OK, you've not got an easy task ahead of you! You didn't say which software package you have. I'll assume SONAR, but you can do similar things with other packages. (update - oops I didn't look at your sig)
One of your problems is that your stereo recording quite probably isn't at a steady tempo all the way through. Do you want your new recording to follow exactly the original, or do you want everything to line up nicely with measure and beat boundaries in your sequencer?
A second problem is getting MIDI drums to sound as convincing as a real drummer. It can be done, but it takes practise and time, as well as a decent set of drum samples. There are some reasonable ones around for free. You could try playing the ns_kit7 free through sfz.
Here's an approach you might take to get you started.
1. Load your stereo recording into your sequencer, and create a MIDI track below it. Use the piano roll to program in beats to match up with what the drummer plays. You might be able to play some measures in using your MIDI keyboard one or two drums at a time. You can use your sequencer's loop feature to keep playing bars as you make adjustments to the note positions until they are in time. Remember that drummers often repeat the same 2 bar pattern through a verse or chorus, so you don't necessarily need to do the whole thing.
2. By this time you will have a reasonable feel for the patterns and fills your drummer is playing. Now you can start a new project and program them in using the piano roll, but this time you can align them to the grid rather than to the stereo wave file. You can then cut and paste the different 2 bar patterns and fills to make a backing track for the song. Pay careful attention to note velocities as this makes a big difference to realism.
Alternatively, you could just look for some good drum loops that fit the song. You might have to pay a bit, but it will work out a lot quicker.
post edited by markheath - 2006/03/08 14:35:41