Is Using Drum Triggers Cheating?

Ahhh the old “is using drum triggers cheating?” debate. Seems like it pops up once a year or so, and each time it’s no less controversial than the year before.

Trey Xavier wrote a fantastic editorial for Gear Gods earlier this week on the subject. Rather than recap his argument — which is very, very compelling — I’m going to quote the piece’s introductory paragraph and let you decide for yourself which side he makes a case for:

I thought using loops was cheating, so I programmed my own using samples. I then thought using samples was cheating, so I recorded real drums. I then thought that programming it was cheating, so I learned to play drums for real. I then thought using bought drums was cheating, so I learned to make my own. I then thought using premade skins was cheating, so I killed a goat and skinned it. I then thought that that was cheating too, so I grew my own goat from a baby goat. I also think that is cheating, but I’m not sure where to go from here. I haven’t made any music lately, what with the goat farming and all.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve got a ton of respect for goat farmers. Goats are so cute! Those crazy eyes! And they make delicious cheese to boot!

Read the article here, then come back and tell us what you think in the comments section.