[take77]

Hello there,

I see that you acquired EZdrummer 3.
Very cool!

EZdrummer is very easy to use as the name implies but there area couple things you can do "logistically" to enhance it's accompaniment ability in your productions.

Since recommending EZdrummer in your other thread, I feel inclined to help with some tips.

I've gotten really satisfying results by establishing the tempos of my songs and recording my guitar tracks to a click track BEFORE applying EZdrummer's virtual drumming capability.

If your guitar tracks haven't been recorded to a click track already, it is worth the effort to do so.
Even if you need to re-record the parts. Any good song is worth re-working.

I remember disciplining myself to do this with a view to having some EZdrummer fun later.
Didn't regret it.

Duplicating a basic drum pattern that represents the main feel across the timeline works well for starts also.
Then you can drag & drop more sophisticated patterns & fills onto the Pro Tools timeline later.

I started recording so much guitar like this and have had a blast syncing up EZdrummer 2.
Really cool listening to the drums provide added life to latent guitar tracks.
I remember enjoying a whole summer dropping in more than enough usable drum patterns for my tracks.

Just sync up EZdrummer and let the players who created the MIDI tracks provide the skillset.
Combined with your original song ideas, the patterns themselves take on a new feel & vice versa.

Sometimes it takes time to find a pattern you really like. But since you've recorded to a click, more will fit than not.
And the new "Tap Search" function for finding suitable patterns is really well implemented in EZdrummer 2 & 3.

With practice, you can create any pattern you envision in the MIDI editor faster than going through a whole library.
But sometimes you come upon a bank of patterns that take the guitar to a whole new level.
These can also serve as pattern templates since all the notes are already there so you can modify easily from there.

It's like having your own drummer on the other side of the glass.
The drummers enlisted by Toontrack provide the skill-sets & repertoire. You call the shots & arrangements.
You're the producer.
You can tailor patterns easily with some basic MIDI editing skills in PT.

Here's an overview as well as some useful tips:

1. As mentioned, establish tempos and record to a click track or a basic starter pattern to keep time. A basic pattern that represents the overall feel of the song duplicated across the timeline can be a little more inspiring.

You know your guitar recording is in good time when each guitar section loops without any audible glitches upon playback.
This is a good take to sync EZdrummer to.

It's all about when "1" comes around.
Nevertheless, you can "weave" in and out of the click giving it a rhythmically dynamic & human feel.

Use the Pro Tools Edit Window as a visual aid to anticipate when you are coming to the top of each bar/section during recording.

Now you can sync EZdrummer with Pro Tools by enabling "Follow Host".
Browse and listen to a number of patterns on the fly as your guitar tracks playback.
Then just drag & drop suitable patterns onto the PT timeline as you choose.

2. Disable the option "Insertion Follows Playback"* when selecting and looping recorded sections on the timeline.

* This option can be found upper left after the 12345, 4th button over. Turn it off when looping.

This will enable you to maintain your loop selections on your guitar track both during & after playback.
Great for auditioning EZdrummer patterns in sync with the guitar.
This also keeps the loop selection while editing notes in the MIDI editor during playback.

As far as editing patterns: Simply shifting the kick and snare or simply adding/omitting a note or two goes a long way in tailoring a groove to your liking.
With "Insertion Follows Playback" is disabled you can loop and edit notes at the same time.

3. Select a recorded guitar section to loop & hit play in Pro Tools. Then hit the tiny play button at the edge of the pattern name in the EZ library.
Hitting play on the pattern will automatically snap it to the top of the measure Pro Tools is playing.

I believe simultaneous start of playback only works when using the Song Track for the drum patterns EZdrummer.

I personally prefer to use the PT Instrument Track EZdrummer is on for drag n dropping patterns and creating arrangements but that's just because I've already developed a workflow I like.
Plus I can visually see each drum section as it relates to the guitar.

I know you also would like to create your own MIDI drum patterns and that's another chapter.
While I have a few self-created drum tracks, my drumming repertoire doesn't surpass the EZ pattern library or other Toontrack libraries I've invested in.
I have no problem giving a credit to those players!

Hope these tips benefit your songs & personal productions.


With every good wish & musical passion,

Mike