A Decent Drumroll?

Question

A Decent Drumroll?

Hi. Can anyone offer some advice about how to create a decent, natural sounding drum roll in Garage Band?
I placed snare drum hits in rapid succession, but it's so mechanical sounding! Is there a drum roll loop somewhere in that loop menu? or a plug-in?
Or a way to put the snare drum hits together that sounds authentic?

Thanks,

Doron

Posted on Nov 3, 2005 5:03 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 3, 2005 5:13 PM in response to Doron Ben-Ami

Well, I did just find a thread on this very subject that took place in August and October, but it was inconclusive.
I'll try reducing and/or altering velocities.
Still, if anyone has any other ideas...

or do you know of a website where I could get a nice sample?

Doron

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 3, 2005 5:40 PM in response to Doron Ben-Ami

Since a drumroll is rather independent of the tempo of the song, you don't necessarily need a loop, any soundfile will do. So do a Web search on "drumroll.aif", "drumroll.mp3" and "drumroll.wav". You'll find lots of dead links, but there might be just the roll you're looking for.

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 3, 2005 7:15 PM in response to Christoph Drösser

Excellent! Thank you, Christoph!!

Doron

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 3, 2005 8:19 PM in response to Doron Ben-Ami

I just make them myself. There's not a lot of fills with GB, if any.

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 3, 2005 9:36 PM in response to Scott Laughlin-Richard

Thanks Scott.
Yeah, I did attempt at constructing a roll digitally, but it sounded terrible.
But if you mean, actually play the fills yourself and record them, yeah, I agree, that would be the best route.
Only problem is, drums is the one instrument I don't play. It's for that very reason that programming the drums in GB has been a thrill and a half!! But suddenly, I wanted to create a roll for the first time, and it became a problem. But that other solution was fine. I found a nice sounding fill in about five minutes, stuck it in, gave it the dynamics I wanted, and I'm there!
It's great to have this Forum. I appreciate your response! I saw your entries on the other thread that took place in October.

Doron

Reply

Answer 6

Nov 3, 2005 9:51 PM in response to Doron Ben-Ami

Yeah, I think to do effective drums with software, you have to have good basic idea of just how a drummer plays and thinks. Sometimes, I adjust the velocity of a roll or pattern, but first tapping it out on the desk, and paying attention to which hit is strong and which ones are lighter.
If you are not a drummer, but just know what you like when you hear it, try Drums On Demand. They have a good reputation, and have many beats and fills.

Reply