SD3 to Drum Rack Tutorial

In this tutorial, the presenter demonstrates how to integrate the Superior Drummer 3 audio unit plugin into an Ableton Drum Rack. They start by loading the plugin into a MIDI track and selecting a specific drum kit. The process involves grouping the plugin to a drum rack, mapping it across all pads, and creating separate chains for different drum elements like the kick, snare, tom, hi-hat, and cymbals. The presenter also shows how to apply multi-channel outputs and organize the drum rack with color-coded groups for better visibility. They highlight the benefits of retaining full plugin functionality and the ability to save and reuse the drum rack setup in new projects. The tutorial concludes with a reminder to save the setup and a recommendation to check out Gesture McGee's video for further inspiration.

Takeaways

• 👋 Introduction to mapping Superior Drummer 3 to an Ableton Drum Rack, inspired by Jester McGee's tutorial for Native Instruments Battery.
• 📍 Starting with an empty Ableton live set and a single MIDI track to begin the mapping process.
• 🔎 Describes the process of loading and setting up the Superior Drummer plugin in Ableton, highlighting the ability to search and drag plugins.
• 🤖 Explains the grouping of Superior Drummer into a drum rack and the subsequent setup of chain selectors for multi-pad distribution.
• 🔥 Demonstrates the process of assigning each drum component to individual pads, using MIDI mapping and channel routing within Superior Drummer.
• 🛠 Details the customization of drum sounds by creating separate chains for different drum elements like kicks, snares, and hi-hats.
• 💡 Shows how to utilize Ableton's external instrument feature to route audio from Superior Drummer to separate tracks for individual processing.
• 🚨 Highlights the importance of keeping the Superior Drummer's outputs on master during initial setup to simplify the sample auditioning process.
• 📈 Discusses the advanced use of multi-channel outputs to separate drum elements into their own tracks for finer mix control.
• 💾 Emphasizes the benefits of saving the entire setup as a custom drum rack preset for easy reuse in other projects.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the video tutorial described in the transcript?

The primary purpose of the video tutorial is to explain how to map the Superior Drummer 3 plugin into an Ableton Drum Rack, leveraging techniques similar to those used with the Native Instruments Battery plugin.

Who is Jester McGee, and why is he mentioned in the video?

Jester McGee is credited for his video on mapping the Native Instruments Battery plugin, which inspired the creator of this video. His concepts were adapted to work with Superior Drummer 3, and the video creator acknowledges his influence and provides a link to his video as a reference.

What are the initial steps to set up Superior Drummer 3 in Ableton Live as mentioned in the tutorial?

The initial steps include opening a new live set in Ableton, enabling a MIDI track, and loading the Superior Drummer plugin onto this track. The user then selects a drum kit to begin mapping to the drum rack.

How does multi-channel routing differ between Superior Drummer and Battery, as mentioned in the tutorial?

While the video doesn't detail the specific differences, it mentions that there are slight variations in multi-channel routing between Superior Drummer and Battery. Superior Drummer also offers a more extensive sample library, which affects how routing and mapping are handled.

What specific feature does the video emphasize about Ableton when using plugins?

The video highlights the search functionality in Ableton, which makes it easier to find and load plugins like Superior Drummer.

What does the 'group to drum rack' function do in the context of the tutorial?

The 'group to drum rack' function allows the user to organize multiple samples or sounds from Superior Drummer into a single drum rack in Ableton. This simplifies triggering and manipulating these sounds through MIDI controllers or programming.

Why does the tutorial suggest keeping all outputs on master out 1 and 2 during the initial setup?

Keeping all outputs on master out 1 and 2 during the initial setup simplifies the process, as it allows the user to audition samples without having to assign and manage multiple output tracks. This setup reduces complexity until the user is ready to configure more detailed output routing.

What is the significance of using the chain selector and 'all notes' function in the tutorial?

Using the chain selector and setting it to 'all notes' allows the mapped sounds from Superior Drummer to spread across all the pads of the drum rack. This setup facilitates a more intuitive and comprehensive drum playing experience on MIDI controllers.

How are multiple snares grouped and managed in the drum rack according to the tutorial?

Multiple snare sounds are grouped together by selecting them, using the command (or control on PC) and grouping them within the drum rack. This method creates a sub-rack or 'drum rack within a drum rack,' which can be managed and triggered as a single unit, enhancing organizational efficiency.

What does the tutorial recommend doing after setting up the drum rack completely?

After completely setting up the drum rack, the tutorial recommends saving the entire setup. This action preserves all mappings, output settings, and configurations, making them easily reusable in future projects without needing to redo the setup.

Outlines

00:00

🎧 Introduction to Mapping Superior Drummer 3 in Ableton

The video starts with an acknowledgment of Gesture McGee's tutorial on mapping the Native Instruments Battery plugin, which inspired this guide for Superior Drummer 3. The presenter explains the intent to adapt McGee's concepts for Superior Drummer due to its complex multi-channel routing and extensive sample library. The process begins with an empty Ableton live set, where the presenter adds the Superior Drummer plugin, emphasizing the ease of search and setup in Ableton.

05:01

🥁 Setting Up Drum Samples on Pads

The tutorial progresses with the mapping of different drum sounds across 16 pads, focusing on setting up a post-rock drum kit which includes numerous variations like kicks, snares, toms, and cymbals. The process involves dragging the plugin's output across different pads and renaming them according to the drum sounds they represent. This segment emphasizes the customization possibilities depending on the user's preference and the specifics of the drum kit used in Superior Drummer.

10:03

📚 Grouping and Coloring Drum Sounds

This section of the video demonstrates how to group similar drum sounds (like snares and toms) into separate chains within Ableton's drum rack, creating a 'drum rack within a drum rack' setup. The presenter shows how to color-code these groups for better visual management, particularly useful when using hardware like Ableton Push. The tutorial emphasizes the benefits of visual feedback in enhancing workflow during live performances or studio sessions.

15:04

🎚️ Advanced Output Routing for Drums

The presenter details how to route the audio of individual drums to separate channels in Ableton using the multi-channel output functionality of Superior Drummer. This involves assigning different drum elements to distinct output channels for finer mixing control. The explanation covers the practical steps of integrating Ableton's external instruments feature for precise sound management and routing, with specific attention to maintaining realism in snare sounds by managing their top and bottom mics separately.

20:07

💾 Finalizing and Saving the Setup

In the final segment, the video explains how to handle additional output channels like ambient and compressor room channels, which are not directly triggered by pads but are important for the overall drum sound. The presenter shows how to create additional chains for these elements, ensuring all components of the drum setup are included. The tutorial concludes by saving the entire drum rack setup under the name 'Nashville', making it easily reusable in future projects. The video wraps up by encouraging viewers to subscribe and check out Gesture McGee’s channel for more insights.

Keywords

💡Superior Drummer 3

Superior Drummer 3 (SD3) is a digital audio plugin developed by Toontrack that emulates a drum kit and provides users with extensive control over virtual drum sounds. In the video, the presenter shows how to integrate SD3 with Ableton's drum rack, highlighting its capabilities in providing a variety of drum sounds and its utility in customizing drum kits. The plugin's detailed settings and sound samples are key to creating realistic drum tracks in music production.

💡Ableton Drum Rack

The Ableton Drum Rack is a versatile tool within Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation. It allows users to assign different drum sounds or samples to specific pads within the rack, enabling complex and customizable drum setups. In the video, the presenter maps Superior Drummer 3 outputs to different pads in the drum rack, utilizing this feature to create a comprehensive and interactive drumming experience in Ableton.

💡Audio Unit plugins

Audio Unit (AU) plugins are software components designed to add audio effects and virtual instruments within a digital audio workstation (DAW) on macOS. The presenter uses the AU format of Superior Drummer 3 in the video, demonstrating how to load and configure it within Ableton Live, which is instrumental for Mac users working with audio production.

💡MIDI track

A MIDI track in music production is used to record and manipulate MIDI data, which controls virtual instruments and audio effects. In the video, the presenter starts with an empty MIDI track in Ableton Live and loads Superior Drummer 3 onto it. This track then becomes the central point for configuring and controlling the drum sounds generated by the plugin.

💡Multi-channel routing

Multi-channel routing refers to the distribution of audio signals to multiple channels within a DAW, allowing for individual processing and mixing. The video discusses the differences in multi-channel routing between Superior Drummer and other plugins, emphasizing the complex capabilities of SD3 in handling multiple audio outputs for detailed sound customization.

💡Chain selector

The chain selector in Ableton Live's drum rack is used to manage multiple chains of audio effects or instruments within a single drum pad setup. The video explains how to use the chain selector to assign Superior Drummer's outputs across different drum pads, facilitating detailed control over each drum sound within the rack.

💡Mapping

Mapping in the context of the video involves assigning specific drum sounds or outputs from Superior Drummer 3 to particular pads in the Ableton Drum Rack. This process allows the user to trigger specific sounds through MIDI input, effectively customizing the drum kit layout for performance or production needs.

💡Groove

A groove in drumming refers to a rhythmic pattern or feel that forms the backbone of a music piece. Superior Drummer 3 includes MIDI grooves, which are pre-programmed drum patterns that users can integrate into their tracks. The video mentions using these grooves to enhance the realism and dynamic feel of drum tracks within a production.

💡External instrument

The external instrument device in Ableton Live is a tool used to integrate external hardware synthesizers or software plugins with MIDI and audio handling capabilities. In the tutorial, the presenter uses this device to route MIDI data to Superior Drummer and audio back into individual tracks in Ableton, illustrating a critical integration technique for seamless workflow in music production.

💡Output settings

Output settings in a DAW or an audio plugin determine where audio signals are routed for further processing or mixing. In the video, configuring the output settings of Superior Drummer 3 to different tracks in Ableton Live is crucial for managing the audio flow and ensuring each drum component can be individually mixed and processed.

Highlights

Introduction to the tutorial, with a thank you to Gesture McGee for inspiration.

Starting with an empty live set in Ableton and loading the Superior Drummer plugin.

Explanation of choosing a drum kit and why a smaller kit is beneficial for the tutorial.

Detailed steps to open and load Superior Drummer on a MIDI track.

Instructions for grouping the plugin to a drum rack, simplifying workflow.

Configuring the chain selector and in/out for multi-pad mapping.

How to effectively map and name drum samples across the drum rack.

Techniques for creating and organizing chains for different drum elements.

The process of assigning color codes to pads for visual feedback on hardware.

Guidance on grouping drum sounds like kicks, snares, and toms.

Implementation of multi-channel outputs for sophisticated sound management.

How to route audio from Superior Drummer into separate Ableton tracks.

Utilizing external instruments in Ableton for detailed audio routing.

Explanation of MIDI assignments and audio channel setups for the drum rack.

Saving and recalling the drum rack setup for future projects.

Closing remarks and encouragement to subscribe and check out Gesture McGee's channel.