what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks?

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jerrye
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2004/12/14 00:27:45 (permalink)

what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks?

What do drummers prefer for a click track, when using Sonar (or other means) to play backing tracks live? Shaker, cowbell, other?

The music will be mostly classic rock but will include some dance music. I'll be using Sonar 3.1.1 on a laptop. So, I'll have the flexibiltiy to change, if I use, say VSC. But I'd like to know what to present to this drummer, who has only limited experience to playing to sequences. I want to impress him with "this will work," not scare him.

thanks in advance,
Jerry

hear my music at
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=126274
#1

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    sammyp
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 00:36:15 (permalink)
    My drummer buddy, who is a very solid, live click player prefers "Woodblocks" I just put the higher block on beat 1 and 2,3,4, on the low block. VSC is fine. I'll put a sonitus gate on the click to cut down the 'verb - less annoying.




    #2
    johndale
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 00:37:49 (permalink)
    A beer and a lighter lighting a doobie..........JDW

    http://johndalewilson.com



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    cAPSLOCK
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 00:53:49 (permalink)
    Anything is fine as long as I can hear it and it doesn't bleed - woodblock is a good one since it doesnt really sound like cymbals and wont get lost in the mix. But if the tune has a solid groove idea I like a looped shaker or or something like that because it keeps me in the right groove place.

    cAPS

    "We da da sahw pe paw fidlily-doobee afidlily-dooten-bweebee!" -Shooby
    #4
    anton harris
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 01:06:28 (permalink)
    prefer a higher pitch cowbell than wood blocks,mainly if doing alot of rim-shot stuff as woodblock can tend to blend with a wood block(especially with my 8 inch snare)

    A computer,
    a drumkit,
    a voice,
    a little little bit of talent,
    www.myspace.com/antzmalandluke





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    nbnspire
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 08:28:56 (permalink)
    I agree with cAPSLOCK. Just keep it "out of the mix" of the kit where I / they can hear it. Personally if it is an audible click track, I like the shaker also, blocks if it's setup right, but my preference is not to use an audible at all. I prefer to use a visual metronome. Blinking light or moving hand, either works much better for me personally in the studio and for the other drummers I have recorded.
    #6
    bermuda
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 12:03:34 (permalink)
    "clicks" are annoying, Wood block sounds like a good idea.

    Personally I ditched the click track and had a MI trained Bass player listen to the click. I played along with The Bassist
    (who was in the control room), via a headphone mix (me in the studio sound stage ? room)

    This can allow more expression into the piece, than from playing to a click sometimes but is dependant on you bassist ability to keep time and feel and the drummer to groove with the bassist.

    Although it may not be suitable in all situations.

    It provided (as you DI the bass) a bass track working with the Drum track at the same time !

    ps the bassist was in the band.. and not a pricey Metronome
    < Message edited by bermuda -- 12/14/2004 12:23:03 PM >
    #7
    agreatheight
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 12:14:32 (permalink)
    I also prefer a woodblock click for most of of my tracking - it feels and sounds natural and is pretty easy to hear in the mix. But on occasion I will use a synthetic hi-pitched percussive bleep I grabbed off of a keyboard. It is a really annoying sound, but you can't miss it in a mix, and if I am doing a particularly snare heavy part (lots of rolls or closely grouped hits) it can really help to use an artificial sound to punch through the din!
    #8
    SteveD
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 12:47:01 (permalink)
    I prefer beeps (A6 on beat one... A5 on all other beats in the measure).

    It cuts through the mix perfectly and doesn't have to be very loud.

    SteveD
    DAWPRO Drum Tracks

    ... addicted to gear
    #9
    bignick
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 13:30:21 (permalink)
    I recall working with a drummer who had a rough time
    staying on a click track.

    I discovered that it really helped to send him a "kit" instead of
    a click.

    I guess the kit sounded more musical and was easier for him to follow
    (and hear).

    Of course, this would work with everyone or all kinds of music,
    but I thought I'd mention it!

    --Big
    #10
    bignick
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 13:31:57 (permalink)
    Woops .. typo in my last message

    Of course, this would work with everyone or all kinds of music,
    but I thought I'd mention it!


    Should be:

    Of course, this would **NOT** work with everyone or all kinds of music,
    but I thought I'd mention it!
    #11
    SiriusLiMusic
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    RE: what do drummers prefer for click track -- using Sonar for live backing tracks? 2004/12/14 13:39:10 (permalink)
    I too prefer a wood block or rim shot at different pitches for click, I like to "humanize" a little bit to give me more of a natural feel.
    ORIGINAL: sammyp

    VSC is fine. I'll put a sonitus gate on the click to cut down the 'verb - less annoying.


    FYI, you can turn off, or reduce the amount of reverb on the VSC interface. Might save you a bit of processing not using a gate.

    ~Ryan
    #12
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