Software to Use with MeaDrum

[andrei23]

Hi there,

I'm curious what types of software people have tried with MegaDrum?

Obviously, the hardware is just 1/2 of the latency puzzle, the other being how quickly your software can play the samples.

I currently run Addictive Drums on my laptop (run through a stand-alone VST-wrapper called SaviHost instead of as a DAW plug-in to save on system resources). Certainly doesn't work via the MIDI out on my drum brain, not for live performance, and after reading through this site I now understand why (enter MegaDrum). I've tried Superior Drummer and Drumasonic Luxury (the latter runs via Native Instruments), but both are very sloooow - likely due to each kit being 4gb worth of samples!

I don't need control over mic choice & placement, just fast triggering & playback with an expandable library of sounds. If anyone has additional software suggestions I should experiment with, I'd be thrilled. What has worked slower or faster for you?

Thanks in advance!

[andrei23]

I'd be really curious what software Anders is playing in the video - sounds good, and most of all the response sounds fast.

[angr77]

Hi!
I am using a similar setup. Savihost, AD and windows 8. All in 64 bit mode and then I have a ASIO based sound card from M-Audio called Fasttrack Ultra 8R.

http://powerhell.wordpress.com/about/zo ... windows-8/


Best regards

Andrs

[Bean]

I run Superior Drummer with Toontrack SOLO on a OLD-OLD-OLD Windows XP (32-bit) 3.6Ghz multi-threading computer (maxed at 2G ram) with a E-MU 0404 PCI sound card. All the effects are done on the 0404 sound card in real time with no stress on the computers CPU. it gives a nice fast and clean sound.

I have also experimented with a FREE Drum VST called SuperDrumFX-Software Drum Workstation 1.4; SuperDrumFX lets you include your own drum samples. and again, running that on an old Windows XP (32-bit) 2.5Ghz computer (1G ram) and a Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX. On that setup I use the KX-Project sound drivers on the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX PCI card so I can program the DSP on the Audigy. The 2nd computer also acts as my DAW.

SuperDrumFX is at this link:
http://www.superdrumfx.com/index.php?language=2

- Bean

[andrei23]

I love the E-MUs!
My desktop runs an 1820m - did you know it has the same AD converters as Pro Tools HD? (Okay, I realize there are converters out there that will kick HD's butt... but we're talking about a $400 piece of gear here, folks, sounding every bit as good as a $6,000 system.) Unfortunately not an option for my laptop, though, as it requires 2 PCI slots.

Bean... are you using these in a studio or live performance setting? Which one tends to give you faster response, Superior or SuperDrumFX? Addictive is pretty good (def faster than Native Instruments Kontakt), though I've noticed huge differences in latency depending on the kit that is loaded.

My set-up is pretty similar to yours (on the laptop), right down to the Audigy card, except I've upgraded XP to Win7... def a HUGE performance difference there. You've got 2GB RAM, so you should be fine, just make sure you've got plenty of drive space... Win7 (once you get done downloading all the updates) will take up close to 20GB just for itself. Win8, especially in 64bit mode, would be even faster still, however in my case the processor and mobo isn't supported. Going that route will require a new notebook (which is still a fraction of the cost of a high end drum brain).

Does KX-Project allow you to switch the Audigy's default drivers (WDM, isn't it?) to ASIO? Do you know of anything that will?

[Bean]

Bean... are you using these in a studio or live performance setting? Which one tends to give you faster response, Superior or SuperDrumFX? Addictive is pretty good (def faster than Native Instruments Kontakt), though I've noticed huge differences in latency depending on the kit that is loaded.

I like Superior Drummer for the real time play in my home studio. I have fiddled with SuperDrumFX and thought that for free it was very impressive; however, I favor Superior Drummer as it very fast on my setup and it allows me to have 7 toms with double bass and double snares without noticeable latency. Most of the time I play with no backing audio, just the drum's and the EM-U's effects.

Does KX-Project allow you to switch the Audigy's default drivers (WDM, isn't it?) to ASIO? Do you know of anything that will?

The KX-Project bypass all of the Audigy's "windows" drivers. I has support for the WDM; however, I only use the ASIO drivers. It makes the Audigy into a near equivalent of the EM-U product, and allows me to directly code the DSP chip and manually control the routing of all the audio singles. The system with the Audigy was tossed tighter with leftover parts and became a nice accidently discover tool. The KX-Project has a learning curve so many are discouraged from using it, I like how it allows direct control that tends not to be found in Windows. The kX Driver is completely FREE, this is the link to the old site & that site also links to the current forums.
http://kxproject.com/

I did look at the 1820 & 1212M before I got the 0404. The 0404 was only $99 when I got it new as a PCI card. Before I got the 0404 I was running the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX with ASIO4ALL to get my system to work with Superior Drummer: it never quite worked right with the Audigy due to the requirements of the sample rate. someday I will get a E-MU 1212M PCIe and a new 64-bit desktop to be the brain. For now I am happy with the setup I have up and running.

- Bean

[andrei23]

Really appreciate your insights, Bean - thank you!

I played with Superior Drummer at a friend's studio and loved its sound for sample replacement on recordings, however it kept crashing his Pro Tools session when he opened it so I guess I was hesitant to try it as an alternative to try and "speed" up my live kit. But, hey, you seem to be happy with its latency... and that's on XP. Maybe worth a try. I'll let you know how AD does with MD and the updated ASIO drivers from kX. Now that I'll soon have MD's 56 inputs, before long I'm sure I'll get the itch to start adding pads, and that'll def move me from AD to Superior.

Cheers.