And I like writing my own drum tracks. Seems quicker than searching the thousands of loops for the right one.
But not as quick as using Jamstix or Band in a Box to write them!

AS Pete and Greg said, there are tons of options. I prefer Jamstix for some projects as it does a lot for me. I also use real tracks and real drums in Band in a Box and Real Band from PG. These are two very different processes.

In Jamstix there are several options. You can allow the program to actually "jam" along with the tracks, either midi or audio, or insert patterns and chain them like session drummer does, bar by bar, adding fills and stuff as you go.

In Real drums, you open the song inside either BIAB or RB and set the bar markers and such, and tell the program to generate a drum track, and it will do so along the lines of the song structure.

Before these I used to use session drummer, drum loops, and hand played midi drums using a keyboard.

 
OK, I just placed my order for Superior Drums 2.0 through Musician's Friend at a price of 149.00.
 
They're currently out of stock and expect them to be in within 23 days.
 
However I get 2 free gifts with my purchase. A get 10 free songs for download and I also get a midi controller.
Here's the midi controller I'm getting for free.
http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Akai-Professional-MPD-18-USB-MIDI-Pad-Controller?sku=620023
 
The only other place the had SD for 149.00 was Sweetwater. They have them in stock but there's no free gifts with the purchase.
 
I don't mind waiting the extra 23 days if I can get a free midi pad controller and 10 free song downloads.
 
Now I'm off to order my 5 Smart Loops midi drum loops CD's.
 
Pete

wow!  that's a $99 pad controller!  I wouldn't mind having one of those!!

what a frickin deal!

 
I know! It's awesome!
 
I can program the pad to trigger drum sounds from the Superior Drummer 2.0 and then pound out my own patterns if I can't find any midi patterns that will fit my song.
 
A 99.00 piece of hardware they're giving me for FREE!
 
I couldn't be happier!
 
Thanks again for all your help Beag. I would never have stumbled accross this deal had it not been for you pointing the way for me.
 
Pete

No problem!  and you can send me that MIDI controller as thanks! 

Send? Shoot, he could drive it up!

Reece,
Have you considered some kind of V-drums?
Aside from the musical aspects, drums are among the most fun workouts you can get.
If Beverly asks, you can blame it on me

RobertB


Reece,
Have you considered some kind of V-drums?
Aside from the musical aspects, drums are among the most fun workouts you can get.
If Beverly asks, you can blame it on me

LOL!  Yes, I've considered it many times, but just have not considered it enough to purchase them.  they're quite expensive.
 
and...you've lived with us, so you know her...do you REALLY want to put yourself in jeopardy like that???

barrywomb


Just curious what your opinions on drum software are. I'm using Toontrack EZdrummer, which I like, but I'm wondering if there are better sounding ones out there. I connect via VDrums and actually try to play the drums on my tunes (yeah, I'm not great, but 80 bazillion takes can be edited to a decent drum track!). The Cake drums are okay, but kind of lifeless to me.
Opinions?

I have most of 'em but I've found that my "go to" software is TT Superior Drummer 2.2 w/New York Studio Expansion pack.  Outstanding recordings to fill most needs with a great mixer section.