Drum tracks for home recording, how do YOU do it?

Sean Baumann · #1 09-12-2006, 03:47 PM

I am looking to do some home recording, but still working out how I am going to get some drum tracks. If there is one thing that I would be picky about it would be realistic drum sounds and "feel."

I am using a Presonus Firebox and the included gimpy Cubase. I have a keyboard (Roland RD-700sx) and a hardware sequencer (Roland PMA-5) but don't really use them (wife plays keyboard like a piano). I am also a super newbie to home recording and can barely even record myself in cubase. I have messed with Fruity Loops in the past, and can build simple drum sequences in my PMA. I have never been happy with the sounds though, and they always sounds pretty darn mechanized.

So how do you prepare/record your own drum tracks or loops? What would you recommend for me?

agreatheight · #2 09-12-2006, 03:55 PM

You can try a software solution. I have used DKFH Superior and it works well, you can also try BFD. The sounds are really pretty good, but it takes a time and knowledge. Take a listen for yourself: http://www.myspace.com/thesizeoftheocean - all songs are DKFH (FYI, I am using these drums as a placeholder until I can either play the parts myself or find a drummer who can).

Sean Baumann · #3 09-12-2006, 03:56 PM

Whats the difference between the expensive DKFH superior and DKFH2? Thanks for the link, I'll give them a listen.

agreatheight · #4 09-12-2006, 03:58 PM

Superior is (IIRC) a more functional version of the software with more / better samples.

msquared · #5 09-12-2006, 04:41 PM

BFD and DHS are both very fine products. I don't think you would go wrong with either.

In my experience though, the biggest problem with programmed drum beats is that there isn't a human playing them. What makes it sound mechanical is the quantitization rather than the samples themselves.

There are exceptions, of course.

agreatheight · #6 09-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Most midi programs these days have a humanize function, which moves the hits off of the quantize grid by a percent value and changes the volume likewise by a percent value. It's not perfect but it helps. If you have the time, though, you can also move the hits off of the grid by hand and that will really do the trick. Very time consuming tho!

Good luck!

BR Audio · #7 09-12-2006, 05:38 PM

Another vote for BFD. I have a few expensions as well. They sound fenomenal..
Peace

Gil

Sean Baumann · #8 09-12-2006, 05:38 PM

heh I'm not selling this stuff, it's just for my enjoyment

But, you have to admit the stuff that comes with fruity loops is pretty terrible.

What's BFD? Edit: N/M found the website. WOW, expensive!

Does BFD work with Cubase easily?

emils · #9 09-12-2006, 06:05 PM

BFD! I run it as a VST in Cubase. Had no problems with it so far.

momo · #10 09-12-2006, 06:08 PM

I still love making tracks with oldschool acid loops. The fact that they were 4 beat loops played by a drummer, as opposed to programmed one shots, made them feel quite real. I fooled a number of drummers with it.

tZer · #11 09-12-2006, 07:03 PM

Groove Agent

keb · #12 09-12-2006, 08:09 PM

BFD or Toontrack EZDrummer would be the ones to look at, if you're going for a software solution. Both come with tons of MIDI grooves and fills that you can use within Cubase, and of course you can program your own if you like.

EZDdrummer is leaner than BFD (in that there are less kits/drums/cymbals available), but it's half the price and its system requirements are less than BFD.

You mentioned DKFH2... stay away from that one. Once you get it going, it'll work ok, but it's the getting there that can be a real pain.

GrooveWarrior · #13 09-12-2006, 08:35 PM

I use this thing called a drummer . . .

My neighbor is a jazz trained drummer with a top of the line Roland V-Drum set. When he isn't available, I use stuff out of GarageBand that doesn't sound too bad. I've downloaded hundreds of free samples that are all pretty good.

BR Audio · #14 09-12-2006, 08:39 PM

If you are more interested in loops or grooves already created with an option to change them a little, I would recoment Drumcore. Its pretty kick ass when it comes to grooves and it sounds pretty darn good.

http://www.drumcore.com/

MikeBass · #15 09-12-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agreatheight

You can try a software solution. I have used DKFH Superior and it works well, you can also try BFD. The sounds are really pretty good, but it takes a time and knowledge. Take a listen for yourself: http://www.myspace.com/thesizeoftheocean - all songs are DKFH (FYI, I am using these drums as a placeholder until I can either play the parts myself or find a drummer who can).

Dude!!
All those drums on the 4 tracks on your MySpace are DKFH?!?

Cool!!

Correlli · #16 09-12-2006, 08:48 PM

beta monkey drum loops

www.betamonkeymusic.com

They sell drum loop construction kit which I use with thew Drummer Bible.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...65329?v=glance

bassbrad · #17 09-12-2006, 09:22 PM

I take a kinda different approach but it works for me. I am always planning on having a live drummer on the trax I'm working on and I use Band In The Box to lay out tunes and find a style that is close to my idea and then edit in breaks and stuff. For me it's a lot faster than making loops and the feel is pretty real and the sounds are ok.
Plus it lets me hear the changes, chord voicings and work out arrangements faster than working it out on my own on keys or gtr.

Sean Baumann · #18 09-12-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crhoton

I use this thing called a drummer . . .

My neighbor is a jazz trained drummer with a top of the line Roland V-Drum set. When he isn't available, I use stuff out of GarageBand that doesn't sound too bad. I've downloaded hundreds of free samples that are all pretty good.

We (my wife and I) play in band all the time, heck I even do about 40ish gigs a year with Common Clay. This is about getting our ideas down in a semi presentable way, which will primarily be jazz. I have a pet peeve in drum sounds. I can't stand those casio sounding drum junk build into soundcard drivers and old midi gear heheh. Even the kits in my keyboard don't sound very good.

I will probably think about a Mac the next time I need to replace my hardware. I really don't want to pay for vista either.

Sean Baumann · #19 09-12-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

Dude!!
All those drums on the 4 tracks on your MySpace are DKFH?!?

Cool!!

I agree, very nicely done! You had my 2 year old son running for his toy guitar as well!

Sean Baumann · #20 09-12-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrad

I take a kinda different approach but it works for me. I am always planning on having a live drummer on the trax I'm working on and I use Band In The Box to lay out tunes and find a style that is close to my idea and then edit in breaks and stuff. For me it's a lot faster than making loops and the feel is pretty real and the sounds are ok.
Plus it lets me hear the changes, chord voicings and work out arrangements faster than working it out on my own on keys or gtr.

My wife writes the songs mostly, for what we are going to be doing right now. Using band in a box would take out the interactive nature of it all (between my wife and I). Good idea though, I'll keep that one under my hat for now.