Learn Drums

It's a goal of mine to produce a major set of videos and lessons to teach people how to play the drums. This probably won't happen until 2027 or 2028, after I've retired from reforestation work. But when that happens, you'll find all of my lessons right here.

In the meantime, let me give you a brief overview of some present and past computer-based drum production software, because I've done a lot of work with that kind of software too.


Jamstix

I've used Jamstix a lot, and have a whole tutorial series available: djbolivia.ca/jamstix

Jamstix (by Rayzoon) is a virtual drummer software that emphasizes realism and behavioral modeling to produce drum tracks that feel incredibly life-like. Unlike traditional drum sample libraries or sequencers, this software simulates a real drummer's thought process, responding dynamically to song structure and playing style inputs from the user. It features highly complex and adaptive drumming that mimics the nuances and variations of live playing. Jamstix stands out for its ability to not just play back pre-programmed patterns, but also to interact with the music in real-time, making it a powerful tool for producers and songwriters who want a more "human" touch in their digital drum tracks. I won't lie, I love this software, and it's by far the best of the drum production choices out there. The only drawback is that my tutorials above are from version 3 of the software, and a better version (4) is now available. But there are enough similarities that my tutorials for the 3rd edition are still very useful.

Link: www.rayzoon.com/


BFD - Big Fucking Drums

Actually, the publicized name of this is Big Fish Drums, and it's a product produced by FX Expansion that has been around since 2003. BFD has the best sample libraries that I've used. More importantly, you can use those sample libraries in Jamstix! BFD is still for sale and in common use today. It offers users a wide range of kits and cymbal samples, with extensive mic placement control and articulation options. BFD is widely known for its realistic drum sounds and authentic acoustic drum emulation. BFD (along with Jamstix) is the other key tool in my drum production toolbox.

Link: www.bfddrums.com


Groove Agent

Developed by Steinberg, Groove Agent has detailed acoustic drum kits, electronic beats, and percussion sounds. Since its introduction, it has evolved to include an extensive range of drum styles and patterns, catering to genres from rock and pop to jazz and hip-hop. Groove Agent is known for dynamic performance controls, and the ability to create nuanced drum tracks. Groove Agent has been a well known name for a long time, and they're currently on version 5. To be honest, I need to give this software a try again. I was pretty familiar with it back when it was on version 3, but it really struggled at the time with my operating system. That's actually why I found Jamstix, because I got so frustrated with Groove Agent. But it's a well-known name, and definitely worth investigating.

Link: www.steinberg.net/vst-instruments/groove-agent


Addictive Drums

Developed by XLN Audio, Addictive Drums has been around since 2005. Again, I played with this a lot more than a decade ago, so it has evolved a lot since I last used it. It's still available and continues to see further development, and I know a few people who swear by it. Addictive Drums comes with a variety of high quality samples, presets, and MIDI grooves, to help get you up and running quickly out of the box.

Link: www.xlnaudio.com/products/addictive_drums_2


EZDrummer and Superior Drummer

These two programs are both developed by Toontrack, although they're different programs. EZdrummer is known for its user-friendly interface, extensive library of MIDI grooves, and high-quality drum samples. Superior Drummer has more detailed samples, extensive customization options, and advanced scripting. It's designed for users who want more control over their drum sounds. A lot of people recommend EZDrummer for being faster to learn, and good for putting together simple tracks quickly. But many people say that if you're going to build a more complex and professional project, move over to Superior Drummer, which has much better samples.

Link: www.toontrack.com


Steven Slate Drums

I haven't used this software (which first came onto the market in 2005) so I can't offer much for comments. However, it's still in production and some audio engineers use it.

Link: www.stevenslatedrums.com


Drumagog

Drumagog was a good software plug-in for replacing acoustic drum tracks with studio-quality drum samples, and it used to be quite popular (more than a decade ago). I think that development has stagnated for this product, so I'd recommend that audio engineers look elsewhere.

Link: www.drumagog.com




Also, if you're serious about learning how to play drums, don't wait for me to start producing tutorials! Here are links to a couple of popular online resources for aspiring drummers:


Drumeo

Drumeo probably stands out in the online drum lessons world for being the most well-known name. It has courses and lessons tailored for drummers at all levels, from beginners to advanced. With access to industry professionals, masterclasses, and a significant songlist, Drumeo offers a well-rounded educational experience. You can learn at your own pace, facilitated by professional coaches and a 90-day improvement guarantee. Drumeo is not free, but neither are real-world drum lessons! At $299 USD for the first three modules (which will get you to a pretty competent level) you'll find that this is a great deal compared to in-person lessons with a local teacher.

Link: www.drumeo.com



OnlineDrummer

OnlineDrummer also caters to drummers of all skill levels, and is distinguished by its wide range of free resources. There's a paid subscription available ($28/month USD) which allows access to a ton of sheet music and other resources, but the site also has a lot of free video lessons. You can explore the site while sorting by musical themes, drumming techniques, or skill level. Lessons vary in quality but are generally good, featuring above-kit views with animated notation and voiceover instruction. OnlineDrummer stands out for its substantial track collection for play-alongs, and some students appreciate the non-linear lesson format. If you're hoping for some live one-on-one training, you can also pay for private drum lessons via video chat platforms like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. These lessons are tailored to the individual's needs and offer direct feedback from experienced instructors. The main instructor, Steve Ley, is a professional drummer with a solid background.

Link: www.onlinedrummer.com



Drum Ambition

Drum Ambition offers online drum lessons specifically designed for beginners, with a focus on learning acoustic or electronic drums in just a few minutes a day. The platform stands out for its single-instructor approach, with courses created by Simon DasGupta . Drum Ambition is simple and straightforward, and will give you a solid foundation with easy-to-follow video lessons. You won't see celebrity show-offs here. This site has clear, focused, and efficient lessons, and it's recommended by drum legends such as Thomas Lang, Gregg Bissonette, and Rich Redmond. Drum Ambition is also endorsed by major drum brands, due to the quality of instruction. You can subscribe for $29/month (USD) or save money with a $199 annual subscription.

Link: www.drumambition.com