Virtual percussion is typically used to describe an interface that simulates playing acoustic drums, but it can also refer to digital percussion, which is essentially computer-generated drum audio. Software or hardware can be used to create virtual audio interfaces. They can be used for professional audio recording and music performance or simply for fun. Professional virtual drums can be used to improve rhythm and timing in music in both live performance and the studio.
Computer-generated drum audio is typically programmed into software via an interface that does not resemble the instruments that might be playing the sound. When a musician uses a virtual percussion interface, he is frequently interacting with computer instruments that are designed to closely resemble the look and feel of playing that instrument in real life. Virtual percussion is a type of electronic drum sound that is triggered software or a physical drum kit. Many virtual percussion software interfaces are available for free online.
The majority of virtual percussion suites are intended for entertainment rather than recording. The majority of these are online games that allow the user to play and record the program’s instruments. Typically, the sound from these games isn’t of the caliber required for a good recording. Virtual percussion instruments are used some professional songwriters to create a suite that can be played on an acoustic percussion instrument or with professional digital percussion software.
Professional recording artists use virtual drums that are very different from the free online versions. In an audio- or music-composition program, professional virtual percussion is usually the percussion sound suite. While most of these programs come with a basic set of virtual percussion sounds, percussion sound packs can be used to enhance many percussion software programs. When the sound engineer is programming a drum beat, this software may or may not use a virtual interface.
An electronic drum set is another type of virtual drum set. This type of drum set has physical drums that the drummer plays to make a beat, but instead of making an acoustic drum sound, when a part of the electronic drum set is struck, it produces a pre-recorded digital sound. This type of drum set can be played similarly to a regular acoustic drum set a drummer. The sounds on an electronic virtual drum set can be made to sound like traditional acoustic drums or futuristic digital drums.