Hey guys, thanks for all your support, uploads/content, feedback and ideas. I'm actually totally surprised at how popular this group has gotten with almost 80 members (as of December 15) and one the larger groups on ModDb.
If you don't know of it already Toontrack released a new drum VST called Superior Drummer 2.0. It's a fully customizable drum set complete with mics and all the effects you could ask for and is works great with almost any MIDI application (Fruity Loops 8 in the picture). If you guys need in some good realistic acoustic sounding drums, I really don't know any better. It has 18gb of samples! So really.. how could you go wrong right? :P
In my opinion for $350 USD, its probably the most complete drum VST you can get. It has all the features you could want in it including filters and mics and reverb and EQ presets and is pretty awesome all around for pretty much any project you could be working on.
You can listen to demos and buy the VST here: Toontrack.com
Should I write more articles like this showcasing or showing VSTs and concept ideas? Give me your feedback :)
$350 isn't much for a drum kit like that :)
But I already have EZDrummer which currently is enough for me.
I really like the idea of more articles about VSTs. Many would probably benefit from those, assuming that I'm not the only noob around here.
Superior Drummer is the step up above EZDrummer. I have EZDrummer too but I like the built in effects like a Compressor and Gates that SD provides.
No doubt. The reason why I bought EZD was simply the price and the fact that I had so many other things to buy. The salesman even asked me if I'd like to buy SD instead.
In comparison to BFD do you think it's better? BFD has a huge library with drum kits although it's a little bit expensive than Superior Drummer.
I would say that Superior Drummer is value for money but still I believe that BFD is better.
I think BFD is more like a different kit than anything. But I've gotten used to SD and its interface already because I'm so used to EZDrummer.
I prefer SD to BFD. It may be better or worse but I like the way its presented and it works for what I do with it.
BFD has been promoted by many magazines so now is considered as one of the best VST drum kits. Ι also believe that is one of the best but there are sometimes that it's not 'working' with what I have in my mind, if you know what I mean (my English are a little bit crap :p )
I respect your opinion...After all we are using vst's that we are feeling that we can have better results. By having the 'Best' (supposed) VST's, doesn't mean that we can make a better song. I don't use BFD anymore. I use Spectrasonics Trilogy (prepared drum loops) and I just edit many parameters... :p
You know I just recently started using Logic Pro 8 and I still can't find my way with this @$%^$%&%£^£@$!!! even they say it's interface it's way easier than Cubase SX but I STILL PREFER CUBASE!!! (out of subject... :p)
Anyway I believe that each composer,sound designer has to work with whatever he thinks it's best. Crappie freeware, Expensive VST's doesn't matter, as long as they can provide quality, unique sound and something 'interesting' for the audience it's OK...
I've been trying to migrate to Reason for a while, but to be honest to everyone.. I don't even own a MIDI keyboard *tear* so everything I've made is clicking and literally programming each note.
I'm looking into an M-Audio Axiom 25 or the next step up.
BOOOOOO :p (I didn't own one for the first 3 years so I know how you feel)
I have EMU's MIDI Controller X-Board 49. It's a good one but there are far better than this one. I bought it 150 euros if I remember correctly.
Since you're going for M-Audio may I suggest the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88?
It ROCKS!!! :D
That's the next one I'm gonna get :)
I'm not quite that hardcore yet I think haha.. and I like the trigger pads on the Axiom 25/49 and I've already played one. So.. yeah.. haha
I know how's it like to not have a midi keyboard too. As soon as I moved from MadTracker 2 (where notes can be played on the pc keyboard) to Sonar I purcased one - M-Audio Oxygen 49. I had used it for less than a month until it suddenly stopped working. I don't feel like installing a virtual midi keyboard either (the ones I've tried are horrible) so I won't be making any music for some time :(
But yeah, it's really a good idea to get one. Not only recording, but also experimenting different kinds of stuff from melodies and chords to drum patterns and even more becomes so much easier :)
We have Oxygen 49 in the university and I must say I don't like them at all. No specific reason...I just don't like them :p
But you're the first one I hear that have a problem with an M-Audio product. Did you try to contact with the company for your problem?
@freedomorfire: Yeah man, if it covers your needs go for it!!
@Crux_Borealis: I agree. MIDI controllers gives the ability to edit easier any parameter (well...almost any parameter as long as the vst allows it) quicker and efficiently. Plus you don't have to argue with any weirdo session musician. You're doing it all by yourself the way you want it to be. ;)
So far I've only sent e-mail to the shop I bought it from; they promise warranty and they have never let me down before. The service seems to be really slow now though :/
And I know the Oxygen isn't even nearly the best one out there, it just happens to be relatively cheap for a keyboard with all these cool and useful knobs and faders, and moreover it is manufactured by M-Audio which is, as you mentioned, a trustworthy company. I pretty much love...d the one I have, though. I guess it's a bit like with guitars: you are more likely to think that a 300€ guitar sucks if you have tried a 1500€ one (I haven't) :P
"well...almost any parameter as long as the vst allows it" The vst and Vista! I bet you, as a Mac user, don't have this problem, but I have noticed that Vista doesn't allow me to use the record, play etc. buttons on the Oxygen. If the computer wasn't a lap top (needing its own programs) and re-authorizing all my software didn't take so long, I'd change the operating system to XP.
"...you don't have to argue with any weirdo session musician." Good one :D
What I say to everyone is that if you can afford to get a mac, then GET IT!!
They offer stability, no crashes, no viruses so the musician is free to use the 100% of mac's power full to music software!
Mac's are very good for sound and video. I can't think of any other usage for mac's. I admit it. They s$£%£ for games but they RULE for sound and video.
Yeah I hate session musicians because you tell them what to play and most of them start saying their 'artistic opinion' "we can add this...we can change some chords etc" F.F.S I don't want your opinion. I just want you to play that damn theme!! :p
Yep, only problem with Macs are their price. The machine I use for music now costed half of that of the cheapest Mac I could find (and it also suits my needs if we forget about the #%!* Vista - it even shared half of my ram to graphics card). But I'll surely change to one some time. Gaming is no problem either since I have another computer for that anyway.
Yeah but the thing is that most pc's can lust up to 1-2 years when macs can go easily up to 5 so in a way they're cheaper ;)
lets not get into a mac vs. pc argument :P haha
I built my Production/Gaming PC for about $900 about 4yrs ago (with yearly small upgrades of course) and it runs great on my 24" monitor. When a Mac of the same price will have MUCH lower specs for that price. It's also very small case.. the QPack.. so it's easy to carry around to anywhere I go :)
It's my pride and joy! :) and I wouldn't trade a Mac for it.
Your loss :p
I paid for my macbook pro 2000 Euros last year and still no upgrades
HA!
You wouldn't trade a Mac for it. I bet that if someone offers you the latest Mac Pro, you would put your laptop right in the corner @:)
Just kidding. We all make our choices according to what suits us.
Of course, Mac is the best choice :p
It's not a laptop.. it's a desktop :P and no I wouldn't trade for Mac :P We use them at my school for graphic design and more then some are somewhat disfuntional. And for the abuse I put my PC through like leaving it on for over a month.. it holds up really well gaming and through production :)
I'm pretty sure someone is messing around with the Macs at your school...
Maybe you??? MAC HATER!!! :p
Anyway as I told before, if you can do your job with your PC it's fine. You use PC, I use Mac, everybody wins :D
What was the subject of this post again?? Something about a VST if I remember correctly? :p (Yeah we lost the issue here I think)
read up :P lol
oh yeah 'Update and Superior Drummer'
I think Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) is the 'Superior Drummer' but I don't think he would like to record for my projects :p
If he did, wouldn't that make another "weirdo session musician with artistic opinions"? :P
nuuuuhhh, I guess we can all make exceptions sometime :p
I still won't let him speak,just play :D
You probably should do that with them all ;)
"Maybe we could add..."
"Lalala I don't hear you"
AHAHAHAHA!!!
That's a great idea!!
I have always used Battery for my drum needs, but for realistic drums, BFD is a great contender.
Fxpansion.com
If you look at the link you will see that FXpansion has recently made it to BFD2- and supports lots more features!
These guys also make a VST to AU wrapper. I will write an article about it.