Worlds First Drum Machine in Pedal Form!

[Joe Nerve]

My cassette deck hisses. Even with Dolby on.

 

[MX21]

I had some similar thoughts when looking at loopers (whether or not they store loops), but to me, it always came back to this:

What's the point of doing something an iPod can do?

There are already hundreds of cheesy iPod backing track bands out there. Plus, if you're not altering forms, the beatbuddy is actually a little "limited" as far as a backing track player (barring wild ideas from Pages ago about loading non-drum sounds, and even then, why go through all the pain).

If you're wanting to make your own backings, maybe recording the BB output could be an easier way than programming.

I just don't see the point however, of using it as a one-shot player. Use your cassette deck

It would record the song pattern, but I could still change drum sets. Plus, with the beat buddy I'd still be able to use it for normal jams.

 

[Adamixoye]

I had some similar thoughts when looking at loopers (whether or not they store loops), but to me, it always came back to this:

What's the point of doing something an iPod can do?

There are already hundreds of cheesy iPod backing track bands out there. Plus, if you're not altering forms, the beatbuddy is actually a little "limited" as far as a backing track player (barring wild ideas from Pages ago about loading non-drum sounds, and even then, why go through all the pain).

If you're wanting to make your own backings, maybe recording the BB output could be an easier way than programming.

I just don't see the point however, of using it as a one-shot player. Use your cassette deck

I see my own personal use of the Beat Buddy, from most likely to least likely, breaking down as:

(1) A way to improve the fun of my self-jamming, along with hopefully improving my timing.
(2) Using it to record short sound clips to post for TB discussion.
(3) Using it to record actual songs. I think to be able to play an instrument/sing along with using the Beat Buddy to record the fills/transitions, etc., record that, and then use it as a backing track, would be pretty ideal for someone with little experience recording who doesn't want to do extensive programming.
(4) Live performance---I don't foresee regular use, but there have been opportunities in the past that could arise again.

 

[Moley13]

To each their own, I guess, but for me this thing is all about live (and practice). If I wanted to record stuff, I'd buy a normal drum machine, not a pedal (or use software, and not be limited by hardware )

The whole point is that it's foot-operable, small, and simple. Note: "simple" (for any well designed product) is ALWAYS both a pro and a con.

 

[Adamixoye]

Well, as I said, jamming practice will certainly be my #1 use for it---by quite a bit. I won't have a lot of live opportunities for now, but who knows in the future. But given that I know how to hook up my rig to record in something like GarageBand, I think it's perfect for us recording n00bz to try out. I do think there are ways, for the uninitiated, in which it might be simpler for recording, although I agree that there are probably better options for the experienced.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Regular drum machines may have "functionality," but they are a total PITA to use. BB appears to be much simpler to use. As for me and my house, I'll take ease of use any day if it lets me have more time to play!

 

[SingularSound]

What could be useful is if I play the song through, tapping the beat buddy at the changes throughout the song, and the beat buddy records it all as the midi file for that song. That way you don't have to build the song manually, just play it through once the normal way and the beat buddy captures the whole thing.

I actually like this idea! Though I can't promise we'll implement it any time soon... it's probably something that not that many people will use. But maybe down the road, when we've got lots of development dollars to use ;-)

 

[MX21]

My usage would be more like:

1) 60% Personal practice.
2) 15% Casual Jam with another player or two.
3) 25% Rehearsal when the drummer can't make it.
4) 10% Small gigs where we either don't have a drummer or it's too small for one.

Most of our songs we stick to the pattern, so the ability to record the whole MIDI file would be useful.

 

[Feral Feline]

1) 85 % PRACTICE, with hopes to improve my poor sense of timing.
2) 5 % PrAcTiCe odd time signatures, with hopes to improve my poor sense of timing.
3) 5 % Help better organise some songs I've written (the transitional timing of chorus/verse/bridge etc at the moment is whenever I bloody feel like it, which is fine at home, but not so great playing the songs with others) & maybe even demo-record my songs.
4) 5 % small gigs/busking/other unanticipated uses.

Disk Lamer
Percentages may vary, quality of results may vary due to operator error, Feral Feline stakes no claim as to the veracity of the aforementioned points (1 through 4), post contents may have settled during shipping and handling, this post is in no way affiliated with nor endorses this thread though it resides in it. Please fasten your seat-belts and remain seated at all times until the ride cymbal has come to a complete decrescendo.

 

[Adamixoye]

1) 85 % PRACTICE, with hopes to improve my poor sense of timing.
2) 5 % PrAcTiCe odd time signatures, with hopes to improve my poor sense of timing.
3) 5 % Help better organise some songs I've written (the transitional timing of chorus/verse/bridge etc at the moment is whenever I bloody feel like it, which is fine at home, but not so great playing the songs with others) & maybe even demo-record my songs.
4) 5 % small gigs/busking/other unanticipated uses.

I didn't include percentages but the odd time signatures is something I'm really looking forward to!

If I do percentages it might be something complicated like:

73% general practice (personal jamming)
15% odd time signature practice (focused timing practice)
5% multi-person jamming
4% short clips
2% full song/demo recording
1% live use

 

[eloann]

Once I've received the BeatBuddy I won't have to do that anymore

Link Removed

 

[MX21]

Once I've received the BeatBuddy I won't have to do that anymore

Link Removed

Same here! I've done that quite often for rehearsals when the drummer can't make it.

 

[Moley13]

Wow, so no ambitious live heads here so far? I've so far not been able to take any of the thousands of duo gigs around here because I refuse to use backings, but with this and a looper I'm feeling happier to break into that scene. Should be rad

The rest of you guys, ever heard of a metronome!?





.... Ah I'm just kidding bb will make a great practice tool.

 

[Downunderwonder]

1) 85 % PRACTICE, with hopes to improve my poor sense of timing.
2) 5 % PrAcTiCe odd time signatures, with hopes to improve my poor sense of timing.
3) 5 % Help better organise some songs I've written (the transitional timing of chorus/verse/bridge etc at the moment is whenever I bloody feel like it, which is fine at home, but not so great playing the songs with others) & maybe even demo-record my songs.
4) 5 % small gigs/busking/other unanticipated uses.

Disk Lamer
Percentages may vary, quality of results may vary due to operator error, Feral Feline stakes no claim as to the veracity of the aforementioned points (1 through 4), post contents may have settled during shipping and handling, this post is in no way affiliated with nor endorses this thread though it resides in it. Please fasten your seat-belts and remain seated at all times until the ride cymbal has come to a complete decrescendo.

Nothing improved my timing like practising odd time signatures with metronome and one beat per measure.

 

[Feral Feline]

OUCH! One beat per measure, sounds painfully medieval dungeonesque. Give me The Rack, preferably a fully-loaded Bob Bradshaw one.

I'll use the BB live if it means I don't have to learn to do this:



Which is sad, 'cause I WANT to learn how to do that.

Meanwhile, I'll keep practicing with my metronome – which tocks back to me all day yet without telling me I've missed the one and am completely off, playing my "one" on its "two". At least with my Bass Cubes rhythm thingy, it has a light that blips to tell me I've missed the one and am completely off track. A drummer friend lent me his electronic rhythm practice module once (don't remember the brand), 'cause I have trouble practicing odd time sigs with my plain ol' metro-gnomio and his module could do wacky time with crazy subdivisions... but it was too hard for me to comprehend how to use it. Hopefully the BeatBuddy is easier...

I'm not the sharpest note in the harmony's accidentals.

 

[Downunderwonder]

1 metronome beat, as many bass notes as you like, per measure. The hardcore move onto placing the metronome beat on a different accent each day, baby steps....

 

[Moley13]

1 metronome beat, as many bass notes as you like, per measure. The hardcore move onto placing the metronome beat on a different accent each day, baby steps....

That's exactly what I do. Super useful.

Put the 'nome on an off quaver/semiquaver for a real challenge That, or, play across the 'nome (it's on beat 1 of bar 1, beat 2 of bar 2, 3 of three etc.). Then take those onto off beats too (or alternating off/on).

Then you're really starting to get solid time.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Nothing improved my timing like practising odd time signatures with metronome and one beat per measure.

Nothing improved my timing like my windshield wipers on intermittent, with me playing drums on the dashboard.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I am going to have another crack at becoming useful on drums soon.

 

[Adamixoye]

I should practice with a metronome more, sure, but I don't think it's too hard to imagine why a more complex beat would be (a) more useful and (b) more fun. I mean, the Beat Buddy video has that infomercial-ish vibe where it lays out those problems, but despite the infomerical feel, I totally agree with it. Table top drum machines ARE hard to use! Etc.