Transcribing drum or keyboard parts

[Examigan]

I am figuring out the drums for "Big Money" from the Rush "Power Windows" album. I'm about 2/3 of the way through now. In the past, I have transcribed parts for drums that I found interesting (Rush, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Zappa, etc.), and some keyboard parts here and there.

I import the WAV file into Sonar, then match up the tempo and then use a drum or keyboard plugin to go along with the song till I get it right. I used to write everything down by hand, but these days, it is just much easier this way.

Anyway, I was just wondering if you guys do anything similar to that.

[Aloysius]

If I was interested in that, I might download a good MIDI file instead.

[Examigan]

If I was interested in that, I might download a good MIDI file instead.

Yes I know what you mean. Sometimes the MIDI file will have some useful notation in it. I just like to make sure what I hear in the music is translated to either paper (handwritten notation) or MIDI in the way I think is "correct". Not like I am perfect by any means, but those MIDI files all over the internet are not the best representation of the music. I'd rather have a go at it myself.

[Aloysius]

I get you. However, there are some really well put together MIDIs. I mean, put together by total perfectionists. If you can find them amongst all the rubbish, you can hear things that sometimes are a bit buried on old analog recordings in particular. I was trying to figure out the little flute arpeggiated type intro to George Benson's Breezin' recently. I've always liked it but it's difficult to hear what notes are being played. Melodyne was no help because of the mix. Band-passing was still no help. I eventually found a very good MIDI file and was then able to play the flute part via MIDI against the track itself. Now I know what I like so much about that flute part. Maybe I'll use the technique myself at a later date. Etc.

[Examigan]

I figured out the keyboard solo for "Revealing Science" by Yes, but it was really tough as I had to slow it way down, and was listening to each and every note in my DAW.
I can't actually play it myself as I am not THAT good, but at least I have the notes and their timing down.

[AsPeeXXXVIII]

The only transcribing I've ever done was for a select few of my own tunes in Guitar Pro.

I've been contemplating the idea of getting into transcribing proper, though. Thinking about doing guitar and bass tabs for all of my songs. Maybe drum tabs too, but not necessarily.