Programming in ProTools

[s0nguy]

All,

I run ProTools HD2 on PC and am interested in learning how to program. I usually hire this stuff out but lately I've been wanting to take a crack at it. I do mostly country music so the loops/beats would be very straightforward and would be compliments to live drums tracks.

I have been told that I need Reason or Kontakt....and that ProTools can handle the task of programming. I am not really interested in switching DAWs for this....

Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks,
S0nguy

[s0nguy]

? No one has an answer?

-S0nguy

[djui5]

I hope someone chimes in here. I'm interested in this subject also.

[catfish11]

i am no monster programmer -

i assume you are talking about midi drum programming
groove monkee has some reasonable midi drum files for sale, get em off the web
kontakt has some kits, there are others - BFD, DFH
i have artist drums (kompakt player), sampletank has some kits, plugsound and kompakt has some good drums
i highly recommend kompakt for a cheap good sample library, ect....

at any rate get the groove monkee
open a file, setup kontakt or whatever
(these are general midi setups for drums)

listen, open some more, look tweek, add, subtract
its pretty straight forward when you see it laid out
general midi uses specific piano notes for specific drums
C2 kik, D2 snare, ect...
there are also quantize functions in protools that can modify the beat

i would also be very interested in some deeper discussion
for achieving good grooves

there are also a ton of free midi drum files on the web, pick and choose, i believe however groove monkee has a ton for about $30.00

[cajonezzz]

Can you elaborate a bit on what you need to do with your programming?
when I hear that term I always think about synth programming- but I'm old.

cz

[s0nguy]

I alreayd have BFD and the EW Symphony Gold.... What I want ot do is more beats and synths.. I saw a demo for ableton live and it looked cool.....also Reason... I just want some "bed" loops,etc for the background..

Thanks,
S0nguy

[Vermeer]

Programming MIDI on ProTools?

Bad idea. The Protools MIDI sequencer is functionnal but it is a joke compared to Logic and MOTU. PtoTools is great to put everything together and mix but not for programming.

If you still want to do it in ProTools, I suggest you learn to code directly in MIDI, because you will have to do a lot of that in the MIDI event window to get everything to work properly.

Fair warning...

Vermeer

[s0nguy]

Originally Posted by Vermeer

Programming MIDI on ProTools?

Bad idea. The Protools MIDI sequencer is functionnal but it is a joke compared to Logic and MOTU. PtoTools is great to put everything together and mix but not for programming.

If you still want to do it in ProTools, I suggest you learn to code directly in MIDI, because you will have to do a lot of that in the MIDI event window to get everything to work properly.

Fair warning...

Vermeer

Wow.... nothing sounds more musical to me that programming directly in MIDI code!! When can I start?

F that... ProTools has to be able to do it with either live, reason, kontakt, or sampletank... I want the best bang for my buck as far as sound quality of the samples, cost effectiveness and stability.

Thanks for the response though...

-S0nguy

[six_wax]

Don't you get Reason & Live "Adapted" for free with PT these days? They're both hella powerful and easy to use. Why not see if they work for you? Just fire it up and go to work!

[Stick]

For what you're talking about, ProTools software is fine. Compared to the MIDI depth and functionality of say, Logic, ProTools is pretty simple. But, there isn't a lot I can't do with PT, I just don't like it as well (probably because I've been working with dedicated sequencing software for 15 years). It'll just take some extra steps, or will take a little longer. But for someone that hasn't done programming in another program, PT is as good a "square one" as any. Probably even easier than most, if you're already familar with ProTools conventions.

I'd probably add Mach 5, for a sampler. You can play all sorts of sample libraries there. Then look at the Spectrasonics stuff: Atmosphere is great for pads and synths, and Stylus RMX is pretty cool for loops and drums. If you have a TDM rig, Virus Indigo is pretty slammin' for serious "synth" stuff.

[toolskid]

Originally Posted by Vermeer

Programming MIDI on ProTools?

Bad idea. The Protools MIDI sequencer is functionnal but it is a joke compared to Logic and MOTU. PtoTools is great to put everything together and mix but not for programming.

If you still want to do it in ProTools, I suggest you learn to code directly in MIDI, because you will have to do a lot of that in the MIDI event window to get everything to work properly.

Fair warning...

Vermeer

I'll stick my neck out and say protools midi is extremely usable, very tight! Just works differently from almost every other sequencer as it is manipulated by tools designed for audio editing! When you get over the hump with working out hows its designed its quick and the flow is cool! I was a big-time logic user too....

PM me songuy if you want more info!

[max cooper]

I dash off quick demo drum tracks by playing a MIDI Kat or even a keyboard into PT MIDI. I just think it's sounds way better if you don't quantize. Ever.

[s0nguy]

Originally Posted by Stick

For what you're talking about, ProTools software is fine. Compared to the MIDI depth and functionality of say, Logic, ProTools is pretty simple. But, there isn't a lot I can't do with PT, I just don't like it as well (probably because I've been working with dedicated sequencing software for 15 years). It'll just take some extra steps, or will take a little longer. But for someone that hasn't done programming in another program, PT is as good a "square one" as any. Probably even easier than most, if you're already familar with ProTools conventions.

I'd probably add Mach 5, for a sampler. You can play all sorts of sample libraries there. Then look at the Spectrasonics stuff: Atmosphere is great for pads and synths, and Stylus RMX is pretty cool for loops and drums. If you have a TDM rig, Virus Indigo is pretty slammin' for serious "synth" stuff.

I do have TDM (HD2)....That Indigo...its cheap for having so many sounds...you are talking abotu the TDM versions right and not the keyboard? How does it compare to Reason?

-S0nguy

[cultureofgreed]

Originally Posted by Vermeer

Programming MIDI on ProTools?

Bad idea. The Protools MIDI sequencer is functionnal but it is a joke compared to Logic and MOTU. PtoTools is great to put everything together and mix but not for programming.

If you still want to do it in ProTools, I suggest you learn to code directly in MIDI, because you will have to do a lot of that in the MIDI event window to get everything to work properly.

Fair warning...

Vermeer

I am becoming disillusioned with drum programming on a DAW in general, both Cubase and Pro Tools suck at this IMHO. I just picked up a EMU XL7 Command Station for sequencing drum tracks. I have a feeling that using a hardware sequencer will be more organic and inspired for me.

[stereotype]

Originally Posted by s0nguy

I alreayd have BFD and the EW Symphony Gold.... What I want ot do is more beats and synths.. I saw a demo for ableton live and it looked cool.....also Reason... I just want some "bed" loops,etc for the background..

Thanks,
S0nguy

Actually. I understand why people don't like the midi in PT. But I also understand perfectly what you need to do because I do a lot of it; particularly country ( and country-ish )

PT midi is fine especially for just what you want. PT falls short when you need to do serious down and dirty midi stuff, with tons of editing , automation of parameters and tweaking. ( think techno........) When you just need it to run like an audio track, PT midi is fine. I even get quite a bit of the tweaking done by keeping controllers that have programmable knobs.

Do you play keys? Do you play drums? Those would be my questions as to learning to program parts. Especially if most of your work is country. You've got to know when to play what, when NOT to play what and so forth. There's really no way to reasonably talk it out in a forum and so much more

Feel free to email me. Heck, come visit and I'll show you some stuff. I'm in Nashville. You must be one of the only guys I haven't done some of this with in town.