Hi,
I used to use superior drummer for all my drums, and wow ! what a great piece of software, now I'm 
writing more R&B, with a bit of electronic in there, so I have been using drum loops, mainly the loops in
X1, the loops in X2 have not changed that much, so what do I do now ? 
Do I buy drum loops, (they have to be good quality) or do I buy a drum machine, and do I go for software or hardware ?
I want my drums already processed (or close to ) so I'm thinking maybe hardware is out the question, I would like your thoughts on 
this please, drums inspire me creatively, and are usually my way of starting a new song, so this is important to me.

Thanks
John  

I loved SD2 untill I got Steven Slate Drums 4.0, his kits are mixed ready to go, they just sound amazing in a mix. I think for a while you could get a version for $20 which had 1 or 2 deluxe kits, but honestly you will want platinum, well worth the money.

You can use any midi grooves with it also, it comes with some but not alot

Most hardware units come with processed drums as well as dry drums. I have a SR-16 and a MRT-3B, both have dry and processed samples in them. The MRT-3B has better sounds IMO but doesn't have MIDI out so I can't use the patterns.

Although one of BFD2's main plus points (for me) is that all the raw hits are completely raw& unprocessed (contrary to a few myths on here & elsewhere), loading up a BFD preset will have all manner of Fx applied to the raw drums and some of these are excellent.

Toontrack also sells presets for SD2, so you can load those up and have the drums all set and ready to go.

And for MIDI loops, there are a variety of places to find them. Groove Monkee is a good one (as well as Smart Loops). Check out this page for discounts...
http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/deals.asp

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
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Another one for SSD4

Battery is always worth a look at. 

If you're just looking for some electronic drum options, cake included some w/ Session Drummer 3 (sonar 8.5, X1, etc.)... I think they were from DSF, and cover the traditional 808, 909, etc. sounds. Personally, I would stick with software... there are many good drum machine emus available, plus lots of free and cheap sample sets etc. for layering purposes. If you're at all good with rhythm programming and getting the sound you're looking for, I'd just stay way from loops altogether.

I use Addictive Drums. Plenty of options if you buy the ADPaks to go with the main program. Dry or wet, I find AD awesome!

If you want to sit and tap them out with your fingers the Nano Pad might be a good shout http://www.korg.co.uk/pro...ers/nano2/sc_nano2.php