Any half decent drum programs out there?

flatfourfan

While my search for a drummer continues, I'd like to come to grips with some new technology and was wondering if there are any half decent drum programs out there? Maybe something where you can pre-load drum patches from well known songs etc?

Any info?

I don't have a bucket full of cash to spend on this by the way.

darxx

i have a software package called drumsite that uses analog sounds, in a programmable environment..?

it works pretty well, and can even be used for studio stuff so long as you throw some compressors or w/e on the tracks. exports stereo aswell, which is dandy.

also considering you don't have much to spend on it, i recall it costing like $10... maybe $20... super cheap and pretty functional.

http://www.guitar.sk/drums/drums_main.htm

EDIT: it costs $50 now for the standard package... like R400. still way cheaper than other drum programs out there

Garth-S

Check out Leafdrums -> http://www.leafdigital.com/software/leafdrums

I have used it quite a lot and it works great. You will have to download samples to import. This is a fantastic little drum program. It only costs $30

flatfourfan

thanks guys, I'm going to try out these and some other trials that I have copied to a stick. I really need to play with drums.

Tom

Best Drum sampler I've heard is Toontrack EZ drummer.
Most realistic but its priced around $200 but if you're a serious user, you can't go wrong.

Or the NN-XT sampling based synth in reason works too if you've got the additional drum refill.

OH! and Cakewalk has a bundle I've heard called something like Essential studio instruments.
Drums, bass, piano, strings. and it sounds damn good too.
Its a small bundle so it should be relatively cheaper.

Mitch21

The best drum production software I have used is definitely XLN Audio's Addictive Drums. It beats EZ Drummer by far. High quality samples, effects, and MIDI beats.

Here is the website: http://www.xlnaudio.com/?page=products&p_page=addictivedrums

Malkav

I seem to see lots of forum articles touting Drumkit From Hell and BFG (Big F***ing Drums) as being really good, however the main issue with sampled drums is velocity so I honestly recommend tweaking the velocities no matter which program you use. It just makes the hits less consistently voiced which adds a bit more "human" sound to it, cause a real drummer wouldn't hit each drum at exactly the same speed etc every single impact...

These two programs are also fairly highly priced though so it may not be everyone's thing...

flatfourfan

Well anything over a few bucks isn't really up my street. I've been using drumsite for the last week on a trial basis, I don't know how long it lasts or what limits there are, but I'm still using the trial version.

It's what I want.........basic, you can upload existing patches and create your own........takes a while to get used to though, but is very basic.

AlanRatcliffe

EZ Drummer (and Superior Drummer) for me. I tried addictive drums and while it has a good set of patterns (nicely organized too), But EZD makes getting a human feel easy. You play the part in and the software automatically adds slight volume variations (beyond the 128 volume step limitations inherent in MIDI). It also randomly switches between a few very similar but slightly different samples, so even a sequence of identical notes gets some feel.

I have the DFH kit for EZD, but never use it. Lots of drums and cymbals, but tonally limited to metal.

Malkav

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I have the DFH kit for EZD, but never use it. Lots of drums and cymbals, but tonally limited to metal.

Hmmm....funny enough I'm in a metal band so this works for me ? if there's any interest the DFH is apparently samples of Tomas Haake from Meshuggah's drumkit. ? It's got a really great punch and cuts through really nicely during the 7-string heavy bits ? and Meshuggah is amazing - the Gods of polyrhythmic metal!