Drum Sounds

[TCONNELLY]

What are some of you out there using for drum sounds/patterns? I like to use MIDI to write and edit, but would be interested in any other methods. What hardware or virtual synths or drum libraries are you using? One thing I have trouble with is the 'canned' sound that most loop based stuff seems to have. I am primarily writing instrumental contemporary jazz/funk/R&B type stuff.
Any help would be appreciated.
Tim

[jpw23]

I use the drum sounds on my korg n364....and tap in everything in realtime, I know this can be done in a much easier fashion but, I like this way.....seems to preserve the flow of the music and it does not sound mechanical.

[TCONNELLY]

Thanks jpw.
Yeah, I guess I can do that too, I just want to make my drums sound hip, non mechanical and 'right' (no 3 handed drummers!). I'm probably going to have to buy some pattern books and ad- lib from there.

[amac]

As far as sounds go, I've been using the drum sounds from my old Korg x5. More recently I began experimenting with some drum samples that I downloaded from the net (for free!). I usually begin a project with a guitar or keyboard track played to a click. I then record my drums as midi tracks, playing along with the keyboard or guitar track. As far as getting rid of those "3 handed drummer" beats, I've taken to editing the drum tracks in the midi track editor - taking out inappropriate hits when necessary (like a snare at the same time as a tom, or a hi hat at the same time as a crash). To get a more natural feel in the mix, I'll record all the drums onto separate tracks as audio, then mix them as I would a real kit. I've found that this has produced the most natural sounding results. I'm considering trying some loop based stuff though, because I'm still not satisfied with the quality of the sounds.

Have fun!

[AstroKid]

I just got a Korg DDD-1 quite cheap from eBay. So far I'm really impressed, it fits well with the electronic music that I make but it's no good for "real" drum sounds. For that I use samples, or chop up some recordings I recently made of a decent drummer and a good kit. Pity all my mic's were crap!

[XMark]

I use soundfonts for my drum patterns. My favourite one recently is nskit (http://www.nskit.com), a 200 MB free percussion soundfont, the most realistic I've ever encountered.

[Danwait]

Anyone looking to go the software route should check out BFD and the expansion. It isn't just 'simulating' drum sounds. They have recorded the sampled with great pain and accuracy and put it in to an interface that lets you select loops and patterns. If something feel too 'robotic', there is a 'humanizer' function that puts it in a groove. If you want drums in a box, the DR880 by Boss is pretty killer as well.

[MrM]

I am considering to buy a Yamaha DD55. It has midi out, so I can use cool soundfonts or VST instruments, while using the technique of a drummer.
See http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,6373,CNTID%253D2260%2526CTID%253D208400,00.html, it is about 250 euro's, not bad for touch sensitive drumpads, that can be played by hand, or with sticks.
It comes with 2 floor pedals; 1 for the HiHat and 1 for the base drum.