If you download the Geist demo here is something that will let you see what I mean...
 
Geist's slicing is non-destructive, so you can take one of your friend's drum tracks (just the separate wav file) and put it someplace easy to find. Open Geist, navigate to that file and click on it...
 

 
Ensure the "Slice" and "Autoload" buttons are enabled on the left side (per above), and when it opens, select "Use Layers" on the right slicing module.
 
What Geist does is autoloads and slices the file automatically at each beat. The "use layers" allows you to load 8 beats into each pad (128 total), and the step sequencer (very top in the above pic) remembers the timing for each layer firing... i.e. "Xerox copy" Click "Done" and you have it. (Get the bpm from the slicer before hitting done, and you can then put it into the module on the lower right to get it to play like a Xerox too.)
 
The above screenshot is me slicing the first 5 seconds of "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins... is 94.61bpm, and the step sequencer adjust the timing of each pad accordingly to reproduce the sample slice. From there... you can change pads, timing, etc. pretty much at will.
 
BTW... I still have a Tascam 424 under my desk! I am not sure why I keep that thing there, but it is not in the way... maybe for sentimental reasons

Geist will be useless if his friend insists on sending two track masters only. You have to have individual drum tracks! I have played and produced for almost 45 years and I am here to say, Some people just do not hear the quality between a mediocre recording and a great one! I have people I work for that are phenomenal artists and I also have the guy that can't find the note if a lighthouse was built on it.
I agree with the previous post. You may be a little too personally attached to your friend. If you feel that you are being held back I would have a serious talk with him. I would not throw him under the train! If he is not willing to progress to a better rig and try to improve his musical ability, I would try to explain to him that I wanted him to be part of the journey but his reluctance to move with the times is really making it difficult for you to work with him.
If you sense he is hurt or offended, continuously drive the point home that he is, and always will be your friend. You can always remain friends even if you choose not to work together.
This business is notorious for killing long term friendships and marriages. But if you think about the right way to say things you can always find a way to maneuver thru the minefield.
BTW, if you are feeling that cramped maybe it's time to start developing your music on your own. Or, as said before, search out new artists to work with that work on your level, or better! 

I'm not sure I'd have that "heart to heart" talk with him.  It's like saying to your wife, you have a new girlfriend, but doesn't mean you love your wife any less.

You already know the feelings there, so act accordingly.  No need to kick the relationship in the shins.

I think the OP may do well to restate the question(S) to himself, to begin the resolution process.
 
Cuz I THINK I'm hearing at least 3 different issues here, maybe 4.
 
1. Drum samples substandard.
2. No clicktrack rhythmic basis.
3. Drum programming issue.
4. Interoperability.
 
In my experience, trying to resolve a group of related, specific issues, with a general, one fix solves all, solution, not only complicates the resolution, but additionally, adversely affects communication, possibly to the point of needless defensive reactions.
 
Lots of problems that look like amorphous black clouds, intimidating from a distance, turn into simple, quick fixes, when reduced to specific simple issues, and addressed singly.
 
How do you eat an elephant?
 
One bite at a time.

I really didn't expect to get this much feedback. I started out intending for this to be of a more technical nature...but it seems that some of you must have had situations similar to mine in some fashion or other.
 
Yes...a lot of this is because he is one of my oldest friends, and the recordings we have done together over the years have helped me through some very tough times.  Actually..the Avatar for my profile is (my main)  guitar that he built for me from scratch when my father passed away about 5 years ago.
 
And though I don't care for his drum machine or lack of real concern regarding sound quality...he gets a surprisingly good guitar tone on "tape".  I actually asked him once about the specifics..(mic placement, etc)...his answer..."I don't know...I just stick the mic in front of the amp, turn it way up and I play".  Go figure...
 
Sidroe was correct...I was getting 2 track "mixes" to add my parts to (mp3's no less).  After discussing this with him he has conceded to sending me the bundle files.  So...that may help.
 
I'm probably not going to get into it with him (Good point Mixmkr)...after all...maybe I'm taking it too seriously.  If the stuff I do with him sounds a little hokey...so what.  I mean, we're doing it for fun, not to make money.  Hell, we haven't played in the same room (or even the same state) in years.  If we come up with something special, then I would put the hammer down and push for doing it properly.  But until then...I should probably lighten up.  He's not going to change, and neither am I.
 
And yes, Jay Tee you picked up properly on the 4 variables.  Hopefully the bundle files will alleviate at least a couple of them.  Oh...and he says he will make sure to sync the machine with cakewalk.  One thing...I may have misspoken in an earlier post.  I had thought he sent me the midi drum files at one time...but he claims his drum machine only has a MIDI in and no MIDI out....so I'm not sure what I'm remembering.
 
I really can't tell you how helpful this has been.  Even though this thread has gone way off the "official" topic.
 
Oh and Mettalus...I was a Fostex X-15 guy. ;)
 
Thanks again, folks.
 

I'm glad to hear he is making a step towards being more flexible on his end. I would never advise anyone to throw as close a friend as he is under the bus. Just figure out how to give him slow, gentle nudges and I'm sure you will both enjoy your ventures even more.

You could run his audio track through melodyne editor and save as midi, and import that midi into superior or something, but you'd still have a fair bit of work to do seperating the individual hits to the right place on the drum map. Would probably just be easier to start from scratch.
 
Another far easier solution might be for you to send him drum tracks to play along with - only needs to be something roughly suitable at the appropriate bpm and when he sends his guitar track to you, you can easily re-do  the drums to suit.

Maybe you should make the jump yourself to a drum program. Some of them already come with midi drum librarys. It really is nothing nowadays to fly in some midi clips to construct at least a basic drum track. I'm just saying that if you started sending tracks that the drums were sounding GREAT on, it may fire him up to look into making some changes himself.

My advice is pretty harsh. Set him adrift in the past and move toward the light. Your future looks bright.

Paulo, your idea is intriguing but would be a lot of extra work on MY end..lol
 
Sidroe...I have all KINDS of drum programs...I own EZDrummer, Superior  Drummer, The 60s drum kit that came with Komplete 7, a group buy from esounds a couple years ago that plays through Kontakt, session drummer, and numerous others I can't even THINK of offhand.
 
And for my own stuff they're great..easy to program, easy to edit, etc...
 
That's why I'm trying to talk him into upgrading to THIS century.
 
Yourolpal....yeah, a little harsh, but I see where you're coming from...but this isn't just a "business partnership" otherwise I wouldn't have even started this thread. This is a friend I've known now for well over half of my life.
 
The most I would do would be to cease recording with him.  (which is still certainly an option..lol).