Yes, this is very newb but I've yet to achieve this in the virtual world.
 
I'd like to create realistic tambourine parts.  Meaning, not the same sample sounding like a machine-gun.  But more of a simple 4/4 pattern that sounds like someone is waving the tambourine back and forth.
 
Anyone have any tips, samples they use for this, etc??

You may already have good samples, but what do you use or have?  If you describe your setup, we can help you more easily.  Regardless, just remember that most people hit notes on the beat harder than notes on the offbeat,usually.  If you're in PRV view, and you're writing a straight 1/8th note pattern, for instance, try giving the first note a volume of 115 - 120, second note somewhere from 75 - 80, third note 100's, next note in the 90's, and so on.  Write a measure or two and test it out until it sound right to your ears.  Then loop or repeat.  Consider this just a starting point.  Google tambourine samples!  There are many that are free.  Many virtual drummers have ready-made loops.  Google tambourine loops.  Hope this helps.

I actually have a box of kids musical toys...so i grab a mic and a toy tamborine and have at it.  Thank God for auto snap,

I have Session Drummer and Dimension Pro that I almost always use to sequence drums.  I mostly record real live audio, so I don't do this often... hence the lame question.  I often record the tambourine parts myself but I only have one tambourine and the sound doesn't fit every song.
 
Does Sonar X3 have any ready-made simple loops shipped with it for this type of thing?  I gave the media-exporer a go, and found a ton of loops but they were all pretty complex and hard to nail down what was what because of how they named things.
 
Jimbo, yea I've recorded a kids xylophone once for a song.  The kind with the yellow/red/blue keys.  Was awesome!

I think Nine Volt Audio has a set of shaker and tambourine loops.
They're going out of business so you can probably pick it up for cheap.

one of the keys (besides doing the velocity trick (accent downbeats with about a 30 difference in the velocity of the others) is to swing it. Try to give it around a 52-53% swing (in the quantize menu) and see if you like it any better.
 
Other than that, you're pretty much gonna have to either find some pre-done midi snippet.

Playing from an Octapad with sticks can help, but loops will still sound better, most likely. Pretty sure there are some reasonably good options for around 30 bucks that should cover your needs and then some.

Try these free sites.
http://www.sounddogs.com/results.asp?Type=3&CategoryID=3009&SubcategoryID=18
and
http://free-loops.com/7931-loop-tambourine.html

I just program mine in, and adjust velocity and timing data.
 
Bob Bone

Or get BFD3 with anti machine gun.