Recommended Drum Sequencers/Samplers

[Doom Monk]

Hi Guys,

First off, I can't really express how grateful I am for stumbling across this forum, especially the fact that you have a detailed production section, with a huge load of helpful peeps around.

So, my ordeal is as follows. I am trying to look around for a decent and easy to use Drum Sequencer, something like the one in Fruity Loops, however I'm going to be using it along with my DAW which is Sonar. Basically, I wish to layer my samples, create a loop and then drag the loop to the project file.

I do have a slight (maybe even a relatively minor) experience with sequencers and samplers. I was told that the best sequencer out there is Native Instrument's Maschine, however I looked up some tutorials and vids about it and it doesn't seem to be exactly what I want (however the samples in it are amazing). My main concern is that I'd ask what do you guys use, before I fork out a huge sum of money for Maschine.

Cheers

p.s. I think I did my fair search on the topic in the forum and I don't think it is mentioned in the stickied production tips thread.

[buttock]

i'd say this should do it

http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=4&tab=21

[-[2]DAY_-]

Reason.

[OlzaMK]

I'd take a VST over Reason any day. I really don't care for Redrum at all.

FXpansion is wicked and comes with a very diverse and big library of drum hits.
Worth every penny, I just had some troubles with it on my Windows setup. (well everythings a problem on my windows setup...)

I'd totally back up Guru. But are there any good free sequencer's out there?

[butt jolokia]

Poise

[FSTZ]

i'd say this should do it

http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=4&tab=21

1st post, best post

I've used this for years and it's great

[-[2]DAY_-]

Reason NNXT straight to ReWired hardware device's multi outs

Because reason's midi sequencer is brilliantly easy and capable

[symmetricalsounds]

doesn't sonar now have some fancy-ass drum sequencer? sure i read something about it somewere.

EDIT: info here http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan08/a ... h_0108.htm

[Grime Syndicate]

Drum racks in ableton... I don't know about Sonar's sequencer view, but in Ableton, using drum rack and then midi allows you the most number of routing and effecting options. Nearly the same thing could be done by just manually putting samples down on your sequencer. The main draw for drum sequencers like guru, battery, etc are their roll capabilities, and humanize options. But, really, they are not necessary. Not necessary at all. Save yourself some dough and spend some alone time with your DAW... I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results. The humanize dequantization can be done by turning off your grid, and the rolls, just use a retrigger effect. simples...

[Depone]

For plugin sequencer type that you can use in your daw, I can highly recommend FXpansions Guru (they are due for a tasty update soon).

Its basically like a hardware MPC (used on many many classic hip hop hits etc) but in software, and includes a step sequencer.

Personally i do mine in logic using NI's Battery. Midi straight up piano roll. But for quick ideas Guru is a beast.

[Doom Monk]

Mucho Gracias for the input senors!

I guess Guru is the way then, I tried out it's demo version last night. Its so easy to create patterns and save them so I dont really have to go through the end of every loop to create a drum roll or a manual randomizer. And 100 americans is'nt a bad price tag too.

It's sad that the Sonar sequencer isnt so versatile though. I'm contemplating using NI's battery too, looks like its pretty decent too.

All in all I guess GURU it is...for now.

cheers

[boot]

Yeah use Guru and Battery over here, I come up with different ideas on those to the what I come up with by arranging audio on the arrange page. Used in combo with that style of sequencing can come up with some sick ideas, not saying one is better than the other because they both have their advantages, and when you get bored of one just switch to the other, keeps the creativity flowing.

[tavravlavish]

electribe sampler

[Phase Down]

The guru looks great.. why dont i know about that?! then again I dont like samplers.. but man its time.. i might just buy it.. right now.

[grooki]

If you are already comfortable with FL Studio, I think you can load as a vst in other DAWS.

[qwaycee_]

this one aint bad.

[grooki]

^
with this sort of thing, I don't think I could stand not being able to see other drum tracks at the same time. That's the trouble with Reason's drum thingy too.