Time to buy fake drums, huh?

[String7th]

I've been recording bands and have tried many techniques with mics and rooms and placement and sometimes, I'm just not happy.

I'm thinking it's time to invest in either a trigger set, BFD/EXdrummer, or drum replacement plug ins.

Up to date, what I've been working with is a Boss DR-670 for mainly just tom replacement or added production percussion (china hits, gong, cowbell). Here are some things I'm looking for when I price and compare drum machines:

1. Able to easily write beats. I know what I want it to sound like, I want point n' click programming when making beats and fills. The DR-670 has a horrible visual refference when writing drums.
2. Trigger compatable if I decide to go that route, with tempo re-allignment if the drummer has a lazy foot. Maybe even just replace the kick altogether and mic everything else.
3. Plug-in replacement on single tracks. I record drums with about 14 tracks. I never can get the toms sounding good or tuned. Drumamgog acts as a plug in that senses the spikes on the audio track and replaces it with an artificial hit .

Anyone have experience with Toontrack, BFD, or drumagog, and can suggest a drum program?

[maschneid]

Originally Posted by String7th

I've been recording bands and have tried many techniques with mics and rooms and placement and sometimes, I'm just not happy.

I'm thinking it's time to invest in either a trigger set, BFD/EXdrummer, or drum replacement plug ins.

Up to date, what I've been working with is a Boss DR-670 for mainly just tom replacement or added production percussion (china hits, gong, cowbell). Here are some things I'm looking for when I price and compare drum machines:

1. Able to easily write beats. I know what I want it to sound like, I want point n' click programming when making beats and fills. The DR-670 has a horrible visual refference when writing drums.
2. Trigger compatable if I decide to go that route, with tempo re-allignment if the drummer has a lazy foot. Maybe even just replace the kick altogether and mic everything else.
3. Plug-in replacement on single tracks. I record drums with about 14 tracks. I never can get the toms sounding good or tuned. Drumamgog acts as a plug in that senses the spikes on the audio track and replaces it with an artificial hit .

Anyone have experience with Toontrack, BFD, or drumagog, and can suggest a drum program?

As far as easy to write beats I use fruity loops its a simple click and drag type of deal. Im working on trying to get EZDrummer sounds into fruity loops because the EZDrummer sounds 100x more real.

The trigger compatible deal: you can get a set of triggers put them on your kit, and depending on what software you are using they will come across as midi. I use Sonar 6 and after you record it will translate it into MIDI, and you can pick any of the preset sounds, or download some. So basicly, if you trigger drums it just like playing an electronic kit as far as the computer is concerned. and you can quantize the track so that way it will fall exactly on the click if you want. It tends to take away from the human aspect of playing and make it sound machine like, but its user preferance.

and Toms, I use CAD mic's on my drums and I have had great sounding toms, even with out an interface. Mic them about 2 inches from the skin and aim them towards the center. Mess with some EQing, and Panning. If you Pan them it will open up and give your mix alot more room for other stuff to fit. Plus it sounds cool on rolls. The tuning deal well you just named how to fix that problem tune them.

If you want seriously good sounding drums go to this site. Someone else posted it I went over it and its in depth, but perfect if you want the best sounding drum.

http://www.menet.umn.edu/~kgeisler/Tuning.pdf

Sorry for the long post hope this helps.

[brandondrury]

I want point n' click programming when making beats and fills.

This is how Cubase works. Unfortunatley, point and click has nothing to do with making something that feels like a real drummer...if that is you goal.

2. Trigger compatable if I decide to go that route, with tempo re-allignment if the drummer has a lazy foot. Maybe even just replace the kick altogether and mic everything else.

Triggers eventually go to MIDI which is usable by Cubase and just about any other recording software.

Now there is a big difference between MIDI triggering and sound replacement.

I never can get the toms sounding good or tuned. Drumamgog acts as a plug in that senses the spikes on the audio track and replaces it with an artificial hit .

This is correct. However, I have a question. Replacing a close mic'd tom isn't a big deal. But what about the sound of the tom in the overheads?

Anyone have experience with Toontrack

I've been using DFH Superior for a while now. I love it. I've done all my programming by hand but have always had an electronic drum kit on my wish list. DFH Superior is AWESOME. The DFH Superior 2.0 is BEYOND AWESOME! Check it out. Toontrack DFH Superior 2.0 video - Drum Samples | Home Recording Blog