The fact is that programming realistic, groovy drum parts is well within any desktop producer’s abilities. All you need is a MIDI sequencer, a quality sound source, and some insight into the rules, limitations, and standard practices that real drummers work to and within. But is it really worth the effort? Why not just use sampled loops of real drummers playing real drums to create your percussion parts?
While the above is always a wholly viable option, the results will be qualitatively different to what you’d get from building your own parts. You would have to choose a loop based on its particular production and rhythmic qualities, and you’d have a very finite level of control over them. Program your own drums, though, and you have total command over every element of the ‘performance’ – from the notes themselves to the sounds of the individual drums and cymbals. So, if you really want to take full ownership of your beats, building them yourself from the ground up is the way to go.
Same difference
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Computer Music.
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Explore Black Salt Audio's cm bundle
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