[RacerX29]

Just to follow up. I’ve been using EZDrummer for the last two weeks and I have now re-created the drum loops for several more of my songs.

I have to say, EZDrummer is phenomenal! There were a couple of songs with some very aggressive kick drum patterns. I just took my time and placed the MIDI notes where they needed to be. I can achieve some realistic sounds by adjusting the velocity of the hit.

My other thought is that I got spoiled by the free drum loop WAV files that I downloaded. There were some amazing patterns and really nice sound effects on the drums. Whoever made them knew what they were doing. Since I made songs on top of those grooves, it was impossible to find patterns, from the default EZDrummer grooves, that would fit. That brings up the issue that EZDrummer’s basic grooves are bit “bland” and more generic in their design. The question is, will I still write convincing songs? Maybe that’s what you are after. Having a “spicy” drum beat to base the rest of the song on while you are writing/creating it.

This is where the expansion packs come in, I’m hoping. I haven’t installed the two expansion packs I bought, yet. I’m still trying to go through all of the songs I already have. I’m hoping that the expansions have a good variety of high quality grooves – I’ll find that out soon.

[RacerX29]

I’m curious, which software package do you have? Is it just EZDrummer? Do you have any expansions? I’ve never seen Superior Drummer, so I can’t comment on that.

Here’s my opinion. I’ve been making music for a while now, just for myself with a few friends. I’ve been using free drum loops that I found online. Some of these loops are amazing and I have used them to create songs. I was thinking that I might have the potential to sell some of my songs and I don’t want any copyright problems. These drum loops were free but may not be royalty free. That’s why I got EZDrummer.

Now then, I haven’t been able to find ANY preset beats that match up with the songs I have written. I can find a pattern that is close and it’s in time but it doesn’t “fit.” That’s where the power of MIDI note editing comes in. I have been able to reproduce the drum patterns for (4) of my songs so far. EZDrummer’s preset patterns didn’t work, so I made my own. But the presets are a decent starting point.

If that’s something you don’t want to do, then you should look at buying an expansion that is in your style of music and see if there are patterns closer to your desire. Otherwise, just go in and build your own patterns. That’s what I’m doing.

Does this kinda answer your question?

[RacerX29]

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.

I think found my answer:

So, you have answered that it can’t be done automatically in EZDrummer. I found that it worked perfectly the way I described in the last paragraph of my original post.

ORIGINAL: RacerX29
I guess I could just split out one measure of the MIDI pattern and then manually go in and start moving the velocity control for each strike higher and higher as it gets closer to the transition. Is there some function that does this automatically?

It is freaking awesome! I am starting to get the hang of EZDrummer. Since there was no auto feature for this, I’m realizing that I’m going to be editing the MIDI notes in the DAW MIDI editor frequently. I am using Reaper v4.

I used this for a fill when the drummer hits the snare, kick , and a tom, at the same time, along with the tempo – for an intro. The hits start soft and get harder and end when the main beat starts. So, I just copied the three note hits to eight spots spaced evenly. Then I made the velocity go from softer to harder progressively at each set of strikes in the MIDI editor. I couldn’t find a preset fill that did this.

It sounds absolutely realistic. Hope this helps someone and if anyone else has any tips, I’d love to hear them. I’ve only had EZDrummer for a week.

[RacerX29]

Aha! I’ve got EZDrummer and Drums from Hell in my cart at Amazon.com but I always try to save money whenever I can. I’m close to buying it. But if I ordered it today and then next week it were to go on special promo sale, I’d be a little distraught. 🙁 Thanks for the tip.

[RacerX29]

Thanks.

[RacerX29]

Thank you so very much. I want to be clear on it. It probably won’t even matter but I just wanted to know. Thanks again for the info.

[RacerX29]

Thanks for the info and the quick response! (sorry, more questions)

1. So, I can use it and I would be able to sell MP3s/CDs/WAVs (any type of format) of the songs I make with it? Also, there’s no limitation on where I could sell the songs?

2. But I couldn’t create custom drum loops and sell them? That would be competition to EZDrummer?

3. Or, do you mean I can’t sell your “factory” drum loops? ( to me, that’s obviously illegal – I would never do that)

4. Do I have to note in the credits, of anything I sell, that the drums were created in EZDrummer?

I just want to be clear because I am like most people, I’m not a copyright lawyer and I don’t read the EULAs.

This would be similar to buying a Yamaha snare drum and selling songs made with it – that’s perfectly legal. BUT if I started making copies of the actual drum and selling them as genuine Yamahas, that would be illegal. Right?

All this because I’m assuming/hoping that there are people out there that might want to buy my creations – I know, that’s a long shot! But I’m being positive!

[Author]

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