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Drum tracks to jam/record to?

#2
If you've got a Mac, use garageband and buy the percussion expansion pack. If you don't, find someone WITH garageband and have them export some tracks to wav/mp3.

I tried a few free drum machines (google for them) but never really had any good luck as the sounds were not much better than a metronome.
 
#3
Juniorkimbrough said:
I'm wondering if there is such a thing where you can create your own drum tracks to jam to and record with?

If not, anyone know where I can go to download some pre-recorded drum tracks?
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Pre-recorded drum parts of all generas are available in the form of drum loops. You can use loop sequencing software such as Sonic Fountry's Acid Express (which is free) to arrange these loops into seemless drum parts that can be impressively realistic.

I've been asked numerous times in the past about how I create my drum parts so I put up a webpage that is a "How To:" for creating drum parts using loops.
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In seven steps I go from nothing to mix-ready drum parts. The example I used to demonstrates this concept is more complex then typical, but demonstrates the flexibility and level it can be taken. I choose this approach because I like the level of detail I've not been able to achieve with a drum machine, particilarily in the hi-hat work or snare ghosting that add the "human" feel.

This is also an easy approach because it is very visual. You are basically arranging waves in a drag/drop fashion. There are many other advantages in my view, and I'll happily elaborate more if you like.

Daren
 
#5
daren_woodall said:
Pre-recorded drum parts of all generas are available in the form of drum loops. You can use loop sequencing software such as Sonic Fountry's Acid Express (which is free) to arrange these loops into seemless drum parts that can be impressively realistic.

I've been asked numerous times in the past about how I create my drum parts so I put up a webpage that is a "How To:" for creating drum parts using loops.
Link Removed

In seven steps I go from nothing to mix-ready drum parts. The example I used to demonstrates this concept is more complex then typical, but demonstrates the flexibility and level it can be taken. I choose this approach because I like the level of detail I've not been able to achieve with a drum machine, particilarily in the hi-hat work or snare ghosting that add the "human" feel.

This is also an easy approach because it is very visual. You are basically arranging waves in a drag/drop fashion. There are many other advantages in my view, and I'll happily elaborate more if you like.

Daren
Click to expand...

Great tutorial. Thanks.
 
#6
csholtmeier said:
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Yea man. Toontrack's Drumkit From Hell software is great for getting some ideas. DFH has preset grooves and parts that you can drop in on a midi track in your sequencing software. They have several different parts in each tempo and feel, so you can mix and match and make a more interesting part to jam with. NI's Battery is also very good, although you must program all the parts yourself.

When I want a drum part to jam with, I program it in Cubase with Battery, then loop it. I love it, and you can make it sound however you want. Steep learning curve of course... :)
 
#7
I greatly enjoy "Band in a Box." It's a program of amazing capability, and with the right sound card, the sounds can be excellent. Many songs are available for download on the web, I've got dozens of jazz standards I'm trying to work with. When we record, we make a bed track with BIAB, and build on it; the timing is always on and the structure is correct that way. It's astounding for it's very modest price.
 
#9
It's expensive, but Submersible's "drumcore" has a great set of audio loops of a number of established working drummers playing their signature grooves. Each "beat" includes variations and fills. You can change tempos within limits

I just got it and dashed off this modal jazz thing, a Coltrane tune

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I'm playing electric and upright and the guitar, and the drumtrack is four variations on Jeff Bishop's basic 3/4 groove. I'm still learning it

Before that I used Garageband or Logic Pro loops, which are also very good but a little harder to use and a little stiffer sounding
 

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