NI Battery

[J Todd Beachler]

Could someone that's knowledgeable post a blurb or two about the program Battery? I'm looking for drum machine alternatives. I've been to NI's website and read about it, but I still have a few questions.

It is just a sampler, right? You load the cells with samples that come with it or that you purchase seperately, correct? You then have to use another program to write a midi drum track and then you feed that to Battery which plays it using the loaded samples. Is this basically how Battery works? Pro and cons would be helpfull from real-world users and not marketing hype from NI's site. Thanks!

[ns9]

Hi!
Short answer: Yes. Just as you said (load Battery, trigger from MIDI track in sequencer).

Longer answer:
What type of music are you looking to use it for?
I own Battery, but have not used it in eons. I bought Kontakt, which is similar, but is a "all purpose" sampler, vs one made with percussion being the main target.

I love Kontakt. But, I have years of using hardware samplers, so it wasnt a big learning curve. For the "uninitiated," I can see ANY good software sampler having a learning curve. However, Kontakt is actually simple to use with 3rd party sample libraries. Alot of sample library developers have recently begun using the Kontakt engine for creating a player for their libraries. VERY cool, if you like Kontakt. The player they develop using the engine usually does not have near the capabilities of Kontakt itself, but Kontakt owners can then load the library into Kontakt, and HAVE that felxability.

CPU draw is very low, so multiple instances of Kontakt are run easily and painlessly. Direct from Disk sample streaming works well for me, but others (mostly Mac users) hav ehad problems. Using RAM is fine tho.

What platform you using?
Sequencer?
Music you will use it for primarily?
Experience with hardware samplers? Synthesizers?
Experience with software instruments?

That would help a little more with answering, and with alternate suggestions.

Nikki

[J Todd Beachler]

Thanks for the reply, Nikki.

Originally Posted by ns9

What platform you using?

WinXP

Originally Posted by ns9

Sequencer?

Cakewalk Home Studio 2004

Originally Posted by ns9

Music you will use it for primarily?

The standard instrumental guitar rock/metal

Originally Posted by ns9

Experience with hardware samplers? Synthesizers?

None. I have a Roland JP8000 and a Korg Karma.

Originally Posted by ns9

Experience with software instruments?

I have Fruity Loops and Rebirth One that I've used in the past.

Any additional information or advice would be great!

[ns9]

Hi!
Hmmm...

OK- what type of libraries will you be looking for?
The reason I ask is this:
Many sample libraries are being put out with a limited feature version of Kontakt, either Kompakt or Kontakt Player.
The library developer can modify things slightly, which is cool.

The other thing is that some libraries come with a sampler of some type, either similar to Kontakt, or a "ground-up" type build.

Rough as it sounds, deciding on the types of libraries will help, and then finding libraries that are available, have gotten good reviews by users, and look for customer support opinions as well.

Kompakt is a cool "starter" sampler IMO, as it leaves some of the more advanced features behind the scenes. I think there is an upgrade path to Kontakt if you find it works for you, and get into it enough to warrant the extra features.

Niki

[J Todd Beachler]

I'll probably buy Drumkit from Hell and use that.

I'll check out Kontakt tonight at work.

Thanks for the help!

[ns9]

Hi!
Thought DFH would get mentioned

The new DFH Superior should be out soon, and I have a feeling it will be just that I am preordering, since I have the original DFH to tide me over til it ships.

DFH Superior comes with a built player, supporting the major pugins formats.

For the original DFH, I hvae been using Kontakt, and very happy with it

Nikki