[help] easiest way to program midi drums...

[TheReal7]

I have PTLE7 and Custom & vintage as well and a low end mini controller (USB) Edirol PCR1. I want to know what are the easiest ways to program drums? I have no experience in MIDI. Is there a cheap/easy app out there I can use to make my MIDI files and import into PT?

A step by step advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

[Alex.T]

Are there any midi files included with that plug in? I would say, look around the internet and find some drum pattern midi files. Take these midi files and import them into your sequencer. Hook the drum kit up to the sequencer and press play. That's the quickest, easiest way to get started.

Another thing you should know is that programming an acoustic kit plug-in by hand and getting to sound like a real drummer is very difficult. Consider buying a kit that has some kind of integrated midi file support like BFD or EZDrummer. Be warned that you are getting into one of the most difficult and time consuming aspects of desktop audio production. The magazines won't tell you that of course.



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Alex.T

[TheReal7]

Thanks Alex. I don't know anything about sequencers. I just have PTLE and DFHS C&V and the MIDI controller. What sequencers are out there that I can make simple stuff with? I am not looking for super realism as I will eventually get all the tracks redone with a real drummer but for writing purposes, I want something fast and simple to use (but still utilizing my DFHS for a more real sound). Ultimately, I would love to jam along on my controller as the sequencer records the MIDI, when I can later quantize (as I am not a drummer LOL) and then import those MIDI into PTLE. Or am I missing something all together?

[manning1]

real....
if youve never heard of it a solution that many musicians use is called
band in a box. if you google useing the search term band in a box...youll see loads of references to it. some people use it with things like bandstand and gigastudio also. if you wish to get fancy.
the sound quality depends on your midi module sound quality or sampler used.
basically you input the chords to a song and the style you wish and it creates a back up band coming back at you and creates the midi tracks automatically. which you can then bring into a sequencer.
it will even create automatically melodies and soloes.
so some folks use it as an idea generator for new songs.
its used by thousands of music teachers in schools, colleges etc and by loads of musicians. and there are third party companies that offer loads of style add ons as well. you can even create your own music styles.
but its not cheap (88 buks i believe).
one advantage of it is it will create something new each time till you hear something you like.
its very difficult to describe in a short description but some folks also
use it for midi drum track creation. and dont bother with the rest of the tracks coming back. (like midi bass/synth etc etc).
the best bet is to see if its for you by trying the demo. (pgmusic.com)
its really a songwriting tool and has loads of features i havent touched on.
so google for further research. there is also a very active forum at pg of users as well as various groups on the net.

[rsadasiv]

Originally Posted by TheReal7

I want something fast and simple to use (but still utilizing my DFHS for a more real sound). Ultimately, I would love to jam along on my controller as the sequencer records the MIDI, when I can later quantize (as I am not a drummer LOL) and then import those MIDI into PTLE. Or am I missing something all together?

If you have a vst host you might want to check out jamstix (www.rayzoon.com). There is a free trial download and it should be able to use the drum samples in DFHS.

[Herman Munster]

Scott-

Programming MIDI drums is kind of an art in and of itself. I've been learning lately and it's difficult. One thing that helped was to hook some V-drums up and look at the MIDI data that a real drummer generated. You have to play from the keys like a real drummer would hit a drum set. So, if you look at the data, you'll notice the velocities, especially on the snare and hi-hat vary quite a bit. Truthfully, in my experience, getting good sounding hi-hats is the hardest part about getting realistic drum parts. My advice is this. First, vary your velocities a good bit. Second, keep the hi-hats back in the mix. You'll notice on most modern day records the hi-hats are not up front in the mix. Third, try to quantize hi-hats as little as possible.

Those are just a few things I've done and they work OK. Fills are still difficult, but if you take the time, you'll learn to be a drummer. Honestly, I don't like loops or prefab programs, but that's just my opinion. Hope it works out for you. Best...

[DAWgEAR]

It's an older product, but I still haven't heard better midi loops:

http://www.drumtrax.com

All played by a real drummer and not quantized.


Further:

http://www.drumcore.com

http://www.groovemonkee.com/home

http://www.beatboy.com

http://www.rayzoon.com as mentioned above

[TheReal7]

Thank you all for many great tips. I will check em all out. Maybe I should clarify a little. I am not planning on using MIDI programmed drums for the final product. Just for getting some basic beats together as I write/record my music. I will then hire the drummer to play real drums and he will have creative freedom. My last album I used Fruityloops and samples and I found it to be too cumbersome and I just want something that is very user friendly, set the tempo, hit record, and start playing a beat. Fills are not too much of a concern, but I also don't want to be stuck to SUPER basic beat neither. IE single kick single snare stuff. That is why I am looking for something simple I can just tap away at the MIDI controller keyboard and it gets recorded as a MIDI file that I can use with DFHS. Now, down the road, I plan to get more advanced with this, but for now, I just want to use what I have to aid in writing. If that makes sense LOL