I thought I would start this thread on what folks are using for their drum tracks. This conversation sprouted on a unrelated thread so I will move those comments to here.
Back in the day (early 1980s) there were a series of vinyl albums out called “Drum Drops” from Ed Greene, a great studio drummer here in L.A. These albums were designed for songwriters who couldn’t afford to hire a drummer. I had just opened my studio and so to attract clients I would copy a selected groove to 2 track tape and then edit the tape to fit the song. I would then transfer the 2 track to my multi-track and we would overdub to the 2 track drum mix. Then came the Oberheim system (pre-midi) and the DMX drum machine, DSX sequencer and OB-8. I really loved programming the DMX as I’m a frustrated drummer but fast forward to today and I would never go back to that. Today’s loops, both midi and sampled, are just so much more “real” and satisfying!
I’ve been using SD2 for a couple years. Love it. Just bought Stylus RMX. Totally different animal though. A completely different concept in percussion for me. I feel like I’m on an adventure with this new toy. So inspiring. I’ve yet to create my own fills on it as they show in the tutorials.
just wanted to add that I had those Drum Drop albums too, and the Oberheim OB8, DX, and sequencer. oh memories…
Ah yes memories. Vinyl, cutting tape and most of all backing up that Oberheim system data to cassettes. My first lesson on backing up data. Worked all day on a song, had all the programming completed on the DMX and DSX when it all crashed. Didn’t take the time to backup. Been a believer ever since!
Yes, tape backups. I recall that the dolby encoding/decoding interfered with the data somehow, so you would have to use a particular model cassette recorder to work right.
After selling the ensoniq mirage (late 80s) I gave composing a rest until last year. With todays tools, everything seems so much easier. Amazing.
So much easier. It gives me a chuckle when many of the “youngers” want to go back to the old gear. Be my guest!
Man you’re dredging up memories. I had a Linn sequencer….a gray box with a lot of buttons.
Hey Guys, I know it’s not a drum sampler or sequencer but along the older vintage gear talk…….
Do you guys remember the Tascam 388? I drooled over those when I was younger. I bought one last year just to have it.
These were made with the jingle writer in mind, 8 track reel to reel and mixer in one!!!
I couldn’t imagine trying to do 1500 cues on that!!!! My hats off to those that used that every day.
Never had one of those but in 74 I got one of those TEAC (Tascam) 4 tracks on 1/4″ tape. How far back can we go!
I once had a Ampex 440 1/2″ 4-track that was pulled from RCA studios. It was a monster!!
Tascam 38 was my baby in the early 80’s. Just saw one for sale on Craig’s list a few weeks ago.
Had the Teac 2340, the little sister to the 3340. Bought the DBX NR a year later. I still remember the KA-CHUNK sound it made whenever I set the reels in motion.
Don’t think I ever saw a Linn sequencer. Drum machine yes but not a sequencer.
Since I am using Logic Pro 9, I use Apple Loops for any World Music and Latin tracks to get authentic percussion loops, and for other styles as well .For most other things I use EZ Drummer, and some of the sets that come with Logic which I will play in real time on the keyboard via MIDI.
Drums on Demand also has some great loops.
Wondering if most folks here use more midi loops like Groove Monkey and BFD or prefer to use audio loops like ACID Pro or REX and splice them around to get what you want.
Audio loops + one shots and splice and dice. Way easier and a better feel than MIDI for me.
Hey Michael,
What do you use more, stereo or multitrack loops?
Stereo. The simpler the better for me. 🙂
I generally use the midi loops that come with Addictive Drums and edit them. Lots of grace notes and inflections in those loops work for me. I have also used audio loops but not as much.
Right now it’s about 50/50. For hip hop and funk I use loops (Stylus RMX and third party loops for Stylus).
For rock, pop etc., I use midi files (BFD). I really like to control individual drums and cymbals in the mix. I like being able to swap out different instruments, and being able to ad or side-chain compression and other FX. I like being able to control the balance between the close, overhead and room mics. You can do that to a degree with loops in Stylus, but it’s really time consuming, and still doesn’t sound as good.
Sometimes I use both. I’ll use BFD for the kit and Stylus for percussion loops. The cool thing about Stylus is that you can import and apply other grooves to the loops.
For world tracks, there are some OK loops in Motu’s Ethno. Stylus is also good for world loops. You can also export the midi loops in Stylus to use with other sound sources like East West’s RA and Silk.
If I’m programming my own drum tracks, I’ll use kits from BFD and/or Stylus with Sampleholics Acoustic Kits and percussion from RA, Silk, SD2, and Ethno.
Cinematic tracks are another ball of wax.
Cheers,
Michael
PS. If you really want to get crazy, I’ve been able to take live tracks that were recorded 25 years ago, convert them to REX files with Recycle, slice them up and import them into Stlyus, then change the grove completely and ad new drums with Stylus loops!
@Michael:
Yeah,I manipulate Stylus alot,use SD2 and some old school samples
as well.
Great environment to work in for loops IMO!
For midi loops, we can’t go past Groove Monkee (wish they’d do more world stuff) and OddGrooves.
You’re welcome, glad it was helpful! I’m going to have an article coming up in the November 2011 issue. If you still get the magazine look for it…