Hi all, I've used ACID to create a few drum tracks from pre recorded loops, but would like to create some tracks from individual drum samples(kick, snare, etc). I really don't know much about it. Do I actually need a sequencer with a keyboard trigger, or can I use my computer keyboard as the sample trigger to trigger individual samples I have(like the NS studio kit samples)? What would be the easiest program to use with this? I'm presently using cool edit, acid, and I'm considering purchasing Tracktion, although it doesn't look like it's the choice for midi enthusiasts.
Thanks
Ron
Recommended tutorial on creating drum tracks from samples?
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- KVRian
- 991 posts since 16 Feb, 2005 from USA
i use tracktion..i make beats in GURU and Battery..those are the best ones that I have used. Tracktion hosts Battery and GURU pretty well.
I would strongly reccomend getting a drum pad like a finger trigger or akia MPD instead of using any kind of keyboard to make the drums..it all comes down to feel and you will not have that with keyboards. Hit up Ebay and find the best deal you can on a good drum pad and you will be much happier.
I would strongly reccomend getting a drum pad like a finger trigger or akia MPD instead of using any kind of keyboard to make the drums..it all comes down to feel and you will not have that with keyboards. Hit up Ebay and find the best deal you can on a good drum pad and you will be much happier.
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- KVRian
- 1398 posts since 9 Dec, 2002
I'm rather sure people like Jan Hammer might disagree on using a (MIDI) keyboard for playing/programming drums and other percussive stuff 
Haven't checked out Finger Trigger yet, but I did loan an Akai MPD to see if it was worth purchasing. After the drivers messed up my XP to a degree that required reinstalling (still no idea what happened, it killed all audio totally and uninstalling all audio drivers -> cleaning registry from all related entries -> reinstalling audio drivers the machine still made no sound) I got it to work, only to find out that the stiff action was more than annoying. Using an aged Boss DR-660 was way more pleasurable, but still far behind using a regular MIDI keyboard. (Then again, I've been fiddling with synths for almost two decades and most of that time has been spent playing percussive stuff)
As for software, FL Studio might be your best bet. The basic layout is oriented towards programming drums (it started off as a drum machine after all), you can use the computer keyboard for playing stuff (still rare amongst apps, and easier to deal with than using a plugin for the same task), it seems to have a decent way of step recording either from the computer keyboard or from a MIDI controller... all good for laying down beats.
Not to mention everything else it does. Tons of stuff
Plus it deals nicely with loops thanks to the builtin slicer, so you can work ACID-style in it.
And it contains several generators (most of them are included, some are optional addons) geared towards drums. Really the perfect fit unless you don't need most of it capabilities, in which case FXPansion's GURU might be just the thing for you.
You could for example get FL Studio and have no real need for Tracktion + GURU then. MIDI editing is IMHO nicer in FL (Tracktion's piano roll just isn't quite 'there' yet).
All of the mentioned apps have of course big differences in their workflow and so on, so naturally checking out demos is suggested.
(disclaimer: I don't own FL, I use Tracktion 1.something which was free - NFR to be exact - and won't consider upgrading to Tracktion 2 until the piano roll which for me is the most important part of the application gets developed further. Tracktioneers, please don't turn this into a T versus everything argument)
Regards,
JMH
Haven't checked out Finger Trigger yet, but I did loan an Akai MPD to see if it was worth purchasing. After the drivers messed up my XP to a degree that required reinstalling (still no idea what happened, it killed all audio totally and uninstalling all audio drivers -> cleaning registry from all related entries -> reinstalling audio drivers the machine still made no sound) I got it to work, only to find out that the stiff action was more than annoying. Using an aged Boss DR-660 was way more pleasurable, but still far behind using a regular MIDI keyboard. (Then again, I've been fiddling with synths for almost two decades and most of that time has been spent playing percussive stuff)
As for software, FL Studio might be your best bet. The basic layout is oriented towards programming drums (it started off as a drum machine after all), you can use the computer keyboard for playing stuff (still rare amongst apps, and easier to deal with than using a plugin for the same task), it seems to have a decent way of step recording either from the computer keyboard or from a MIDI controller... all good for laying down beats.
Not to mention everything else it does. Tons of stuff
Plus it deals nicely with loops thanks to the builtin slicer, so you can work ACID-style in it.
And it contains several generators (most of them are included, some are optional addons) geared towards drums. Really the perfect fit unless you don't need most of it capabilities, in which case FXPansion's GURU might be just the thing for you.
You could for example get FL Studio and have no real need for Tracktion + GURU then. MIDI editing is IMHO nicer in FL (Tracktion's piano roll just isn't quite 'there' yet).
All of the mentioned apps have of course big differences in their workflow and so on, so naturally checking out demos is suggested.
(disclaimer: I don't own FL, I use Tracktion 1.something which was free - NFR to be exact - and won't consider upgrading to Tracktion 2 until the piano roll which for me is the most important part of the application gets developed further. Tracktioneers, please don't turn this into a T versus everything argument
)Regards,
JMH
Now available with added Inherently Suspect Justification!
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 8 posts since 1 Dec, 2004
Thanks for the advice. I'm mostly using acoustic drum samples for pop/rock stuff. I can actually play a real drum kit, so I think i'll be able to come up with realistic sounding parts. It's just a matter of finding a way of creating them on my computer without a whole ton of gear.
thx
ron
thx
ron
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- KVRian
- 991 posts since 16 Feb, 2005 from USA
yeah..unless you are a keyboard percussion veteran like JMH, you will probably want pads.
That is too bad about your MPD..I think USB stuff can be a pain..luckily mine seems to work pretty well through USB....my oxygen 8 howeevr did not..i sent that thing straght to MIDI...I would do the same with the MPDif I had another MIDI input in my sound interface.
but to keep it on topic..FL studio is also good MIDI software..but not for rock music or anything with a lot of tracked instruments..FL can't handle those files that well, so if you are going the rock route, I think Tracktion 2 would be a better idea.
That is too bad about your MPD..I think USB stuff can be a pain..luckily mine seems to work pretty well through USB....my oxygen 8 howeevr did not..i sent that thing straght to MIDI...I would do the same with the MPDif I had another MIDI input in my sound interface.
but to keep it on topic..FL studio is also good MIDI software..but not for rock music or anything with a lot of tracked instruments..FL can't handle those files that well, so if you are going the rock route, I think Tracktion 2 would be a better idea.