Toontrack Superior Drummer 3 Preview and Demo

Sean Divine presents an exclusive preview of the Superior Drummer 3 plugin by Toontrack, highlighting its revamped interface, new features, and a completely redone library with a vast array of new drum kits recorded by George Massenburg, inventor of the parametric equalizer. The plugin offers a 3D sound experience with expressive dynamics and is fully scalable with a user-friendly GUI. It includes a full sequencer for drum arrangement, tracker tool for loop deconstruction and sound replacement, and the ability to stack samples for unique hybrid tones. The demonstration showcases the plugin's capabilities, from the Pearl Master Works kick to the piccolo snare and custom loops, emphasizing its flexibility and potential for producers and beatmakers. Superior Drummer 3 is set to release on September 12th, promising to be a top choice for acoustic drum sounds in music production.

Takeaways

• 🎚️ **New Interface**: Superior Drummer 3 features a completely overhauled and fully scalable interface for better user experience.
• 🎵 **Reimagined Library**: The sound library has been completely redone, offering new and improved acoustic drum sounds.
• 🎙️ **Legendary Engineer**: The plugin's library was recorded by George Massenburg, known for inventing the parametric equalizer, ensuring high-quality sound.
• 📈 **3D Sound**: Described as having a 3D sound, it provides some of the best acoustic drum sounds available.
• 🥁 **Drum Selection**: Users can choose from a variety of drum kits, including Pearl Masterworks and massive sounding options suitable for different genres like hip-hop.
• 🔊 **Expressive Dynamics**: The plugin offers expressive and dynamic sample sounds, catering to the sensitivity of drummers.
• 🎹 **Built-in Sequencer**: Superior Drummer 3 includes a full sequencer, allowing users to program and sequence drum arrangements without leaving the interface.
• 🔄 **Flexibility with DAWs**: The plugin allows for easy integration with other sequencers, like Logic, providing flexibility in music production.
• 🛠️ **Tracker Tool**: A new feature, the Tracker tool, aids in rebuilding loops and deconstructing loops with user-friendly functionality.
• 🧩 **Sample Stacking**: Users have the ability to stack their own samples or those from the stock library onto their drums for unique hybrid sounds.
• 📅 **Release Date**: Superior Drummer 3 is set to release on September 12th, offering users the chance to be among the first to experience its features.
• 🌟 **High Praise**: The presenter, Sean Divine, expresses excitement about the plugin's capabilities and its potential for use in acoustic drum production.

Q & A

What is the name of the plugin that Sean Divine is reviewing in the video?

The plugin being reviewed is called Superior Drummer 3 by Toontrack.

Who is the inventor of the parametric equalizer and also the person who recorded the library for Superior Drummer 3?

George Massenburg is the inventor of the parametric equalizer and he recorded the library for Superior Drummer 3.

How does Sean Divine describe the sound of the library in Superior Drummer 3?

Sean Divine describes the sound of the library as 3D and some of the best acoustic drum sounds he has heard to date.

What is the feature of Superior Drummer 3 that allows users to sequence their drum lines within the plugin itself?

The feature is a full sequencer integrated into the plugin, which allows users to program and sequence their entire drum arrangement without leaving the interface.

How can users transfer their drum sequences from Superior Drummer 3 to another sequencer like Logic?

Users can select their parts in Superior Drummer, drag it into the track in Logic, and then disable the sequencer in Superior Drummer to use Logic's sequencer.

What is the Tracker tool in Superior Drummer 3 and how does it differ from traditional drum replacement tools?

The Tracker tool is a user-friendly drum replacement feature that allows producers to rebuild loops and deconstruct loops, replacing them with their own sounds. It differs from traditional drum replacement tools by being more intuitive and integrated into the plugin.

How does the stacking feature in Superior Drummer 3 allow users to customize their drum sounds?

The stacking feature allows users to import their own samples or stack samples from the stock library onto their drums, creating unique hybrid tones by blending acoustic sounds with more urban or electronic sounds like 808s.

What is the release date for Superior Drummer 3 mentioned in the video?

The release date for Superior Drummer 3 is September 12th.

Which famous studio was used to record the drums for Superior Drummer 3?

The drums for Superior Drummer 3 were recorded in Galaxy Studios, which is located in Belgium.

What kind of snare drum does Sean Divine mention as his favorite in the video?

Sean Divine mentions that his favorite kind of snare drum is a piccolo snare.

How does the fully scalable GUI in Superior Drummer 3 benefit the user experience?

The fully scalable GUI allows users to move and adjust the interface according to their needs, providing a more personalized and efficient workflow.

What is the significance of George Massenburg's involvement in the recording of Superior Drummer 3?

George Massenburg's involvement is significant because of his reputation as an innovator in audio engineering, having invented the parametric equalizer, which assures users of the high quality and professional standard of the drum sounds.

Outlines

00:00

🎚️ Superior Drummer 3 Overview and Interface

Sean Divine introduces Superior Drummer 3 by Toontrack, highlighting its revamped interface and new features. He emphasizes the library's complete redo, with new kits recorded by George Massenburg, the inventor of the parametric equalizer. The plugin offers a 3D sound experience with high-quality acoustic drum sounds. The GUI is fully scalable, allowing users to interact with the drums easily. Divine demonstrates the selection and customization of drum sounds, including a kick drum from Pearl Master Works and snare drums, with a focus on the piccolo snare. He also mentions the inclusion of brushes and tom sounds, and the ability to sequence an entire drum line within the plugin itself. Additionally, he showcases the flexibility of using the plugin with other sequencers, like Logic, and introduces the Tracker tool for loop deconstruction and sound replacement.

05:03

🔄 Superior Drummer 3's Advanced Features

The second paragraph delves into Superior Drummer 3's advanced features. Sean Divine previews a custom hat loop and demonstrates how to replace its hi-hat sound with one from the Superior Drummer 3 library, adjusting the amount to achieve the desired playback. He explores the ability to stack samples, both custom and from the stock library, onto the drums for a unique hybrid sound. By importing an audio file and blending it with the acoustic kick, users can create a distinct sound that combines elements of acoustic rock with more urban or 808-style tones. Divine expresses excitement for the plugin's release on September 12th, praising the work of George Massenburg and the attention to detail in the recording process at Galaxy Studios in Belgium.

Keywords

Superior Drummer 3

Superior Drummer 3 is a new plugin by Toontrack, which is a significant upgrade from its predecessors. It is a virtual drum software that allows users to create realistic and expressive drum tracks. The plugin is noted for its overhauled interface, new features, and a completely redone library with a wide range of high-quality drum sounds. It is central to the video's theme as it is the main subject being reviewed and demonstrated.

Toontrack

Toontrack is a company known for creating music production software, particularly focusing on virtual instruments. In the context of the video, Toontrack is the developer of the Superior Drummer 3 plugin, which is the focus of the review. The company's reputation for quality is highlighted by the host, adding credibility to the plugin being discussed.

Interface Overhaul

An interface overhaul refers to a complete redesign or significant improvement of the user interface. In the video, the host mentions that Toontrack has completely revamped the interface of Superior Drummer 3, making it more user-friendly and feature-rich. This is important as it directly impacts the user experience and workflow when creating music with the plugin.

Library Redone

A 'library redone' implies that the sound library within the software has been reworked or significantly updated. The host emphasizes that Toontrack has recorded tons of new kits for Superior Drummer 3, which contributes to the plugin's improved sound quality and is a key selling point for the product.

George Massenburg

George Massenburg is a renowned audio engineer and inventor, known for inventing the parametric equalizer. In the video, he is credited with recording the new library for Superior Drummer 3. His involvement is a testament to the quality and professional standard of the plugin's sound, which is a major aspect of the video's narrative.

3D Sound

3D sound refers to a spatial audio experience that gives the impression of sound coming from all directions, as opposed to just stereo or mono. The host describes the library of Superior Drummer 3 as sounding '3D,' which indicates that the drum samples have a realistic and immersive quality, providing a more natural and acoustic experience for the user.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

The GUI is the visual and interactive part of a software that allows users to interact with the application. The host mentions that the new GUI of Superior Drummer 3 is fully scalable, meaning users can resize and reposition it according to their preferences. This feature is important for the video's theme as it showcases the plugin's adaptability to different user needs and workspaces.

Drum Kits

Drum kits refer to a collection of drums and percussion instruments that are used together. The video script discusses various drum kits recorded for Superior Drummer 3, such as the Pearl MasterWorks and Slingerland kits. These kits are examples of the diverse sound options available within the plugin, which is crucial for the video's demonstration of the plugin's capabilities.

Sequencer

A sequencer is a device or software that allows musicians to record, edit, and arrange a series of musical events, such as drum beats. In the video, the host demonstrates the built-in sequencer within Superior Drummer 3, which allows users to program and sequence their drum arrangements without leaving the plugin interface. This feature is highlighted as a time-saving and efficient aspect of the software.

Tracker Tool

The Tracker tool is a feature within Superior Drummer 3 that allows users to replace or modify existing drum sounds in a mix with sounds from the plugin. The host explains how it can be used to rebuild loops and deconstruct loops, replacing them with custom sounds. This tool is significant in the video as it showcases the plugin's flexibility and creative potential for music producers.

Sample Stacking

Sample stacking is the process of layering multiple audio samples on top of one another to create a richer or more unique sound. The host discusses the ability to stack samples in Superior Drummer 3, which allows for the creation of hybrid drum sounds by combining acoustic samples with more synthesized or urban sounds, like an 808. This feature is emphasized as a creative tool for achieving a diverse range of drum tones.

Highlights

Superior Drummer 3 is a new plugin by Toontrack with a completely overhauled interface and new features.

The library has been completely redone with new kits recorded by George Massenburg, the inventor of the parametric equalizer.

The plugin offers a 3D sound experience with some of the best acoustic drum sounds available.

The new GUI is fully scalable, allowing for easy customization and navigation.

Users can right-click on any drum to interact and customize sounds.

The plugin includes a variety of high-quality drum kits, such as the Pearl MasterWorks 18 by 22.

Snare drums, including the piccolo snare, offer expressive and dynamic sound samples.

The plugin features a full sequencer for programming and sequencing drum arrangements without leaving the interface.

Flexibility is provided by the ability to transfer sequences to other software like Logic for further editing.

A tracker tool is included for drum replacement, offering a user-friendly way to rebuild and deconstruct loops.

The stacking feature allows users to combine their own samples or stock library samples with the drums for unique tones.

The ability to stack samples results in cool hybrid tones, blending acoustic with more urban or 808 sounds.

Superior Drummer 3 is not yet released but will be available on September 12th.

The plugin is expected to be a valuable addition to any producer's instrument collection for its high-quality acoustic drums.

George Massenburg's recording expertise is showcased in the plugin's sound quality, recorded at Galaxy Studio in Belgium.

The attention to detail and work put into the recording process is evident in the plugin's sound.

Viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts and check out the plugin upon its release on September 12th.