EZDrummer on sale for $79

[woodman]

Special ends March 31 — expansion packs also on sale for $39. Just posting this in case anybody was thinking about pulling the trigger on EZD but not willing/able to pay the normal $149.

[Alex W]

I'm totally ignorant on EZDrummer. This is software that runs on some sort of MIDI type program? Please school me on this.

[fezz parka]

Damn good price for a great program.

[woodman]

Originally Posted by Alex W

I'm totally ignorant on EZDrummer. This is software that runs on some sort of MIDI type program? Please school me on this.

Right. ... a lot of times, I can find one of the many patterns that's close to what I want, then just move the hits around in my MIDI editor (piano roll). Or you can play in your own pattern from a controller keyboard, then edit it the same way. Or if you're ambitious, you can just write your pattern in the piano roll from scratch.

A couple of years back when I focused mainly on songwriting, I viewed drum patterns as a necessary evil, slapping a boring repetitive beat from a drum machine into a demo. But after getting bitten by the production bug, I found EZD a relatively simple yet effective way to create drum tracks that sound more "real," at least to the untrained ear (which is like 90% of the people who listen to my tracks).

[KCKC]

Woody,

I was just looking at the Nashville Expansion pack - do I need drums!!

If I'm using reaper, can I just buy the pack open it in the "media frame" (not sure if that's the correct term) and drag the loops from there? OR do I need to buy the software too?

I'm still incredibly ignorant about this!

Thanks,

KC

[woodman]

KC, if you already have the basic EZD setup, the Nashville pak will install itself once you've jumped through all the registration/authorization hoops. If you don't have EZD yet, it comes with the stock Rock/Pop kit, which sounds pretty dang good and has a slew of interesting patterns, fills etc. Then you would add the Nashville kit, which will show up in your Kit window. I really like the Nashville kit — very versatile, not just a "country" kit. But the stock kit ain't chopped liver either.

[KCKC]

Pulled the trigger!!

Just ordered ezdrummer and the Nashville Expansion pack from sweetwater! It was supposed to be electronic delivery? But I don't have anything right now. there was no download button or anything - unless they emailed it? - I'll have to check! - There is a receipt for it in the "My Order History" section.

I did email them asking how to proceed.

Didn't realize what a great deal this was until I saw "actual price!"

Thanks for the tip Woody!

KC

[Geoff738]

Originally Posted by KCKC

Pulled the trigger!!

Just ordered ezdrummer and the Nashville Expansion pack from sweetwater! It was supposed to be electronic delivery? But I don't have anything right now. there was no download button or anything - unless they emailed it? - I'll have to check! - There is a receipt for it in the "My Order History" section.

I did email them asking how to proceed.

Didn't realize what a great deal this was until I saw "actual price!"

Thanks for the tip Woody!

KC

The download and install is a bit of a "process" shall we say. But, once its done its done. If you have a backup drive, best to put the actual samples there.

Good luck with it - but if I can figure it out, anybody can.

Cheers,
Geoff

[woodman]

Originally Posted by Geoff738

The download and install is a bit of a "process" shall we say.

Haha! Yeah, all the initial rigamarole is a bit hasslesome ... but they send you the passcodes via email so you can cut and paste the various numbers (I keep mine in an email archive). Just make sure to have the parent program (EZD) installed before loading the Nashville kit.

[KCKC]

Will do! Thanks for the tips guys!

BTW: Picked up an MXL v67G condenser...What a difference compared to my $10 & $20 Nady mics! I know it's not the best but much, much better than what I had!

Can't wait to re-record everything I have tracked!!! - WITH DRUMS!!!

KC

[T Prior]

Good tip Woody..Although I am not a proficient "drum edtor" and hate the canned drum machines patterns which are about as exciting as watching paint dry, EZD is a pretty good tool for people like me who do not have the patience to sit and fumble with drum patterns. I have EZD with a few packs and recently purchased "Groove Monkey" patterns which load into and play under EZD. So simply saying, EZD is a fine package and you are not locked into the packs from EZD alone...this is a very good thing ! People like me can actually create an interesting groove without spending the entire day and night laboring over it..

In addition, the kit editor is really very nice, full control over the entire kit levels, pans etc...

+1 on recommending this if you are considering it..

t

[woodman]

Yeah, totally understand about your "canned drum" sentiments, Tony ... these days, I'll find a pattern that's close on the kick/snare/hat, then tweak them to suit the arrangement. But rather than use that pattern for the whole song, I'll tweak another one for the chorus (often varying the hat to build as the song unfolds) and write fills where appropriate if I can't find a canned fill that works. After most of the parts are in, I'll plug in the crash cymbals.

Several years ago, when I was still using a drum machine to lay down repetitive patterns and plugging in the same fill throughout the tune, I read a post here from someone who said he often spent 20 hours on his drum tracks ... my eyes almost popped outa my head! But nowadays, if it's a song I care about with high potential, it's not uncommon to spend 15-20 hours on the drums. Of course, if it's a "just for fun" quickie, I'm more inclined to go with the stock patterns and fills.

It just took a while to get it through my thick skull that drums are as much a part of the music as the guitar parts!

[T Prior]

Originally Posted by woodman

It just took a while to get it through my thick skull that drums are as much a part of the music as the guitar parts!

ok but never repeat that on a "drummer" forum or at a band rehearsal ! ( Rob excluded of course )

[woodman]

Originally Posted by T Prior

ok but never repeat that on a "drummer" forum or at a band rehearsal !

Oh god no! This is just between us guitar players. Can't let them whangbangers git above their raising!

[ScatMan]

Dang "Drummers"!

Me about 30 years ago:



I might've been offended if I was smart enough to know what you git-fiddlers were talkin' about.

[woodman]

Haha! Great pic. That kit's got all the bases covered for '80s fare! But since you straddle the fence between gits and drums, you've undoubtedly heard all the drummer jokes and are thus immune from the sardonic "humor." ... Do you lay down real drum tracks for your projects nowadays?

[woodman]

Well, here it was last day of the sale, and I splurged on the Jazz kit hoping for some good swing samples. ... Will probably add the Groove Monkee jazz suite later on.

[joyster]

I have to say I much prefer Jamstix (using EzDrummer as the sample engine) - so much easier to get a human-sounding drum track.

Just my humble opinion

[ScatMan]

Originally Posted by woodman

Do you lay down real drum tracks for your projects nowadays?

No, unfortunately. I don't have a room, much less a good sounding room to record live drums.

[Michael]

Here's the dumbest question I think I've ever asked. I'm running an iMac, OS 10.5.8. Yesterday, I bought the basic EZ Drummer and the Classic Rock expansion pack, hoping to get some sticks and brushes, which, by the way, don't seem to sound. It seems the only way I can open the program is using Toontrack Solo, which can't be right, can it? Every other program I use is easily identified, and can be dropped into the toolbar for quick access. There is no "EZ Drummer" icon that I can find. I installed the download to Macintosh HD, where all my programs go. For example, Amplitube Fender launches from there, or the icon on the toolbar. I know my learning curve is going to be steep, but I'd just like to know if I'm doing something pretty dumb at this point. Thanks for any help, and thanks Woodman for the heads up; I've been planning on getting a versatile drum programmer for some time. Anyone know how it works with GarageBand?