EZD2: Vibraslap

[David George]

In addition to the EZD2 defaults, I have Hip-Hop, Latin Percussion, and Reggae EZX’s. I use them all constantly.

My favorite feature of all is the ease with which the user can edit patterns. I do this all the time, adding and subtracting pieces as I go along.

I’ve played in several bands with live drummers who used vibraslap. It’s a nice touch when used sparingly and if timed right.

I find it absolutely weird that in any EZX that has vibraslap, if you go into edit pattern mode and try to add vibraslap you can never add just one: It’s usually 8 (!!). I have never known anyone to use it that way. I usually go ahead and add it then clear 7 of the notes (and invariably end up moving the ONE I’m going to keep).

I have to wonder whether this is a glitch with the algorithm or whether the programmers really don’t know how vibraslap is used. It’s like a really hot jalapeno: You put one on the side of the dish (not 8).

Sorry for the vent. I think EZD is outstanding overall, but this gets on me nerves.

Topic

[Scott Eshleman]

In limited testing just now, I added a vibraslap to a few grooves using Edit Play Style (with Hip Hop EZX library loaded)…
I think that the number of vibraslap hits added upon 1st increase is related to the number of bars in the groove being edited;
i.e. 1st increase to a 1-bar groove yielded a single vibraslap hit on Beat 3 of that bar
1st increase to a 2-bar groove yielded 2 vibraslap hits on Beat 3 of each bar.
2nd increase to a 1-bar groove yielded a 2nd vibraslap hit on Beat 4 of that bar.
2nd increase to a 2-bar groove yielded a 2nd vibraslap hit on Beat 4 of each bar.

Does this coincide with your experience at all?
If not, please elaborate. Thanks.

[David George]

I will try it out again, but whenever I’ve worked in 8 bar grooves the first (lowest) number you could add has always been 8. This was in Hip-Hop and Reggae EZXs.

[Scott Eshleman]

@dg27 said:
I will try it out again, but whenever I’ve worked in 8 bar grooves the first (lowest) number you could add has always been 8. This was in Hip-Hop and Reggae EZXs.  

Correct.
Perhaps I did not explain my findings clearly enough…
As I said in my previous post,
1st increase to a 1-bar groove yielded a single vibraslap hit on Beat 3 of that bar
1st increase to a 2-bar groove yielded 2 vibraslap hits on Beat 3 of each bar for a total of 2 vibraslap hits across the 2 bars.
…and so on that:
1st increase to a 8-bar groove yielded 8 vibraslap hits on Beat 3 of each bar for a total of 8 vibraslap hits across the 8 bars.

[Scott Eshleman]

Possible options to limit the hits inserted:
1) Use the scissor tool to isolate the bar(s)/beat(s) into which you’d like to insert the vibraslap hit(s).
The bars can be merged together again afterwards, if so desired.
or
2) Use the [Record] function of the SongTrack to record vibraslap hit(s) where you’d like them.
Quantize them if you don’t get it ‘spot on’.

[David George]

Thanks for the suggestions. I understood your point and the math. I just tried it with an 8-bar groove in the Hip-Hop EZX and the lowest number you can get is 8. That’s what I think is weird. I work with a lot of different percussion pieces and with (I think) everything else I’ve used it starts with 1. I guess I’ll do it the way I’ve been doing it: add 8 and remove 7 in the MIDI file in my DAW (Pro Tools). I can move it wherever I want it.

[Author]

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