E-drum users with VST Plugs in here

[Kapo_Polenton]

I'm assuming most of us with e drums using VST programs like SD3, Addictive, SSD5 etc have some drumming experience. I finally have everything triggering as best I can and because I am using a real kit with triggers and mesh pads, it feels as close to the real deal as you can get. I find however though that even drumming with dynamics, you are always going to be at the mercy of your module but also just the limits of midi. The two big offenders for me are machine gun snare and hi hats. When I play hard, most of my snare work comes out as a machine gun on fast rolls. Hats don't always track with the dynamics I like. I was watching one of the SD3 tutorials and the guy was saying no matter how well you play, you will often have to go back in and fix up the nuances of your performance if you want it to sound realistic. It would seem as if their provided midi beats already are edited in a more human way so that the velocities are set so everything sounds more natural.

I'm wondering, do you guys find yourselves going back in after the fact reworking your snare and hats? I can't see any other way around it really. when you play hard on a real snare, because of how inaccurate we are hitting the center or the power of our L and R hands/arms, you naturally get variation and snap even if you are playing balls to the walls. Plugs just can't do that well no matter how careful you try to play. Ultimately, I suppose that it is less time tweaking hats and snare or toms vs the hours you have to do playing a real kit to nail all your parts over a few songs so it is a wash timewise. With a few clicks you can drag mistakes back on time or put in the hit you wanted etc. You are also back in the studio for a redo anytime you want no matter where you are. I guess I'm just bitching. I need to shut up and do more pushups like Phil Collen!

 

[Devin]

Absolutely. I think it's basically impossible to nail a perfect take on edrums (depending on how fast and/or complex the parts are)

But you can get pretty close; the editing shouldn't take that long

 

[PatF]

Try adjusting the velocity curve on your module. A bowed down curve. I really believe on edrums you need to play lighter. Real drummers don't like that but the threshold for a barking rimshot is way lower with elec kits.

 

[WarHed]

Dont forget to try the 'humanise' features to manipulate the midi, you can use it to mix up the note velocities (and timing if you like) to help elicit some dynamics

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I was playing with the velocity in the module and setting it lower to like 13 on the snare def made of rmore dynamics but then I had to work to get it up in SD3. So up to 16 but then i go for a trial run and my snare is a damn machine gun still. It was maxed out on all rolls lol. 121 velocity. So it is a trade off between the module being set better and how that translates to SD3. I'm wondering about how I can just mic and track my killer pearl maple snare with this kit and have it all line up. I can make do with everything else but the snare work is a bitch. Bass drums are interesting too, not enough velocity in SD3 even though the module says it is pumping and hitting the top bars on the graph. So many advantages with E kits but the snare dynamics, they just aren't there. I'm assuming they are probably better on a higher end module but even then I have my doubts. When you are into it, it is very hard to back off on the hitting.

 

[PatF]

https://www.audiofront.net/eDrumIn.php
They have a 4 input model for $150. It comes with really nice software to adjust and calibrate the trigger signal. Good with hats as well.

 

[BeZo]

That doesn't sound like anywhere near as much fun as yelling at a drummer.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

https://www.audiofront.net/eDrumIn.php
They have a 4 input model for $150. It comes with really nice software to adjust and calibrate the trigger signal. Good with hats as well.

I've seen this but besides defining the zones, it seems like you would run into the same issues with velocity spiking and machine gunning. I suppose the zones would make it less uniform though. I need to investigate... after a while all this calibration and messing around takes time though. I spent two hours the other night playing with settings in SD3. I could have mic'd my kit in that time. I wish i had a live room or semi treated room in my basement, always liked the sound of my kit no matter how raw and few mics I used. 57's on toms, 52 on kick, 81's on overhead. Done.