I am so happy that I switched to Toontrack. The mix ready settings in Superior Drummer 3 are so helpful.
I know this mix-ready idea has existed in other versions but in my experience with other drum products (like Addictive Drums), the beats (unless mastered wav loops / stems) are always so big and booming, it sounds nothing like a finished track. I assume this is because it leaves room to design the sound and mix yourself, and then move on to mastering. However, I don’t desire doing all that. I enjoy writing guitars, keys, etc. For drums, I love making beats but all that technical board stuff is not for me… yet. Baby steps. For this reason, I have been limited to booming drums that I don’t mix so great, one shots or loops that are mixed and mastered. Trying to learn a million mixing techniques and plug-ins like Neutron. Dealing with rex files or whatever to try to gain control. The next thing I know, I’m back to complications and never finish the track.
The mix-ready settings from the pros put that kick right where it should be and set it up like a top artist’s finished sound yet I can change the beat in seconds. I am SOOOOO happy.
From there, I do a little mastering on the main channels to the drums, guitar, brass etc. altogether. I have a lot to learn, and have only had this 24 hours, but just doing this has made my music MUCH closer to a pro finished product. I went with SD3 because I do want to learn more technical things and being able to dig through George Massenburg or Bob Rock’s mixing board settings is clearly a good path to take as I learn.
I always read that people are going for big drums but when I listen to properly mixed and mastered tracks, I can pin point where the kick or snare is and… it actually seems more “tiny” to me compared to the raw drums. All the hollow, boxy, etc. is gone. Side chain compression, on and on. Phew.
I believe I grabbed all of the expansions that come with the presets. Indiependent, NY Studio V3, Metal Machinery, The Rock Foundry. Actually, I skipped the Metal Foundry if that has any. I don’t need more metal at this time.
Just sharing my experience because I know my friends will just tell me to shut up about it, haha.
