a few questions from an EZdrummer novice

[thunderJ]

1. Can someone recommend a EZX expansion or Midi pack that will give me some bare bones midi files? I want very simple drums sequences, as if they were played by a relatively novice drummer.

2. I find the default kit’s bass drum sounds to be somewhat thin, which of other EZX kits might give me a fatter sounding bass drum? (Besides the electric kit)

Topic

[Scott]

Before we can offer suggestions, tell us what styles of music you are producing.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[thunderJ]

I am interested in the sound of early rock & roll recordings. Trying to make music that sounds very raw. For me, the beauty of early rock & roll, garage rock of the 60s, early punk rock, etc…, was the use of the technologies of the time period. So I am trying to get EZdrummer to sound like a drum track that was recorded in a recording studio from 40s and 50s. or recorded out of someone’s basement or garage. a less produced, pre-digital feel.

[Scott]

For that type sound I would look at the http://www.toontrack.com/helpdesk/issue_view_portal.asp?ID=808, the http://www.toontrack.com/product/dfh-ezx/8 or the http://www.toontrack.com/product/product/the-classic-ezx/

Any or all should get you that type of vibe. The Vintage Rock EZX was recorded through an EMI desk so the sound has that more vintage vibe. The Classic EZX is nice as there is a ‘4 mic kit’ that used less mics similar to older recording techniques. The Americana has a nice retro vibe as well. Take a listen to the demos on each product page.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[thunderJ]

Thanks for the response Scott. Which midi packs or EZX kits have the best basic, straight ahead, no frills midi sequences? Ameicana and blues? and what about basic beats with heavy floor toms?

[Scott]

Well, most MIDI packs have simple to complex grooves included. There is one library with all ‘basic, straight ahead, no frills midi sequences’. The MIDI is usually listed as:

Variation 1
Variation 2
Variation 3
Variation 4
and so on…

The MIDI is simpler in variation 1 and gets more complex when moving down the list. With a little tweaking in your host, the more complex MIDI can be ‘thinned’ out to be more simple and vise versa. It’s easy to move accent hits around, add crash hits, etc. to fit your song. I do that all the time. I find MIDI that ‘kinda’ fits the song I’m working on and then add things (or remove hits) that make it sound like the drums are playing with the song and not just a drum machine playing a loop in the background or that the drums are just plodding along in the background. It’s a skill to be sure, but one that can be learned and some great drum tracks can be created.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Author]

Replies