STEVE MONTI HEADS TO AREA 33.

E-drummer Steve Monti gave the two SDXs in our Area 33 series a go in these two original tracks. If you’re into industrial and ambient rock-meets-metal-type songs with hypnotic beats, this is for you!

You’ve used Superior Drummer 3 for years. When and how did you first discover the software?
My interest started with Toontrack’s Drumkit From Hell. From there I moved onto Superior Drummer 3. It was so long ago that I can’t remember how long ago it was. I think it was about 20 years ago! I’ve been here ever since. I’ve never really needed to venture anywhere else – everything I need is there.

As an e-drummer, what are the feature of the software that mean the most to you?
I learned playing real drums where dynamics and articulations are so important. I need software which will make things as close to the real deal as possible. I feel Toontrack put a lot into this and it feels authentic. I also find the mapping is pretty simple to set up too.The number of kits and sounds are so varied it’s just amazing. Also the noise factor plays a big part too. I live in London and an area surrounded by neighbors who are unlikely to appreciate live drumming. With e-drums, they hear nothing. When my son was small, his nursery was directly below my home studio and he slept through it all.

Which SDXs are your go-tos and why?
I have most SDXs and I would be sad to lose any! In my top list would be (no particular order) Decades SDX, Fields of Rock SDX, The Rooms of Hansa SDX, Death &Darkness SDX and Hitmaker SDX. I’m recently enjoying both the Area 33 SDX and Area 33 – Origin SDX. As to why, they are so versatile and can be used for any genre of music!


ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: JAKE E.

Meet “the Jake of all trades” Jake E, ex-Amaranthe singer, songwriter, producer, actor and now the voice of Cyhra.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MATTIAS IA EKLUNDH.

The master of guitar wizardry talks background, using humor as a creative weapon, the rhythmic language konnakol – and more!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: ALEX LANDENBURG.

Alex talks background, inspirations and sampling drums for Toontrack!

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH WILL PUTNEY.

Get a glimpse of what happened during the Modern Metal EZX sessions!

THE METAL HALL OF FAME.

Curious what earlier editions of Metal Month brought forth? Here’s a brief walk down memory lane we did for last year’s tenth anniversary.

THE 2020 JUKEBOX COLLECTION.

Close to 60 amazing songs – by Toontrack users from around the world.

PRODUCER PROFILE: JAKOB HERRMANN.

The engineer behind the likes of Amaranthe and Raised Fist talks starting out, his passion for recording drums and more!

ARE YOU READY TO HEAD INTO THE DARK?

New EZX by Tom Dalgety, tailored for dark and gothic rock!

THE HARD ROCK EBX HAS LANDED.

Let the low end begin!

USING MIDI PACKS WHEN WRITING ROCK SONGS.

Trey walks you through his creative process!

THE DICE HAVE BEEN CAST – AGAIN!

Trey from Gear Gods checks in again, this time flanked by Björn Strid and Vicky Psarakis!

TWO NEW MIDI PACKS!

Two new MIDI packs inspired by gothic and melancholic, dark rock.

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