Addictive Drums

[crs7string]

Drum core used to be my goto drum kit. I then got Stylus RMX and I now use that 90% of the time. In fact, I don't have DC installed any longer - but it does have some nice stuff there.

I don't have either AD or Superior - but I have been looking at AD for some time now and I think when I get around to it, it will be my next Drum kit. I don't know about the development of it, I have been waiting for news of a 64 bit version and somewhere on their forums, they said they were working on it. But that has been a while now.

kc

Kayle,

I'm using the 32 bit version in Sonar 64 bit and it is very stable with JBridge.

Chuck

[remmet]

So, I conveyed to the Sweetwater rep the overwhelming consensus among my peers toward AD, and he wondered whether the comments about Drumcore were based on the latest version (DC 3) or on an earlier, and presumably less spiffy, version. I think the product is disadvantaged by the lack of audio demos available. Hopefully they're working on that.

Richard

[mazz]

I haven't installed DC3 yet, I upgraded at the Rally but with the studio move, etc., it hasn't happened. I just unpacked the disks at the studio yesterday. If I get some time, I'll do a comparison and post it here.

[matto]

My comments are based on DC 3. I don't own the previous versions.

I'm in the middle of assembling a list of comments/feature requests for Sonoma. I think the basic concept behind the software is great, but there are IMHO significant flaws in the execution.

[kclements]

I agree with Matt - there is something about DC that just rubs me the wrong way. I really never got it to fit in with my work flow, where as RMX fit in immediately.

kc

[mazz]

Just to circle back around to Richard's comments regarding his Sweetwater "Sales Engineer's" recommendations. I know Sweetwater has a good reputation but it's important to remember that the first word in their title is: Sales. I'd be willing to bet that they are instructed behind the scenes to steer customers towards some items that the managers want them to push for whatever reasons not related to how good it necessarily is or what the customer actually needs and wants. I'm not saying this happens all time, but there is some reason they are pushing DrumCore over something like Superior or AD. DC would have to make some really significant improvements to bring it up to the level of those, IMO and even though I haven't used 3.0 yet, I'm inclined to trust matto before I trust the guy who makes his living selling this stuff. It's good that Richard did some further research rather than putting his entire trust in the SW guy. I know they're nice folks and pretty knowledgeable, according to their ads, most of them are musicians, but they are ultimately in business to sell, so just keep that in the back of your mind.

I'm not trying to diss DC, but for Richard, I think it's too limited, for someone who needs more basic stuff and as a launchpad for learning drum programming, it could be a viable option. So to bring it back to the OPs original subject (wait a minute, I'm the OP!! LOL!), AD is great for pro work and is highly flexible.

Mazz

[remmet]

Thanks Mazz (and Matt, et al.) for the helpful comments. I definitely always take a salesperson's recommendations with a grain of salt for the very reasons Mazz listed. I give a lot of weight to my peers who are familiar with these products, who use them for similar purposes as I would, and who don't have financial motives attached to their recommendations. It's what makes forums like this absolutely invaluable!

I can't wait to buy AD and bring out my inner Ginger Baker, Elvin Jones, Ringo Star, Hal Blaine, etc. (fill in the blank). (I'm not dating myself, am I?)

Richard

[crs7string]

As one who believes you can't have too many options for drums, I turn to AD, Superior Drummer 2.0, Stylus RMX, and on occasion Drumcore 3.0 for drum and percussion track.

In addition, I use Stormdrum and True Strike 1&2 and Elite Orchestral Percussion.

Each program has it's strengths and weakness. Each program has a personality. When I can't get exactly what I want out of Superior Drummer, Addictive Drums may fit the bill precisely.

So, I don't think the idea of one versus another is neccesarily the absolute correct perspective.

And, if you can pick up AD or Superior Drummer in one of the many sales that come about it isn't even necessarily a big financial decision to have multiple options available to you.

It's kind of like having many choices of which wrench to use if you were a plumber. It might not be necessary to have five wrenches, but it might make your work a little easier to do.

Chuck

[mazz]

Or you could just use the wrenches to hit the drums with.

[mojobone]

I'd be willing to bet that they are instructed behind the scenes to steer customers towards some items that the managers want them to push for whatever reasons not related to how good it necessarily is or what the customer actually needs and wants.


Mazz

Nope. Most Sweetwater reps are musicians with DAWs, and if your guy recommends it, it's most likely because he uses it himself, though Chuck's people are trained to ask LOTS of questions to make sure an item is appropriate to your workflow and your music. Pushing higher-profit items to make a short term buck just ain't how they do business; they want repeat customers and they get 'em in spades. I have run into a couple of SW guys that were dorks; (one was a new guy, the other had just transferred from working the phones to the retail store) by the time I got around to asking about them, they'd already been let go. I'm gonna take a look at DC3; make sure I'm not missing out. Bottom line, I shop Sweetwater more for the advice than the price.