Superior Drummer 2 is a library dedicated to the drum kit available in version 32 and 64 bits. By default, the sounds bank offers one polyvalent standard kit, 'Avatar ', which it is possible to customise. It is so possible to add new elements (second bass drum, new
chinese cymbal) or to change those existent by replacing them with other models. There are different extensions, notably The Metal Foundry allowing to use a more orientated kit metal.
Superior Drummer is a version evolved of
EZDRUMMER as well in functionality as in quality of
samples. On this subject,
Superior Drummer adopts an atypical philosophy, to know that all the samples were not treated (either EQ, or compression). It is this aspect which allows to
Superior Drummer to be also polyvalent and realistic.
Concerning interface, this last has different views. The first one represents visually the drum kit, it is the screen in which the drum kit is customised. Then the view Mixer comes which allows to regulate the volume of the different microphones. They will find therefore the classical microphones:
kick in / out,
snare top / bottom,
overheads... Interesting fact, it is possible to regulate the volume of an element of kit for a microphone given without lowering therefore the full volume of the microphone (and therefore of different elements being also recorded). It is also possible to route every microphone towards a definite track in the sequencer to perform then a sound mixing trace by track. On the other hand, the following screen allows to use different sequences midi created. Every kit is given with basic loops and it is of course possible to create his. For every sequence it is possible to vary the tempo and to use some elements only (snare drum, bass drum).
To judge sound quality, it is enough to load kit Avatar and with start playing of an available loop by default. He is enough bluffing to see that it is possible to wonder if it is about a true player or not. The fact that
samples is not worked contributes for many to the feeling of realism. Besides, to reinforce illusion, the whole group of samples kit in random access memory and does not perform a
streaming. It is therefore important to prove the quantity of random access memory in a more consequent project although at the farthest the
plugin does not charge generally more of 1Go by kit.
To test the limits of the audio engine, it is enough to load the kit of extension The Metal Foundry and to throw one loop on a quick tempo. The double bass drum eighth notes do not generally excuse and emphasise effect very apparently '
machine - gun'. This is a case extreme coach by working slightly in
Superior Drummer, result can be persuasive included into a sound mixing.
On the whole,
Superior Drummer is a tool well conceived and well researched. The
mapping of the different notes is for example available in annex. Useless therefore to guess how are allocated elements on the keyboard.
Drums maps for every kit is downloadable on the official site to be directly used in
Cubase for example. In the final, Superior Drummer 2 is a very good tool, of reasonable price and very good quality. He asks for a little more job because sounds are not treated but it is what constitutes its strong point facing
Addictive Drums for example.
UDUN
