Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Hello. Just wondering if any of the musicians here use computers to make music either for fun or professionally? If so, what programs do you like & use. Particularly Amp Sim VST's like Amplitube, BIAS FX, TH-U, AmpHub, etc.

Ryan81 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 5:27 am Hello. Just wondering if any of the musicians here use computers to make music either for fun or professionally? If so, what programs do you like & use. Particularly Amp Sim VST's like Amplitube, BIAS FX, TH-U, AmpHub, etc.

I have Cubase 12 Pro.
Use a lot of Native instruments and EZ line from Toontrack

What are you using?

I’ve been a Cakewalk/Sonar guy for years and years. I think since Pro Audio 7 or something. It probably has more functionality than most people need, but the drum replacement stuff is particularly cool.

I’m sure there are plenty of free or nearly free apps these days that do most of what people need on the cheap.

Reaper all the way!

I’ve used Reaper for a long time, as well as Steven Slate drums 5.5. Good enough to sketch out ideas when inspiration hits me.

So…. When are we all going to collaborate on a song?

That's like old Sludge shit, when there were more than 4 of us here.

Remember when entire albums would get covered? Good times.

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 1:45 pm So…. When are we all going to collaborate on a song?

What the hell are you talking about? Didnt you fuck over the guys in Filthysnake by not collaborating with them, after you said you would???

I had to take it upon myself to finish the track, since you didnt help (using my DAW): https://soundcloud.com/steviepeavey/fil ... al_sharing

I still use Abelton. It's basic, but it does everything I want.

Does anyone use Pro Tools anymore or is that obsolete?

How about reel to reel?

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 2:21 pm

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 1:45 pm So…. When are we all going to collaborate on a song?

What the hell are you talking about? Didnt you fuck over the guys in Filthysnake by not collaborating with them, after you said you would???

I had to take it upon myself to finish the track, since you didnt help (using my DAW): https://soundcloud.com/steviepeavey/fil ... al_sharing

I didn’t hear anything for it.

reaper, slate drums, garritan personal orchestra...as for guitars? i mic and run a direct out for amp sims including but not limited to neural dsp soldano, amped roots etc...d.m.

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 11:24 am

Ryan81 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 5:27 am Hello. Just wondering if any of the musicians here use computers to make music either for fun or professionally? If so, what programs do you like & use. Particularly Amp Sim VST's like Amplitube, BIAS FX, TH-U, AmpHub, etc.

I have Cubase 12 Pro.
Use a lot of Native instruments and EZ line from Toontrack

What are you using?

For DAW I usually use Studio One (version 7 now), but I've been trying out Cubase 14 a little lately and it seems good (a lot of options, very professional). I used to use SONAR, buy since they got bought and screwed up by Gibson, then turned into BandLab, and now are back to SONAR I kind of gave up on it which is unfortunate because it's a good program. I've also messed with MAGIX, Ableton, BitWig, FL Studio, and Reason (which is pretty unique and is much better now that they've finally implemented VST use). I am trying to narrow it down to really learning one really well instead of a little bit about all of them. So it's probably going to be Studio One or Cubase.

For guitar I've used Native Instruments Guitar Rig for many years, Amplitube (the newest one is really good), TH-U has always been a favorite, and lately I've been using AmpHub the most. I also mess with Line 6 Helix, Mercurial Amp Box, BIAS FX, AMP, and PEDAL, the NueralDSP stuff a little bit, HeadRush's (formally Peavey) ReValver, and probably the best sounding one for heavy stuff is Otto 11 11 11 11. That thing sounds great! It's too bad they gave it such a stupid name because I think it could've done really well.

Then I have Toontrack's EZ & Superior Drummer programs, Addictive Drums, MODO Drums, Perfect Drums, and a couple of other drum ones.

Now if I could just learn my theory so I could actually write decent music I'd be set. I'm in the rut of just playing other people's music. I'll either get the official multitrack stems of songs or make my own with the programs they have now that can separate all the individual instruments from songs. It's really amazing how far that technology has come. Anyways, I will get the stems and then make a version without the guitar and play along with that. Usually in Guitar Pro so I can have the Tablature going by on the screen as I play. It's a lot of fun, but I need to be trying to come up with my own stuff. I'm so old now though it's not like I could do anything with it though. Anyways, sometimes I will record my playing and replace the guitar part in a song with that and burn it to cd and if I'm with a friend I will play that in the car and see if they notice it's not the original guitar part.

diablomozart wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:22 am reaper, slate drums, garritan personal orchestra...as for guitars? i mic and run a direct out for amp sims including but not limited to neural dsp soldano, amped roots etc...d.m.

Amped Roots sounds really good. That company has several good ones.

Ryan81 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:58 pm

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 11:24 am

Ryan81 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 5:27 am Hello. Just wondering if any of the musicians here use computers to make music either for fun or professionally? If so, what programs do you like & use. Particularly Amp Sim VST's like Amplitube, BIAS FX, TH-U, AmpHub, etc.

I have Cubase 12 Pro.
Use a lot of Native instruments and EZ line from Toontrack

What are you using?

For DAW I usually use Studio One (version 7 now), but I've been trying out Cubase 14 a little lately and it seems good (a lot of options, very professional). I used to use SONAR, buy since they got bought and screwed up by Gibson, then turned into BandLab, and now are back to SONAR I kind of gave up on it which is unfortunate because it's a good program. I've also messed with MAGIX, Ableton, BitWig, FL Studio, and Reason (which is pretty unique and is much better now that they've finally implemented VST use). I am trying to narrow it down to really learning one really well instead of a little bit about all of them. So it's probably going to be Studio One or Cubase.

For guitar I've used Native Instruments Guitar Rig for many years, Amplitube (the newest one is really good), TH-U has always been a favorite, and lately I've been using AmpHub the most. I also mess with Line 6 Helix, Mercurial Amp Box, BIAS FX, AMP, and PEDAL, the NueralDSP stuff a little bit, HeadRush's (formally Peavey) ReValver, and probably the best sounding one for heavy stuff is Otto 11 11 11 11. That thing sounds great! It's too bad they gave it such a stupid name because I think it could've done really well.

Then I have Toontrack's EZ & Superior Drummer programs, Addictive Drums, MODO Drums, Perfect Drums, and a couple of other drum ones.

Now if I could just learn my theory so I could actually write decent music I'd be set. I'm in the rut of just playing other people's music. I'll either get the official multitrack stems of songs or make my own with the programs they have now that can separate all the individual instruments from songs. It's really amazing how far that technology has come. Anyways, I will get the stems and then make a version without the guitar and play along with that. Usually in Guitar Pro so I can have the Tablature going by on the screen as I play. It's a lot of fun, but I need to be trying to come up with my own stuff. I'm so old now though it's not like I could do anything with it though. Anyways, sometimes I will record my playing and replace the guitar part in a song with that and burn it to cd and if I'm with a friend I will play that in the car and see if they notice it's not the original guitar part.

I’m using EZdummer 3
I heard there is a big step up with Superior drummer?

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:08 am

I’m using EZdummer 3
I heard there is a big step up with Superior drummer?

Definitely. Superior Drummer 3 is the shit. I’ve used it for my last 2 albums going back about 5 years now. It’s an excellent tool. I generally sequenced my own drums and the added midi packs in different styles is great for inspiring riffs and arrangements even though I usually end up editing the out-of-the-box patterns.

This whole album was done with Superior Drummer 3 back in 2021

KENN NARDI - "Trauma" (full album 2021)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtox ... 2n1LMUGVR8

Ryan81 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:00 pm

diablomozart wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:22 am reaper, slate drums, garritan personal orchestra...as for guitars? i mic and run a direct out for amp sims including but not limited to neural dsp soldano, amped roots etc...d.m.

Amped Roots sounds really good. That company has several good ones.

indeed as does neural...even the little 30 watt 200 dollar soldano mini amp sounds pretty good if you mic it through a 4x12...d.m.

Wiseacre wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:23 pm

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:08 am

I’m using EZdummer 3
I heard there is a big step up with Superior drummer?

Definitely. Superior Drummer 3 is the shit. I’ve used it for my last 2 albums going back about 5 years now. It’s an excellent tool. I generally sequenced my own drums and the added midi packs in different styles is great for inspiring riffs and arrangements even though I usually end up editing the out-of-the-box patterns.

This whole album was done with Superior Drummer 3 back in 2021

KENN NARDI - "Trauma" (full album 2021)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtox ... 2n1LMUGVR8

Thanks.
What is the main difference between?
Just more in depth editing, or the samples just better?
At work, but got to listen to one song sounds great man will check out the rest after work

I've been working with digital / analog / audio / midi computer recording software & home studio rigs since the early-mid '80s. These days my home studio is based on a PCAudioLabs RokBox i9 pc w 64G of RAM w 3hard drives: C drive for programs, Audio drive for all recordings, & a Sample drive. Everything is run into the pc thru a PreSonus Quantum HD8 interface.

my rig 2025:

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=90 ... _tn__=EH-R

My favorite DAW for the last 6 years is PreSonus StudioOne Pro v7. I previously spent many earlier years working in ProTools and Reason. While all modern DAWS are great for electronic music, some are just more comfortable for recording & editing rock vocals & guitars & bass & drums. I find that StudioOne & ProTools fit the niche, better than many other DAWs, which are aimed more towards the EMD / midi market.

I prefer Line6 Helix Native as my guitar plugin. I also have Guitar Rig, & Amplitube, & Ampire. Helix amp models beat them all. I run my Ricky4003, Pbass, PRS, Strat, Schecter, & Ibanez acoustics directly into the PreSonus interface (Fender now owns PreSonus, & helped design the inputs & preamps) & I use Helix Native as a vst plugin on every instance of each gtr or bass track recorded. The new PCs & new interfaces have almost completely eliminated latency.

I record all my drums on an Alesis NitroMesh expanded kit w Local Off running directly into ToonTrack SuperiorDrums3. All my recorded sounds end up being SD3. Folks argue over which new drum vst is the best. I think it comes down more to can you play the hell out of the rig you got. But it often helps if you can spring for the highest rated on the market.

My love of guitars started when I was in 8th grade. But my piano & B3organ lessons started in 2nd grade. For that reason, I have a ton of vst synthsizers in my rig, including Arturia V Collection, the Korg Collection, Air, PreSonus, Syntronik, & the new Rob Papen Virtual Synthesizers and FX plugins, which are at the cutting edge of contemporary music production.

Now fully retired from business, I work in my studio every day. While my style of music is more from another time & place, I do follow & keep up with the latest technology.

Here's one of my newest songs:
https://youtu.be/th185Mb7Do8?si=Qpq0xL8vNE8wjm60

pooldude wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:18 am I've been working with digital / analog / audio / midi computer recording software & home studio rigs since the early-mid '80s. These days my home studio is based on a PCAudioLabs RokBox i9 pc w 64G of RAM w 3hard drives: C drive for programs, Audio drive for all recordings, & a Sample drive. Everything is run into the pc thru a PreSonus Quantum HD8 interface.

my rig 2025:

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=90 ... _tn__=EH-R

My favorite DAW for the last 6 years is PreSonus StudioOne Pro v7. I previously spent many earlier years working in ProTools and Reason. While all modern DAWS are great for electronic music, some are just more comfortable for recording & editing rock vocals & guitars & bass & drums. I find that StudioOne & ProTools fit the niche, better than many other DAWs, which are aimed more towards the EMD / midi market.

I prefer Line6 Helix Native as my guitar plugin. I also have Guitar Rig, & Amplitube, & Ampire. Helix amp models beat them all. I run my Ricky4003, Pbass, PRS, Strat, Schecter, & Ibanez acoustics directly into the PreSonus interface (Fender now owns PreSonus, & helped design the inputs & preamps) & I use Helix Native as a vst plugin on every instance of each gtr or bass track recorded. The new PCs & new interfaces have almost completely eliminated latency.

I record all my drums on an Alesis NitroMesh expanded kit w Local Off running directly into ToonTrack SuperiorDrums3. All my recorded sounds end up being SD3. Folks argue over which new drum vst is the best. I think it comes down more to can you play the hell out of the rig you got. But it often helps if you can spring for the highest rated on the market.

My love of guitars started when I was in 8th grade. But my piano & B3organ lessons started in 2nd grade. For that reason, I have a ton of vst synthsizers in my rig, including Arturia V Collection, the Korg Collection, Air, PreSonus, Syntronik, & the new Rob Papen Virtual Synthesizers and FX plugins, which are at the cutting edge of contemporary music production.

Now fully retired from business, I work in my studio every day. While my style of music is more from another time & place, I do follow & keep up with the latest technology.

Here's one of my newest songs:
https://youtu.be/th185Mb7Do8?si=Qpq0xL8vNE8wjm60

Good to see you post PD
Got any good progrock in that library?
Just noticed the link you posted and listened. I dig it.
Sounds Trevor Honish maybe?

When you guys use these drum programs do you “humanize” them to sound more live, or leave them completely as the program?
I like the perfect sound, but have friends that say it’s to perfect sounding.

.

I always program on a grid in cubase. I almost never use precomposed patterns or loops unless I am going for a specific vintage feel or sound.

The tricks I has learnt after decades of recording with programmed drums:

1. Don't make them do things as if they were a real drummer. The surest way to make them sound fake is with lots of fills and cymballs hits and shit.

2. Humanize them WITH THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS. If the drums stay stable, but you play ahead-or-behind the beat with the bass and guitars, you effectively move the drums around in time.

3. Learn to use swing quantization.

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 7:23 am
What is the main difference between?
Just more in depth editing, or the samples just better?

Hello, from what I understand, ezdrummer uses samples that are already processed in that they are good to go...you know....EZ. With that being the case they limit the amount of tweaking you can do to the sounds.
Whereas Superior Drummer I think the samples are a little bit rawer and they allow you to tweak each one in a myriad of ways. In the mixer for each individual drum channel you can add all kinds of effects. Of course there are the obvious ones like different reverbs, compressors, and eq's. Then there are some not as common ones like exciters, tape saturators, transient shapers, as well as modulation effects like flanging, chorus, phasing, and many others. To be honest it's almost too much and it's super(ior) easy to waste half a night making the perfect number 2 Floor Tom hit let alone creating the ultimate Snare sound. It also has all kinds of options for how much mic bleed you want, but I turn that stuff off.

Superior Drummer of course let's you use any of your ezdrummer libraries in it as well. It also has a feature where it will listen to a drum part of a song and with a couple of adjustments you can separate each drum and turn them onto MIDI files. At least that is what I think that thing does. It's a really amazing program and I don't know what they are going to do to top it for SD4. I cannot think of a feature that they haven't implemented.

EZDrummer is a great program too and it really does pretty much everything you need. It has a couple of less features than Superior, but really it's almost better for it because, like I said, Superior gives you almost too many options. My buddy has ran his eDrum kit through both programs and I think Superior might have a couple of extra options that cater to that, but EZDrummer did the job just fine.

It's truly amazing how they have the latency down to practically nothing with these programs. Especially the drums. Like my friend who plays his eDrums through Superior. I've played his setup and there is virtually no delay whatsoever from when you hit the drum, the signal then goes through the interface, into the computer (that is running a bunch of other stuff), into the software, back out of the computer, into a speaker, and into your ear. Not to mention it's being converted from analog to digital and back to analog along the way. To have that be even in the ballpark of an acoustic kit as far as the latency is astonishing. I don't even see how it's possible.

Sorry for the long post.

Sleek wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 1:03 pm I always program on a grid in cubase. I almost never use precomposed patterns or loops unless I am going for a specific vintage feel or sound.

The tricks I has learnt after decades of recording with programmed drums:

1. Don't make them do things as if they were a real drummer. The surest way to make them sound fake is with lots of fills and cymballs hits and shit.

2. Humanize them WITH THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS. If the drums stay stable, but you play ahead-or-behind the beat with the bass and guitars, you effectively move the drums around in time.

3. Learn to use swing quantization.

Good advice, but this is why I love the Superior Drummer 3 stuff. It's a great short-cut to finding something really close to what you want (or clicking through dozens and dozens of ideas you may never have even thought of). You might have a riff or part and can go through shit-tons of different styles while looping it and get all kinds of great idea. That isn't gonna happen sequencing from scratch or riffing without a live drummer.

All of those patterns are played by actual drummers (and converted to midi), so you aren't gonna put together "octopus" patterns that no human could (or would) ever play.

I did my entire 1st solo album which was 2 1/2 hours and 28 songs from scratch and although I am not a professional drummer, can play and have a very good understanding of what is and isn't realistic. It was quite the feat, because I am very meticulous about what I write for my drum arrangements, but the results of the next one was WAY better. And like I said, you can get really great inspiration from jamming to many different styles and feels without needing an actual drummer. I would even say that Super Drummer 3 inspired a LOT of the music I wrote for the 2nd album.

My ONLY complaint is that the sounds are not polyphonic and rely in volume and timing for the "human" feel. When I use triggered replacements for my KISS stuff, I blend multiple samples/hits of several different snares and kicks together so you literally have an almost infinite combinations of tones and never get the "machine gun" effect on rolls, etc.

I totally agree with the "humanize" comment too. I may do slight tempo changes with the drums here or there, but I want them steady. I am human so my guitar/bass, etc playing isn't gonna sound like a robot and adds all the "human" element I need.

VinnieVincentsVag wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:08 am
I’m using EZdummer 3
I heard there is a big step up with Superior drummer?

I'd say if you UNDERSTAND drums SD3 is probably what you want, if not really then EZ is fine too. Sometimes, you can get bogged down by too much shit you'll never use. EZ drummer is still a million times better than the Roland that I used to have to bang out pattern on back in the day.

Just read this:
https://producerhive.com/buyer-guides/v ... is-better/

i had a dr660 lol...had an alesis hr16b before that...d.m.

diablomozart wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 5:02 pm i had a dr660 lol...had an alesis hr16b before that...d.m.

Dude, I used DR 660 in the early ‘90s too and that was actually a HUGE upgrade over the old off-white Roland with the 16 little pads on it, haha. The DR actually had some pretty good sounds. I think I’ve used that awesome steel pipe sound for stuff.

20yrs ago I was using Magix Music Maker Deluxe... I stopped around 2008..

I started up again not too long ago with Pro Tools and I'm getting certified in it next month.. been alot of fun.

I run my Fender Tone Mastet Pro unit into my laptop/Pro Tools.. the advances in technology have been amazing