Using Superior Drummer Live

[SHAKEMODE]

Hello,
I play a Roland TD-12 in a cover band full time. I am interested in using SD for better quality samples and want to have a premium setup.

Correct me if im wrong TD-12>MIDI>Interface>Computer>Sound Board?

Best interface?

Best computer? Build or buy? Mac or Win?

Latency?

Problems to anticipate?

Best version of SD?

Thanks

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Topic

[the_deech]

If I’m not mistaken, the TD 12 has a midi out (does it also have a USB out?). If your module has a USB, the whole connection is easy; SD20 will recognize the module’s midi mapping, so you’re pretty much plug-n-play. But you will need to make sure you have Toontrack Solo (or some other hosting DAW) to run the VST(Superior) in. EZDrummer is a really easy to use “lite” version of SD20, it’s cheaper, less complicated for live setup (you still need Solo), and there’s a ton of great sound libraries for that app as well.

If you’re running just the basic Roland TD12 setup (no extra trigger IO’s, or add-ons) then either program will work for you.

[the_deech]

Also, most current model PC’s are strong enough to handle the program. Check the min requirements of SD20 and make sure your laptop complies. If you’re gonna buy new, then there’s tons of deals out there that you can get a laptop cheap. I just got a laptop for my live performance at KMart for $349USD. I use it exclusively to play live (that way damage or theft won’t ruin my world cause I’ve just lost all my personal files and programs, too).

All the online music stores have Midi/USB interfaces at great deals that will connect your TD12 to your computer as a trigger IO. I personally use the M-Audio Midiman 2×2 to connect my Simmons SD5K to EZDrummer and SD20.

Make sure that you download ASIO4ALL, or have some kind of DAW that has ASIO drivers. That is what will help eliminate the latency issues.

That being said, you will also need a “host program” to run SD20 or EZDrummer in. Toontrack makes a program called Solo that is specifically for those of us that want to trigger e-drums live, but don’t want the heavy weight or learning curve of a full blown DAW (like ProTools, or Sonar).

[Jeffsco]

So…what are you using to get the Superior sounds from your computer to the FOH Mixer /SoundBoard? Are you just running a stereo output from the Laptop’s Headphone output ?

[Nigel Farley]

Hi. I use SD3 Live using a fairly old laptop with almost nothing else on it and a SSD. I use a Focusrite 2i4 to send to front of house. sounds amazing. Luckily we have a sound man that can EQ it to the room.

SSD 3. TD11KV
Cubase Pro 10. 5, Focusrite 2i4.1976 Premier. Tamma SLP Snare.

[JulianRoss]

H!

Is it possible to use SD during the live, changing preset in simple and fast way?

Thanks!

[John]

Hi Julian,

if you have plenty of RAM and a fast SSD drive, changing presets take a few seconds from within the same library, maybe a few more from another library. It depends a lot on the size of your preset, of course 7GB takes longer than 700MB but still only seconds on my system.

If you need to be able to change presets from different libraries with e.g. a single keystroke instead of mousing in the menu, I would suggest looking into one of the hosts out there intended for live use.

If your computer is fairly new, you have the RAM and fast SSD and doesn’t run a lot of other stuff at the same time, I would say you can rely on Superior Drummer 3 in a live situation. Plenty users here do.

BR,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Author]

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