Sonar X3 Ad2 & session snares sounding weird

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ftf613
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2014/10/02 23:36:06 (permalink)

Sonar X3 Ad2 & session snares sounding weird

I am new to X3. I am trying to learn to do everything inside the Daw.In the past when doing my drums I have used Fruity Loops 9 with Steven Slate Drums to create my patters/songs. It would be great to not have to export from FL then import to X3 when working on demos. I am actually digging the sounds of the Addictive drums especially in the Cymbals and toms compared to Slate (but the Slate Kicks, hats, rides have the crown). Everything is usable with the exception to the snare.
 
The snares (even when I load a Slate snare into Kontact) seem to be all hit and no body. They just sound thin, narrow, sterile and fake. I have tweaked about every setting i can imagine to no avail. since I am getting this even when loading from my SSD library I must assume it is one of 2 things. The Midi engine in Sonar or something with the step sequencer. Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
I am reinstalling on my PC after a clean sweep (important to note this was an issue before also) and I have some demo deadlines coming up, I would rather get a good snare sound and get on my demo work instead of spending time reloading/authorizing items like the SSD that I could do later. Any help is appreciated.
 
p.s. I know I could load FL into the X3 Daw but am I correct that there is no way to use the Fruity step sequencer/Midi engine in X3?
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    Kalle Rantaaho
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    Re: Sonar X3 Ad2 & session snares sounding weird 2014/10/03 05:40:26 (permalink)
    Welcome to the forum.
    AFAIK neither MIDI engine nor step sequencer can effect the actual sound of the sample. MIDI has nothing to do with the audio itself, it simply triggers the sample and that's it.  Unless the step sequencer includes separate FX that you have used, of course. Without any FX the same audio sample should sound exactly the same in FL, Kontakt or whatever.
     
    Do you hear the same phenomenon if you don't use the step sequencer and use only the Piano Roll? (I've never felt comfortable with step sequencers. I find them hopelesly stiff for creative drum programming).

    SONAR PE 8.5.3, Asus P5B, 2,4 Ghz Dual Core, 4 Gb RAM, GF 7300, EMU 1820, Bluetube Pre  -  Kontakt4, Ozone, Addictive Drums, PSP Mixpack2, Melda Creative Pack, Melodyne Plugin etc.
    The benefit of being a middle aged amateur is the low number of years of frustration ahead of you.
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    ftf613
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    Re: Sonar X3 Ad2 & session snares sounding weird 2014/10/03 09:44:15 (permalink)
    Thank you for your welcome and for taking time to read and reply.I have never used the piano roll. I have pulled it up and looked at it but it just looks so intimidating that I give up.

    I used to find step sequencing stiff when I first started using FL3 but when I got FL with the ability to shift the timing (timing offset in the Sonar step) I get some realistic results. I guess its just what I am used to. Would it help if I post a clip?
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    Kalle Rantaaho
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    Re: Sonar X3 Ad2 & session snares sounding weird 2014/10/03 12:12:50 (permalink)
    I simply play the drums with my MIDI keyboard or drag the ready made MIDI loops of the drum software on the MIDI track and edit them to my liking in the Piano Roll.
    But as you mentioned, when you get used a certain workflow it takes a good reason to change your ways.
    EDIT: The only way your drums could sound different depending on in which software you make the MIDI is that one program uses different default velocity thus triggering a louder or softer sample. This also assuming that the volume in the softwares is set equal. Louder sounds always "better".
    post edited by Kalle Rantaaho - 2014/10/03 12:20:43

    SONAR PE 8.5.3, Asus P5B, 2,4 Ghz Dual Core, 4 Gb RAM, GF 7300, EMU 1820, Bluetube Pre  -  Kontakt4, Ozone, Addictive Drums, PSP Mixpack2, Melda Creative Pack, Melodyne Plugin etc.
    The benefit of being a middle aged amateur is the low number of years of frustration ahead of you.
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    sock monkey
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    Re: Sonar X3 Ad2 & session snares sounding weird 2014/10/03 13:47:55 (permalink)
    I think Kalle has nailed it with the velocity. I find some samples are wimpy until you get over 120. 
     
    I too find it way faster just to bang out my drum patterns on the keyboard playing along to the click. I do a few passes. Kick/snare then Hats/Ride/Crash then the fills. Quantize is your friend. And there are a million tricks like I often drag my snare track back just a hair before the grid lines. 
    Some like all their drums in one track but I've been working like this since KCS on Atari's.
    Now I have the luxury of a Yamaha DTX drum kit so I can do it in one pass! Drums take up way less time for me now. 
    Piano roll is where we live! I wish audio tracks had as great an interface. ( ya I know Melodyne, but it crashes my sad CPU.) 
    post edited by sock monkey - 2014/10/03 13:56:48

    Cakelab - Sonar X3e Studio   
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