Best Budget Drums - Steven Slate vs EZ vs KitCore

[mazz]

I don't think using MIDI loops played by a pro drummer is cheating any more than triggering samples yourself from an e-kit or a trigger finger or whatever. If I had the budget, I'd be hiring Hugh McCracken or one of those other guys that do drum tracks online, and maybe some day I will. There's nothing like a real, great drummer (or any other instrumentalist for that matter). But for the day in and day out, down and dirty quick needs of production music, there's nothing like these new drum software instruments. Again, if you know what you're doing putting the MIDI files together and during the mix, you can get really incredible drum tracks that will totally work musically. Listening and studying (and playing with) great drummers certainly helps when putting the MIDI grooves together. None of these things will replace musicianship chops, but if you have good ears and skills, it's completely do-able.Hurray for technology,Mazz

[southpaw]

^l l -- What he said.

[slideboardouts]

I went ahead and ordered Addictive from musicians friend. I've been putting off getting better drum sounds for a while and with AD getting rave reviews from everyone and costing under $100...I just couldn't help myself -Steve

[mojobone]

Just want to note that all the AD samples are 24-bit, not just the cymbals-it's a personal pet peeve of mine that I simply can't put up with 16-bit cymbals; snares kicks, toms, okay, but....

[partyofone]

hey guys,Mazz great points and helpful as usual so thanks! Yeah I truly feel lucky to have these tools around. One thing is that although I've studied mixing awhile I have yet to feel good at it... so I appreciate these instruments that require minimal tweaking. And I'm probably splitting hairs on this whole thing tbh...B Flat that's some nice feedback from someone who plays v-drums. I like that they're less raw sounding as it makes it easier for lazy guys like me! Matt thanks for another AD vote.Dan.. oh yeah I remember your tune.. cool stuff and the drums DO sound very NICE! It's been very helpful getting everyone's feedback that have actually used them. I don't think Slate stuff is as widely used yet but over on gearslutz.com those guys go bananas over it.

[Mark Kaufman]

Apr 12, 2009, 12:01pm, slideboardouts wrote:I went ahead and ordered Addictive from musicians friend. I've been putting off getting better drum sounds for a while and with AD getting rave reviews from everyone and costing under $100...I just couldn't help myself -SteveThat's what happened with me and the Behringer V-Verb, being blown out for $79 at Musician's Friend. I've come to ignore the very word "Behringer", but started reading about this unit with the same raves from some reliable voices at gearslutz comparing it to excellent Lexicon units...bang, pulled the trigger.But had I known about this...I could pull the trigger again, but it would be on credit...and isn't that how this global financial meltdown happened?

[partyofone]

Ha ha Mark I guess SO! Bummer though.Don't tell any gear slutz but I bought a Behringer monitor switcher for like $40 and one of the most useful pieces of gear I've bought. Allows me to switch between 3 monitors and also listen to mixes in mono. Oh yeah also has a talk back mic. Only downside is it's plastic and constantly shifts around.Keith I'll report my findings for sure... as everyone has said I'm sure all 3 options will be great and it'll be minor differences. I may just get Steven Slate for the simple fact that no one here has it and I can report my findings.

[mojobone]

Apr 13, 2009, 7:53am, partyofone wrote:Hey Mojo the site is slightly confusing because I thought I'd have to have an external player too but after some additional digging I think only previous versions had to have BFD, Drumagog, or Kontakt but as of version 3.0 they have a custom Kontakt player.http://stevenslatedrums.com/index.php?o ... mid=61Yeah, didn't mean to confuse anyone, the current version works as a standalone or VST, it's just there are already a couple of BFD libraries I'm already interested in, as well, and I'd like to avoid learning yet another sampler.

[partyofone]

Ha ha yeah Mojo... I'm trying to avoid jack of all, master of none syndrome that gear lust can lead to.Guys, I REALLY appreciate everyone's input here and as Mazz said I don't think there is a bad decision to be made... I know there was overwhelmingly positive response to the AD deal and I'm still really torn because each one seems to have it's strengths and own sound, but in the interest of trying something different I've decided to go with the Steven Slate Drums. One day I'll probably own them all because as Chuck said you can't have too many drums options. I will post some demos soon and report my experience!

[jonathanm]

I just pulled the trigger on AD. Have been running the free demo for some time now, and couldn't believe it when I read in this discussion that musiciansfriend.com had it for $99.95.I usually buy from sweetwater.com just 'cause I like their service and follow up (not to mention pricing). But I called 'em and they couldn't match the price...they even said to buy it. I'm stoked! Carter, you should get a commission on the sale!