Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

By the time I get thru programming the drum machine(PC program),
I've lost the concept of the original song. It's frustrating. It takes so long to get the beat entered into the program, I'm tired and the inspiration is all but gone for the tune that was in my head. Anybody else got this problem, or just me? And what's to do about it?
Signed,
-Frustrated

Write it down in a way that you'll understand it later on. Record it on real drums. If you don't have em, record yourself beatboxing it.

Uh, I got a drummer! It's so easy. I just say ok Steve lets rock!!!!!
Thumpity thump tink tink crash!!!!!
Its a good thing too. As I am technochallenged.

To keep the original idea record it with a beat that doesn't do it justice. Jusst do it quickly or do it w/o a beat. Then go back and program. Or better yet do on online clollab with a drummer. Send him the sketch with a simple beat let him record drums and send you the naked drums.

Sounds like some good ideas!
Yeah, of course real actual people are the best (e.g.- a band ) I'm gettin tired of playing with machines, but unless I up and moved (would have to divorce the wify too ) and move closer to a town or city (musicians) or find somebody within ~1/2 hour of the house (not likely, doesnt look like at this time ) I'm stuck for now w/ the PC for a musical instrument.
Anyway, Thanks y'all for the ideas, I'll give 'em a try!

Depending on what program you’re using could get a MIDI pad, Alesis makes a decent one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=MIDI+Drum&st=


M-Audio has one listed for $150.00 comes with Ableton lite editing software. If you can do live pattern editing, it removes the awkwardness of step programming.

Thats looks fun. Thanks Lalong. I'll try one when I get some cash. (Cant buy much nowadays.. tight times for the moment.. ) Thanks for the input.
I've got a set of Yamaha drumpads that I've had for years but the finger things might be easier for a non-drummer such as myself. I'm kinda clumsy and in-accurate with the sticks.

I play drums but I have to say although they are useless for live play I get a good idea of what I am doing using DD50 drums. Basically just a set of pads on the cheep from yamaha.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/i ... eb&fr=moz2

Assuming you can't afford a $100 drum machine with 400 pre-programmed rhythms in it, whych also allows to to string them together . . .
(look into it) . . .
.
Here's another idea.
First - go back and read what neanderpaul wrote.
.
Then - go to Looperman.com
Sign - up - it's no big deal.
Then download a few hundred FREE drum tracks and find something close.
Listen first - a lot of them really suck . . .
But if you should do this, be willing to spend hours doing it. There are a LOT of drum tracks available . . .

oh man, I totally get ya there mate.
I've farted around with sound forge /acid loops, power tracks , a few other drummy widgets...darn near almost bought a cheapie midi set just so I could play em meself.
That would be the best solution..alas 3 kids/single income = noway jack
keep tryin to program...

Heh- yeh inbetween jobs- hopefully not too much longer. I've got a cd with 1000s of loopables (a lot of drums I think) came with the adobe audition program. (called "loopology" )
Just havent listened to hardly any of 'em yet. It's a big time sink. Not alot of time to spare these days. Thanks you-all -- great ideas!

Thanks Sentient, I may look for one of those. I appreciate everyones input!!

ZXYZ wrote:By the time I get thru programming the drum machine(PC program),
I've lost the concept of the original song. It's frustrating. It takes so long to get the beat entered into the program, I'm tired and the inspiration is all but gone for the tune that was in my head. Anybody else got this problem, or just me? And what's to do about it?
Signed,
-Frustrated

Get a cheapo sound-recorder and hum a few bars. If you can't afford one, call your home phone and leave a message, but don't let the Mrs hear it or you'll never live it down

Seriously tho, a sound-recorder is pretty darn useful, especially if you're on the road and a groove mysteriously pops into your mind that you don't want to lose.

Cheers

Yeh I finally got my olympus sound recorder back (from my Mom's- i hate to be an indian-giver but -- oops politically incorrect -- ok- thats ok i got some cherokee blood in me -- ) she never used it- didnt know what it was, so wtf.. and yep it's useful for humming a few barz.. good idea - thanx dude... Actually i've done it b4 and sometimes couldnt make sense out of "bum-dah-de-dum-dum-dum" but about 50% of the time it can be retrieved.. lol... yep...