Best Digital Drum Machine?

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magritte
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Best Digital Drum Machine?

Post by magritte » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:00 pm

Hey guys, can you recommend a simple digital drum machine?
My preference is lo-fi ala Velvet Underground, etc type sounds, but also like sounds like Mum and Beck. I don't know how to use a sampler, so I'm thinking a straight up drum machine. Any ideas? Thanks.
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kslight
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Post by kslight » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:21 pm

Best Digital Drum Machine?
Hey guys, can you recommend a simple digital drum machine?
Um...sounds like you are asking two different questions?

Its all relative anyhow, to your budget and if you want to use software or hardware?
As far as modern drum machines go, probably one of the best and a fairly popular digital models is the Elektron Machinedrum.

Want something cheaper and cheesier maybe look at a Yamaha RX5 or Alesis HR16.
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Post by magritte » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:26 pm

Sorry, I should have added I'm looking for a VST drum machine for Cubase.
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Z-Plane
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Post by Z-Plane » Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:51 pm

You mean a sampler then ;)
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magritte
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Post by magritte » Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:04 am

Z-Plane wrote:You mean a sampler then ;)
Really?
I am so confused.
I used to use an Alesis SR-16 when I recorded on tape. I'm just trying to find something like that to use in Cubase, honestly.
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Post by roscoenyc » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:38 am

EZ Drummer
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Z-Plane
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Post by Z-Plane » Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:23 pm

magritte wrote:
Z-Plane wrote:You mean a sampler then ;)
Really?
I am so confused.
I used to use an Alesis SR-16 when I recorded on tape. I'm just trying to find something like that to use in Cubase, honestly.
Almost any drum VST is going to be the same architechture as a VST sampler with a different skin. EZ drummer and the likes are amazing, but very possibly too authentic because their strength is simulating a human acoustic drummer rather than a lofi machine. I would simply spend a day with NI Battery, Kontakt or any of the big guns of VST drum world. There are millions of vintage drum machine kits on the net for free and many come with the program file for the host. Also there are nearly infinite options for getting the sound lo-fi, be it internal processing or extra plugs. This way you can audition various sample banks until you find something or learn how to construct a kit from individual sounds, its all quite easy.
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magritte
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Post by magritte » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:40 pm

Thanks, Z.
Could you suggest a plugin (for Cubase) that would dirty up/lo-fi EZ Drummer and the likes? I will tinker with the demos and see how I like them in the meantime. Thanks!
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Post by Bro Shark » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:42 pm

magritte wrote:Thanks, Z.
Could you suggest a plugin (for Cubase) that would dirty up/lo-fi EZ Drummer and the likes? I will tinker with the demos and see how I like them in the meantime. Thanks!
Soundtoys Devil-Loc Deluxe. You can try it for 30 days.
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leigh
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Re: Best Digital Drum Machine?

Post by leigh » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:01 pm

magritte wrote:Hey guys, can you recommend a simple digital drum machine?
Do you want something for recording, or for playing with live?
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magritte
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Re: Best Digital Drum Machine?

Post by magritte » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:07 pm

leigh wrote:
magritte wrote:Hey guys, can you recommend a simple digital drum machine?
Do you want something for recording, or for playing with live?
Recording.
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Re: Best Digital Drum Machine?

Post by leigh » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:25 pm

magritte wrote:Recording.
OK, then I would second the suggestion of EZDrummer.

Follow it up with some tape simulator set for 15 or even 7.5 IPS if you wanna get Velvety...
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magritte
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Re: Best Digital Drum Machine?

Post by magritte » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:46 pm

leigh wrote:
magritte wrote:Recording.
OK, then I would second the suggestion of EZDrummer.

Follow it up with some tape simulator set for 15 or even 7.5 IPS if you wanna get Velvety...
Great, thanks.
Any suggestion on a tape simulator VST?
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Re: Best Digital Drum Machine?

Post by leigh » Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:08 pm

magritte wrote:Great, thanks.
Any suggestion on a tape simulator VST?
I don't know the budget VST field very well. I've heard UAD's Studer plug-in, and it is amazing: http://www.uaudio.com/store/special-pro ... order.html

Not cheap, though, and requires their hardware. Also heard good things about Waves Kramer Master Tape, which is cheaper.

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Post by trevord » Fri Feb 17, 2012 12:35 pm

In addition to selecting a sampler you should also get the right samples
google "Linn Drum Samples"

there are many free versions available
in addition - check for for
EMU SP1200
ROLAND TR 808

these samples should help you get the sounds you are looking for
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