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#173449 09/16/12 10:00 AM
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I have looked, and don't see a way to do this...

Can BIAB or RB be used as a very simple drum machine? I want to use it just like a drum machine to build some very simple drum loop grooves, and tweak them real time, to practice bass with. My goal is to be able to make a simple Kick, Snare, High Hat based pattern and build a few variation grooves from there. I want to control what is heard on each beat. Seems like with all that BIAB provides this would be an obvious thing to incude. While it is super easy to use BIAB to up a loop in any style and mute everything but drums, I want to build my own grooves real time while listening to the drum loop, like a drum machine...without buying a drum machine :-).

I have Native Instruments Studio drummer. It is very easy to pick a canned groove on the fly, but it has no ability to tweak the groove.

I also have Hammerhead and Hotstepper freeware. These give me the control I want but not the great instrument library that is in BIAB.

Anyone have any tips?

Thanks!


Tom
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Nope.Sorry it's not really designed for that.


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Hi twangsd,

As silvertones indicates, it's not possible to build up any kind of arrangement in realtime (instruments, chords, drums, etc.). BIAB doesn't work like that.

It is possible to use MIDI drums and build up a pattern, though. One could use the Notation View or the Piano Roll view (I'd favor Piano Roll for this) and simply put the notes in that correspond to the particular midi drum sound.

What I'd do is to create a sequence of a couple of bars, get it right, and then copy and paste it to create the length of song I need.

Regards,
Noel


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While BiaB doesn't really have such faciliy, the included RealBand program does have the Drum Grid Editor and that can allow you to quickly fashion a repeating drum pattern as a MIDI track.

See the Help file inside Realband for the full skinny.

Have Fun,


--Mac

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Thanks. It looks like the Real Band Drum Grid Editor will do most of what I want, although I couldn't get it to play any sounds when I pressed play. Will figure it out.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a stand alone, dedicated, software Drum Machine?


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Jamstix

Not a standalone since it is a VST - but very flexable and can integate into your recording. But does not play with BIAB/RB...

So nevermind.

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If you're working in RealBand with the grid editor, you always have the option of using the Coyote WT drum sounds. They're not the best you've ever heard, but would work for practicing to. Alternatively, there's lots of good and free drum machines here -

http://www.vstplanet.com/Instruments/VST_Drums.htm

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Quote:

Jamstix

Not a standalone since it is a VST - but very flexable and can integate into your recording. But does not play with BIAB/RB...

So nevermind.




Actually it does, but. Always a but, right? It works as a sound module only so it acts like any other synth and will play back prerecorded midi drum parts but it can't do it's primary thing and create new drum parts or jam along with an audio file (hence the name Jamstix). That's the long time VST "tempo lock" problem that apparently cannot be fixed in RB. This affects any drum program or effects program like delays that require tempo matching with the host. Peter himself said over two years ago they were working on it but not a word since. That's very unusual coming from him, when he says they're working on something it's usually done in the next patch or update but not with this problem. The only conclusion is it's not worth the time required to fix or it's simply impossible because of something in the coding.

Bob


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Thanks again for the tips. I found exactly what I need here:

TheDrumSource VSTi. It has a user interface just like a HW drum machine. Very basic but does just want I want. Easy to build loops and make simple on the fly changes. No swing or any exotic beats though.
http://www.witech.se/thedrumsource/

Studio Drums Free Sample Pack from here for the drum sounds:
http://www.vstplanet.com/Instruments/VST_Drums7.htm
I'll try some of my BIAB samples also.

I use this host to play the Plug in
http://www.hermannseib.com/english/savihost.htm


Tom
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