Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Like anything, a drum machine plays what YOU put into it. If one is not familiar enough with it to give it 'human'-type responses, then yes, you might as well play to windshield wipers. In theory, I prefer to play w/ a live drummer, too. But I've gotten very satisfying sounds by doing things like not quantizing the high hat, skipping an occasional eighth note, and physically playing the individual song parts (verse, chorus)into a sequencer and NOT using the same 'verse' section or same fills every time. A lot is also in the way you mix it. I've convinced some 'purists'by mixing the more 'ticky' sounding parts (like hat) a bit further back. The consistent 'time' issue should be a good thing, but if you program it to sound like a robot, it will... p.s. - Another good thing about drum machines is they don't have funky breath or bitchy girlfriends to deal with...

I agree with Steve's above comments. One other "trick" I use while utilizing a drum machine is to play it live while the programmed song is playing. My old Oberhiem's allow one to punch a snare, cymbal or any other note while the programmed song is playing (slightly off adds the human touch). Note: I only use D.M.s on home demos.

Thanks for the "liner" notes Roy. I am enjoying the music and philosophy of this track. I am sure the melody would have shone through regardless of the arrangement and production. Just a tad too digital for me to like it straight away. But he continues to sing and record, for which I admire him.

Yes that song could grow on me, it has a nice feeling to it.
And after carefully contemplating your posts about how to make them sound more "human" I have rethought my position about canned dr, errr... I mean synthesizors, I think they should all be recycled, no reason to fill up the moon with junk, haha!

Ah what did we start here! Analogue vs Digital. I can see visualize the Analogue hordes descending on us converts and digital-trekies like Genghis Khan to an unsuspecting village.

This is not what this section of the thread was supposed to be all about. It started with a song by BV. Oh well. Thanks guys though, for riding to my rescue. I was being surrounded and probably about to lynched for my sacrilegious musings.

Digital is OK in my books. I would love to play with people in a band. I just despise all the acrimony that usually (in my experience anyway) goes along with that experience.

Hey Roy,

Just a thought. Your man Jeff may have been using Roland digital drum pads for his sound. Then again it may have been a home demo that they decided to release? Something to look into when you get five minutes?

Another 'humanizing' trick when using digital drums is use kick and snare,leave out the hi hat and mic a shaker/egg to do the eighth notes 'naturally'. Any hand percussion will help,assuming it's okay in the arrangement.

http://www.rockhouseproductions.com/studio/index.htm

Brian.

As you correctly observe no desire for the thread to become a discussion on technical issues, but for the sake of trying to resolve the issue, this link is the studio where that recording was made, it may be of interest to some of you. Some one mentioned it may be a demo, it certainly is not, it is from an album called I wouldn't change a thing, in fact provided anyone wants it I could post BV's modern version of his biggest hit Take Good Care Of My Baby,it would I am sure surprise you all. I really like BV as you can tell and it is a nice touch when one can send a general enquiry to a website and get a personal reply.

Please post Take Good Care Of My Baby.

I for one would love to hear it.

Looked at the site. No drum machine in evidence that I could see. I have never played a Roland D50 (that was listed on the site) so I am not sure if it has the same capabilities as my keyboard. I have a Roland XP-50 work station and you can play drums on it.

Overall a good mix of analogue and digital equipment. Gotta love it. I could spend weeks in a place like that. Hmmm maybe months?

TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY - THE NEW MILLENNIUM VERSION
Hope you like it Brian

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2APXDBFT4QGSL0JKB66OA1PQ5R

Wow!!!!!!!

What a nice arrangement. As Simon Cowell would say his voice is a bit wobbly and pitchy in spots but, having said that I really like this recording.

He nailed this unplugged version in my estimation.

sorry for going off topic, Roy.

Jerry we all contributed to the meandering. So I don't see the need for you alone to apologize. I was on a slippery slope so to speak, (open mouth, speak mind, type many words) so it was good to get your support on the issue.

Thanks and we are back on track now.

Yes Jerry absolutely no need for apology with so many of you guys being musicians understandable, just need to keep a balance.

Whoa!!! Now that you guys are all done sanctifying BV's current persona:

DREADFUL. Whatta crock. Brian, what did he nail? This sounds like something I'd hear at the Holiday Inn in Podunk at 2 am after last call. Pure, unadulterated, gunky schmaltz. Ugh. Did he record this from his hospital bed?

Boring, ill-conceived, soporific. I want to remember BV as he was in the 60s and let it go at that. I'll pretend I never heard this wreck.