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A recent thread has inspired me to look into some of the new drum software that's currently available. I'm looking to retire my drum machine and even though I also collaborate with great drummers via the internet, that can quickly add up. My only hold up is that i don't actually record with a computer. I use an Akai dps24, though it is somewhat computer compatible. My question is: Could I buy some software, flesh out all the drums in my computer and wind up with a stereo mix that I could then import to my Akai? Also, about how much does drum software cost and is it easy to program? Thanks for your help.-Dax

You could certainly get something like EZ Drummer or Addictive Drums and run them on your computer. You'd need a few other things as well to make it work:1. A host program to host the drum software and play back MIDI files to trigger the sounds. There's low or no cost software out there that would help with this.2. Some type of hardware to do MIDI and audio. I'm assuming your Akai has a MIDI out on it. You could use this to sync the computer to the tempo of your piece if you can set that in the Akai.You could construct your drum part ahead of time and export it as a wav file and import it in to the Akai. You'd still need the software and some way to hear what you're doing but you wouldn't need a fancy interface to connect the two devices.Hope this helps,Mazz

Thanks Mazz, that does help alot. My Akai does have the Midi capabilities, do then need a midi jack on my computer?

Sept 8, 2008, 6:33am, diogenes wrote:My question is: Could I buy some software, flesh out all the drums in my computer and wind up with a stereo mix that I could then import to my Akai? Also, about how much does drum software cost and is it easy to program? Thanks for your help.-DaxHi Dax,Mazz' advice is good. I am enjoying EZdrummer®. It is easy to use, sounds great, and only costs about $150.Good Luck,Al

Yes, you'll need a MIDI jack on your computer. That's pretty easy to do, there's inexpensive USB devices out there that will do the job just fine.If you want to output audio, you'll need an audio interface as well. There are devices that incorporate MIDI and audio and are pretty much plug and play, even with Windows, if that's what you use.Good luck!!Mazz

EZdrummer is on sale now at Musician's Fiend "er ah , I mean Friend" for $99.http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... B&ZYXSEM=0

Meaning the 'bigger, better faster, more' replacement is due any day now; I think they made an announcement at summer NAMM...