• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

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

DrGroovenstein

DrGroovenstein

Apr 6, 2000
4,755
705
Livin' in the USA
#1
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?
 
#2
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: Link Removed - 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).
 
#5
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. :)
 
#6
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!
 
#12
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.
 
#14
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.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#15
agreatheight said:
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: Link Removed - 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).
Click to expand...


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

Cool!!
 
#17
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.
 
#18
crhoton said:
I use this thing called a drummer . . . :hiding:

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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
#20
bassbrad said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back