Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

Hi, I'm using a MacBook Pro with an Apollo Twin Mk2. I started looking at some relatively inexpensive drums for basic songwriting, not really for full production. But I am kind of picky about sound, so Boom doesn't cut it for me.

I like the sound of the Abbey Road drums, and they have some groove files to start with which is nice, but you have to use their Kontakt 5 program as well.

Some of the Slate drums I've heard are good as well, but don't seem to offer groove files.

I start to get concerned about overhead on my CPU, too, when thinking about using Kontakt...don't know if it adds any more than using Slate drums more directly in Pro Tools.

I don't know...I guess I'm looking for recommendations for a decent drum starter package that isn't too expensive either in $ or CPU. Hope that makes sense?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

Toontrack Ez drummer.

Re: Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

Thanks, Darryl. What makes EZ Drummer better from your perspective? Looks like it's more expensive than either basic Slate or Abbey Road, but still in the ballpark.

Re: Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

Easy to use, simple to get started, more stable/less impact on the system than Slate and typical stuff from NI (although I've not used Abbey Road). And you can upgrade later to the more capable/complex Superior Drummer if you want (I use SD but such little of it I could well use Ez Drummer for everything, I own both.).

All these are very personal choices. You need to try some of these and see what works for you. Toontracks have 10 day trials of Ez Drummer.

Re: Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

My two centsbut my experience with most of the NI stuff is that the sounds are pretty darn dark. In other words, not as bright as you would end up wanting them to be. The Abbey Road stuff is no exception. I agree with Darryl that EZ Drummer is better and, IMHO, sounds way better too.

Re: Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

Also a fan of ezdrummer, but addictive drums is also worth looking into(both are very reasonably priced and quite easy to use. And both sound really good):o

Re: Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

Sennheiser Drummica for Kontakt

Re: Noob: looking for low CPU but decent drum VI
 

I agree. Boom doesn't cut if for me either. Not even close.
Try Battery 4. There's alot of fill stuff wich I personally don't find any use for but also some good samples you can tweak into even better sounding.

I have a couple of the Abbey Road kits from NI. They are very CPU hungry unless you turn alot of processing off.


Strike is CPU friendly on my system. It sounds pretty good too.