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#564563 11/17/19 05:32 AM
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This is definitely my weak point. Drums! I try not to think of them much and just have BIAB do its thing. It is really all about bass, piano, guitars and maybe a horn or two. Right?

But then I hear the beat in the background in a really nice tight arrangement. Or a I listen to a popular tune and recognize that vibe is all drums. Or I hear a fill which is the perfect fill. Lets face it, we all know, the drummer is the hardest working member of the band. And I wonder... how can I get that in my mix!

Real Drums
Drums in BIAB have always been "set it and forget it". On one hand wonderful - they sound good right out of the box. But on the other hand they can be greatly lacking in originality and flexibility. Or, maybe I have just been missing how to work with RealDrums!

Other Tools
Over the years I have picked up a few extra tools. The Toontrack's EZDrummer series is really powerful and I have used this when I need that special something. But with that power comes extra work as well as a prerequisite to better understand drums. If this is the answer then I believe I simply need to learn more about how a drummer thinks and put in the time to "program the drums". Not something I have been willing to do as a routine workflow.

Another drum tool is Jamstix. This program thinks more like I do about drums. Actually there is a big sale now at the site:

https://www.rayzoon.com/online_shop.html#tgb
Click and listen to the new "Darkside" drums "... a drum style marked by steady grooves with a straight ride pattern and big tom-heavy fills oozing triplets" for 9 USD

which is why I am thinking about this now. Is there something/anything in this demo link above, which is even remotely possible with Realdrums?

How about you folks - any thoughts on drums?


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I looked at SD3 vs. EZD. I'm a complete control freak and I went with SD3 as a result. With that tool I can export each drum part from the app into my DAW. Once there as separate pieces I can tweak away how I want to get a good drum mix.

I tend to start with a MIDI drum groove from BIAB, get the drum kit I want in SD3, then final tweaks in DAW.




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Originally Posted By: sslechta
I looked at SD3 vs. EZD. I'm a complete control freak and I went with SD3 as a result. With that tool I can export each drum part from the app into my DAW. Once there as separate pieces I can tweak away how I want to get a good drum mix.

I tend to start with a MIDI drum groove from BIAB, get the drum kit I want in SD3, then final tweaks in DAW.


Ya I have the EZD2, but this is before SD3 was available. SD3 is the flagship and likely worth every cent if you like to tweek. I was just about to pull the trigger some time back but had second thoughts at the time. No regrets. Have you ever looked at Jamstix?


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I did just listen to the Darkside drums and looked at the Jamstix package overall at your rayzoon link (BTW your link didn't work, had to go to the main page).

Those drums really did have the Pink Floyd vibe. Jamstix in my initial look appears to be a lower cost version of SD3. It seemed to have a lot of the similar functions of SD3. Since I blew my $$$ on SD3 and it works for me, I'll probably stick with it.




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Originally Posted By: sslechta
I did just listen to the Darkside drums and looked at the Jamstix package overall at your rayzoon link (BTW your link didn't work, had to go to the main page). Those drums really did have the Pink Floyd vibe.
Funny the link works here? Glad you found it. Have you heard anything like that in RealTracks?



Originally Posted By: sslechta

Jamstix in my initial look appears to be a lower cost version of SD3. It seemed to have a lot of the similar functions of SD3. Since I blew my $$$ on SD3 and it works for me, I'll probably stick with it.

Yes a much cheaper option. But also a completely different animal. It is actually very fun to lay out drum tracks.


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I used Jamstix for several years, then started using RDs I also have EZDs and a couple others I like to start with RealDrums, then add a EZD track and split the drums up. Make a drum group and tweek from there.

Last edited by RobH; 11/17/19 06:48 PM.

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Thankfully I can play my own drums.

Drums were my first instrument. I switched to sax while in Junior High School, and picked up guitar, bass, and keyboards traveling in a road band so on songs with no horn parts I could double on other instruments.

Since the drummer sang, I could still play drums and since the bass player was also a good guitarist, when not playing rhythm, I could play bass and let him 'duel it out' with the regular lead player.

We'd make a big deal of switching instruments for the right audiences, because switching instruments was good 'show biz' back then (probably still is).

Later I added flute, wind synth, and voice.

Learning drums requires a few things. (1) a good percussion MIDI controller (2) learning the drum rudiments {the drummers equivalent to scales} (3) listening intently and emulating the great drummers of pop music like Hal Blaine, Pretty Purdy, John Bonham and so on.

So when making my backing tracks, I put the basic drum track in first. I might modify it later.

When making Band-in-a-Box styles, I record a long take on a MIDI sequencer with all the instruments I want in the style and all the variations I want. Drums first. I can add or subtract before I'm done. Then I take snippets from 2 beats to 2 bars and import them into the StyleMaker.

I firmly believe that playing the drums in real time adds the life to the rhythm section. Something you can't get with step-entering or the drum grid.

Playing all the parts live, drums included, makes the song sound more cohesive and organic.

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There is no substitute for a real drummer for the styles of music this forum is about. Modern music not so much. The big issue is the drummer leads the band not the other way around. Once a chart is created and the drummer becomes familiar with it he or she simply takes over. He knows all the punches and all the transitions to various sections. The drummer is the glue that holds the tune and the band together.

Real Drums are great, live recordings by the best but they're not on your session, they have no idea what you're after. All these drum synths including Biab can produce solid groove tracks but as far as leading the band is concerned, that's on you. You have two choices, learn it yourself or hire a good drummer.

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We need Sample Sets for RealTracks & RealDrums
same as NI SESSION GUITARIST – PICKED ACOUSTIC it now has real phrases as well as a sample set.
You can do it with RealTrack Bass Samples for Sforzando

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Originally Posted By: jazzmammal
Real Drums are great, live recordings by the best but they're not on your session, they have no idea what you're after. All these drum synths including Biab can produce solid groove tracks but as far as leading the band is concerned, that's on you. Bob


Bob, you do occasionally get it right.grin Well said... and this is exactly my problem with Realdrums. They are fine, if you want to stop there. So the answer, short of live playing, is to build the drum track with a tool such as SD3 or EXD2 or Jamstix. Is that the conclusion we are coming to?

What I am asking is, is Real Drums flexible enough to go beyond simply laying down a beat?


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My two bobs worth. If RealDrums had an option split into separate tracks for snare, kick, hi hat, toms and overheads (ie the mikes that recorded them) allowing one to mix there own drums it would make them way more useful. It would also make “drum replacement” far easier.

I think the playing on RealDrums is usually great but often the mix leaves something to be desired.

As I say my two bobs worth.

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Originally Posted By: Teunis
As I say my two bobs worth.

Tony


Well I don't know how much two bobs is, but I do appreciate the input. Every little bit helps. grin


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You have more flexibility in RB RealDrum generation than some users realize.
You can select a section, and when you go to regenerate that RD section, pay attention to the Variations window on the right. This alone offers many more possibilities.
Same kit, but an 'A' section is played with more Snare than Sidestick, or vice versa. (other options available depend on the Style selection). Experiment.

That said, I've found that working with 'real drummers' (recording multitrack audio) can be quite time consuming sometimes too.
Guess you really have to prioritize for the song and choose the best route, including any tools available.

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Thanks Rharv. I have seen those options but honestly have never spent any time there. The workflow appears less than appealing, but maybe that is being unfair.

I think I need more variety from my drummer. Less static and more dynamic. I guess the trade off is going to be how much time I am willing to invest in the effort. I am afraid Real Drums can not change are the frequency I am looking for. A fill only at a part marker. But BIAB does not let me create enough parts in a fluid manner.

So I just played with Jamstixs over a looping 12 bars of four repeating chords I laid down with my keyboard. In only minutes I had the drummer riffing and improving. All that sweet stuff drummers do... I simply have never heard that in Real Drums. Let me make a quick audio so you can hear what I am hearing.


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Originally Posted By: Teunis
My two bobs worth. If RealDrums had an option split into separate tracks for snare, kick, hi hat, toms and overheads (ie the mikes that recorded them) allowing one to mix there own drums it would make them way more useful. It would also make “drum replacement” far easier.

I think the playing on RealDrums is usually great but often the mix leaves something to be desired.

As I say my two bobs worth.

Tony

I would add the ability to change the groove and/or change drum instruments individually.

All this can be done with a good MIDI drum channel on a good synthesizer. After all, many modern recordings are played with real drummers playing MIDI drum kits.

IMO the good part of the real tracks is the tone but the bad part is the minuscule amount of editing possibilities. Expression is much more important than the finer points of tone. Millions of #1 recordings with less than stellar tone on the instruments and vocals prove this.

Since we're talking drums --- after it's exported into your DAW:

With MIDI, say you want a ride bell instead of a ride cymbal. Click - click done. Same for a wood snare instead of a metal one or any other drum instrument change.

Say you want to eliminate a particular drum for a part, perhaps the cowbell, click - click it's gone.

Need to exaggerate the groove, perhaps delay the snare? A few more clicks (depending on your DAW editing functions) and it's done.

And this only scratches the surface of what you can do with MIDI drums.

* * * * * *

But nothing beats playing the drums life.

In the recording studio, the drummer is the king of both tempo and the groove. Everybody has to listen to the drummer and sync with his/her playing.

That's why when either writing new styles for BiaB or making backing tracks for my duo, I start by playing the drum rhythm into a MIDI sequencer or the MIDI function of a DAW in live (in real time). There is no way to calculate the exact variation of the timing from a quantized grid, you have to play it and feel it.

Then I play the bass and other comp parts in over the drum groove. Lastly I may open another drum track to add embellishments and add that to the drum groove.

If you want it to sound live, you simply play it in live and use a good synth to play it back.

Insights and incites by Notes


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Drums are one of the instruments that MIDI does extremely well. The problem with BiaB's MIDI drum tracks are that they are 120PPQ. That can make a drum track sound static. A subtle humanizing in a DAW at 960PPQ helps a lot.

Also augmenting a BiaB MIDI drum track by either writing or adding a few parts and/or substituting sections with MIDI drum loops like Groovemonkee also helps a lot.

The best thing about MIDI is that you can have the drummer play what you want when you want.

Note that this is not diminishing the fact that RDs are useful. It is a choice and choices are good. I just prefer to work in MIDI most all of the time. YMMV

Edit - It looks like Notes and I were writing a similar message at the same time.




Last edited by MarioD; 11/19/19 04:02 AM.

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Hey guys, regarding midi drums you both are preaching to the choir here. But I do appreciate the sermon. The drum sounds from EZD2 and Jamstix are fantastic.

Some one mentioned a need for more variety (...maybe it was me?). I don't want my drums to simply play the same pattern over and over with a fill at each chorus. I want to hear both subtle changes in patterns combined with more aggressive changes thoughout [of course when appropriate - nothing worse than a drunk drummer].

What I mean is, I want to have more options, and in an interface that makes the editing workflow enjoyable. So far the closest I have come to that is Jamstix - but admittedly I have a long way to go.

I was going to post a quick audio/video example last night, but got to tweeking... so it ain't done yet. This stuff is not so quick.


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Originally Posted By: MusicStudent
Hey guys, regarding midi drums you both are preaching to the choir here. But I do appreciate the sermon. The drum sounds from EZD2 and Jamstix are fantastic.

Some one mentioned a need for more variety (...maybe it was me?). I don't want my drums to simply play the same pattern over and over with a fill at each chorus. I want to hear both subtle changes in patterns combined with more aggressive changes thoughout [of course when appropriate - nothing worse than a drunk drummer].

What I mean is, I want to have more options, and in an interface that makes the editing workflow enjoyable. So far the closest I have come to that is Jamstix - but admittedly I have a long way to go.

I was going to post a quick audio/video example last night, but got to tweeking... so it ain't done yet. This stuff is not so quick.


You might want to looking Groovemonkee MIDI drum loops: https://groovemonkee.com/

The stock MIDI loops do have subtle changes in them. For instance if you want a 4/4 ballad groove they will supply a number of them, I'll call them A, B and C. In each category there are subtle changes, say A1, A2, A3, B1, etc. There will also be different fills for each and you can combine any of the categories for more variations.

Note that I do no work for Groovemonkee. I am just a satisfied user.


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Mario, you turned me on to GrooveMonkey long ago. I have all the free content they provide and I agree it is nice stuff. It integrates into EZD2 which provides a nice interface for working with the midi content. Thanks.


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Hey Dan, another perspective! But let me say that these quotes from previous responses, your included - pretty well sum up the reality:

Originally Posted By: MusicStudent
“…the answer then I believe I simply need to learn more about how a drummer thinks and put in the time to "program the drums". Not something I have been willing to do as a routine workflow.


I have been producing music professionally for a lot of years and have had to manage the drum side of things in many scenarios. What I have found- The level of your ‘fantastic drum sounds/ realistic performance’ in my experience is a direct result of the time put into it and the level you know your tools and your ability to think like a drummer. There is just no way around the long hours even with modern tools if you want to customize for a song, and as Bob said, 'lead the song' with energy, style, intent and feel. Which...could mean in real time…for me…2-3 full studio days working on BASIC drums alone for one song and then refining ‘drummer level’ details (open, semi, closed hats for EACH hit - rim, center snare dynamics, bell or cymbal edge etc..) over the course of the song. When the result of your labor is the ability for exceptional drummers to ask who was playing drums during playback, it is worth it! And since my ‘professional’ instrument is bass, and since I play drums pretty well, I have a pretty good idea on how a groove should be managed. But its been years in progress!

Originally Posted By: Notes Norton
…”(3) listening intently and emulating the great drummers of pop music like Hal Blaine, Pretty Purdy, John Bonham and so on””


^^ This ^^

Originally Posted By: jazzmammal
…”but as far as leading the band is concerned, that's on you. You have two choices, learn it yourself or hire a good drummer.


^^ This ^^

Originally Posted By: MusicStudent
“What I am asking is, is Real Drums flexible enough to go beyond simply laying down a beat?


^^ YES ^^!!

BIAB REAL DRUMS: You are right about Real Drums – they can feel light on your track choice after a few years of using them! And they have their limits: And as Tony mentioned
Originally Posted By: Teunis
I think the playing on RealDrums is usually great but often the mix leaves something to be desired.
…the production quality is very random as many of these RT drummers record from their own studios and have different production techniques. Since they are ‘premixed’ they are challenging to match production quality. It can be done…but takes A LOT of specialized skill and time and more time. RTDs are often relegated to demos at best for me. Still, I find GREAT inspiration in them for writing and I HAVE used RT in limited form for a professional song or two on a record release in the past. That said – Yes sir, you can get more from Real Tracks in terms of originality. But again…you have to be willing to be creative, patient, and exhaustive in cutting, pasting, rearranging, automating, re-creating, drum replacement etc etc.. I do it often for simple demos, but there is always a compromise of time and/or quality.

Originally Posted By: MarioD
“… You might want to looking Groovemonkee MIDI drum loops: https://groovemonkee.com/ “…” Note that I do no work for Groovemonkee. I am just a satisfied user.


Originally Posted By: MarioD
Drums are one of the instruments that MIDI does extremely well.


^^ This is great advice ^^ Big supporter and user of Groove Monkey midi tracks

And...lastly (not that you asked!! LOL)

Some of my own drum tools: (for reference, not recommendation), BFD3, SSD4, SSD5, EZDrummer, Groove Agent, Strike Drums, (1000s of midi grooves bought from every supplier) Loop Libraries and my collection of vintage drum machines and all expansion tools (Roland R8 and all the cards, Alesis HR16, HR16B, Yamaha RX5 w/ roms, Linn 2, Emu Emulator, Akai MPC and others) They ALL have their moments for me, they ALL get used and I have done records/songs/demos with combinations of all of them including live drum sessions intermixed. I personally cannot have enough choices for drums.

My own bottom line: Nobody can do your drummer pushups for you, except a drummer! But it is a learning curve WELL WORTH the time spent! As non drummers, we all have to manage this part of production but gratefully there are some PHENOMENAL tools available today!

Cheers, have fun bud!

RG

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With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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