EZ drummer

[HA_DA_JA]

Hey does any one use EZDRUMMER.
I see audio media has a no brainer deal on ezdrummer with ezmix for just US$99.

http://audiomidi.us1.list-manage.com/tr ... 7ac0e63a90


I do need some sort of drum program I have been using free lite version of BFD and I do like that but is this the same sort of thing?

Cheers

[SteveL]

Hi Dale,

I use EZD as well as Superior Drummer 2. For $99 bucks with EZMix it's great value, I'd say go for it with no hesitation. It's a great sounding drum programme that is extremely simple to use, comes with a lot of midi grooves that you can edit to suit. It's been established now for long enough that there are also a wide range of expansion libraries for it as well in many styles from electronic to nashville drums. The EZD libraries will load into SD2 too which is deeper and more programmable, and you will have an upgrade path I would imagine from EZD to SD2 should you wish. It really is a no-brainer at $99!

Steve

[ChrisW]

I have a Superior library with my name on it, plus a couple of EZX's, one of which was released just over a month ago:
https://www.toontrack.com/products.asp?item=95

Disclosure over.
I was mucking about with EZmix the other day and I really liked it.
It's more of an instant fx machine than a serious mix tool, but the delays, bit crushers, compressors etc are all really great. Lots of fun. And just the thing to whack on drum ambience etc....
*I don't know who designed it and I have no financial interest in it whatsoever*

[chribble]

i demod stuff like this a while ago and found the room always sounded false

is this still the case - or are drum programs good now?

i think i tried bfd?

i just use my own drum sample that i cut in idrum... but yeah would be nice to have expansion kits.

[ChrisW]

I think they are improving greatly over time.
Sadly, I haven't found any places in Oz where you can demo EZdrummer or Superior.
Often stores have BFD, but I'm not sure if you can demo it.

[HA_DA_JA]

How heavily involved were you Chris?
Can I ask you any tech questions I might have about the product?
E.G. I was thinking of buying the New Alesis DM10 Studio Electronic Kit and hooking that up to Ez drummer on a laptop as a sound source for both recording and live playing. Will the EZ drummer program map/trigger to electronic drums?
I am a novice to midi and triggering with drums or anything to do with midi.
Cheers

[HA_DA_JA]

Actually just to let you know I did pull the trigger and I have bought the program. Is anyone interested in feedback on it?

[chribble]

hey yes i am.
what is it like with midi input?

I have a roland hd1 kit which can do the midi out.
Is there latency - and are you using core audio or a soundcard when playing live?

[ChrisW]

I'm not an expert on v-drums.
One big thing about EZdrummer is it is not capable of midi learn. The note per kit piece is set, therefore you have to change the note spat out by your pad to trigger the correct sounds. I believe some v-drums (at the cheaper end) can't do this. Also, some people find it frustrating editing their v-drums just to use drum software. The kit notes in EZdrummer are 'standard GM format'. Superior is fully customizable by the way.
On the flip side, one of the strengths of EZdrummer is it's onboard midi library. All the expansions come with different midi libraries, and you can buy midi file only packs from Toontrack and 3rd parties that will work well with both Ezdrummer and Superior. Platinum Samples have a couple of great midi libraries, one by Steve Ferrone, one by Peter Erskine ($40 US each I think).
The midi library for my EZX (The Classic) features some of the songs I've been known for over my career.
Starting out with real drummer played midi triggering EZdrummer, it's very easy to edit the grooves and fills and come up with something unique and appropriate for you music, while retaining the feel of a real drummer.
Pros are using EZdrummer and the sounds have ended up on commercial releases. However, it is designed as an easy to grasp tool, that gets sounds and grooves going quickly, perfect for demoing and songwriting. Superior is Toontrack's full blown, recording drum software.
I can answer a lot of questions as I've been associated with Toontrack since 2005. However, as I say, I'm not particularly a v-drummer and not completely across all the computer technical side of things.

[TimS]

Another EZD and Superior Drummer 2 user here - great libraries and good sounds.
I really like their Nashville kit - used it a lot for stuff..
Although I have seen BFD2 in full flight and the tones and sounds in that are very impressive.