DRUMMER program
Doyle W. Donehoo
MINI REVIEW of DRUMMER for the IBM/MPU401.
This program is a pattern/measure oriented program for
composing drum scores.
Atvantages: Mouse driven, easy to use, simple, you can
vary the length of the notes so you can create old style
analog-like sequencer sequences, inexpensive, easy to
upload and down load, setups for popular drum machines,
unlimited score lengths, standard midi file format,
assignable multi midi channels and notes, not copy
protected, fixed maximum measure length.
Disadvantages: Only twenty midi note slots to program available,
ONLY 25 PATTERNS AVAILABLE TO PROGRAM(!), you cannot vary the
note on time to "humanize" the pattern (unless you use an external
editor).
The disadvantages severely limit the program to entry level users.
I use the CX5M RX Editor which allows me to use 99 patterns, each
pattern of almost any length (limited to memory available: I have
yet to run out of memory for even the longest of songs, and I
almost never loop). I can program 16 instruments, while DRUMMER
allows 20-----big deal. The variable note length of DRUMMER makes it
a useful sequencer for any synth or sampler. Be sure to load your
mouse driver before loading the program.
Conclusion: If you need a quick and easy drum-style pattern/measure
oriented sequencer, and the 25 pattern limitation does not scare
you, this inexpensive ($80-) program is for you. It would be ideal
for creating those nervous commercially oriented pop(tart) songs.
I may pick this thing up (I have the demo version) just for the
sequencer possibilities, and the fact I can bounce a sequence to
another recorder and paste when I run out of patterns, but you
may not have a spare computer or the software means to do this.
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"Hmmmmmmmm.... Exercising and watching TV. I Dunno. Doesn't
that defeat the purpose of TV??" -Garfield
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michael.k.pula
I've also seen the demo version of this program, and while it really
offers only entry level capability, it does it in a very straight
forward manner and can save standard MIDI file format. So for my
purposes, I can use drummer, then re-edit the note on times and
durations using SEQ+ III which read SMFF.
Anyone know where to get this program discounted? The list from
COOL Shoes Software is $99 bucks (kinda too expensive)!
Mike Pula