Circus Hands

XLN Audio Proper drum samples,multi-velocity,stacks of midi files,plays in time and doesn't moan and whinge like a real drummer....sorted!I don't use anything else.

that looks good - 250 bucks though!

The kits/mics/rooms used in sample banks of BFD etc are generally awesome/expensive as fuck and far outwith the reach of us non studio owner types. i think a properly set up midi kit with a shit hot sample bank will give you a far better drum track than a mic'd up kit in a garage unless you spend a fucking fortune.

I just got a new soundcard with midi in (Oh aye) so I'll see whether or not I'm being a dirty liar when we next record round mine.

Oh and Underkills, if you get a computer/midi interface on the go give me a shout and I'll give you a hand setting it up.

Sounds good min, cheers. what sample bank do you use out of interest?

what kit is it?

really handy if youv got one one those brains with indivual outputs for each drum; helps for mixing to make it sound realistic.

Iv used my TD3 which only has a stereo out, just whacked a decent amount of compression on it, sat well, but you could tell, especially when it came to rolls/dynamics.

It's a TD3 that I've got too. It's things like the cymbal samples that I find aren't quite right. But I've got a few things to try now with this midi stuff.

The software drum set i'e addictive drums or BFD would definitely be the better option.But if you don't have that,my suggestion would suffice.I personally wouldn't faff about recording audio to then change it afterwards.

I like the idea of doing this, i.e. having the midi track to define what's been played and then playing around with the software kit to make it sound exactly like I want it to.

Would it just be easier for me to bankrupt myself and build that fucking garage I've got planning permission for, soundproof it, and mic up the acoustic kit??

Aye, pull your finger out FFS.

Try using them as a trigger for inputting midi notes into your sequencer,then when you playback the midi info into the module you can adjust individual volumes.Midi out of the module to midi in of computer,then midi out of your computer to midi in of the module....make sure you have them on the same midi channel.Hope this helps!

Ok, I think I know what you mean. But instead of taking the midi back to the drum module I could just take it as far as the laptop and record from there? Sounds like I need an evening of playing around with it. Cheers for the help!

Has anyone used v-drums for recording? We've been trying to record some stuff ourselves using our trusty 8-track, v-drums and various software on the laptop - Audacity, Garageband etc. I'm not convinced the v-drums sound that good, so am thinking that it might be the way that I'm recording them.

What we did was just take the output from the drum module to two inputs on the 8-track. Doing this, I don't have much control in how it sounds other than adjusting the volume for the whole kit at once. What I'd like to do is say, turn down the volume of ride cymbal and turn the floor tom up for example. I started reading up about using the MIDI interface to control a software drum kit, but to be honest I've not used MIDI before and don't know anything about it. Has anyone tried anything similar before, or got any tips that might help out?

Cheers

Are you using the Orange Livebox (or whatever it's called)? I'm on Orange on the Denburn exchange and I was getting between 1 and 2 Mbps when I signed up. Orange tech support were a bunch of cunts basically, and wouldn't recognise that I should be getting a higher speed. I ended up chucking the supplied router and using a Netgear one I had and after a couple of days I was getting a fairly constant 4 - 6 Mbps. From the research I did at the time, I think the supplied router was disconnecting all the time, and I think it needs a steady connection to get up to the higher speeds. The only reason I'm still with them is because I get it cheap from an old mobile phone contract. They are the worst company I've ever dealt with by far.

Rappers Delight - The Sugarhill Gang

Richard III - Supergrass

No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age

Around the World - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Common People - Pulp

Australia - Manic Street Preachers

Everlong - Foo Fighters

Cheers - I'm on vodafone....

I know (or have looked - can't remember off the top of my head) the tariffs etc for hooking up with vodafone.

Has anyone used the service though? Just wondering how reliable it is.

You would need to check if you get a 3G signal out at your new place. It'd probably be pretty slow if you don't. Saying that, you can buy pay as you go versions for next to nothing, so it'd be easy enough to find out how good it would be without signing up to a contract.

Someone reminded me of this gig today, so thought I'd share.

This is the song that got me into the Pumpkins, and it's probably what made me want to play drums. Immense!

My favourite story was guys in my year (I left in 5th year so actually missed it), went into the computing department and stole all the little balls out of the mouses/mice (whatever you call it). Mr Webster was the head of that department. They posted signs all over the top floor that said "Mr Webster has no balls"

Mr Webster apparently went mental, which was the best part of it. Anyone who knew Mr Webster knew he was a bit of a mentalist. He coached the rugby team, and was notorious for wandering around the PE changing room bollock naked. He was also the hairiest man in the world.

He also famously rugby tackled a guy in the corridor after they burst into the staff room with super-soakers and soaked all the teachers. Just about broke the poor guys arm.

to clarify, although the foam will help i use it more as a treatment for the walls to help prevent standing waves etc when recording and have put it inside a 'vocal booth' to help create some dead space to record vocals/guitars into.

However, if you did cover the whole room in it then I think it would help a little.

But yes insulating the gaps is where you'll help reduce most of the sound waves escaping.

Hmm, ok - I was slightly confused from reading up on the gaps between the inner and outer rooms. Some seemed to say that the best sound insulator would be air - thereby leaving the gap unfilled. Others seem to say that filling the gap with rockwool type stuff is the way to go. This sounds more plausible to me to be honest. I'm not sure that treating the internal room is the way to go, as it's unlikely I'll be doing any recording in it - just making loads of noise!

Are you saying Maxwell's mum is in the queue to punch Calum? That'd make sense, cos everyone does.

OUT!

that's exactly what I meant, yes.

The Underkills should be onstage at 10.15pm, so that works out perfectly for you

I'm really looking forward to this gig - it's been a while since we've played. Plus we've got the added bonus of watching Calum get punched a few times. Ace!

Which surely means everything else is forgiven, no?

I don't really have a disdain for any of the bars in Aberdeen. Clubs is a different matter altogether, I hardly like any of them.

Tropicana is the only club worth going to, just for the sheer cheesyness 8-)

the best way to defeat that shit is by being better than your opposition.............

So how do you cope then....?

There's a pretty good forum here -

John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum • Index page

Nice one! That's my afternoon sorted...

Cheers guys, thanks for the advice. I had a quote from an outfit called Noise Stop Systems and it all seemed good stuff they were selling. Bloody expensive though, so thought I'd ask around before committing to it.

I'll check out Sound on Sound too though.

Carpet on the walls and ceiling is a good start. If you look in the press and journal (or any other local paper) adverts you'll see people giving away carpet for free if you collect it from them. A few lengths of wood from B&Q to secure it.

A very good thing to have is a second door to create a room within a room. Build a frame to distance it from the actual door and fix wooden sheets to both sides. Carpet this as well on the side your drums are on. The second door creates an air gap which really stops the sound escaping. I've seen this second door air gap anything from a few inches to a few feet so whatever best suits the room will work fine

Yeah I'd thought about carpet but was unsure if it would actually help. And it is a room within a room I'm going to build, so hopefully it'll work. I've got a new kit sitting at my parents that I can't play - so frustrating!!

Anyone built a soundproof room for playing drums in? Things to look out for etc?

I realise it won't be completely soundproof, but I'm looking for a large reduction so that I can practice at home in my basement. I got a costing from a soundproofing supplier, but it's really expensive so I'd rather hear about some experiences before I splash the cash!

Fat Hippy Showcase

Friday 27th February

Full Line-up:

The Marionettes

The Underkills

Velvet Audio

The Tijuana Sun

View From The Top Floor

Will be a great gig, hope to see many of you there!!!!

It's going to be a great gig by the sounds of it

Kaiser Chiefs are one of the worst "big" bands I've ever heard. Every song they come out with sounds like something they've already done. Absolute pish.

bit harsh - he just stated his opinion!

Anyway, cheers to all the folks that replied constructively - I've passed on the info and told my mate to get his ass on here and talk to people himself!