Realistic drum software

OK, so I'm not a drummer, nor have used any type of drum software before. I know I have to take the plunge here, so no use kicking & screaming. Can someone recommend to me what to use. I really want something VERY realistic sounding ( other than kidnapping and drugging a real drummer ) and EASY to use drum sounds/software that plays well with Sonar? Being an acoustic guitar player, I always lay down the rhythm guitar parts 1st, no click-track, just the percusive sound of the instrument for timing. So, being able to sync the two together would help. Being easy to manipulate them to fit the song is a plus. I'm not very schooled in the use of midi, so I don't want to tread in that region as of yet.

Go easy on me, I really lack in the percussion department. I read a few post on EZ drummer and the likes, but need guidance on this one. Thanks.

Dean,
I hear ya. I'm going to start practicing with a click to at least get used to it. Promise. Well, let me know what you use. I'm not afraid of that "mountain". I do want to start adding drum parts on some of my upcoming material. I appreciate the input.

I'm using BFD. But I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for easy. Something like EZDrummer might be a better option. If you go with BFD then you have to spend a good bit of time to learn to mix real drums. But you can sound very realistic. A lot of folks use EZDrummer, and really like it. So maybe start with that one and see what you think.

Wow,
Down and dirty answers. It sounds like I should probably start with something fairly simple and just test the waters a bit 1st. That way I'm not dropping bucks down on something that's going to frazzle my pea-brain, or make me want to hate music all-together. You've given me some ideas here to think about before I leap. Thanks guys!

I wouldn't just dismiss EZDrummer because Ognis doesn't like it. A lot of people do and they aren't idiots, so check it out and form your own opinion.

There are two things to think about: the midi sequence that drives the drums, and the drum samples that play the sounds.

With the midi sequence, the realism comes from playing like a drummer would, adding dynamic accents, using rudiments like flams, 5 stroke rolls etc., pushing or dragging the beat, and balancing the cymbals with kik and snare in volulme and velocity.

With the samples it is vital that drums be multi sampled, i.e. recorded at different volumes, and velocity cross faded, so that the dynamics sound real. It's also important that your kik, snare, hat and ride sound good together, because they form the body of your sound; and also that they blend with the style of music you're doing and the tone of the other instruments. I'm not a big fan of using the same drum sounds on every song.

So i think those are the criteria i think you should look for when judging drum programs. You can program all this yourself once you get past the learning curve, but for most people these are the things you want your drum program to do for you.

Hi Larry - look at it this way: you have no drums at all at the moment. How bad is giving Ezdrummer a shot gonna be ?

It's super-cheap, p1ss-easy to use & sounds great.

As long as the audience you wish to please isn't composed exclusively of purists then you're home & hosed, mate !

With the midi sequence, the realism comes from playing like a drummer would, adding dynamic accents, using rudiments like flams, 5 stroke rolls etc., pushing or dragging the beat, and balancing the cymbals with kik and snare in volulme and velocity.

Yep, all correct - which is why you should separate (or in some cases even double/treble) every single instrument to its own track, and play with the timing while holding the 'center' together. I happen to know you do this, and I totally concur.

Must say this padKontrol I'm using now is amazingly helpful here - roll and flam are, with a bit of randomizing help of software, totally convincing, and are easy to interject now.

What I do at the moment is use Sessiondrummer2 for a quick accompaniment to the clicktrack, split that into the desired elements and gradually replace them with 'human' drumming. Never could get that even remotely straight without going bonkers - IANAD - but now it's a gas. Plus, in essence it's an unlimited system, I can combine midi with samples - anything - and also really helps on the hardware front, it's not only software. It IS a very smart and conveniently laid out drumkit too, besides being a really useful controller for my DAW - will not only use it for recording, but also the mixing stage, for sure - have 4 band EQ at your fingertips with that X-Y control - real easy.

And practicing with a clicktrack at least half an hr a day sure helps, needless to say. We all THINK we've got a good sense of rhythm, ahem.

So I would politely suggest looking for other solutions than software that can never do it exactly right, and invest in something that will, with a bit more time and work.

i have bfd and exdrummer ( i think is great for guitarists and song writeing) but at the end of the moth im going to
splash out on bfd deluxe expasion pack

55GB is alot o i might have to by anothe hrd drive iswell lol

-DEan-

You don't need any of those programs listed above

I've never used them, I just used the cakewalk staff view.

huh ?

The midi drum pads are appealing as well, definitly better than banging on the keyboard.

Whatever works... I hate pads.

Well, I just went ahead and ordered EZ Drummer.

Sorry to hear that. I do wish you the very best of luck.

If I've never used them, then obviously you don't need them huh?

Sorry, I forget that you are God. So Lord, what do you use ? Beatbox into a microphone ?

Original: Ognis

Sorry, I forget that you are God. So Lord, what do you use ? Beatbox into a microphone ?

Wow, thanks. I've never been referred to as god before...well my mom used to call me goddamnit, but that's a whole 'nother issue...

I think you're misreading me. I think you're under the impression that I'm crapping on these programs, but I'm not in the least. I've never used them, so how would I know if they're any good or not? I don't have an opinion on them at all. So, obviously if I've done MIDI without using those programs...then logic would dictate that I don't need those programs. Just logic - no emotional tone at all.

That's all I was saying dude. That instead of running out and blowing money on this software, that he could try doing some MIDI first and see if it's ok for him. If so, then go out and blow some money on this stuff.

It's always nice if you can test before spending any money. What on earth is wrong with that?

Whatever works... I hate pads.

Sorry to have to contradict you there - if you don't have access to the real thing, tapping a pad is the closest you can get, unless you could point out something inbetween that I'm not aware of. I think a LOT of people find tapping something that comes pretty natural to them, and once they develop a good sense of rhythm by using da proverbial clicktrack, anything goes - the sounds are all accessible, you can comptrack the whole shebang, and getting it perfect is essentially only a few slip-edits and mutes away.

@lhansen+droddey: try the clicktrack generator in Audacity - it's multi-note, and you can just collate a few for a song with tempo changes. Together with the metronome, this works perfect for me, having several clicks that I can concentrate on.

Still need to practice a lot with it, but my 'drumming' has gone up a few notches already in only 2 days. Now I only have to work out the same thing with the guitar, and I've got all the basics together for any song, any complexity - and can set it up in minutes.

I agree with lhansen - you have to walk before you can run, first get all the basics right.

Most people will find that the amount of travel of keyboard keys doesn't lend itself to the highly percussive nature of drums. It's far easier on a pad where there is no travel, or it's so tiny that it's irrelevant.