Studio Drummer? SD2? Another suggestion?

[jobey]

I just got PT11 and I'm in the market for drums.

I used to run off Cubase 3 for a long time (hey, if it ain't broke...), and I used ezdrummer with it. Sounded pretty good for what I was doing, but I'd like to upgrade drums as well now that I've got a new interface and new software.

NI Studio Drummer looks pretty sweet, but I've heard that they don't offer a lot of diversity with the kits sounds. Also, while Studio Drummer runs for about $150, it looks like you need Kontakt 5 to do anything, and that runs for close to $400!

Superior Drummer 2 looks like it would fit the docket nicely, but I've also heard that, while diverse, are kind of generic or bland. Not a lot of color to them. That looks like it's around the $350 ball park.

My tunes are kinda on the rock, alt, and bluesy side. I like to keep things really organic, but am not opposed to a nice arena sounding rock anthem and that big sound.

That being said: which is probably the kit for me? NI or toontrack?

Also, am I missing something with Studio Drummer?? Is Kontakt really that expensive??

[Glenjb]

I love the sounds in studio drummer also abbey road drummer series and for the type of music you are describing (i do the same) the sounds are great. The flexibility & interface drives my up the wall though. Superior drummer is way more flexible and if you get the custom & vintage expansion you will be able to get similar sounds like the NI stuff for blues indie, etc... you can also use any ezdrummer expansions or pieces of them in superior. Lastly the CPU usage of SD2 is way lower than Studio Drummer in kontakt in my experience.

Dont get me wrong i use the ni stuff all the time but usually to replace just a kick or snare or toms etc..

I never buy any toontrack for full price because they have sales all the time. I got the crossgrade from EZ to SD2 for $80 from audiodeluxe.com during a sale. I recently got 2 SDX expansions for $140 total from AD during this past xmas sale. Check audiodeluxe frequently .

EDIT: I just looked and you can get the crossgrade AND custom & vintage for $150 right now!!!!!!!! you need to log in to see the price but that's what it is.

http://audiodeluxe.com/products/toon...-sdx-ad-bundle

[Glenjb]

Also for the crossgrade you still get to keep EZ drummer not that i've ever used it since cross grading...

[propower]

Originally Posted by Glenjb

Lastly the CPU usage of SD2 is way lower than Studio Drummer in kontakt in my experience.

Very true! SD2 has wonderfully low CPU footprint even at very low buffer. SD2 will load all of your EZ drummer kits as well...

BFD3 is also very good - and the stock setup has great sounding drums and effects. Higher CPU footprint but still very useable.

I love the NI Abbey Road kit and grooves. CPU footprint appears low but will throw CPU errors at low buffers for reasons I can't figure out...

[DetroitT]

Slate drums

[Glenjb]

Originally Posted by DetroitT

Slate drums

For alt rock blues though?

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by propower

Very true! SD2 has wonderfully low CPU footprint even at very low buffer. SD2 will load all of your EZ drummer kits as well...

BFD3 is also very good - and the stock setup has great sounding drums and effects. Higher CPU footprint but still very useable.

I love the NI Abbey Road kit and grooves. CPU footprint appears low but will throw CPU errors at low buffers for reasons I can't figure out...

I'd stay away from BFD3 - too many users still having problems to make it a viable headache-free experience.

The NI Abbey Road stuff is pretty decent and as to expense - Komplete 9 which has a whole raft of instruments from NI isn't all that much more expensive than Kontakt 5 by itself; just watch for sales and pounce on that if that's the way you want to go.

[justus1900]

AIR Strike, BFD3 and Slate are all great. I use all of them, I have EZ Drummer but have not used it much since I got Strike.

[jryser]

SD2 is my go to.

[jobey]

Wow, awesome stuff guys. I love the avid pro audio community

So it sounds like for me, SD2 is what I really want. I love the sound of NI Studio Drummer, but Glenjb is saying with a little tweaking I can get the same-ish sounds from SD2 (with an easier to use interface too). And the cross grade is kinda nice too!

CPU usage is pretty key for me as I have no money to upgrade my computer at all, hahah.

Also sounds like buying anything for full price is insanity. Thanks everyone for the input and even the links. I'm excited to start "tracking" drums and getting some complete tunes.

You guys rock!