I really wasn't sure what area to post in with this, as it could be included in the hardware, software, computer groups plus possibly others.  Moderators...if this belongs in another area, please feel free to move it with my apologies.  Could be somewhat lengthy...will try to keep it short.
 
This deals with one of my best friends from college.  We've been recording for around 25 years (yikes) long distance (off and on in the last 10).  Starting with 4 track cassettes and working up to Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 and Delta 1010 cards (each of us had this setup).  Sadly, that's where he stopped upgrading.
 
Well..he is working on the computer he's had since 2001 or 2002 and still using Pro Audio 9.  No VST support back then and he uses a drum machine that is (if I remember) something he's had since the late 80s or early 90s and it sounds TERRIBLE in my mind.  No matter how good a riff is that he sends me...the drums absolutely kill it.  And the sounds don't seem to link up with GM or anything I have in order to replace his sounds with mine.
 
He only recently started syncing the drums to cakewalk (before that the measures wouldn't time up properly)
 
I tried to get him to upgrade to a newer version of Sonar or even something cheaper like Reaper (I own both) and start using some of the inexpensive but surprisingly good drum software out there.
 
He isn't into spending money on a new computer, and just doesn't seem to care about the advantages of the software drums.
 
He tells me he'll get a "new drum machine" and everything will be perfect.
 
But I know it won't be.  He likes to do his drums patterns from scratch, but most of his patterns are terrible.  I thought that being able use some of the available drum loops as a starting point and then editing them might appeal to him.
 
Sorry for the vent...this is just very difficult, because it's not lack of money.  He has a very good job and makes a living far better than mine.   It's not his wife,  because he isn't currently married.  It's more that he doesn't want the aggravation spending the money and setting it up.  And he's actually happy with what he's got. (And really, who am I to piss on his cornflakes?)
 
So...ARE there any newer drum machines with GOOD sounds or at least GM compatible so that I could replace the samples with the software I have?  Or other suggestions?  You could be saving a friendship and recording partnership here! :)
 
Thank you all, and Happy Holidays!

Well, if he makes (in you opinion) terrible patterns what do you expect a new drum machine will do for him and you?
 
BTW, who is the new drum machine for? You or him?

The new machine would be for him.
 
And as far as the terrible patterns (not ALL of them, mind you...but enough of them ;) ) I had thought if he went to something like EZDrummer that the numerous patterns (user editable) would help him sound a little more authentic. 
 
 
 

OK, it's for him. And you've stated he won't go the ITB route.
 
So, the machine would make what happen? I sense you're struggling with this but I'm not clear what your goal is with a new machine for him.
 
Why not just ask him to give you individual drum tracks (i.e. kick, snare, toms, OH etc.) and the you do the replacement using either Drumagog, Slate Trigger, or on the rel cheap, use the Cakewalk audiosnap method to convert the .WAV to a MIDI note (you will need individual outs for any of these methods).
 
Lastly, for his "terrible" drum tracks, if the drums a separate from any music he gives you, why not just create your own drums in SONAR?

Well...honestly, I'd rather he didn't go with a drum machine at all...but that seems to be the only way he's willing to go.
 
And he doesn't do individual drum tracks...He just comes out of the L/R on the machine in a stereo mix and records straight in to cakewalk.  I'm telling you....until just recently, he didn't even bother syncing the two...so measures did not match up.
 
I'm sure we'll figure out something...it's just that this has been an issue for a long time.  And..I'm probably being a little rough on the "terrible" tracks comment.  I was just a little frustrated earlier.
 
Let me rephrase...his patterns (many of them) don't sound, to me, like anything a real drummer would (in some cases COULD) play. 
 
The thing is, I've always been the one (going back 25 years) that has been more concerned with sound quality, a decent mix, etc.  With him, if he likes the riff/progression and there's sound on the track, he's pretty much satisfied. 
 
I'm just looking for his drums to sound more drum and less machine. 
 
As far as replacing...I don't think his drum machine follows GM standards as I tried replacing the sounds once, and nothing really  matched up.
 
I'll figure something out.. If I have to rework his parts, I'll just do it.
 
Bapu, I thank you for your time and ear.  Happy Holidays! :)

HH to you too Ozz.
 
Maybe others (tomorrow or later) will have better/different advice.

I can commiserate with the OP a lot. I had a friend from college who was an awesome keyboard player, and tracked her down a few years ago and got "I just have a baby grand in my house now." Sort of gave me the "Fat lot of good this line of thinking will get me..."
 
I may be confused reading your posts... I think I caught that he is sending you separate drum/instrument tracks, but the drum pattern is a simple audio mix from his machine and you are mostly concerned to map this to something else...
 
I never owned 8.5 and the last time I used 7 was so long ago that I forget what it looks like, so take this with a grain of salt. Recently I had frustrations with complex drum patterns creating step sequencer issues on me, and I saw a few posts on Geist which turned out to be "my solution." It is actually an incredibly powerful program (mini-DAW) in some cases, but is a very nice "drum machine" with full sampling/slicing capabilities. Within SONAR it has been very useful for me as it can be MIDI-triggered, and then used to fire off another drum set (or its internal sounds). It turned out that was on sale this month (for $99 at a normal $249 price).
 
If he had this, it sounds like a possible solution; but even on your end, you can use the "sampler" feature to "auto load" his drum track and it will auto slice it, and load it into the drum pads... You can then adjust pattern timing, etc. fairly quickly, and even replace the drums with other sounds. Since you said he may not be overly zealous to learn "new" it may be a difficult pill to swallow, but once you use it some it becomes very handy (like all things). It has both VST and stand-alone mode which is also a "nice-to-have."
 
It is worth checking out at least. The minimum specs are:

• Windows XP SP2, or Windows 7 (Windows)
• OSX 10.5.8, or OSX 10.6.2 and above (Mac)
• Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86ghz (minimum)
• 2GB DDR2 RAM (minimum)
• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53ghz and higher (recommended)
• 2GB DDR3 RAM (recommended)

   And they have a demo version available for download. The sale is good through 12/31. Here is a link to it in case you are interested: http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=120
 

I'll have to take a look at that Mettelus....but, believe it or not, his computer doesn't meet those minimum specs.  He's still running a single core computer...and using a version of cakewalk from 1999. 
 
He's a very good guitar player...just not one who has ever cared if the sound quality was good.
 
Going way back (to 1990 or so) we did everything via a 4-track cassette recorder and just mailed tapes back and forth.  I really think he'd be happier doing it that way. 
 
But....I actually will check out Geist...I just went to the website.  Even if it doesn't solve THIS problem...maybe I can have some fun with it myself :)
 
Thanks for your input!

I'm not offering any technical solutions, but understand your relationship with your friend, for sure.  Quite frankly, it is kind of like a church band.  You're not in it to get quality, your musical "kicks", or total satisfaction out of it.
Sounds like your ongoing relationship with your friend is important, as it should be, but changing him might be like trying to change a girl and then make her your wife.... and then fit perfectly into your life.
 
I might suggest continuing with what you're doing and if your bud comes around and upgrades, gets interested in a new program or sounds, then it happens.  I think just staying in touch with this person is maybe what is more important and you're doing it on the level he feels comfortable with.
On the other hand, if you like working with others in this fashion/method, but are looking to better the results via quality, technical ways, etc... I'd search that out separate.  It may even work out you could share some of that with him and let him hear (see)what happens when you "upgrade"...or not.  Sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words.
 
Just me being an outsider with an "outside" opinion....  Hope you understand what I'm saying.
 
Btw...skip the EZD and go straight to Superior.  No regrets, you'll see and basically just as easy.

Yeah Mixmkr...you're pretty close to it.  He and I have had a lot of good times (and frustrating times) over the years with this stuff :)
 
As far as EZD....I own both EZD and Superior and you're right....Superior is awesome.  I figured he'd be more likely to go with EZD because of the price point. AND the fact that it might be a little more resource friendly to his geriatric computer.
 
I do feel we could be doing a lot more if he would "come up to the times"....but...you're right...little steps.  I'd just like to get him to a newer version of Sonar or Reaper so we're a little closer software wise....
 
Maybe we should just dust off the old 4-tracks  ;)