^^Couldn't agree more. I started doing band when I was in 6th grade (though I was wanting to play the drums since THIRD grade, there abouts, when Metallica's "Justice" album came out, and the video for 'One' showing a lot of Lars behind the kit...haha), and stuck with it all the way through high school. I was lucky enough to have band conductors that absolutely DRILLED keeping time, standing in front of you as a live metronome hammering out the time, making sure I was right there with them. We played to metronomes for tests. Thanks to all that, playing with a click for recording, though not always necessary, was not a frightening venture when I have been in the studio.
I'm always of the opinion that you can have your idols, and try to emulate them, but learn the basics first, LEARN TO KEEP TIME, AS THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A DRUMMER'S ROLE, and the extreme chops WILL come before you know it. Nothing aggravates me more at a show than when I see a band that practiced stage moves and stick tricks first before learning how to write and play a song, and keep that shit on point time wise. Drummers going off on fills and coming back a half measure (or more) behind their bandmates (I see it A LOT with the AK scene!!) is my biggest pet peeve at these shows. It's like everyone's in it for themselves, and just hope that everyone else is on board. LOL.

I might not have the craziest abilities or chops in the world, or even in the scene up here where I live, but I've gotten more offers to be in bands than the guy that fucking showboats all gig long!

It is a practice/muscle building issue, to a certain extent. The biggest keys to playing drums, no matter what the genre or speed, is obviously good technique (proper grip, posture, etc), but even more importantly, is to RELAX. I have to tell myself that every show, be it the black metal I did with Bound By Entrails or the current surf rock thing I'm doing now, and despite playing the drums for around 20yrs now, as I still get amped up and sometimes run into some cramping issues. It's easier said than done.

Watching the video, it seems you have decent technique (enough so where a lesson with a private instructor or even the old school drum guy at the local instrument/drum store can polish it right up with some pointers!),but you might just try letting your fingers to do more of the work when you're doing ride patterns on the ride or hats, maybe not to where you are doing that so-called "floating finger" technique, but more like if you're gripping your sticks correctly most of the contact should be with your pointer finger and thumb, allowing the other fingers to help 'bounce' the stick. Here's a old video of an online friend of mine (and a guy I had to replace when Bound By Entrails relocated to Alaska) doing one of his solo songs (its a one man black metal band...but the dude shreds on all the instruments, ESPECIALLY the drums), and you'll see him doing a combo of wrist and finger techniques, which is what I more or less do. It'll help in the long run, IMO. Anyway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-nRuAveAz4

Another thing that might help with the cramping is your drum set up. It seems you have to really reach to hit that mounted tom and your one crash. I get the thing now days where you want your stuff low and whatnot, but you have to be comfortable too. I liked the song though, there was some pretty sweet things happening throughout!

You guys should totally check this interview out. Really great thoughts on drumming in both jazz and metal. Damion Reid's an absolutely nasty player too.

http://www.heavymetalbebop.com/post/293 ... amion-reid

That was an interesting read! I didn't make it through the whole thing, just skimmed it here at work, but he really did have some interesting things to say. I look forward to finishing that article up when I get home!

While I am a drummer, I feel I'd rather use programmed drums on the demoing I'm doing, as I don't particularly enjoy doing studio drums from nothing when I'm not accompanied by other band members to reherse/record live-in-studio with. Hence, can anyone recommend me some drum-sequencing/programming software?

Why isn't this and a few other original sticky threads not sticky anymore?

cause no one was really psoting in them and an executive decision was made to unsticky them since it was easier to navigate.

Just thought it was overkill, didn't want it looking like the recommendation forum... but those are at least updated daily or at least weekly. and not like 3 month lulls.

EZdrummer and Superior Drummer by Toontrack.

Subrick, I don't think he's going to care 3 months after the fact. If he hadn't figured it out by now I doubt he would've been waiting around for an answer here.

Eh, better than leaving it unanswered in case someone else comes in with the same question.

Ok guys, can someone answer these questions.
My drum setup includes 4 toms, and overheads: HH, ride, 2 crashes, china, splash.

1/ Why are even the most expensive electronic drum kits limited to either 3 toms and/or 4 overhead pieces (while I want 6).

2/ Even if I would expand with separate pads, how would I combine modules for MIDI or audio output?
I don't suppose any module has spare inputs left, from what I've seen.

You are most definitely not the only one! Many professionals use that method of playing too. I use heel-toe for 240+ bpm, and heel-up for everything else.

A disadvantage to playing "heel-down," which is what you're doing, is that you cannot hit high bpm, which most metal drummers prefer. If you get used to it, issues such as stamina should no longer be issues. Heel-toe is the best way to go for metal, but it's not for everyone. Try learning a few techniques, it's proven that the more you know, the better your main technique becomes as long as you constantly work on it.

If it makes you feel any better, I've been playing for 16 years and still play heel down, including 290+ blasts etc.