Drum Machine Vs. Software
Wanted to start a thread where people can weigh-in on their preference of drum machines vs. drum software. Are there any advantages of one over the other. Also, things like ease of use, learning curve for a new user, tweakability, and most importantly - sound, etc. What brand and model/software are you using, and what do you like/dislike about it.
Comments
Drum machines are nice if they have touch sensitive pads. Although this takes a little getting used to, it's a huge deal, because you don't always hit a drum as hard as you can, so this feature adds a major level of depth. Second, I can \"feel\" when a drum should be hit way better than I can estimate its location on a grid, so being able to press buttons on a drum machine in real time is easier for me (think about sequencing a guitar song by selecting a note for each beat instead of letting it flow).
With those advantages said, I tend to click drum tracks together instead of picking up my Dr. Rhythm. I suppose the ultimate combo would be a drum pad that you could plug into your USB port, so you could edit visually on your computer while also having dynamicism and real-time playing.
Now look at Dr. Rhythm's display:
I have a basic drum machine, a ZOOM MRT-3B, which is a great, inexpensive machine for non-pro fun and studio use. It has touch sensitivepads, is very programmable without using rocket science, and is also very customizable. I love it and use it on all my recordings.
I use the built in machine in the GNX for practicing and looops and the like
I've never used a puter program to make drums, and while I'd agree that the visual method would make for easy use, I think the complex nature of using such a program would outweigh it. Personally, I prefer my not-too-complicated drum machine. It makes great sound and is easy to use.
The free ones tend to be for techno-type folk. I have a free version of this, but it looks like they finally made it out of the beta stage--still free for 90 days though:
http://www.audiomulch.com/download.htm
Very old school and basic, but this is free and was my first audio software, so I will always dig it:
http://www.threechords.com/hammerhead/
But I switched to a non-free software drum sequencer, so I'm no longer up on what's good. This might be a good starting point though:
http://www.mymusictools.com/download/drum-machines/
www.rayzoon.com
I tried to do the demo a couple nights ago (twice) and can't get it to work. From the web site, it looks like it is geared toward jazz. Have you been able to get good rock/hard rock sounds from it? Was it fairly intuitive, or a pain to learn?
Thanks
It's a lot of fun to play around with and about as easy to use as they come!
Again, you can download the free program here:
http://www.threechords.com/hammerhead/download.shtml
The downloadable banks are here:
http://www.threechords.com/hammerhead/userbanks.shtml
and to also second angry as always and answer inside out - jamstix rocks!! i am DEFINATELY buying the full version on payday!
you have to have a VST compatible sequencer - Pro Tracks is direct X only im afraid - but its big brother Sonar has a VST wrap program that converts VST plug ins into something Sonar can use.
insert Jamztix into the track - two tracks will appear - one will be a MIDI track (any midi notes or loop in the track will be played by jamztix) and the top one is the Jam Stix program its-self.
there is also the audiom8 plug in that comes with jamstix - insert this into the effects bin of an audio track and press play and the program should jam with what you are playing - i havent got this to work too well yet - perhaps angry could give us some pointers?
but for making common or garden boring MIDI loops sound great its excellent - you can tweak it a lot - and easily - ive got my tracks sounding like John Bonham is playing in my room! so rock IS very do able.
Great reply's so far - keep em coming guys!! Thanks!
I'd be happy to email you Hammerhead if you want--you can PM your email address to me.
Isn't it possible to use drum loops with Sonar?
If so... how?
I only glanced thru the manual. Maybe I should read it.
Anyone know if it's possible?
Thanks.
I have to say it was kind of a pain for me to get it to record on sonar. I'm a TOTAL newb to computer recording, so I was behind the 8-ball so to speak. Archon is right on about inserting the audio m8 in the tracks so Jamstix can read what it's supposed to do. If you don't insert one, the program won't work at all. Don't be afraid to ask Ralph how to get that program going. Actually it's a tight knit community like this one where alot of people will chime in to help you out! You can get some great hard rock sounds and patterns from it. You just have to insert the right pattern style and load the right kits for the job!
Archon! Way to go 'bro! You won't regret it! It's changed SO much for me as far as writing and how fast I can get stuff down and completed. It's a modern miracle!
Here is a free grid-based drum program:
http://tnikolai.nm.ru/drumflow.html
I finally was able to download and install the programs. Thanks for your help - I really appreciate it! 8)
I have company in town for the week so I haven't had time to play with them much. I'll let you know when I get it figured out. Initial glance... I think I like the Drumflow more than Hammerhead but time will tell. Thanks again