EZ DRummer and ACID

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

I just about have myself talked into EZD. My question is can I use it with ACID AND will I be able to use the mixer capability? I love using loops but in our recordings bass drum needed to be barely on or sometimes even completely off. I like ACID because I have used for years.
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

probably yes, EZ drummer is an excellent program, I am not totally wild about the samples, they are very very good but like many of these programs they are missing simplicity. The provided sample loop library is s missing the simplistic elements. I have all the plug-ins and it is very easy to use and with Sonar, the editing is a breeze. So, I edit.

I have used EZ drummer with samples and midi files from anywhere and everywhere with no problem, even imported BIAB drum tracks. EZdrummer has tons of variables which can be selected or you can do like me and just use the default kits. The final mixer within EZdrummer is also extremely useful.

I am not familiar with ACID but if it uses common files I don't see it as a problem.

If you like, email me a few samples and I will load them in and see how they run.

Sonar , like most programs also runs ACID, which also means that you can alter, modify and transpose pitch of any sample loop.

t

Robby Springfield · From: Viola, AR, USA

I think I understand what your asking. If your host app, Acid, Sonar, ect., can read virtual instruments, then EZDrummer should show up as individual tracks in your host app. You still have to go into EZDrummer and assign the tracks within it's own mixer. I'm assuming your trying to achive seperation as well as trying to be able to turn something off like the kick.
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Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Thats it in a nutshell guys. My biggest problem with the loops I am using now is the kick is most usually way to hot. Plus like you were saying Tony for basic country especially, the loops are way to complcated. I would like better editing capability. For example a song I am working on now I have a good "groove" but it has no stick pattern. If I could mix the kit I could take the snare out when needed and replace it with a stick. I still think loops are the way to go (MIDI or WAV) because I don't have the means to record drums at the same quality. Thanks for the input guys. Robbie did the CD work ok?
Later
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Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Oh I forgot. I do a lot of western swing and I love loops with brushes. Is the cocktail kit have aything good ay regarding that. What comes standard with EZD?
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Robby Springfield · From: Viola, AR, USA

There are some limitations on groove selection in EZD but not many that I have found. The Nashville expansion pack is a very good all around set of grooves that include a brush kit that sounds great. Remember that EZD has midi files that will work with any sound source and each expansion pack is it's own set of kit sounds. The loops range from the very basic with cross stick to most newer push grooves. I think you would find that most out of the box midi grooves can be edited either in your host or the midi player pro from EZD. Check the EZD site to see if Acid will work as a host app. If not, I can tell you that I bought my son a Lamda interface from Lexicon that was only $149.00 and it comes with Cubase LE...EZD works well with Cubase.

I haven't dropped your files in yet but will probably get to that tomorrow.
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

If I could just add to what Robbie states, I use Sonar as the host program , within Sonar is what they call the keyboard editor. You can take any pattern ( measure) from within the EZdrummer track and edit any or all of the sounds, change the kick , add a kick, delete the snare, add a snare etc, without a midi controller or keyboard, the mouse works just fine , click and delete, click and add, click away !

The samples within EZdrummer are very good, but I do believe they are a bit aggresive , but they can be edited very easily to make them less aggressive. I purchased a set of samples ( a few thousand ) recently for $29 but the organization of the samples is poor, it takes more time to find the right sample than it does to record the entire track. I am considering buying this set of samples;

http://www.drumsondemand.com/volume4.html

as they are described as an organized, easy to use Library, which is really worth the $39, the organization.

Bottom line, EZDrummer is I think a great tool, even when you edit, you are only editing a few measure which you will repeat. It's simple and very productive, although I haven't produced one thing yet ! But that's not EZdrummers fault.

In Sonar, EZD is inserted as a VST and you can insert as many EZD lines as you want , or as many as memory will allow. When inserted it arrives already tagged and configured. As I am learning this process, I have two EZD tracks running, one I use for editing and then copy that into the so called "final" drum track. I'm sure others have other methods but right now I am in the process learning curve for both Sonar and EZD so the extra activity is giving me more exposure.

tp

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Tony
DOD is what I use and I have that volume. Good loops but not very edit friendly. DOD told me they can't be mixed like EZD which is why I want to get away from them. great loops if they are what you want to use. but making your own can be a hassle.
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

DOD I believe are 16 or 24 bit wave samples, which makes sense why you cannot edit them, they are little short recordings ! The embedded samples that come with Sonar are .wav as well, there's just not many of them and they are mostly hip hop or something like that.

Do you think the DOD pack for $39 is appropriate? I am looking for simple , basic, Merle, Buck, AJ kinda drum samples.

I'm not really worried about using them with EZD, there are many options available within Sonar. The only thing that really needs to be edited is meter.

thanks
tp

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I have EZDRummer and the Nahsville Expansion pack. After manually and extensively programming drum machines this thing is a breeze. I have used some stock patterns as is and I have also generated totally new patterns using the Nashville drum set and saved them in the EZDrummer library. Often I'll start with a stock pattern and have to copy or edit parts of it to get the right number of measures or sometimes I'll overlay the second half of the pattern with a fill. If you want a cymbal hit on the first beat of the pattern following the fill, you have to add that manually.

I've gotten pretty good at copying the drum parts off of records or taking a midi song and stripping of the non-drum parts and using that to drive the Nashville drum set. I haven't found much use for the cocktail set or it's midi library.

I have had good luck mixng the drum parts in Reaper then bringing 6 tracks over to my Yamaha workstation keepng the hihat, kick and snare on separate mono tracks at 16 bits.

I almost always have to compress and bass boost the kick drum parts but the rest of the drums sit well in the mix as is.

This is the best drum method I've ever used and the learning curve is just a few hours if you have previous midi and recording experience.

Greg

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Hey Greg, yes EZD is a great program but I think the question here is more related to other loops, such as DOD, being user friendly from within the EZD program .I just received about a dozen samples from
"drums on demand" and will load them up later on and see which programs they work best with, they told me that they probably will not run under EZD but I should have no problem with Sonar and the Sonar plug-ins. Of the 12 or so they sent ( 16 bit wave) they are really good.

As I said earlier, I like EZD and the EZD samples, I also have the Nashville pack , I just find them all a bit assertive and I really don't want to spend my life editing.

tp

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Tony if you looking for a good ol country shuffle on DOD they still haven't figured it out. I use their jazz kit for western swing and old country. I just did a project for an upright bass player who hates kick drums and he loved them. the problem was I couldn't use any of the fill grooves. no kick for a while then BOOM! here comes thekick. it took a lot editing. I will say the quality and reald drum sound of DOD is excellent. is it worth 39$ yeah. I also have discreet drums and I like the 24 bits that ca be loaded drum by drum
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Scott, the DOD folks contacted me back with a nice note. They advised me that the best way to run there "wave loops" is directly into a Sonar (or other host) audio track, which is what I suspected anyway. The files will run under any VST but they cannot be edited by that program which also makes sense. They sent me a dozen files which I am going to play with and I am thinking that of all the programs we have available not one actually covers all the ground.

Like Greg above, I edit, I have actually imported BIAB midi , a measure at a time and re-wrote a few stock clips and ran them thru EZD. The complaint is that I want to produce music, not write drum samples ! EZD is close but in my mind they are still missing the simplicity.

A month or so back, for $29, I purchased this sample set, http://www.prosonic-studios.com/default.aspx ( Prosonic) they sent me ( downloaded) a kazillion loops but they are so unorganized it will take the next 10 years to understand the layout of the few thousand samples I purchased ! The samples are great , I just can't figure out the "identity" of the individual loops.

t

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

EZD is in the mail! I should have it in the next couple of days. Looking forward to learning it. I'll let you know how it goes and of course ask for your suggestions I'm sure!
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I received the Drums on Demand today, after a quick run thru of the samples ( 16 bit waves ) I can see real value, 30 different folders ( styles) with maybe 30 or 40 samples in each folder. I can see that building a song track will be pretty simple, this along with EZD, I think I don't need to spend anymore money ! Time to get to work already !.

t

Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

The DODs are good. I especially like the Jazz kit I have. I also like the discrete drums that came with my Roland 2480. In 24 bit i can load them seperately
and get more of an overhead feel as well.
The EZD did come in the mail today and I can't wait to get home and start playing with it. Of course as luck would have it my new Evans pre amp for my RE 200
came as well so which one to do first???????
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Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

I went to the two sites. EZ drummer and DOD. EZD sounds better to me. Izzat true? Which of the two would you recommend?
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Ken, two different beasts. EZD is a VST program , not to be confused with a sample pack which DOD is.

EZD allows selecting drum loops from within it's program, it runs under a host program such as Sonar etc, it allows for selecting loops, editing, mixing the entire kit and changing each drum or cymbal, it is very good, very easy to use, it is a VST plug-in software program. Well worth the money.

DOD is like many of the other sample packs out there, it is "samples" only , it does not run under another program. using Sonar as a host program as an example,you ADD a track, not a midi track, you drag a DOD sample into the track and you build the entire drum track one measure at a time, you cannot edit the samples, but you can vary meter (acid). You can cut and paste, take 1/2 measure , 1/4 measure etc and drop them where you need them, it all depends on how much effort you want to put in.

So, it's not a question of which is better, they are not intended to be the same. EZD I think is a $149 program plus the cost of additional sample libraries, all of which can be fully edited. The DOD sample libraries are $39 and are wave files.

The very good thing regarding EZD is that if you cannot find loops that you want to use, you can create them and save them in the user folder. You do this from within the "host" program edit mode.

hope this helps

t

Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

Thanks Tony. It does help. For me, it sounds like EZD is best.
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Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Ken
I just purchased EZD for $99 on musicians friend
I also bought the EZ Pro Player which I love the only problem I am having is my laptop is giving off a terrible "data Stream" noise. I'm sure I'll figure it out but would appreciate any suggestions. But other than that so far I love EZD. very user friendly and sounds great.
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Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

Still having a Data Stream problem. I currently have it on my laptop and I am beginning to think my sound card is crap. Even with the board volume turned off I have this noise. I cann hear every activity on my pc. Any suggestions.I gotta say I LOVE THIS PRODUCT.
The overhead and room mics make it sound so real!
Ca't wait to record with it!
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Scott Henderson · From: Camdenton, Missouri, USA

I solved mt problems and Iam LOVING EZD. The just have a more real soud then the waves. I do have one more question. Does the Jaz kit have some good swing brushes all ready loaded in them? I do a lot of western swing, jazz and old country Just curiois before I go spend more $$$$$$$$
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Ulf Edlund · From: Umeå, Sweden

Scott. You can check out the JAZZ kit here
http://www.toontrack.com/ezx.asp#jazz
There are a few mp3 demos of how the brushes sound.
The midi grooves that come whith Jazz are, quite obviously very Jazzy.

If you want midi grooves for western swing stuff you might wanna take a look at the "Nashville" EZX.

If you do your own programming and midi editing the Jazz could be it. It was recorded in one of the best drum rooms in the world, at Blackbird studios, Nashville.

One of my personal favourite kits for EZD is the vintage rock kit. It has some good brushes, and would probably sound good for western swing stuff.

If you follow the link above, just scroll down and you will find "Nashville" and "Vintage" too.
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Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Nashville expansin kit allows for burshesand even hand drumming. The hand drumming is really cool and useful for me, as are the brushes.

EZdrummer could have included some really simple patterns and maybe they should have. A simple four stick click intro. Some cymbal endings. maybe a simple pattern of brushed ride and snare only. Those would have been useful but I guess they figured those were simple enough for us to do ourselves.

I like to build my ezdrummer track, then go back and add the occasional crash cymbal or extra snare hit "live" with a midi controller. This gives it a slightly more human feel to my ears

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