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!


MARTIN MILLER.

Multi-style and super-talent Martin Miller talks gear, influences and top-fives.

TOM QUAYLE.

What five guitarists shaped Tom Quayle as a player? That and much more right here!

WANT TO BE A BETTER GUITARIST?

Check out what our friends over at Jam Track Central – they offer online masterclasses with tabs and video from some of the most amazing players on the planet!

JOE FORD.

Meet Joe Ford, rising EDM star and Toontrack user!

LEE MAJOR.

Meet Lee Major, acclaimed hip-hop producer.

MEET NOISIA.

Meet Noisia, EDM superstars and Superior Drummer 2 users.

GET SOME RAW MIX MATERIAL.

Sometimes, mixing someone else’s material is the best way to get new ideas. Download this unmixed session by engineer Forrester Savell and the band Labelle – and start mixing!

JAM WITH ANDY.

Check out Andy’s video here, then download the backing track and solo over it yourself!

OLA ENGLUND.

Meet Ola Englund, longtime Toontrack collaborator and Metal Guitar God by trade.

JACK THAMMARAT.

We asked super-guitarist Jack Thammarat for a gear rundown – and some more!

A SUPERIOR GUITARIST.

Meet Superior Drummer 2 artist John Petrucci of Dream Theatre.

A SONG IN NO TIME.

This quick video shows how you add piano and a bass line to your already recorded guitar track using EZkeys.

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