ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 Review - Sound On Sound
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102: A Comprehensive Review
If you are a musician, producer, or engineer who works with drums, you know how important it is to have a reliable and versatile software tool that can help you create realistic and professional drum tracks from any audio source. Whether you want to replace, enhance, or transform your existing drum recordings, or create new ones from scratch, you need a software that can handle any challenge and deliver high-quality results.
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102
That's why in this review, we will introduce you to one of the best software solutions for drum tracking on the market today: ToonTrack DrumTracker 102. We will give you a comprehensive overview of what this software can do, how to use it, what are its pros and cons, how it compares to other alternatives, how much it costs, and how to get support if you need it. By the end of this review, you will have a clear idea of whether ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is the right software for you or not.
So without further ado, let's get started!
What is ToonTrack DrumTracker 102?
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is a powerful software application that allows you to create MIDI drum tracks from any audio file. It uses a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes the audio signal and detects the transients (the peaks of sound waves) that correspond to drum hits. It then converts these transients into MIDI notes that can be mapped to any drum sampler or virtual instrument of your choice.
With ToonTrack DrumTracker 102, you can easily turn any audio file into a MIDI drum track, whether it is a live recording, a loop, a sample, or even a song. You can then edit, customize, and fine-tune your MIDI drum track to suit your needs and preferences. You can also mix and match different audio sources and MIDI drum kits to create unique and original drum sounds.
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is not only a great tool for replacing or enhancing your drum sounds, but also for transforming them into something completely different. You can use ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 to create new musical ideas, genres, and styles from your existing audio files. For example, you can turn a rock song into a hip-hop beat, a jazz groove into a metal riff, or a classical piece into an electronic dance track. The possibilities are endless!
Some of the main features of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 are:
It supports any audio file format, such as WAV, MP3, AIFF, OGG, etc.
It has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that guides you through the process of creating MIDI drum tracks.
It has a fast and accurate transient detection algorithm that can handle any type of drum sound, from acoustic to electronic.
It allows you to adjust the sensitivity, threshold, and velocity of the transient detection to optimize the results.
It lets you preview and audition the detected transients and MIDI notes before exporting them.
It gives you full control over the mapping of the MIDI notes to any drum sampler or virtual instrument of your choice.
It enables you to edit, modify, and manipulate the MIDI notes in various ways, such as quantizing, deleting, adding, moving, copying, pasting, etc.
It allows you to export the MIDI drum tracks as standard MIDI files or as individual tracks for each drum sound.
It has a built-in mixer that lets you adjust the volume, pan, mute, solo, and effects of each drum sound.
It has a comprehensive online manual and video tutorials that explain how to use the software in detail.
As you can see, ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is a versatile and powerful software that can help you create professional and realistic drum tracks from any audio source. But how do you use it? Let's find out in the next section.
How to Use ToonTrack DrumTracker 102?
Installation and Setup
To use ToonTrack DrumTracker 102, you need to have a computer that meets the following minimum system requirements:
Operating SystemWindows XP/Vista/7/8/10 or Mac OS X 10.5 or higher
CPUPentium IV/Athlon 1.8 GHz or higher
RAM1 GB or more
Hard Disk Space100 MB or more
Sound CardA sound card compatible with ASIO or Core Audio drivers
MIDI InterfaceA MIDI interface or a USB-MIDI keyboard/controller (optional)
To install ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 on your computer, you need to follow these steps:
Download the installer file from the official website of ToonTrack: https://www.toontrack.com/product/drumtracker/
Run the installer file and follow the instructions on the screen.
Enter your serial number when prompted. You can find your serial number in your email confirmation or in your ToonTrack account.
Select the destination folder where you want to install ToonTrack DrumTracker 102.
Wait for the installation to complete.
Launch ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 from your desktop or start menu shortcut.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 on your computer. Now you are ready to use it. But before you do that, you need to configure some settings to optimize its performance and compatibility with your system. Here's how:
In ToonTrack DrumTracker 102, go to File > Preferences (or press Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+, on Mac).
In the Preferences window, go to the Audio tab and select your audio device and driver from the drop-down menus. You can also adjust the buffer size and sample rate according to your system capabilities and preferences. A lower buffer size and sample rate will reduce the latency (the delay between the input and output signals) but may also increase the CPU load and cause glitches or dropouts. A higher buffer size and sample rate will increase the latency but may also improve the sound quality and stability. You can test your audio settings by clicking on the Test button and listening to the test tone. If you hear any clicks, pops, or distortions, you may need to adjust your settings until you find a balance that works for you.
In the Preferences window, go to the MIDI tab and select your MIDI device and driver from the drop-down menus. You can also enable or disable the MIDI input and output ports that you want to use with ToonTrack DrumTracker 102. If you have a MIDI interface or a USB-MIDI keyboard/controller connected to your computer, you can use it to trigger the MIDI notes in ToonTrack DrumTracker 102. You can also use your computer keyboard as a MIDI keyboard by enabling the Keyboard option.
In the Preferences window, go to the General tab and customize some general settings, such as the language, the theme, the autosave interval, the default folder, etc.
Click on OK to save your preferences and close the window.
Now you have configured ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 to work with your system. You are ready to start creating MIDI drum tracks from audio files. Let's see how to do that in the next section.
User Interface and Navigation
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 has a simple and intuitive user interface that consists of four main sections: the toolbar, the waveform display, the MIDI editor, and the mixer. Let's take a look at each of them in more detail.
The toolbar is located at the top of the window and contains several buttons and menus that allow you to access the main functions and features of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102. Here are some of the most important ones:
The File menu lets you create, open, save, export, import, and close projects. It also lets you access the preferences, the manual, and the online support.
The Edit menu lets you undo, redo, cut, copy, paste, delete, select, quantize, transpose, and modify MIDI notes. It also lets you access some advanced editing tools, such as split, merge, fill gaps, remove duplicates, etc.
The View menu lets you zoom in, zoom out, fit to screen, show or hide grid lines, show or hide transients, show or hide MIDI notes, show or hide mixer, etc.
The Tools menu lets you access some useful tools for working with audio files and MIDI drum tracks, such as audio analysis, transient detection, MIDI mapping, MIDI export options, etc.
The Help menu lets you access the online manual, video tutorials, FAQ page, support forum, contact information, etc.
The New button lets you create a new project.
The Open button lets you open an existing project.
The Save button lets you save your current project.
The Import button lets you import an audio file into your project.
The Export button lets you export your MIDI drum track as a standard MIDI file or as individual tracks for each drum sound.
The Play button lets you play or pause your audio file or MIDI drum track.
The Stop button lets you stop playing your audio file or MIDI drum track.
The Record button lets you record MIDI notes from your MIDI device or computer keyboard.
The Loop button lets you enable or disable looping of your audio file or MIDI drum track.
The Metronome button lets you enable or disable a metronome sound that helps you keep time while playing or recording.
The Tempo box lets you adjust the tempo (speed) of your audio file or MIDI drum track in beats per minute (BPM).
The waveform display is located below the toolbar and shows a graphical representation of your audio file. It shows the amplitude (volume) of the sound waves over time. You can use your mouse to select a portion of the waveform display by clicking and dragging on it. You can also use your mouse wheel to zoom in or out on the waveform display. You can see some information about your audio file at the bottom of the waveform display, such as the file name, format, size, length, sample rate, bit depth, channels, etc.
The MIDI editor is located below the waveform display and shows a graphical representation of your MIDI drum track. It shows the MIDI notes that correspond to the drum hits in your audio file. You can use your mouse to select, move, resize, delete, or add MIDI notes by clicking and dragging on them. You can also use your mouse wheel to zoom in or out on the MIDI editor. You can see some information about your MIDI drum track at the bottom of the MIDI editor, such as the number of notes, the velocity range, the note length range, etc.
The mixer is located at the right side of the window and shows a graphical representation of your drum sounds. It shows the volume, pan, mute, solo, and effects settings for each drum sound. You can use your mouse to adjust these settings by clicking and dragging on them. You can also use your mouse wheel to scroll through the mixer channels. You can see some information about your drum sounds at the top of the mixer, such as the name, icon, color, and MIDI note of each drum sound.
Now that you are familiar with the user interface and navigation of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102, let's see how to use it to create MIDI drum tracks from audio files in the next section.
Workflow and Features
To use ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 to create MIDI drum tracks from audio files, you need to follow these steps:
Import an audio file into your project. You can do this by clicking on the Import button in the toolbar and browsing for the audio file that you want to use. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the audio file from your computer into the waveform display. ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 will automatically analyze the audio file and display it in the waveform display.
Detect the transients in your audio file. Transients are the peaks of sound waves that indicate drum hits. ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 will automatically detect the transients in your audio file and display them as vertical lines on the waveform display. You can adjust the sensitivity, threshold, and velocity of the transient detection by using the sliders at the bottom of the waveform display. You can also manually add or delete transients by using the tools in the toolbar. You can preview and audition the detected transients by clicking on the Play button in the toolbar.
Map the transients to MIDI notes. ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 will automatically map the transients to MIDI notes and display them in the MIDI editor. You can adjust the mapping of the MIDI notes by using the drop-down menu at the bottom of the MIDI editor. You can choose from a variety of drum samplers and virtual instruments that are compatible with ToonTrack DrumTracker 102, such as EZdrummer, Superior Drummer, Addictive Drums, BFD, etc. You can also create your own custom mapping by using the MIDI mapping tool in the toolbar. You can preview and audition the mapped MIDI notes by clicking on the Play button in the toolbar.
Edit the MIDI notes in your MIDI drum track. You can edit, modify, and manipulate the MIDI notes in various ways by using the tools and menus in the toolbar and the MIDI editor. You can quantize, delete, add, move, copy, paste, transpose, etc. the MIDI notes to suit your needs and preferences. You can also use your MIDI device or computer keyboard to record or trigger MIDI notes in real time. You can preview and audition the edited MIDI notes by clicking on the Play button in the toolbar.
Export your MIDI drum track as a standard MIDI file or as individual tracks for each drum sound. You can do this by clicking on the Export button in the toolbar and choosing your desired export option. You can also choose to export your audio file along with your MIDI drum track as a WAV file. ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 will save your exported files in your default folder or in a folder of your choice.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a MIDI drum track from an audio file using ToonTrack DrumTracker 102. You can now use your MIDI drum track with any drum sampler or virtual instrument of your choice, or import it into any DAW (digital audio workstation) or music production software for further processing and mixing.
Pros and Cons of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is a great software for creating MIDI drum tracks from audio files, but it is not perfect. Like any software, it has its pros and cons that you should be aware of before buying it. Here are some of the main pros and cons of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102:
Pros
It is easy to use and intuitive. It has a user-friendly interface that guides you through the process of creating MIDI drum tracks from audio files.
It is fast and accurate. It has a sophisticated algorithm that detects transients and maps them to MIDI notes with high precision and speed.
It is versatile and powerful. It supports any audio file format, any drum sound, any drum sampler or virtual instrument, and any editing and exporting option.
It is creative and fun. It allows you to transform any audio file into a MIDI drum track, and create new musical ideas, genres, and styles from your existing audio files.
It is affordable and reliable. It has a reasonable price and a high-quality customer service.
Cons
It is not perfect. It may not detect all transients or map them correctly, especially if the audio file is noisy, distorted, or complex. It may also have some bugs or glitches that affect its performance or compatibility.
It is not a standalone software. It requires a drum sampler or virtual instrument to play back the MIDI drum tracks that it creates.
It is not a complete solution. It does not offer any features for mixing, processing, or mastering your drum tracks. You need to use other software for these tasks.
As you can see, ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 has more pros than cons, but it is not without flaws. You should weigh these pros and cons carefully before deciding whether ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is the right software for you or not.
Alternatives to ToonTrack DrumTracker 102
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is not the only software that can create MIDI drum tracks from audio files. There are some other software options that can perform similar tasks as ToonTrack DrumTracker 102. Here are some of them:
Slate Digital Trigger 2: This is a software plugin that replaces or enhances drum sounds in audio files with high-quality samples from Slate Digital's library. It has a fast and accurate transient detection algorithm that automatically aligns the samples with the original drum sounds. It also has some features for editing, mixing, and processing the drum sounds.
Audionamix XTRAX STEMS 2: This is a software application that separates any audio file into three stems: vocals, drums, and music. It uses artificial intelligence to isolate each stem with high quality and accuracy. It also has some features for editing, mixing, and exporting the stems. It can be used to create MIDI drum tracks from the drum stem of any audio file.
Melodyne 5: This is a software application that allows you to edit, manipulate, and transform audio files in various ways. It can detect the pitch, tempo, timing, and rhythm of any audio file and modify them with high precision and quality. It can also separate the notes and sounds of any audio file and convert them into MIDI notes. It can be used to create MIDI drum tracks from any audio file that contains drum sounds.
These are some of the alternatives to ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 that you can consider if you are looking for a different software solution for creating MIDI drum tracks from audio files. However, each of these software has its own strengths and weaknesses, and none of them can match the versatility and power of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102. ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is still the best software for creating MIDI drum tracks from any audio source.
Pricing and Support of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is a premium software that requires a one-time payment to purchase and use. The current price of ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 is $99 USD. You can buy it online from the official website of ToonTrack: https://www.toontrack.com/product/drumtracker/
When you buy ToonTrack DrumTracker 102, you will receive a serial number that you need to enter when installing the software. You will also receive access to your ToonTrack account, where you can manage your licenses, download updates, and access other products and services from ToonTrack.
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 comes with a lifetime free update policy, which means that you will always get the latest version of the software without paying any extra fees. You will also get access to the online support system of ToonTrack, where you can find answers to your questions, watch video tutorials, read the manual, join the forum, contact the customer service, etc.
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 has a high-quality customer service that is responsive, helpful, and friendly. You can reach them by email, phone, or chat. They will assist you with any issues or problems that you may encounter while using ToonTrack DrumTracker 102.
ToonTrack DrumTracker 102 has a reasonable price and a reliable support system that make it a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to create professional and realistic drum tracks from any audio source.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusio