All user reviews for the Toontrack Superior Drummer 2.0

No problem if you install following the instructions well.
It's a bit long especially with a rotten install PC.

ADQUATION / PERFORMANCE

XP Media Center, Dual core, 2 Giga RAM, HDD external 7200tpm.
It runs well provided you do not load the soft donf. I have also ordered 1 Gig of ram in +.

It is ultra stable.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I pass by every Toontracks without exception. I loved that I no longer Superior lchais, the one that's even better.
I found that he lacked the tracks microphones previous version, including ambiences.
Well it is the various microphones away.The utiliss (Brauner, Bullet, etc ...) are crying.
The quality is the and you can really have fun to the mix, it sounds standard.
FX Sonalksis are very typs ADAPTS and the mix of a battery.

The + that I love is that we can treat, correct or sculter decision before exporting (or sound recording). I do not like the philosophy: "we'll see in the mix." Can be treated as one wishes as we could do with a good in analog console.
Given the quality is not very expensive.

Now I dream of having a pure electro battery to gain pleasure. Mouse tired a bit.
I'm a fan of real acoustic drums and prfrerait record in these conditions, but if we want the quality of our chres demos, there is no photo!

The Toontrack Superior Drummer 2.0 installed on my computer running Windows XP without any problems. It ran very well and never crashed or gave me any sorts of glitches or issues. I have also used it on a Windows 7 and Windows Vista computer and it ran just as fine on those. It can also be used on a Mac too! All of the drum samples are recorded at high quality studios by Pat Thrall and Neil Dorfsman who are well known in this field.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I have used Superior Drummer 2.0 in Logic, FL Studio, Ableton Live and Cubase. It runs pretty much the same in all applications and does not use too much CPU. I can even combine all of my sound libraries from Superior and EZDrummer together no matter which version I have.

OVERALL OPINION

The sounds are pretty good; the quality of them is amazing I just wish it would have come with some more versatile kits. I also feel like the price of Superior Drummer 2.0 is a little too expensive. Paying this amount of money I expected a lot more from ToonTrack. I have a U control MIDI controller that I use to play the drum samples with through my DAW and it works great. I do love using this program for drum patterns as well because there are some really good ones and I also love the fills that it has with it. I have used other plug ins that are virtually the same as this one. Superior Drummer 2.0 doesn’t stick out to me nor do I think it is better than other drum sample based programs. If it was a little cheaper I would think a lot more highly of it. But all in all, it does have some good sounds and kits that have been very useful for me. I have been using it for months now and so far I am satisfied.

There weren't any kind of compatibility issues , the program works on any platform either Windows XP, Windows Seven or MAC OS.

The book provided with the program was quite good, well detailed , all the information that was relevant to the product itself was well explained there.

General configuration and setup is straight forward , pretty amateur and easy to follow along.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The software works very good and its stability is breath taking and quality of the sounds is pro.
The functions and the performances are very nice , I think its great having a great drum set in your own daw , which is very helpful to set a certain groove without wasting much time.
I've been using this product for about 4 months , but I've used in a lot of pop rock songs.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most about it is how good and powerful are actually the kicks and snares , these two components of the drums make a huge difference in creating a certain groove with a certain effect , either one that's related to the velocity or panning.
I also like how you can easily disable a certain part of the drums , a tom , a hihat , a snare , clap or kick , which is easy and great because you can use that in real time to arrange your groove in a certain distinct way.

Without a doubt this is one of the top drums out there , the only downside for me , its the size , it weights way to much for me to afford , beside that everything is perfect, the quality , the features , the sounds , the effects , everything is on a high level.

My opinion about the value of price is also very good , this product isn't very expensive , it's mainly for all kind of pockets .

Knowing what I know , I would get this product if hdd size wouldn't be a problem.

I have been using Superior Drummer for a long time and when 2 came out I was not sure if I wanted to upgrade or not because I thought it would be a waste of money. The options that Superior Drummer 2 gives you are almost the same as Superior Drummer 1 except it is much easier and user friendly. I love all of the built in effects that are new like the Gate, compressor, and highpass/lowpass filters. These where missing out of the first version and when they added them to version 2 it was a huge bonus. There is also a 5 band EQ! You can also easily layer your sounds to create a much “bigger” sound than ever before.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

All of the drum samples where professionally recorded and play by a professional drummer live. Installing this program will take some time because it has to install a bunch of samples. You will need to have 25 GB of disc space and be running at least Windows Vista, even though it will work on XP I just don’t think XP is powerful enough to handle it properly unless your processor is very fast.

OVERALL OPINION

You can use just about any MIDI controller with this program like you would with your main DAW like Reason or Cubase. Using this as a plug in with Reason and Cubase is very easy, I have even used it with FL Studio and it worked fine. It has never crashed or frozen on any one of my sessions.
My options and effects have gotten much better since I upgraded to Superior Drummer 2, I have used many other drumming programs like EZ Drummer and Addictive Drums before, and none of them are as good as this is. I highly recommend getting this if you want realistic sounding drums and full control over how they will sound. You will not find any better sounding drums, and amazing patterns and fills.

Superior Drummer 2.0 is the flagship drum sample playback engine from Toontrack. It takes a little while to install the full software from all the DVDs, although you can choose to install fewer samples (fewer velocity layers, skip mic bleed samples) if desired or if your computer can't handle the playback. I chose the full install, but found that in practice and the mic bleed options are overkill and I hardly ever use them.

SD2 can be triggered from e-drums, a midi keyboard, or the internal midi library. The initial midi mapping is pretty intuitive. Layering multiple kit pieces with 'x-drum' is much less intuitive. Toontrack provides some videos worth watching to get up to speed on 'x-drum' and midi mapping.

The internal mixer works like a mixer in a DAW, so it is will be familiar to most users. The internal effects are decent compared to the the internal effects in other drum samplers (BFD2, Addictive drums. even the effects in Kontakt as a host for Studio Drummer). However, I suggest skipping the internal effects and use the multi-out option to send the unprocessed drums to your DAW. Using the effects processing plug-ins in your DAW will produce the best results.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Superior Drummer excels above the other drum software programs at producing the most natural sounding drums. Other software are more versatile (BFD2), while other other software sounds processed/radio-ready (SSD4). SD2 sounds the most like you are standing in the control room during a recording session. All the bleed options can make for a very realistic drum performance.

My favorite aspect of the software are the tom samples. I think the toms in SD2 are much better than the toms in other software. I don't think the crash and ride cymbals in SD2 are as good as the cymbals in other software (BFD2/Zildjian Digital Vault). The hi-hats work very well with v-drums, which has been a problem in other software.

There are few expansion packs available for SD2 if you want metal/country/jazz/vintage sounding drums. In my opinion, you can pretty much achieve any kind of musical style with the standard samples in SD2. The samples are recorded completely dry/unprocessed. The different musical styles of drum sounds are based more on post-processing than which brand of drum is recorded.

OVERALL OPINION

Superior Drummer 2.0 has many features that are top-of-the-line for sampled drum software. The interface is well laid out, and the samples were recorded perfectly natural. The SDX expansion packs also were recorded the same level of detail (if not more). If you are a tweakhead, you will never get board with all the internal routing and mic bleed in the software. If you want ultra-realistic, natural sounding drums, your best bet is SD2.

Installing a bit long but simplistic. I also had a bug Authorization code was not recognized for my extension metal foundry I have to go at a new sure it works. I really do not know why ..

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

VAIO I5, 4GB Ram
Focusrite saffire pro 24
The software runs very well, no problems, super stable.

OVERALL OPINION

almost 1 year of use. I also battery NI, not bad but definitely not as complete. Battery is a toy, SD 2 is serious!
This is the best software for virtual drums to me. We can control everything and finally a "true-false" drummer with shades of realism, sounds beautiful. I am big fan, every producer of music must have this software in its All Downloads to spend a drummer
The dévelloppeur went beyond my expectations .... you can add the stamp of the snare or toms or not repisse still the snare in the kick is huge absoluent. BRAVO tootrack
I intend also to settle the vintage pack that looks deadly.

The top is that I had this software promotional € 168 with an extension included (metal foundry)

Installing a bit long but at the same time, given the number of items sampled, the number of layers, the management repisse microphones etc ... this is somewhat normal.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

No worries. Windows 7, 16 Giga of ram, an Athlon last generation. It budge.

OVERALL OPINION

I desserts for comping. My drummer saves MIDI tracks via its electronic drums and then there's choosing the right has more samples. The game is natural (if not abused quantization), sounds are professional and above all, we do not bother is to record a drum with 12 analog microphones, preamps that are doing well and the whole shebang convertos ... This is already done!
For personal work, there is available a library of patterns south of quality ready to use if you're not a drummer. And if that's not enough, there is always the possibility of buying packs of patterns or additional sound banks from Toontrack.

The installation is to feed her 5 DVD drive well filled. Necessarily easy but a bit long. Then you must register the product online for each computer, and there is limited number of installations.
Manuals (in pdf) are very complete and almost always sufficiently detailed. English required.

NB: having already acquired EasyDrummer I crossgrade version, but I do not think it changes much to the installation. There is just a pittance of config to do if we want to continue using its banks or its Easydrummer Drumkit from hell superior.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I started with a 3ghz P4 and 1GB of memory only, and then I went to 2.
Because an old version of sequencer I could not use the drive grooves (now I can, but I learned to do without).
With this setup very limited, even when I came to turn my stuff in the prices of some constraints, most of which are managed by the software. Explanation: The bounce is done offline, the maximum sample is then used and in their 24-bit version. For work, you may request load samples in 16-bit memory (33% gain in one click), you can choose with how many samples per layer we work, and totally set the repisse (very heavy in samples and therefore memory). A counter allows to see the amount of samples in memory. It may therefore be an example config "real time" with 200MB of samples, a config "cueing" with a little over 400MB repisse that will load, etc..
Well, with my first config (below that recommended), once I had an instance of Superior Drummer open it took me 30 to 40% of CPU even before you press play. In short, it was pretty boring but with a little adaptation I could still work.

New config for 1 year: 2.6 ghz quad core, 4GB RAM (recently raised to 8). I went from V3 to V10 Sonar (X1). I also increased the storage but this is less important, having always been hard at 7200 r / min.
It works very well. Witnesses CPU load and disk barely react with 600MB of samples loaded.

In conclusion, it is necessarily perfect, since, if it is not, just change a few settings and it becomes one.

OVERALL OPINION

I started by buying Drumkit from hell 2, which is a shit unnamed unstable at will. Too bad because it sounds good. Then I switched to Easydrummer (with its extension Drumkit from hell) I highly recommend for making models. I switched to SD2 4 years ago in order to control more parameters.

What I love most is that you can do anything. What I like least is the flip side: As we have not done certain things indispensable way it sounds, necessarily, so you have time to provide a grip.
There are 2-3 things I wish I could change, and exceptionally it is impossible. For example, the stereo when you export offline, background tracks are breaded in terms of the drummer, so if you want a stereo image in public view, must be exported via the integrated mixer.
Finally, a caveat on the sounds of the bank "Avatar" provided. On one, it's a shame to have such a choice of cymbals and all are of the same brand. Two, instead of having a position Ride and a choice of four cymbals, we have 4 positions with a single ride cymbal we choose to enable or not, it did seem like much, but as two of these cymbals are located to the left of the kit, at the stereo it bothers. Three, the serious lack of bass drum when the power increases, we must really work hard to kick eq and compression on all three tracks (drum head, leaving GC, sub) for a realistic sound.

A report, the Toontrack forum is a mine (if only one still reads and writes English).

As usual, a block of points (almost retail) to improve, while the good report is in one line. But it's really a great tool. I can not compare with its competitors (BFD), but I do it again this choice without hesitation.

I left a EZdrummer upgrade and the installation went very well. The plug is available in 32 and 64 bits, it is stable and comes with EZplayer Pro, an app that allows you to compile the different grooves battery app to build the perfect track.

In terms of ergonomics, I think the app lacks some clarity, with different menus: the choice between kits, wands, effects presets, it has an interface that has a few too many drawers for my taste. Personally, at this level, I prefer Addictive Drums.

Practice Tip: banks can be read from EZdrummer Superior, which is handy because it has a single VSTi to manage everything.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

My PC is a Core i7 3.2 GB with 16 GB of RAM and an SSD hard drive hybrid. In this context, even the loading of the heaviest batteries no problem, as their treatment elsewhere.

OVERALL OPINION

For me it is really a compromise between the approach of a BFD sound engineer and musician approach an Addictive Drums, ie we have very detailed Dry batteries, without feeling , as in BFD, to be confronted by issues of mixing (phase problems with the microphones, etc..).

I have 2 banks in addition to those originally provided: the Music City and Custom & Vintage. The main criticism I could make the software is its lack of presets ready-mix side of the battery. With Toontrack, one must buy extra, and it's painful, where an Addictive Drums is more generous. So when I want a drum sound occurs at the point of sounding artificial, I go to Addictive. And when I try something more natural, with detail, to Superior.

Second default, no bank is rubbed brushes provided with basic software (just hit the brushes).

Third defect: as in the full range Toontrack, and as with competition from elsewhere, naming is imbitable grooves and there is not an intelligent search engine to navigate in it: we start from a little fishing .. .

Finally last, default: the side a little too wise for banks proposed. I loved the approach of the Twisted Kit from the same publisher or that of 8-bit kit FXpansion and we would be delighted to see such a little exotic land banks in Superior: when a real big bank percussion Asian, South American or African, for example. When is a bank, the bronx Drum '?

I nabbed the software upgrade when the EZdrummer was on sale, so I made a good deal and I do not regret my choice, but even at full price, the quality / price seems good to Toontrack sleep as much as to change its software by offering regular MIDI grooves or for additional sound libraries (but it will buy).

I would not recommend it as a basis for beginners who may feel a bit lost. Start with a EZdrummer sounds very good. But if you already have some experience with virtual batteries, this is an app that you will not regret to have added to your arsenal.

no problem during installation, it's been several years that I have and it has never been a problem
jai uses the 32 bit vista pricipalement and windows 7 x64 in Cubase 5 and Sonar and Reaper x1 4 most often (but also tested with ableton 8, samplitude X and others ..)
SAR observation =

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

pluieurs pc did turns, core 2 duo, i5, i7, 7200rpm HD always thus nothing exceptional ... always 6 or 8GB of RAM and also edirol external card .... no problem
quality kit for max RAM needed .. there is no secret, you can quickly end up with a 2Gb kit ... with the OS and other vst's better to have the margin.
pournfo, 4Gb RAM, AC is revealed fairly limited if you use other vst greedy qq type or Omnisphere Omnisphere to name but two very common ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for several years (4 or 5 may be because I know more before javais EZDrummer therefore somewhat forgotten when jai jai .. especially changes that jutilise always certain EZDrummer kit!)
I possess most of the extensions that come with it and if we take his time and that is well prepared his kit (COMP / EQ / import other kit etc etc) it sounds huge ...
the basic kit may seem disappointing ... but as a true battery must settle / grant etc etc ... it is not in 2 seconds!
yes I would do this choice today .... there's more choice lepoque personnaly but now that I know my kit and I am good use of soft ... I see no reason to change ... I n will get it any better.
So spend some time has apparendre how to use it, choose the right kit and good according to its Elements recherher and .... you sound killer!

Installation nickel, big manual clear and comprehensive but digestible, no incompatibilities encountered.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Config: Gygabite P35ds3p, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 at 2.83 GHz, 8GB of ram, windows 7 64 bit, Alesis io26 (firewire), cubase 5.53. I use along with EWQLSO Gold + mics, trillian, pod farm 2, 3 Tracks deluxe Arc system, and it runs perfectly without bugs.
We can really do whatever you want as soon as we go into detail settings. I added a metal ezpack to retrieve sounds Tama Starclassic and it's just perfect

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 years now after a brief stint on nskit free and EZDrummer, and I do not change so I'm happy with what I draw, and if tomorrow I want to change the drum sound there so many choices that I would not need to change any time soon To get an idea all the batteries on my non-electronic pieces are made with: www.noomiz.com / calluslegion, or my www.soundcloud .com / calluslegion