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Drum plugin or sample libraries?

E

ETThompson

Jan 3, 2011
257
29
#1
JMJ

Not sure if this is your thing, but I've been using Reason drums for most drum sounds. Do you ever use drum sample libraries? If so what do you like? Likewise what about drum plugins like superior drummer? Long shot but worth a try!
 
#2
I don't use many sample libraries, but I do use Drumagog on occasion. I also have a drum machine sample library that I've been collecting for years and years, and it's pretty strong. That's just been a matter of collecting bits and pieces over a long period of time.
 
#5
Thanks JMJ & all. Since I mostly can't record acoustic drums unless I go to a studio, Drumagog isn't an option, but I am building up a library...slooowly. I know EZDrummer (I was looking at their newer Superior Drummer), but hadn't looked at Addictive. Will check that out too. What I really want to do is load various handpicked samples into Reason's KONG, but I also need a more efficient solution or else my songs will take years, given how much time I have to spend on them.
 
#6
I don't have a lot of experience using Drumagog admittedly, so it may be a very similar workflow, but I love using Steven Massey's software DRT (and sometimes the smaller free DTM) to trigger samples and MIDI instruments and drum replacement. All the Massey stuff is great if you haven't checked it out.
 
#7
If it's speed and ease of use you seek, you can't beat EZDrummer for really good sounding acoustic kits and ready to go grooves (that you can easily modify of course). If you need more control over the sounds, then Superior is...superior to EZ for sure. I find EZ indispensable now for working fast on demos and things like tv production music---I feel like I'm cheating sometimes, but time is money on that stuff!
For electronic I still love good 'ol Guru, especially with all of Goldbaby's drum machine libraries--his stuff is killer, and he does Reason refills: http://www.goldbaby.co.nz/products.html
 
#8
Once read a great quote from Jerry Casale, bassist/leader of Devo, and I can't remember it exactly, but it was something like, "I use it all. Use anything you've got to make music, and it doesn't matter what it is."
 
#10
pbass2 said:
If it's speed and ease of use you seek, you can't beat EZDrummer for really good sounding acoustic kits and ready to go grooves (that you can easily modify of course). If you need more control over the sounds, then Superior is...superior to EZ for sure. I find EZ indispensable now for working fast on demos and things like tv production music---I feel like I'm cheating sometimes, but time is money on that stuff!
For electronic I still love good 'ol Guru, especially with all of Goldbaby's drum machine libraries--his stuff is killer, and he does Reason refills: http://www.goldbaby.co.nz/products.html
Click to expand...

Yeah, both of these products are really cool. I don't own either right now, but I've used both at other places and they're great in the ways you described.
 
#11
Dan Bozek said:
I like it!! Those DEVO guys... I wish they were all my friends. :)
Click to expand...
Jerry scares me. Mainly because I think he's right. I've met them all a few times and they're all pleasant folks, and Jeff Friedl's my Facebook buddy ;) But sometimes I hear Jerry talk about how it's too late to do anything about the planet and we're all doomed, and I find it hard to argue with him.
 
#12
JimmyM said:
Jerry scares me. Mainly because I think he's right. I've met them all a few times and they're all pleasant folks, and Jeff Friedl's my Facebook buddy ;) But sometimes I hear Jerry talk about how it's too late to do anything about the planet and we're all doomed, and I find it hard to argue with him.
Click to expand...

Hmm. Yeah, maybe correct, but definitely pessimistic. Definitely not the worst musician rant subject I've ever heard though. At least it isn't a long winded argument about how I should be terrified of Obama personally coming to take my guns (even though I don't have any guns) or something along those lines!! :^P
 
#13
EZ Drummer is super simple and Superior Drummer and Addictive Drums also are excellent. I'm a huge fan of Native Instruments' Maschine--the unit and the software both are very logical and the sound libraries that come with it are truly excellent. Their new Drum Lab plug ins look very cool and usable and if history is any indicator, I'd imagine it sounds superb.
 
#14
So hey, what are the smart folks doing for programming drums these days? Back in the day, I started on an Alesis HR-16, which didn't have the most awesome sounds, but was super easy to program. Then I got into computer-based recording and my HR-16 broke, so I went to using a keyboard direct into the DAW with MIDI, and I hated it. Still have yet to find anything I like as much as the HR-16. Tried a couple demos of programs that people raved about and they were OK but didn't like the lack of functionality.

So is there anything out there now that rocks for programming that's software based, or should I just go back to old school and get an SR-16?
 
#16
JimmyM said:
So hey, what are the smart folks doing for programming drums these days? Back in the day, I started on an Alesis HR-16, which didn't have the most awesome sounds, but was super easy to program. Then I got into computer-based recording and my HR-16 broke, so I went to using a keyboard direct into the DAW with MIDI, and I hated it. Still have yet to find anything I like as much as the HR-16. Tried a couple demos of programs that people raved about and they were OK but didn't like the lack of functionality.

So is there anything out there now that rocks for programming that's software based, or should I just go back to old school and get an SR-16?
Click to expand...

Do you mean the physical device for playing/inputting your performance? There's all manner of pad controllers out there these days. Some better than others. I have a crusty old Trigger Finger here that still works well, and an Akai MPD18---nice feeling pads. I'll also just use the keyboard--depends on what I'm doing. I do this every day so I have to mix up the process here and there.
If you want software that has a drum machine-inspired interface, maybe check out Geist or Maschine(also a controller with nice pads, very flexible). Both of those can do so much more than just be a drum machine too. But, those are typically more electronic-oriented IMO (not to say you can't do "organic" drums on them).
As for sounds, for acoustic kits check out Steven Slate, Addictive, or Superior Drummer. Get one of those and one of the Akai pad controllers and you'll be in business if you don't mind getting your hands dirty in the midi data.
 
#18
I use a Trigger Finger, which is fine, except my 'playing' is about 30% worse than playing a real drumset, which frustrates me to no end. And I hate messing with stuff after the fact for hours. Eventually will get an e-kit but then I gotta find the space in my tiny house.

I've looked at Maschine and Geist, but what I mostly need first is acoustic drums, so I'm looking at Addictive, Slate and Superior. Wondering which one has the most vintage-y, non-top 40 sounding, funky, etc library? Either initially or with expansion. Will post on a more appropriate drum forum too, but I figure people who hang around the JMJ forum probably are more likely to have similar taste to what I'm looking for...
 
#19
ETThompson said:
I use a Trigger Finger, which is fine, except my 'playing' is about 30% worse than playing a real drumset, which frustrates me to no end. And I hate messing with stuff after the fact for hours. Eventually will get an e-kit but then I gotta find the space in my tiny house.

I've looked at Maschine and Geist, but what I mostly need first is acoustic drums, so I'm looking at Addictive, Slate and Superior. Wondering which one has the most vintage-y, non-top 40 sounding, funky, etc library? Either initially or with expansion. Will post on a more appropriate drum forum too, but I figure people who hang around the JMJ forum probably are more likely to have similar taste to what I'm looking for...
Click to expand...

I'm a Superior and EZ fan---if you want to just get your feet wet for little outlay, get EZ, and get the Vintage Rock expansion. It's a nice, dry, vintage-y Ludwig kit. A couple nice snares--Black Beauty, etc. I use it tons. The standard kit that comes with EZ is more "modern" sounding, but still very tasteful.
The also have an Americana one that sounds nice, and I see they have an "indie folk" one that might be up your alley.
 
#20
Thanks pbass2. I will consider that. Since I already use Reason Drums (so my feet are a little wet) I was considering Superior. I'll have to see if the same sets are available for that. Is that one harder to use (with, presumably, more features?).
 

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