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Playing to drumless tracks is weird

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  • #1

    Playing to drumless tracks is weird

    So, I have a bunch of drumless tracks that I have purchased through Jammit and from other sources. Its pretty cool to record your own playing over a track, but I have to say it is really strange playing to these songs. I guess I never really thought I used the drums to keep along with the song. Usually I am listening to the singer, or the bass line, but when you remove the drums, it sounds like a completely different song. It feels like I cant find the down beat of 1, or that the the guitar riffs are falling on the wrong beat. Very weird feeling. I suppose once I get going it is fine, but I am very surprised how there are times where I completely forget what is supposed to be played in the song. Like, "Oh crap, what part is coming up?"

    Anyway, I just wanted to say that because I am converting some drumless tracks to .mp3's so I can play along with them and just listening to the drumless songs has me all out of wack.

    Anyone else notice this?
    I think my work is done here.
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    • #2
      Hey Tommy, you are spot on. I get what you're saying because I always felt that way too. It feels very unnatural to me. What I have to do in this case is put in a click track metronome to help me and then remove it after in the DAW after the drums have been recorded. If there are two versions to the song, one with drums and one without, I always play to the regular with drums version of the song and record that way. Its weird indeed. But you know whats funny, is that when we play live at a gig with a band, we are essentially doing the same thing, really.

      Another weird thing I see a lot of drummers like, is when they don't want vocals in their monitor mix. I always have found that to be weird too. I need pretty much the entire bands mix in my monitors except for any additional percussion on the side, like congas etc... I need to hear the singer to know where I am in the song etc...
      - EKIT: Jobeky Drums: Custom 5 piece "Lacewood fade" & Hart 13" Pro Chrome snare. ROLAND MG V-CYMBALS
      - AKIT: PDP Concept Maple by DW. Zildjian K & A Custom cymbals. Hybrid acoustic mic'd / 2Box triggered kit

      MY YOU TUBE DRUM COVER CHANNEL: www.youtube.com/gregthegroove

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        • #3
          Yeah, I have a click as well that I can play with, but even that is strange. Especially when the band is playing one timing, and the drummer is playing a different timing. Sometimes the click track jumps to crazy 16th notes, then back to quarter notes. A click track is something you just don't hear with the actual recording. Its just something I am going to try and get used to.

          But, yes, live is a different story. When I used to play live back in high-school and college it wasn't an issue. I always knew what came next, and the the song just worked. I guess I have just played so long to the regular full tracks that playing them in a different manner is throwing me off a bit.

          Edit: I think what feels so strange is that the drumless track doesn't feel like it has accents. It feels like a mess of notes without a proper beat/tempo. Finding 1 is hard enough, but without the drums to add in on the accents, any odd time signatures just get lost.
          Last edited by Tommy_D; 02-27-14, 01:53 PM.
          I think my work is done here.

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            • #4
              Yeh i find it wierd playing along to drumless tracks too! Glad Im not the only one!

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                • #5
                  Originally posted by Greg The Groove
                  Another weird thing I see a lot of drummers like, is when they don't want vocals in their monitor mix. I always have found that to be weird too. I need pretty much the entire bands mix in my monitors except for any additional percussion on the side, like congas etc... I need to hear the singer to know where I am in the song etc...
                  I played in a big production last year (a music awards night), and when i asked for some vocals through the monitor the sound guy just looked at me with a blank look. I did get some vocals through the monitor. I like to be able to hear the whole band when i play, makes playing more enjoyable especially when you're jamming out on a song!


                  Roland TD-30KV, Pearl Demon Drive Double Pedal, Pearl H1000 hit hat stand, Shure SE530 IEMs, AKG K171 MKII Headphones, Mackie DLM PA, Yamaha MG102C mixer, Roland Studio Capture

                  Natal Walnut kit (US Fusion X), Bosphorus Antique 16" Crash & 22" Ride, Bosphorus Gold Series 14" hats.

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                    • #6
                      Oh god I MUST HAVE vocals through my monitor mix! I quite often take my cues from the vocals.

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                        • #7
                          Originally posted by KennyinDundee
                          Oh god I MUST HAVE vocals through my monitor mix! I quite often take my cues from the vocals.
                          ABSOLUTELY! That's why I like having full control over my monitor mix. That way I can have any mix I need for the situation.
                          8 piece DIY Acrylic, 2x2Box DrumIt5, Gen16 4xDCP, DIY Acrylic&Gen16 Conversions, Sleishman Twin-QuadSteele hybrid, Gibraltar&DrumFrame rack, DW9502LB, Midi Knights Pro Lighting
                          http://www.airbrushartists.org/DreamscapeAirbrushRealm
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                            • #8
                              Ahhh...so it's all about control issues eh?

                              K ;-)
                              My bands: Alter Ego, Arcanum
                              E Kit = Roland TDW-20s kit // Roland SPD-S// Pearl Demon Drives//
                              A Kit = Tama Swingstar 5 pc (1981) w/roto toms (orig owner!) //Zildjians
                              A Kit = Natal 6 pc with Paiste 2000 & Zildjian/MidiKNights/DrumSplitters
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                                • fulrmr(Daniel)
                                  #8.1
                                  fulrmr(Daniel) commented
                                  04-08-14, 08:18 PM
                                  Editing a comment
                                  as long as I'm in control...no issues whatsoever.
                                    👍 1
                                • #9
                                  I sing backup so vocals in the monitor mix is a must!!
                                  www.RemedyRocksKC.com

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