Superior Drummer 3 sale

[MirrorProfiles]

Ah, you have the mysterious Evil Drums SDX. How do you like it?

LOVE it. Killer rooms, great drum choices and tunings. Joe Barresi, what's not to love?

With any library, I tend to prefer just loading the entire kit's as a preset, so everything is as they mic'd it (as opposed to mixing and matching drums together). With Evil Drums, that's even more important because there is often no consistency at all between different kits. The first 3 were done at Grandmaster Studios (Tool/Foo Fighters/tons of cool shit) and the latter 3 were done at Sound City. Within that, they record the kits in different parts of the room, with different chains and settings. So things can go goofy if you swap things around and mix and match too much.

That tends to be the case to a lesser extent anyway - I think it's too hard for different drums and sounds to make sense if you don't adjust the mics and settings at least a little bit. Usually for each kit they're going for something particular and all the micing follows that to a degree.

 

[EOengineer]

That's where I'm at. Still pretty curious about Hansa, Decades, State of the Art and Michael Ilberts EZX's from Sunset Sound.

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Big +1 for D&D, especially Mark Lewis's library. Tue Madsens makes a nice counter balance for some more quirky tones too. Progressive Foundry has a lot of great stuff, but the room is a little on the small side for my taste (easily augmented though). Honestly, I love all the SDX's, even the weird ones like Metal Foundry, Area 33, Rock Warehouse.

That’s a serious collection. Any of the newer SD3 specific SDXs that you think provide an alternative to D&D as for as modern rock, alternative, pop punk sounds go?

I’ve been curious about the newer Bob Rock library as he usually has killer drum sounds.

Fields of Rock seemed interesting too but I couldn’t quite tell what it is aimed at.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

That’s a serious collection. Any of the newer SD3 specific SDXs that you think provide an alternative to D&D as for as modern rock, alternative, pop punk sounds go?

I’ve been curious about the newer Bob Rock library as he usually has killer drum sounds.

Fields of Rock seemed interesting too but I couldn’t quite tell what it is aimed at.

Fields of Rock is quite dry and fat sounding. There's enough in there to get other sounds from it, but I'd think goth/punk/Pixies type rock stuff is where that one shines best. It's well recorded, not bone dry on the way in but just processed tastefully as you would in a studio like that. Plus it's Rockfield, and it's awesome to have samples done in that studio (in several rooms too). The added percussion stuff gives extra value to that library too.

The Bob Rock one is even more heavy handed with EQ on the way in. Its cool and sounds great but it pushes you very much into a corner, and I think it means you can't mix and match sounds as much as some other libraries (if that's something you tend to do). Each kit is very different sounding and quite stylised from the off. KILLER room, amazing desk, well tuned drums. I like it a lot, but not the most versatile. Bob is a great engineer, maybe even a bit underrated as he's generally seen as more of a "producer" than engineer these days.

Progressive foundry would be a good shout for what you're asking for. It's a bit more raw on the recording side, not too hyped and good variety of drums and tunings. Kind of the opposite to Rock Foundry in that regard.

The Frank Fillipetti library "Stories" is quite a nice middle ground - there's definitely a bit of EQ on the recording but its tracked so cleanly and the room is incredible (I way prefer the sound of this room to Prog Foundry). Not as much choice/versatility but it's not as limited/cooked as Rock Foundry.

 

[EOengineer]

Fields of Rock is quite dry and fat sounding. There's enough in there to get other sounds from it, but I'd think goth/punk/Pixies type rock stuff is where that one shines best. It's well recorded, not bone dry on the way in but just processed tastefully as you would in a studio like that. Plus it's Rockfield, and it's awesome to have samples done in that studio (in several rooms too). The added percussion stuff gives extra value to that library too.

The Bob Rock one is even more heavy handed with EQ on the way in. Its cool and sounds great but it pushes you very much into a corner, and I think it means you can't mix and match sounds as much as some other libraries (if that's something you tend to do). Each kit is very different sounding and quite stylised from the off. KILLER room, amazing desk, well tuned drums. I like it a lot, but not the most versatile. Bob is a great engineer, maybe even a bit underrated as he's generally seen as more of a "producer" than engineer these days.

Progressive foundry would be a good shout for what you're asking for. It's a bit more raw on the recording side, not too hyped and good variety of drums and tunings. Kind of the opposite to Rock Foundry in that regard.

The Frank Fillipetti library "Stories" is quite a nice middle ground - there's definitely a bit of EQ on the recording but its tracked so cleanly and the room is incredible (I way prefer the sound of this room to Prog Foundry). Not as much choice/versatility but it's not as limited/cooked as Rock Foundry.

Thanks, I will investigate. I know the progressive foundry isn’t for me due to the same reasons you quoted - didn’t love the rooms in that library. The Bob Rock stuff might work though, as I’m generally ok with opinionated kits.

 

[deathbyguitar]

The NY Studios SDX's are still the best sounding to me. The libraries all have a certain smack and punch that I can't get enough of. And the kick from Hit Factory is probably the most perfect kick sound I've ever heard. Also I really wish Toontrack would make more Sabian based kits, specifically HHX Evolution. Avatar spoiled me forever.

 

[bikescene]

The crossgrade price looks really good for those who are looking to upgrade from EZD3.

I’m still dragging my feet on buying a SDX 3-pack, but I think I’ll grab Southern Soul EZX during this sale.

Seeing this thread was a reminder for me to check my Product Manager. It turns out I didn’t install Metal Machinery SDX from the last sale. I’ve been basically using Progressive Foundry for everything and haven’t had to pull up any other libraries.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I'm a big fan of Toontrack but this has irked me for YEARS. There is a bug that causes samples to be exported out of time from the MIDI. IIRC at 44.1k things export as they should, but at other sample rates, there is some random shift where each hit is out of time by different amounts, and often ahead of the MIDI.

For writing, it's going to be imperceptible but if you want to augment real drums with Superior the phase is going to shift around and the transients will sound off.

I reported this years ago, and initially got a very gaslighty IK style response, where I had to jump through several hoops of demonstrating the issue in all manner of ways before they finally just shrugged and said something like "we'll let you know how it goes".

There's been quite a few updates since, and some even mention the timing but it still seems like it can't do possibly the most basic function that triggering from MIDI should be able to do.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

And the same thing (different library) but at 44.1kHz. No issue - the sample stays locked to the MIDI.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

There is a bug that causes samples to be exported out of time from the MIDI. IIRC at 44.1k things export as they should, but at other sample rates, there is some random shift where each hit is out of time by different amounts, and often ahead of the MIDI. […]

Humanization™

 

[JasonE]

I saw that they put this on sale again. I decided to go ahead and get it. I bought Superior Drummer 3. I can see there will be at least a little bit of a learning curve with it. I am setting here playing with it now. I expected to have more grooves and kits in it than it has. Maybe I haven't figured out where they are yet but it really seems pretty limited for what it costs. I clicked on the "Show Webshop MIDI" button and that loaded a ton more grooves. However, it looks like you are only sampling them and have to go to the webshop to buy add on packs to get them. My needs are really not that complex. I have the drums in Logic as well as two versions of Steven Slate drums and those seem like they have more in them than SD does and they were a lot less money. Any insight or pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I am not thrilled with the purchase at this point.

It may have been better to put this in a separate thread so build a resource for anyone that decides to pick this up to help them get started with it.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Coming from EZDrummer where I’m mostly using midi packs and the Death Metal EZX, what would be the most comparable SDX? I love the Death Metal pack, but I’d like to be able to tweak it more than I can now. Is Death & Darkness basically an SDX version of EZX Death Metal and Dark Matter?

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

[…] Is Death & Darkness basically an SDX version of EZX Death Metal and Dark Matter?

Yes, it is, but with more kits & kit pieces, articulations etc. It‘s one of the best value SDXs and I highly recommend getting it. Another really good one is the Metal Machinery SDX, which is the Metal drum sound of the 2010s. Do NOT buy any of the Area 33 SDXs, though. They are comically bad.

 

[Orvillain]

I use Death & Darkness a lot. Really good libraries IMO. The other one I use a lot is the Post Metal EZX for EZD3; the one with the Cult of Luna drummer. Really lovely tones. Not quite as detailed, but fine for demos and such.

 

[JasonE]

I saw that they put this on sale again. I decided to go ahead and get it. I bought Superior Drummer 3. I can see there will be at least a little bit of a learning curve with it. I am setting here playing with it now. I expected to have more grooves and kits in it than it has. Maybe I haven't figured out where they are yet but it really seems pretty limited for what it costs. I clicked on the "Show Webshop MIDI" button and that loaded a ton more grooves. However, it looks like you are only sampling them and have to go to the webshop to buy add on packs to get them. My needs are really not that complex. I have the drums in Logic as well as two versions of Steven Slate drums and those seem like they have more in them than SD does and they were a lot less money. Any insight or pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. I am not thrilled with the purchase at this point.

It may have been better to put this in a separate thread so build a resource for anyone that decides to pick this up to help them get started with it.

After spending more time with SD3 I am happier with the purchase. It has some nice features that are easier to use than the other options I own. I may have to invest in a couple of the MIDI bundles at some point. I am going to see if I can get it to read the files from my SSD installs. The kits is where they really get you for more money. I probably won't buy any of those unless I really feel the need for something specific.

 

[bikescene]

After spending more time with SD3 I am happier with the purchase. It has some nice features that are easier to use than the other options I own. I may have to invest in a couple of the MIDI bundles at some point. I am going to see if I can get it to read the files from my SSD installs. The kits is where they really get you for more money. I probably won't buy any of those unless I really feel the need for something specific.

I think there is a lot of variety in the stock kits. The ambience in the mics is a complaint, but O think there is a healthy number of snares when you compare to expansions. The older expansions go on sale at a better price during the holidays. There’s always 1 or 2 older SDX that goes for $50 during Black Friday. Progressive Foundry is one of the older SDX expansions that I got during one of those sales that was really worth it for me.

The Slate library is sort of a collection of the older 2000s samples/libraries and their somewhat newer 2010s deluxe kits. There are a lot of kits for someone who is buying into Slate now. For older users, they are purchasing some stuff they already have albeit in a friendlier package. The price for Slate drums is indeed really good when on sale though.

 

[JasonE]

I think there is a lot of variety in the stock kits. The ambience in the mics is a complaint, but O think there is a healthy number of snares when you compare to expansions. The older expansions go on sale at a better price during the holidays. There’s always 1 or 2 older SDX that goes for $50 during Black Friday. Progressive Foundry is one of the older SDX expansions that I got during one of those sales that was really worth it for me.

The Slate library is sort of a collection of the older 2000s samples/libraries and their somewhat newer 2010s deluxe kits. There are a lot of kits for someone who is buying into Slate now. For older users, they are purchasing some stuff they already have albeit in a friendlier package. The price for Slate drums is indeed really good when on sale though.

I am finding sounds that should work for me by mixing snares and kicks from the different kits. I will try to get what I need from the core kits and probably only start digging into the expansions if I am just not finding something I like in what I have. I have found drum sounds I like in both SSD and Logic. I am sure it will just take some time of playing with SD3 to find those sounds.

I have had SSD for quite a while. I think I have 4 and 5. I will have to look but I am pretty sure those are the ones I have. I bought SSD4 10 years ago. It sill works well. They put 5 on sale and I got a deal on it because I was a SSD4 user so I bought it. It has some of the same features of SD3. I think having used that is making me figure out SD3 pretty fast. I think I have pretty much figured out how to use all of the features in SD3 already.

The biggest concern I had with buying SD3 is that it has been out for 7 years. That is a long time for a software package. I was going to buy it a year ago when they put it on sale for $100 off because you never really saw it go on sale for 25% off. I was wondering if they were getting close to dropping an SD4. I didn't want to have to pay to upgrade and would have just bought the new version. Well, as my luck would have it, they didn't drop a new version and here I am a year later. :)

 

[Sleezy E]

Fwiw, you can import the midi from SSD into Sd3

 

[JasonE]

Fwiw, you can import the midi from SSD into Sd3

I figured that was possible when I started playing with it but haven't tried it yet.

 

[EOengineer]

I am finding sounds that should work for me by mixing snares and kicks from the different kits. I will try to get what I need from the core kits and probably only start digging into the expansions if I am just not finding something I like in what I have. I have found drum sounds I like in both SSD and Logic. I am sure it will just take some time of playing with SD3 to find those sounds.

I have had SSD for quite a while. I think I have 4 and 5. I will have to look but I am pretty sure those are the ones I have. I bought SSD4 10 years ago. It sill works well. They put 5 on sale and I got a deal on it because I was a SSD4 user so I bought it. It has some of the same features of SD3. I think having used that is making me figure out SD3 pretty fast. I think I have pretty much figured out how to use all of the features in SD3 already.

The biggest concern I had with buying SD3 is that it has been out for 7 years. That is a long time for a software package. I was going to buy it a year ago when they put it on sale for $100 off because you never really saw it go on sale for 25% off. I was wondering if they were getting close to dropping an SD4. I didn't want to have to pay to upgrade and would have just bought the new version. Well, as my luck would have it, they didn't drop a new version and here I am a year later. :)

I’ve always had weird results mixing snares from different expansions. I’m mainly using the Death SDX which I love except for the ringy metal snares. There’s a real lack of bright, poppy, woody snares in that library.

Are there particular snares you’re finding success with?

 

[JasonE]

I’ve always had weird results mixing snares from different expansions. I’m mainly using the Death SDX which I love except for the ringy metal snares. There’s a real lack of bright, poppy, woody snares in that library.

Are there particular snares you’re finding success with?

I have been through so many that it is hard to remember. I remember hearing two that I really liked. One was a colosseum snare. I can't remember the brand off the top of my head.

The thing that I found that really helped is that you can tune the drum and use an EQ on it in the mixer to tweak the tone more to where you want it. That makes me think I may be able to get by without spending a lot of money on additional kits for it. Time will tell.