Poorly programmed drums - making them sound more natural

[fade_2_black]

I have recently recorded a local band and the drummer wasn't up to scratch with the tracks. Instead of playing all the tracks, I was given programmed kick tracks, however, the kicks are all at max velocity and sound extremely un-natural. Is there an easy way to fix this up? I'm fearing I'll have to do this manually - any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[LiberaScientia]

Use the humanize feature in your MIDI editor. Maybe set it to like 1% for timing and set the velocity to taste?

 

[mstone564]

I'd leave the kicks 100% on the grid. Just worry about alternating velocities for which foot hits harder than the other.

 

[Ascendant]

Right foot usually hits slightly harder than the left in double kick segments, so just select every other note and reduce the velocity a bit. For slower parts you can get away with randomizing slightly.

 

[fade_2_black]

Thanks guys. I am keen to keep the kicks right on the grid but perhaps might have to have a play around and go through the tracks to randomise velocities a bit. If only there was an easier way than to do it all manually; this is for a whole album!

 

[Plankis]

There is often repeating patterns in drums. Which means you can edit one part thoroughly and then copy/paste the rest. Much better results because you've hopefully taken into account what the songs wants accentuated and this method doesn't take that much of your time.

 

[neptunian]

Some resources for you:

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/f-o-h/628388-realistic-ssd-programming.html#post9403966
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep10/articles/drum-prog.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct99/articles/20tips.htm
http://www.loopers-delight.com/LDarchive/200312/msg00225.html

Randomization is alright, but there's also the left vs right foot/hand, and the intentional timing variations to convey feel or groove. Like playing slightly ahead of the beat, behind, accents on beats. To convey that feel, it has to be intelligently and manually edited as far as I know. To save time, I prefer choosing and customizing loops from MIDI drum packs since they were recorded by real drummers.

 

[meanmrmustad]

machine gun is good! not bad!!!

 

[-Noodles-]

machine gun is good! not bad!!!

One of the worst statements to make regarding fake-drums.

 

[Ascendant]

machine gun is good! not bad!!!

Sure, if you like lifeless and robotic sounding drums.

 

[fade_2_black]

Some resources for you:

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/f-o-h/628388-realistic-ssd-programming.html#post9403966
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep10/articles/drum-prog.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct99/articles/20tips.htm
http://www.loopers-delight.com/LDarchive/200312/msg00225.html

Randomization is alright, but there's also the left vs right foot/hand, and the intentional timing variations to convey feel or groove. Like playing slightly ahead of the beat, behind, accents on beats. To convey that feel, it has to be intelligently and manually edited as far as I know. To save time, I prefer choosing and customizing loops from MIDI drum packs since they were recorded by real drummers.

Great, thanks a lot! Will check these all out.