Toontrack’s Superior Drummer 3 plugin is a top-of-the-line drum plugin, boasting an extensive 300GB+ sample library. With its exceptional sound quality and a wide range of features, this plugin has become an indispensable tool in my music production. The user-friendly interface of Toontrack plugins sets them apart, making them a go-to choice for producers. Get ready to witness the incredible capabilities of this phenomenal plugin as I demonstrate why it’s a game-changer in music production.
Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or have never touched a drumstick in your life, this plugin is designed to empower you in your home studio. With its massive built-in MIDI library and expansive sample pack, you’ll find endless inspiration at your fingertips.
In the video above, I’ll be giving you a firsthand look at the plugin. I’ll demonstrate its incredible sound, guide you through its remarkable features, and take a comprehensive tour that will leave you inspired to integrate its power into your own music production. So let’s dive right in!
First Impressions
When you open the plugin, you’ll see the modern and intuitive interface. It is fully resizable, allowing you to optimise your screen space. The plugin comes with a wide range of drum presets, midi grooves, and mixer presets, giving you countless options to choose from and customise.
The plugin can be used inside your favourite DAW, or even as a standalone program. Inside the interface there are 4 main tabs for you to work through.
#1: The Drums Tab
In this tab you can customise your drum kit. There are plenty of presets that you can choose from to find your sound, and then you can swap out any parts of the kit if you want something more specific.
Beyond the default options, you can fine tune each component further by tweaking elements such as the tuning, attack, release, and much more. Components can even be “doubled up” for a broader sound!
The preset kits include an array of drum kits, electronic kits, world kits, and other percussive sounds such as claps, tamborines, or shakers.
#2: The Grooves Tab
The Grooves tab is where the magic happens. This extensive MIDI library provides a wide variety of drum patterns in different genres and styles. You can filter the results to refine your search, preview the patterns quickly with just one click, and then drag and drop your choices onto the timeline to create your drum arrangement.
Once you’ve added MIDI patterns to the timeline, you can fine-tune them using the MIDI editing features. Double-clicking on a MIDI region opens the Grid Editor, where you can adjust the timing, velocity, and even randomise the performance for a more humanised feel. You can also draw in your own MIDI notes using the Pen Tool or make adjustments with the Nudge function.
The Tap2Find feature in the Grooves tab is particularly useful if you have a specific idea in your head already; you can tap it out, and Superior Drummer 3 will suggest similar MIDI patterns from its library.
#3: The Mixer Tab
The Mixer tab showcases Superior Drummer 3’s built-in mixer. Here, you can adjust the levels, pan settings, and apply effects to individual tracks.
In this tab, you can change microphones, add or remove mics, and even add an array of effects to each track such as EQ, Compression, Reverb, and more. It contains everything you would expect from a good mixer in your DAW. It’s a powerful tool to keep your drum mix tidy and within the plugin itself, but if you would prefer to send each track to your DAW instead, then you can do that too.
#4: The Tracker Tab
In the Tracker tab, you can effortlessly import your own drum tracks and convert them into MIDI data. If you’ve recorded your drum tracks with a microphone, this feature allows you to sync the audio with the plugin’s samples or enhance them further.
This could be helpful if you don’t have a professional studio space. You can record your tracks with a cheap microphone, and let superior drummer handle the rest! Or perhaps you’ve already recorded a decent drum track, but you want to change the sound and depth. The Tracker Tab is a powerful tool for these instances.
Is Toontrack’s Superior Drummer 3 For You?
Superior Drummer 3 is a powerful and versatile plugin that offers incredible sound quality, an expansive MIDI library, and an intuitive workflow. Whether you’re a professional producer or a home studio enthusiast, this plugin offers everything you need to take your productions to the next level.
I’ve been using this drum software since 2020, and it’s without a doubt something that I can recommend with confidence.
