lowdown

It is a DAW, but it has a collection of virtual Instruments which includes drum racks and drum samplers. The collection (if any) of midi files is nothing compared to EZ and others. But there are plenty knocking around to purchase and indeed many free ones out there. Midi editing in Ableton is very flexible with plenty of tricks available.

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1400054177' post='2450162'] PC only... Still not sure about EZ Drummer; would I be better spending the money upgrading to Ableton intro for the extra tracks and sequencing capability? And there's always Looperman! [/quote] The full version (3 variations I think) comes with drum samplers and software synths. How many you get depends on what version level you upgrade to. There are also add on sound and instrument packs you can purchase at any time as you go along. Personally with what can be done in Ableton, both acoustically/electronically and virtual, I would upgrade and maybe revisit Ez or another vendor at a later date. The different versions. https://www.ableton.com/en/live/feature-comparison/

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1399973931' post='2449420'] Can't you just sit in front of the mirror for that. [/quote] Have you tried getting a good mirror these days ? And when the 'Bass Face' breaks it - Seven years bad luck. I have seen some great video players on da tube, but there is a massive amount of cack as well.

A keyboard is ideal really, playing in notes (even for drum patterns) gives you much more expression, and of course the human touch - Any clam notes or loose timing, along with sloppy mod wheel use is easily fixed after.

[quote name='jakenewmanbass' timestamp='1399969428' post='2449354'] Bass: Easy to play, a lifetime to master. [/quote] Indeed. Churchill and Beecham would have approved.

^^^^^ These days you don't need a keyboard/midi controller with a sequencer onboard, The DAW is the sequencer. As for a Drum machine, same again, all programming can be done within the DAW. This would just involve 'painting' in the notes, or indeed just using midi files. Ableton is great for this stuff, so you are sorted on the DAW front. Maybe check out all the great YouTube tutorial videos out there and you Will be up and running pretty quickly.

MDrummer do a cut down demo, very much worth a look. As Dad said, It has a lot of variation and very natural sounding. There is a lot of cool mixing and matching of grooves. As well as the usual x32 and x64, it is also VST3 as well. All these companies that do not do demo's in this day and age should really pull their finger out. As always it comes down to your ears/available funds and work flow, and as there are so many Of these drum samplers around, everyone will have an opinion based on different needs. However, Ez does seem to get a reasonable amount of thumbs up.

Bicarbonate of soda solution for ear wax. Since using it (4years), I have not had any need for syringing.

Now that Notion notation software has been taken over by Presonus, There is a sale on....just under £32.00 download. Eight gig of excellent sounds, and if you use Miroslav, Templates built in so you can use the articulations and sounds from that library as well. Really is one of the easiest notation programmes to use, And becoming very popular. Plenty of tutorials on YouTube. https://shop.presonus.com/products/notion-prods/Notion-4

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1399239039' post='2442404'] Good point, but I didn't need glasses back then. Or a Zimmer frame... or Viagra... *mumbles to self and starts pointlessly rummaging through drawer* [/quote] I take it you now live in God's waiting room (Bournemouth), And own a Guest House?

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1399205785' post='2442026'] I'm a drummer. I get asked sod all. [/quote] Not even.... (At pre show/cabaret rehearsal with a local dep drummer in Jersey) MD - Can you play 16's in the 8 bar intro please.... Drummer - Sorry, I am playing as fast as I can......

Well done Skol...Very nice track.

Well, my view on that picture..... Just some yob, lying on the roof of the entrance lobby of some high rise in Peckham, With an Alien attack going on behind him. Ridley Scott/Bernard Herrmann/The Trotters pastiche.......

Why not leave this one open in case the other one is locked again.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1398955214' post='2439397'] I am beating the Sausage.... [size=4] [/size] [/quote] God, I hope you don't win. I dread to think what the picture image would be.

Just had a listen and voted. Good stuff folks..!

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1398759327' post='2437209'] I find it has matured immensely, but at a cost. [/quote] Indeed...... Also the notation application within has been greatly improved.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1398708306' post='2436825'] I just tend to use Logic. There are some ok drum loops in there, and I just play in II/V/I's or whatever and practice over them. There's iReal for iPhones and iPads, that's supposed to be very good. [/quote] Hey Ambient..... Not sure you know this site, but there are tons of trio backing tracks (all real book standards - mp3). They are all free no charge to download. There is Bass on the tracks, but they are great for playing/practising the heads and soloing. http://www.ralphpatt.com/Backing.html How are you getting on with Spitfire ?

What's wrong with Band in the Box for Mac ?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398678502' post='2436372'] Mmm... Pot Noodle. [/quote] Is that Cambodian Fret wa#"ing ?

The only way I would have done that, was If there was absolutely no dep available. So top marks mate.

Some of the talk from this thread seems to be about 'making it', 'the dream'. Full time Musicians (mostly these days) make the bulk of their earnings from Professional pit/show west end/touring work (You can always dep it out to live your dream). Add on top of that, teaching (if you are good at it), any depping on other functions/gigs/cruise/acts etc, Sessions (they are still out there), media music work/library/production companies, Orchestrating, transcribing for midi file companies, copying (Sibelius/Finale etc) for show companies And school Orchestra/band parts. Music tech teaching/assisting..the list goes on and on. A lot of this of would need sight reading skills, good knowledge of theory, good ears etc, But that's why successful working musicians work, they have these skills (and contacts of course). You need to think out of the box, the work is there for freelancers, Bottom line, it can be hard work, but can/does have good financial rewards. Most of the people I know and work with/for have mortgages or houses paid for, Family's, holidays and don't live on Pot Noodles or eat their pets. Just my view from another corner. Carry on.

Or if you are using iPad..... Anytune Pro + (£10.50) There is free cut down version. Fantastic app, great for transcribing.

It's pretty much been summed up in the Dingus post But again,The Baked Potato really is worth a visit, usually some top, top Musicans on show. LA is my Lady...Love the place.

Hey mate, those two tracks sound great.... Enjoy the gig.