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!


EZKEYS – GOES METAL.

Avid EZkeys user Ola Englund (The Haunted, Feared) demonstrates how he uses EZkeys when writing.

EZKEYS: THIAGO PINHEIRO PERFORMANCE.

Watch longtime Toontrack collaborator Thiago Pinheiro in this performance featuring the EZkeys Grand Piano.

17 ESSENTIAL SONGWRITING TIPS.

Award-winning songwriter Monty Powell shares some of his best secrets.

MEET STEINAR LARSEN.

Meet the forth week’s Customer Spotlight, the amazing Steinar Larsen from Norway.

THE "MONEY FOR NOTHING"-TONE.

Producer Neil Dorfsman explains how he got the famous guitar tone on “Money for Nothing” – by accident. Great story!

LIVE Q&A WITH MILLER AND THAMMARAT.

Join two of the world’s best guitarists this weekend on our Facebook page!

NEW IN APRIL.

New guitar tones, new drums sounds, new MIDI and more! Check what we ined up for you in April.

MARCO SFOGLI.

We talk guitars, gear and influences with guitar god Marco Sfogli.

JOSH SMITH.

The amazing Josh Smith talks gear, influences and the most interesting guitar player today.

FUNK GUITAR LESSON.

Master guitar instructor Robert Renman just released this funk lesson in tribute to the late Prince.

THE CUSTOMER GUITARIST JUKEBOX – WEEK 3.

Check the third week’s Jukebox of awesome guitar-related tracks – by you!

MEET BENJAMIN LECHUGA.

Meet the third week’s Customer Spotlight, the amazing Benjamin Lechuga from Chile.

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