How to Build Drum Tracks

[rlintz]

OK, I know this topic has been covered here before but seeing how technology is constantly evolving, I’d like to resurface the question. How do you create realistic sounding drum tracks? What tool do you utilize (sequencer, other software) and what samples do you utilize? What tips can you offer beyond the basics to help create life-like drum tracks? Do you have any example mp3s for which you can provide links?

Thanks,

Randy

[Soup Kitchen Studios]

The best tools for creating completely original acoustic drum tracks that are available now are either FXpansion's BFD or Toontrack's DFHS. These are virtual instruments that work as plugins to nearly every major sequencer.

You'll get the best results by using a drum pad such as the TrapKat and having a drummer physically play your parts. If you want to do it with a mouse and a keyboard, you need to understand how drummers think... just start learning grooves. Because you don't actually need to get the physical coordination down to preform, you can accomplish a lot in a short time.

[Ferrous Lepidoptera]

You're probably already aware of this, as I think I posted it on a previous thread here, and anybody with such an interest who spends 15 seconds with google will find it, but I'll post it again for any lurkers.

How to write Original Drum Tracks

For a non-drummer like me, that article improved upon what crap I had before by a factor of, oh, ten or so, (meaningless as putting a number on it is) although it was still nothing great. Such a method does allow a non-drummer to get something tolerable down in a hurry. It's no substitute for somebody who actually knows what they're doing though.

[Vegas_Blues]

I use a huge selection of samples, and run them thru Fruity Loops.
I have been playing drums for 15 years, so I know what should be happening drum-wise, and that helps.
A lot of that live drum feel comes from adding dynamics. I usually use 10 different snare sounds for example on each song....
They are all the same snare, just hit at a different volume and with different hands.
Check out a couple of songs I did this way @:
http://go.berkleemusic.com/Vegas_Blues

Vegas_Blues