I would go with a Large diaphragm condenser or a dynamic like an sm57 and a pencil condenser. Distant micing on an acoustic works very well depending on your room.

Sorry for hijacking this thread. It was not intended.

https://soundcloud.com/hue-nery/hue-audio-sampler


   
ReplyQuote
(@misanthrope)
Noble Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 2261
 

Guitar Pro - I've never used it. I didn't know it recorded guitar? I thought it was more of a tabbing program?
Sorry, I didn't explain that very well :roll:

It doesn't record the guitar - it is, as you say, a tabbing program. What it does do though, is play the tab back to you with MIDI instruments. What I do is use it to lay out my songs, I tab out rhythm, lead, vocal melody, bass and drums, all exactly as it should be and play along to it as I'm writing or arranging. It's only MIDI quality, but it's good enough for that purpose. When it's time for better quality, I export a MIDI file for the drums, and use that in Reaper (fantastic program!) to play a VST instrument of a much better quality.

ChordsAndScales.co.uk - Guitar Chord/Scale Finder/Viewer


   
ReplyQuote