DP plus EZ Drummer or similar

[Pound]

I apologize if this has been discussed before. I did a search, but didn't really see what I was looking for. What I'm looking to do is get EZ drummer or something similar (any recommendations are welcome). I honestly don't know if EZ Drummer does what I'm looking for. I've read about it briefly online (plan on reading more and hoping they have a demo on the site) and am going to read about the others..... but what I'm wanting is a program like that, that I can rewire into to DP 5.12 like Reason does, were you can assign different outputs to different tracks and have realistic drums. Something that I can program to not be a repetitive loop over and over. I want it to sound as close to real drums as possible for demos and what not. Any suggestions?

[Frodo]

EZD does this. In fact, Toontrack offers free project files for different DAWs that will open up with EZD as a plugin with all the individual channels automatically routed to separate channels. No need to run it as a standalone if you don't need to.

I think the more important question is whether or not EZD is your #1 choice. I enjoy using it a lot and it is very DP-friendly.

There are other options for drum VIs, and I think ultimately (given that they all have ways and means for independent channel routing) the most important thing will be which interface and sounds you like the best.

[wabbitguy]

I started with EZ Drummer a couple of years back and just bought Addictive Drums to see if there was any difference. Okay. Wow doesn't cover it. It's really too bad you can't try these on your daw at home before you buy them. EZ drummer sounds a little more processed, if that's the right term to use. AD on the other hand sounds like it's just come in from the mics in the studio even though there are a lot of plugins in use (sounds hotter, almost live to me).

Depending on what sort of sound you're after will determine what you end up liking. EZ Drummer is still in use, but I find myself going more to AD at times.

I've also noted that in the latest 6.0.2 version of DP, dragging and dropping the MIDI loops from either is rather flaky. It works, but there is a lot of window animations that don't need to be there (bugs in my opinion).

Ultimately I wish DP would keep track of what loops you drop where. With a filename or some form of reference. I've gone back to adjust loops and it would really nice to know what I put there in the first place. But alas, it doesn't. Maybe some day...

[Pound]

EZD does this. In fact, Toontrack offers free project files for different DAWs that will open up with EZD as a plugin with all the individual channels automatically routed to separate channels. No need to run it as a standalone if you don't need to.

I think the more important question is whether or not EZD is your #1 choice. I enjoy using it a lot and it is very DP-friendly.

There are other options for drum VIs, and I think ultimately (given that they all have ways and means for independent channel routing) the most important thing will be which interface and sounds you like the best.

Thanks Frodo. If they all pretty much do what I'm looking for, then I guess you are right. I need to hear which one I think sounds the best.

I started with EZ Drummer a couple of years back and just bought Addictive Drums to see if there was any difference. Okay. Wow doesn't cover it. It's really too bad you can't try these on your daw at home before you buy them. EZ drummer sounds a little more processed, if that's the right term to use. AD on the other hand sounds like it's just come in from the mics in the studio even though there are a lot of plugins in use (sounds hotter, almost live to me).

Depending on what sort of sound you're after will determine what you end up liking. EZ Drummer is still in use, but I find myself going more to AD at times.

I've also noted that in the latest 6.0.2 version of DP, dragging and dropping the MIDI loops from either is rather flaky. It works, but there is a lot of window animations that don't need to be there (bugs in my opinion).

Ultimately I wish DP would keep track of what loops you drop where. With a filename or some form of reference. I've gone back to adjust loops and it would really nice to know what I put there in the first place. But alas, it doesn't. Maybe some day...

Thanks. I'm going to check out the different sounds and maybe stop by a store and see if they have them setup for me to mess with. Sound is probably more important than ease of use for me, but I do want something that is fairly easy to to maneuver through. When it comes to making music, I don't like to tinker around with a bunch of stuff. I like to get in and lay down the stuff and get out. lol Mainly because the way I write.... or lack thereof. I generally create all the music in my head including the lyrics before I lay it down. I guess I owe that to when I used to rap. So before I ever record... I've pretty much heard the song in my head a million times.

[Dan Walsh]

I use EZ Drummer alot. So much so that I'm seriously considering an upgrade to Superior Drummer. There's not much I can add to the previous posters. The drop and drag feature is awesome, although it's flaky right now in 6.02 it still works and there are workarounds, but it is a real PITA when dropping a loop and not remebering what it was. I always write it down in a book these days then I can go back and find the loop again.

The sounds are a little more "processed" but they sound good with a little judicious eq'ing on separate aux tracks which are super easy to set up. The main reasons I'm considering Superior is firstly for sound, and the 2nd, the abililty to swap drums from different kits. It's a little complicated to do this in EZ Drummer (I think) although you do have a different selection of drums from within each kit that you can choose.

One real good thing about ToonTrack, is their support. All of the techs are on the ToonTrack forum on a daily basis and are always super quick with help. Like I mean, sometimes within a half hour of the question. I'm kinda new to the DAW thing, but ToonTrack has the best customer support of anyone I've ever dealt with.

Hope this helped a bit...............

[wabbitguy]

I use EZ Drummer alot. So much so that I'm seriously considering an upgrade to Superior Drummer. There's not much I can add to the previous posters. The drop and drag feature is awesome, although it's flaky right now in 6.02 it still works and there are workarounds, but it is a real PITA when dropping a loop and not remebering what it was. I always write it down in a book these days then I can go back and find the loop again.

I've been writing down the loops and measures in a book too. A friend just happened to be in the studio with me and showed how they do it in Logic Studio, you can see the loop name in the loop sample you drop. Had to grab a rag to catch the drool... I think if enough users asked MOTU to implement something like this they might just get the idea. If they don't then I guess the only alternative is to write your own software to track it (which I can do, but I'd rather write the music)...

[Pound]

I just checked out all the drum VI's I could find on their sites. I will say that EZ drummer did sound a little processed, but for the price, I think I'm going to go with it eventually. One concern is that you have to buy all the extra kits. Does the stock kit have quite a bit to choose from?

[rentadrummer]

I started with the EZDrummer PopRock kit, and added the Nashville expansion which gave me a ride cymbal and snare that I liked better. By combining multiple instances you can pick and choose what you want to use from each EZD kit. I was using 6 instances, splitting out the kick, snare, hi hat, ride, toms and crashes, which gave me much better individual control over the overhead and room faders, and that has a big effect on the sound.

I say "was" because I purchased Superior 2 when it was released, and have been using that instead. S2 allows you to combine any of the EZX instruments with the ones in S2, but except for the Nashville Ride that I still like the best, everything else I use is included with S2.

[Dan Walsh]

. Does the stock kit have quite a bit to choose from?

The stock kit is cool but a little limited. You have a choice of 3 or 4 different kicks, snares etc. I don't have the program open right now so I can't give you a complete rundown. But the drum kit sounds good and I actually have it on a couple of songs for a songwriter I'm workin' with. Also with the EZ Drummer program, you get a "free" Cocktail Kit if your feelin' jazzy. It's pretty cool and funk ansd quite usable.

The Expansion packs are great though. They are about $90.00 a piece but well worth it. Currently I have the Nashville (best), Latin percussion and twisted kits. I've been reading some reviews about the new Jazz kit and they are all positive and glowing. One cool thing is if you decide you wanna upgrade to Superior, all these kits are fully functional within that program. Plus every once in while ToonTrack offers good deals. Over Dec they had a buy one get one free deal. I bought nashville and got Latin Percussion free which was and is totally sweet.

Good luck with the shoppin' There's lots out there. I do love EZ Drummer for it's simplicity though................

[Pound]

Thanks. I appreciate all the feedback on the program.

[3rdpath]

I've been writing down the loops and measures in a book too. A friend just happened to be in the studio with me and showed how they do it in Logic Studio, you can see the loop name in the loop sample you drop. Had to grab a rag to catch the drool... I think if enough users asked MOTU to implement something like this they might just get the idea. If they don't then I guess the only alternative is to write your own software to track it (which I can do, but I'd rather write the music)...

i love the file name feature in logic. i also like that you can trim the MIDI file length by dragging the edge of the file...same as an audio soundbite. THATS a major cool feature when building a drum track-just scrolling back the edges to insert fills. if DP has this feature-i'm not aware of it...