[MidnightFlyer]

I've got a half-dozen drum loop cds, guys like Kramer, Gadd, and Charlie Morgan but I don't use any of them cause it seems like they're all trying to call attention to their playing. The patterns are almost always too busy for my needs, and there's seldom much variation in beats per minute. Since I'm still in OS9, not known for great midi, I've put off learning it, opting instead to really learn my drum machine well.

I would say to a newbie, as I was not long ago, don't expect too much your first year. Just keep learning and experimenting. Remember, you're in it for the long haul, and with every new session you will learn something. Don't be in a big hurry.