Percussion Studio software

[jorge]

The topic of Percussion Studio software came up in another thread on Eddie Montalvo's tumbao variation, and I am starting this thread to try to avoid hijacking the other thread.

I looked at the website but still don't understand what Percussion Studio software does. Does it directly transcribe a phrase that you play on real congas into the notation system shown above? Do you have to record the congas into a wav file first and then run Percussion Studio on the wav file? Do you have to manually sequence sampled sounds to produce a rhythm?

Can someone please explain what it does and what a conga player could use it for?

[burke]

Thanks Jorge,

I too basically have the same questions but didn't to ask [aware of the hijacking we were straying into].

The only thing I can add is I downloaded it and did try converting something I was interested in to a wav file, but got the 'file not recognized' message ... so I'm a bit puzzled as well.

Can't say the help docs weren't all that helpful ... maybe me being dim as well

[Kaban]

PS is a really good software. I never tried using/importing my own sound samples, so I can't speak to how well it does that. The sound samples that come with it, and you can download from others who post theirs is good enough for me. I use it to play along with clave, Drum-kit, bass drum...etc. I program what ever conga pattern, at whatever speed that I need to start off with, add/subtract other instruments. Really cool, and simple to use. It uses icons for the tones, and you just select and it plays what sound it is, and you add to the line to make the pattern.

[jorge]

So it is like a sequencer, you have to program in the rhythm correctly, choose the sound(s) for each beat or part of a beat, and then listen back to see if it sounds right? Does it play clave so it sounds realistic (the rhythm not the sound quality)?

[Roka]

So it is like a sequencer, you have to program in the rhythm correctly, choose the sound(s) for each beat or part of a beat, and then listen back to see if it sounds right? Does it play clave so it sounds realistic (the rhythm not the sound quality)?

Right. You have place every sound there (copy-paste also working)

Does it play clave so it sounds realistic (the rhythm not the sound quality)?

No at the very begining. You can achieve it when you have some experience, but you have play with this tool a bit before.
There is a database where other users place their own, or traditional rhythms and you can dowload them and play with PS.
Some of them are a good examples to understand how to program this machine to groove. But, still the "machinery feeling exists.
It's not Cubase /ProTools, etc

[Roka]

Here's the example how it looks and sounds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSVJv39dPKU

West African percussion in this case

[rhythmrhyme]

Cool - I like it!

The sampled djembe could use a couple knots though

[KidCuba]

I use it to help me transcribe rhythms I am learning and run them through their sound sequencer. It is not perfect but a good resource.

He is a sample of their notation system which I used for a three drum conga de comparsa I am working on...

Along with a sound file I made of a bembe rhythm to practice with...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmpj5hYsW-8

[burke]

I think when Derbeno wrote in the other discussion "Threw it on Percussion Studio for you." I read/interpreted that as he imported the clip and the program transcribed it for him.

I think now that was a misread on my part and the program doesn't do that at all [but oh boy wouldn't a program that did that be worth its weight in gold!]. But actually he transcribed it old school and used the program to post his transcription.

That sound about right?

[congamyk]

I use Fruity Loops to create backing and practicing tracks.
It sounds rather straight, Any thoughts?
Here's a sample....

https://soundcloud.com/mikemillerjazz/p ... co-136-bpm

[windhorse]

I use Fruity Loops to create backing and practicing tracks.
It sounds rather straight, Any thoughts?
Here's a sample....

https://soundcloud.com/mikemillerjazz/p ... co-136-bpm

Sounds exactly as if you'd used Percussion Studio on this. I guess this is a nice alternative to PS. Do they make a Mac version? How's the printed script look? Anything like PS?
Yes, "straight" yet surprisingly swung sounding like the real thing. Maybe because of the bombo hit on 2nd strike of clave.

[congamyk]

Hi Dave, Fruity Loops is a very versatile program.
You have to build everything from scratch, not sure if that's the same as Percussion Studio or not.
Here's a screen shot of what I guild in Fruity Loops.

[congamyk]

Here;s a track for practicing Tres Dos

https://soundcloud.com/mikemillerjazz/guaguanco-for-tre-dos-practice-146-bpm

[windhorse]

I really liked the simplicity of percussion studio, and the fact that it had an easy print function for what you programmed/"wrote" as your percussion sequence.
How does a print-out of your track look on FL?

Fruity Loops, now called FL studio looks much beefier, more robust, and thus more complex. But, it will work on my new Mac. And PS doesn't. So, just might have to go with it. Here's a download link:
http://www.image-line.com/downloads/flstudiodownload.html

[congamyk]

there is no print out in FL