Should You Buy Superior Drummer 3?

It’s been long overdue, Superior Drummer 3 has just been announced. But the REAL question is, should you buy it. Let’s break down what’s inside. Here are the 14 features you should know about:

1. Everything was recorded by George Massenburg In Galaxy Studios in Belgium.
2. Inside SD3 there are 6 Kits, 25 snares, 16 kicks, and 33 cymbals.
3. The dowload is 230 GB (Thankfully it's broken up, you don’t HAVE to download all of it)
4. Everything was recorded in 11.1 that means 11 mics where used for every drum you hear placed at different heights around the room.
5. You can finally detach elements of the software from the main program and drag it over to a secondary monitor.
6. Rescale Window (in SD2, you couldn't resize anything)
7. Superior Drummer 3 is backwards compatible with Expansions Packs from Ezdrummer 2 and Superior Drummer 2.
8. There's Drum Replacement Software included (They call it TRACKER) you can blend the samples with your previous recording as well.
9. SD3 lets you import 3rd Party Samples
10. There is adjustable Bleed from other instruments
11. Macros edit section
12. There's a selection of about 350 Electronic Drum Sounds
13. Midi Trigger Default Configs Presets for different electronic drum brands, including roland/yamaha/alesis/kat/millennium/ect.
14. Hardware Requirements:
For Macs and PCs: Multi-core Intel processor, 8GB RAM or more recommended, 236GB disk space (additional 55GB needed during install)

Links To Videos I Mentioned:

Video Explaining the Pros and Cons of Different Drum Software:

Superior Drummer 2 Vs Ezdrummer 2:

My Favorite Edrum Headphones:

My Favorite Drum Throne:

Handy Way To Record Your Electronic Drums:

Here's a tutorial on how to use it ^

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[Vdrumtips]

I think for people that trigger VSTs with an edrumset, SD3 is a must. EZD2 is not good enough, the hihat for example does not work as well. IN SD3 you can adjust the trigger settings.

[thedrumdoctor]

I have SD2 and I bought a cross-grade to SD3 and downloaded the whole library. I was impressed with the new interface and the way it could be resized (huge oversight on SD2) and all those sound libraries were a new box of toys. I have a TD-20 with VH-11 and the Roland 3 x zone Ride and I could find no real-world noticeable improvement in how the MIDI information was processed to the end result. After spending a couple of weeks with it, I had a huge lightbulb moment...

I had originally assumed, any reservations I had with my SD2 installation would be magically transformed with SD3. How wrong I was. The ugly truth was, I had jumped into SD3 without *really* trying to push SD2 to its limits. What I mean by this, is what happens via manipulating the sounds in the software itself or in a DAW. There were no issues going to be fixed by my limitations of module and e-drum hardware in SD3, it was always going to be about the sounds. Again, the ugly truth remained, despite all my time in studios since my first juvenile experience in 1984, I still knew nothing about compression or EQ and that is folks, where the magic lies - especially if you’re producing drum tracks for musical collaboration.

On its own SD3 is an Aladdin’s cave of solo drum sounds, which is fine if you want a drums-only studio playback experience. However, if you are trying to produce something that will sit within the sound layers of guitars, bass, vocals and keyboards, then you’re really going to have to accept that your skills will be better used in learning how to make a Bass Drum sit with a Bass track so it doesn’t occupy the same frequency and can be heard without simply pushing its volume up.

So for me, I quickly figured SD3 wasn’t going to do this for me and I had everything I needed in SD2 but seriously lacked in my own personal skills in post-production. As such, I sold my SD3 license and started to learn about processing the samples in my SDXs in SD2. Many producers still use SD2 to capture a performance and then work their magic later on in the mixing. So for me, with no real benefits interpreting what I was playing via my module into a DAW, SD3 was no improvement for the money. I already had great sounding raw takes using SD2 so my focus has since been learning on improving my post-production techniques.

[doctari]

Thanks for sharing this info. I own EXD2 and just found out about SD3. In response to your question, I'm just a hobbyist but I'll be buying this upgrade just because I can. I'm one of those guys that just like to have everything available at my fingertips "just in case" I have some brainfart or want to tweak some small thing.

[manuger]

I started with EZD2 and then upgraded to SD3 and it is awesome. I love the fact that I can map the pads to what ever I choose with my edrum.

[darkflamesquirrel]

"...heck you can even load an entire song and assign it to Tom 1 if you want to"

I am uncomfortable

[issiewizzie]

A very honest advice ....
I have logic drummer and a few IOS drum apps . I question everyday as a hobbie musician what I'm I trying to achieve

[fredmanteghian]

Great video. I’ve struggled with the groove editor in BFD3 for years and am considering a move to SD3. This video was helpful.

[DWRhythm]

I used to use Superior Drummer 2, however, I switched to Addictive Drums 2 when I lost my vision at the end of 2015, because Superior's interface and the fact their expansions always changed the kit layout and arrow location, made it impracticle for making it accessible for screen readers. The fact there are no keyboard shortcuts didn't help the cause either, and introducing a resizable window made it worse. Additionally, the system requirements are those of a fancy computer, so not only would you need a good module to trigger the VST, you'd need to spend a good bit of money on a computer to house it, then well yeah.... Eek!

[FIReOOB]

yo Justin


i know this is an old video but man i love so much your work. you initiate me to superior drummer 3.
I Was looking for upgrading my e-drums which is a td-15k and changing my drum module. Hopefully i find your video and it changed my drumming life


thanks a lot for that!!

[joshsaloka]

I'm pumped about this myself. I've emailed Toontrack and posted on their forum many times requesting a version of EZ Drummer with more editing options and Superior Drummer 3 looks like it will have everything I've been asking for. Can't wait!

[machiavellian]

Have bought it started to download a week ago have cancelled my 6 year old daughters wedding wen she turns 25 as I think I’ll still be here downloading sd3

[menchlid]

Tx so much Justin, this vid was a real help. Tx again for all your hard work in putting out vids like these, keep it up! ;)

[DacianGradaMusic]

Great video! Totally agree with you, there will be some guys that need/want total control over their drums and will definitely get this one. I use EZDrummer and by combining pieces from different expansions I am really happy with what I got, especially because I'm not the best when it comes to drum mixing, so it saves me a lot of time having already processed samples that really sound great out of the box.

[chapbot]

The most important question is not addressed: how does it sound in comparison to Superior 2?

[JoshCameron]

Awesome video Justin! Really enjoyed this and you had some great points about the software and its applicability 👍🏻 I will be getting it anyhow because I already have a few SDX packs and of course SD2.0 🙌🏻

[theyconsiderthis]

I'm using GGD as a Kontakt instrument and love it. SD3 looks awesome, but it has way more than I'd ever need.

Nice video. I've used SD2 for ages now and have pre-ordered SD3 now. It was no brainer to me :)

[rhythmsaint]

I am now at a place in my career as a drummer where I’m thinking about this
An e kit full time at my place and superior
I was at the launch of deprive way back, well at least the United Kingdom launch and was super impressed
Years later I’m now looking to be creative for myself and other with drum software. Nir Z I know was very involved in tracking the drums for superior and he is incredible in his style of playing for that.

[garybardrick]

Will possibly buy it. Have SD2 so its only $200 upgrade. Must admit it does look nice

[musicmxer]

Been using Steven Slate Platinum for a while now. Runs fast and sounds awesome. It really makes playing my TD30K a lot more fun (it is a sick drum set to begin with) to play around with and practice. Love the Green Day (playing along to The Ramones all day long) and Metallica (that snare is wicked). I am saving my bennies for the next Slate update... It works for me. I am tired of being disappointed with gear. I'll stick with what works.