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!


GUEST PLAYLIST: BEAU BURCHELL (SAOSIN)

What’s spinning in Beau’s headphoneson a regular basis?

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BEAU BURCHELL (SAOSIN)

Meet Beau Burchell, guitarist/vocalist in Saosin – but also a noted producer/engineer/mixer!

E-DRUM PLAYTHROUGHS.

Two e-drum playthroughs featuring The Progressive Foundry SDX.

NEW DRUMCEPTION SONG FEAT. SCOTT CARSTAIRS (FALLUJAH).

Listen to the third song of the Drunception project – also featuring Mario of Gojira!

10 QUICK QUESTIONS TO COLIN RICHARDSON.

We caught up with Made of Metal EZX producer Colin Richardson for a quick Q&A session!

GUEST PLAYLIST: DIRK VERBUEREN (MEGADETH)

What’s spinning in Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbuerens’s headphones right now?

GUS G – THE THIRD LESSON.

Learn more about “alternate picking” in the second weekly video in the Gus G Metal Month Masterclass!

NEW DRUMCEPTION SONG WITH WES HAUCH.

Listen to how Wes interpreted Mario Duplantier’s drum track!

NEW METAL TONES BY MARK LEWIS.

A new EZmix Pack that focuses on guitar – the heavy kind!

DRUMCEPTION: JASON SUECOF, MARIO DUPLANTIER & MARTY FRIEDMAN!

Listen to Jason Suecof’s insane rendition over Mario’s drum track – with a guest solo by Marty Friedman.

NEW TUTORIALS AND DEALS FROM GROOVE3.

Groove 3 launches new series on writing songs with Toontrack products – and some great deals!

MEET MARIO DUPLANTIER

Meet Mario Duplantier, drummer in Gojira and the brand new Rythme Sauvage MIDI pack.

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