Getting started with EZ-Drummer

[emin]

OK, talk to me like I'm 5-years old.

I recently purchased EZ-Drummer and don't really have any idea how to use it. I'm using Sonar 7 (I also have Reason Propellerhead) and trying to figure out how to use it and EZ-Drummer. Could someone point me in the right direction to get started. I'm not looking to do anything complicated yet, I'm just trying to get a beat going and record it.

Thanks

[Marc G]

I've only used it in Garage Band and to me the fastest way to get up and running would to grab a beat close enough to what you want out of the groove section and then edit it to suit...

[emin]

Thanks. I'm not even trying to edit a beat yet. I just want to grab a stock bean and get it to play and record in the DAW.

[DNW]

When you say, "trying to figure out how to use it", how far have you made it? Are you completely new to Soanar? Do you know how to load EZD in Soanar and get it all running on a track, and it's just actually using EZD you're not sure of?

I've never even used Soanar, so I couldn't help you with any of that anyway. Try looking on Youtube. There's bound to be some kind of guide on there for getting started with Sonar and EZD (or Superior, which'll basically be the same process).

Once you're actually up and running I might be able to help with EZD (although I actually use Superior). If you want to start doing your own sequencing at some point, that's probably where I'd most be able to help.

[RustyMetal]

I don't know, but here is a tutorial for EZdrummer in Reaper that may be close or help fill in the missing steps for you.

http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=4684

[nakedzen]

For further learning here's a really good tutorial on EZD:

http://www.creativelive.com/courses/digital-drums-ezdrummer-eyal-levi

It's pretty much assumed you know how everything works though.

[Devin]

I have EZ and Sonar but my laptop is at home at the moment, so Ill attempt:


First you'll need to place the .dll for ezdrummer in your appropriate Vstplugins folder (I think its under C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins)

Then, you may need to make Sonar scan for new plugins if it isn't set to do this automatically.

Once Sonar is seeing EZdrummer, create a track and select it then go Insert > Softsynth > EZdrummer. It should then load up and you'll be able to drag beats from the EZdrummer windows directly on to the track you placed the softsynth on.


Sorry if my directions are shit; if that doesn't help maybe when I get home I can post something more detailed, though I jumped from Sonar 6 directly to Sonar X1 so I dunno how different 7 might be...

[emin]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll look over all the info and links this weekend.

As for how far I've gotten: I am able to play a drum beat through the solo player. I have record guitars, vocals, bass, and drums. I've done some mixing with it, but I haven't done anything fancy with it.

I got EZ-Drummer so I could experiment with different things over a drum beat, without having to bore my drummer to tears! So while I can get EZ-Drummer to play on its own, I was unable to get it to make any sound in Sonar. Again, I'll take the tips from above and try it over the weekend.

Thanks again.

[Loins of Fire]

EZDrummer is a plugin that you place into a stereo track in your DAW. From there you use your DAW MIDI editor to program the drums. Its very simple. Seems like a lot of people think that you program the drums in the EZDrummer plugin itself, which is not the case. You need to use your DAW MIDI editor to make beats.