How do You Record rhythm tracks for Demos

[bnwitt]

So, not being a drummer, when working on a computer to create songs I usually use Band in a Box or Acid Pro to create the rhythm tracks for my demos after creating my progression and song structure. Next I add guitar and vocal scratch tracks to these rhythm tracks and then add additional or subtract tracks as I go. With the DP32SD not having any rhythm sounds and just a Metronome beep, I'm wondering how other users create demos on these recorders. What is your creative process?
I am thinking about using a laptop and my Focusrite 18i20 to write the drum tracks to the DP32SD and then do the rest without the computer.

I guess the question is how non-drummers create your drum tracks.

Thoughts?
Barry

 

[Phil Tipping]

In the absence of other replies, my 2c is to always use the import method for transferring files into the DP machine. This guarantees a pristine copy with no hiss or hum, and no hassle setting recording levels. Similarly use the export method for transferring the opposite way.
So see if your software drum machines can generate wave files, and make sure the bit depth and sample rate match the song you create on the DP.

If you think you may need to overdub anything in the future whose tempo is defined by a machine, e.g. a drum machine or sequencer, plan ahead and create an electronic/MIDI guide track before even starting the project, and make sure that track is copied/imported wherever the song goes.

You could create the guide on the computer and import it to the DP, or create it directly on the DP. I see you have the SD version of the DP, so you'll need to use a MIDI sync box or equivalent to convert MIDI timing clocks to/from audio tones.

I personally would forget the metronome and use the drum track as the guide for future overdubs, but if you want to edit later on using bars & beats as shown on the DP, you'll have to sync the guide track to the DP's metronome. I can't think of an easy way of doing this apart from manually recording while listening to the metronome.

 

[Mark Richards]

...the question is how non-drummers create your drum tracks.

For users of the DP-xxSD, I'll second what Phill wrote above.

For any reading this in the future unfamiliar with striping a MIDI guide track, Phil has a video in the stickies demonstrating how to stripe the guide track onto a DP-24SD or DP-32SD.

Barry, I have the original DP-24 with MIDI on board, and Beatbuddy, so for me, it's straight forward:
DP-24 as master; Beatbuddy as slave.
Record a scratch track and then overdub everything.

 

[bnwitt]

It's a shame Tascam dropped midi on the SDs. Phil and Mark thank you both for your guidance.