You can definitely add sonic variation and character to samples. Something like Geist can use multiple samples and round robin them for some variability. You can do the same in Live using some Max devices. Plus you can add FX with per note modulation to also add variability. Velocity adds good dynamics. Etc.musikmachine wrote: I'd be looking at stuff like that once i was making enough money from music or doing live stuff but the feedback got me thinking yes there is something lacking in the drum tracks that's worth closer investifation, it could be use of samples or my mixdowns/fx processing etc but i thought i'd try swapping out some tracks with some drum synths just to see what kinda impact it had on my tracks before going any further, want to ascertain that drum synths would be worth the hassle; i have a mopho as it is and most of the time it sits idle but have been making more of an effort to use it recently.
I'll still need an interface before i can start integrating more hardware anyway. Cheers!
Then there is timing variability. Drum tracks can sound lifeless with perfect machine-like timing. Adding a bit of groove, subtle timing variations makes it sound more alive. Playing parts has a different feel than programming them.
It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Samples are more exact reproductions of acoustic drums. Synthesis has more timbral flexibility while playing because the core sound itself can be modulated in almost any way imaginable. But of course synthesis is not exact at acoustic emulation... it also takes more cpu. I mostly prefer synthesis.
Also, if you just want to do some experimenting without having to pay money, plenty of synths make excellent drum sounds. Assuming you have a few soft synths, you can use them to make some experiments with drum synthesis before you spend money on drum plugins.
