With even mid-level virtual instruments ticking more boxes than some users might ever need, what reasons are there, if any, for users to make the leap up to an expanded feature set? We consider some reasons to save or spend…
When it comes to drum virtual instruments, any working composers or engineer/programmers working with them will tell you one thing; in 2022, it’s hard to pick a bad one. Thanks to the efforts of developers, and the ongoing advances in computing power, nearly all of the products out there will get you sounds that frequently match the quality that can be expected from a ‘real’ recording in terms of both the sounds and the included MIDI. That’s not to say that it’s no longer possible to pick the wrong one, as that’s not quite the same thing. In this article we’ll look at some of the things to consider when getting an instrument with the things you need without the features you don’t.
Knowing Your Needs
Those using VIs will often fall into two categories: those doing demos or pre-production, or composers and writers producing finished work from start to finish in the same project. While the former will require immediacy in use, the latter will need the kind of fine control as available when working with the real thing. While total realism can be achieved with advanced tools, the sheer amount of functionality on offer can amount to something of a bottomless pit for less technical users; time that is better spent on creative energy.
Growing Your Needs
While no-one can anticipate the amount or rate of change in their own needs, it could be argued that these can evolve more quickly than a given product. Many will be familiar with the immediate need to buy or hire-in a particular tool for a single job; this can lead to more similar work as a result. Contrast that with product cycles that are longer, and stretching to get the thing that you actually want or need is cheaper than buying it twice.
1 - If You Mix In The Instrument
Taking an instrument such as Toontrack’s EZdrummer 3 (EZD3), users get a capable mixer with some preset effects and simple macros that will get many writers and musicians the sound they need. For those needing more control, multi outputs are available for mixing in the DAW. For others who prefer to work entirely within the instrument, the company’s Superior Drummer 3 (SD3) affords an advanced DAW-like mixing experience. This provides the familiar form factor of channels and inserts with 35 sound processing effects with mix-ready presets for different styles. Multiple output routing is still available for those needing it.
2 - If You Need More Sounds
One of the biggest bonuses (or drawbacks) of using a drum VI is the ability to swap out instruments at any point including the one where the engineer is just about to hit Bounce… EZD’s recent version 3 release saw a big refresh affording extra kits and instruments, however these are topped by SD3’s 7 kits, as well as its 25 snares and 16 kicks. It’s surprising just how many of these can be not quite right in some mixes. More can indeed be more sometimes.
3 - If You Replace
With drum replacement and/or augmentation being commonplace in certain genres, generating MIDI to drive this used to achieved in any number of ways. While EZD3 users can indeed use it on replacement and/or augmentation duties, this MIDI must come from outside the instrument. Those using these techniques regularly should consider SD3’s Audio to MIDI conversion in the Tracker tab. Like EZD3, users can import their own samples, however features such as velocity layering in SD3 could tip the balance for some.
4 - If You Do Electric
Those needing acoustic drum sounds have always been well catered for by sympathetic VIs, but historically genres requiring electronic sounds have been less well-represented. For those wanting to play-in with triggers or to layer up triggered sounds with acoustic drums, there are fewer choices. EZD3 users can now pull in the odd synthetic sound, either with an EZX expansion with its single velocity layer providing a suitable canvas for period machine action, but those requiring greater nuance need more. With 350+ electronic drum machine sounds and full e-drum and velocity layer support available, for many e-drummers requiring more nuance in the studio SD3 will represent a natural choice.
5 - If You Need Immersive Drums
With immersive sound formats bringing height information to mixes, the only question remaining is who will be listening? While consideration around using formats such as Dolby Atmos for music is gaining ground, those mixing for picture will appreciate an instrument that enjoys multichannel capture with height at the source. With its feet firmly in music production, advanced options such as these are understandably beyond the scope of a tool such as EZD3. However for those composing for picture, immersive drums are there for the taking in SD3 for use in mixes from stereo, through 5.1, 9.1 all the way up to 11.1 systems.
Sound, Function, Price: Which Is Drummer Is Best?
We have previously highlighted how up until fairly recently there has been one universal truth: the more time spent programming and tweaking a virtual drum instrument, the more realistic the results will be. The simple truth is that users of a supposed writer’s tool such as EZD3 have, without question, access to release-quality sounds rivalling (and sometimes surpassing) those achievable in small studios. For many, these will also be broadly comparable in terms of realism with SD3. EZD3 currently weighs in at around $165, with SD3 costing $380. Does EZD3 sound half as good as SD3? In our opinion the answer is no - it sounds pretty much as good in a lot of cases.
The questions then become ones of functionality and price. Simply put, SD3 does immersive, and it affords advanced tools for replacement. The extra acoustic and electronic sounds can be got around by EZD3 users by using Toontrack’s EZX expansions and by utilising their DAW’s mixer. With a strategically pitched $289 crossgrade path to SD3, new users who anticipate a lot of multichannel work, or those working in replacement-heavy genres should spend to save and head straight for the SD3 experience.