Session Drummer 3 -vs- BFD??

Author
Harpo
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 544
  • Joined: 8/13/2004
  • Location: Boston, Ma. / Long Island, N.Y.
  • Status: offline
September 24, 10 9:40 PM (permalink)

Session Drummer 3 -vs- BFD??

Hi All

I have had BFD2 for a while now and I'm still a bit frustrated with the seemingly distinct limitations it brings to users who don't yet have a set of electronic drums to trigger it.

I have Sonar 8.5 as a sequencer (DAW), and as you all know by now there is a 5 part Drum Master Class for the Session Drummer 3 drum module plug-in.

I have to say, though SD3 is not as exstensive as BFD2 in terms of kits and even sound quality up front, the amount of info Session Drummer 3 has available in terms of tutorials are staggering. And the "improvement" in sound quality that can be had is awesome.
I'm not sure if you can trigger Session Drummer 3 with an electronic kit, but what it can do within Sonar 8.5 is pretty damn impressive!
Thank God for folks like Seth for taking the time to realize how valuable tutorials like these really are.  

Problem 1:
BFD is a MIDI module. In Sonar it has options for creating multiple tracks when you fire up BFD as a plug-in.
How do I assign each of those audio tracks to the BFD module like you can with Session Drummer?

I tried the Session Drummer setup with BFD and it doesn't seem to work.

Can this be done?
 
Anyone using BFD with just Sonar (no kit)??
Would love some tutorials on "Using BFD and Sonar - Master Class"! (keep dreaming, right?)
How about something close?
 
Harpo
 

This would be useful for many users I believe.


*Sonar PE 8.5.3 - Sonar X1 & X2 Producer Expanded
#1

3 Replies Related Threads

    Guest
    Max Output Level: -25.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 4951
    • Joined: 8/3/2009
    • Status: online
    Re:Session Drummer 3 -vs- BFD?? September 24, 10 9:47 PM (permalink)
    BFD is far better than SD3. BFD has way more routing options and easier to use. I really don't understand the problem. You use BFD the same way you use SD3, or any other drum program.
    #2
    StimpySon
    Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 57
    • Joined: 7/5/2005
    • Status: offline
    Re:Session Drummer 3 -vs- BFD?? September 25, 10 8:19 AM (permalink)
    Harpo - maybe a good tutorial on BFD would help.  Why not try BFD Explained?
    Click here

    I do not have it so I can't comment on the content but I do have Superior Drummer 2 Explained and it was very informative.
    post edited by StimpySon - September 25, 10 8:29 AM

    Studiocat i7 Pro Studio DAW
    Sonar X1 PE
    RME Fireface 400
    UAD-2
    UAD-1
    Mackie MCU Pro
    2 Mackie Extenders
    Event TR8 XL
    #3
    twaddle
    Max Output Level: -55.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1967
    • Joined: 7/28/2004
    • Location: Bristol UK
    • Status: offline
    Re:Session Drummer 3 -vs- BFD?? September 25, 10 9:32 AM (permalink)
    I have had BFD2 for a while now and I'm still a bit frustrated with the seemingly distinct limitations it brings to users who don't yet have a set of electronic drums to trigger it.
    What limitations does bfd have that session drummer 3 doesn't have. Both are triggered by midi and both can be played via keyboard or virtual drum kit.BFD offers far more articulations whether played via a keyboard or virtual drum kit.
    [quote][/quote]
    I have Sonar 8.5 as a sequencer (DAW), and as you all know by now there is a 5 part Drum Master Class for the Session Drummer 3 drum module plug-in. 

    I would certainly like to see some more training videos on bfd than there are right now.This one here is really good but the guy goes too fast so you have to watch it about 20 times but there's a lot in it about mixing that applies outside of bfd as I'm sure there is in the session drummer master class.
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0oEN3P73pk&feature=related)
      

    I have to say, though SD3 is not as exstensive as BFD2 in terms of kits and even sound quality up front, the amount of info Session Drummer 3 has available in terms of tutorials are staggering. And the "improvement" in sound quality that can be had is awesome.
    I'm not sure if you can trigger Session Drummer 3 with an electronic kit, but what it can do within Sonar 8.5 is pretty damn impressive!
    Thank God for folks like Seth for taking the time to realize how valuable tutorials like these really are.
       
    If you think the results you can achieve with session drummer 3 are awesome once you know what you're doing then just imagine how much more awesome your results will be with bfd, once you know what you're doing :)

    [quote][/quote]Problem 1:
    BFD is a MIDI module. In Sonar it has options for creating multiple tracks when you fire up BFD as a plug-in.
    How do I assign each of those audio tracks to the BFD module like you can with Session Drummer?

    It's done on the mixer page just as it is in sonar console. At the bottom you see, kick, snare, hats, toms etc. Just click on the name and you'll see a drop down list. There you can select your out puts. There are 8 stereo, the first of which is the master out, followed by 1 to 16 mono outs.
    Actually, isn't that how session drummer does it? I think they all use pretty much the same method?
    Obviously you should experiment but the bfd mixer is every bit as good and in some ways better than sonars. The effects that come with bfd are very drum orientated and so you don't really have to use other outputs unless you want to use third party effects. The reverb that comes with bfd is very good but only the light version but if you want to do side chaining bfd does it very well.

    Anyone using BFD with just Sonar (no kit)??[code][/code]
    Why would you use bfd without a kit? Not sure I understand. That's like going to a swimming pool that has no water :)

    Would love some tutorials on "Using BFD and Sonar - Master Class"! (keep dreaming, right?)
    How about something close?
     
    Harpo
     

    This would be useful for many users I believe.

    There are a few others on youtube if you just search bfd 2. Some dodgy home made ones and other interesting stuff.


    Cheers


    Steve



    soundcloud  SoundClick  Myspace
    Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R, 
    Intel i7 930, 3.40Ghz, 
    12GB Corsair DDR3 
    1TB WD  SATA 6Gb X 2 
    Emu- 0404 PCIe 
    Sonar X1d Expanded
    BFD3 + BFD2 + BFD Eco
    Dual boot windows 7, 32 & 64bit
    #4
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1