Toontrack Superior Drums 2.0®, Jazz EZX®, Metalheads EZX® and Latin Percussion EZX®…everything you need to complete your own professional drum studio

Amazing, clean and beautiful drum sound samples…check, complete instrument sound adjustability…check, full mic adjustability…check, ability to set sensitivity to match your playing style…check. Toontrack has created a highly professional-grade studio drumming software package that will make electronic drum playing a pure joy.

Superior Drums 2.0® (From Toontrack.com’s site):

Superior Drummer 2.0® is the professional drum sampler flagship from Toontrack Music.

With its excellent sounding sample-engine, its phenomenal realistic room sounds and its unrivaled extensive feature-list, it truly sets the industry standard in contemporary digital drum production.

20 GB of excellent drum sounds for professional music-production. Recorded with extensive and adjustable microphone-bleed and the unique room sound of legendary recording studio Avatar New York.

Check it out here:
Superior Drummer 2.0®

Jazz EZX® (From Toontrack.com’s site):

Throughout our history of creating sample libraries and instruments, we have strived to both innovate and preserve in all areas of performance, engineering, and genre.
In creating this library we went to new and unheard of levels of dynamic. The recordings feature layered sampling with numerous mic stems fronted by recording chains we had previously only dreamt of.

In the fall of 07, we began the Jazz with Futureman at the impeccable Blackbird Studios. His passion and knowledge of Jazz history met with a relentlessly energetic and musical approach to single note striking that left the Toontrack crew in utter disbelief.

Roy hears every single hit and swirl recorded as part of a larger whole, as part of a musical sequence rather than as solitary, monotonous hit. The results are samples that strike with intensity and force lending unique scope and musicality to these recordings.

The recordings for the Jazz EZX® set a benchmark for how sampling percussive instruments, and musical instruments in general, will be done in the future.

Toontrack Music has had the privilege to capture the magic of Futureman. His touch, his heart, his philosophy and his unique approach to his craft in this Jazz EZX®. The story of jazz drums has a new chapter.

Check it out here:
Jazz EZX®

Latin Percussion EZX® (From Toontrack.com’s site):

The Latin Percussion EZX® for EZdrummer® contains the percussion sounds from the revolutionary, award winning pro drum sampler, dfh Superior(legacy product) from Toontrack® Music. The EZX® includes MIDI files that will add that extra groove on top of your steady drumtrack.

Check it out here:
Latin Percussion EZX®

Metalheads EZX® (From Toontrack.com’s site):

Two Incredible drum sets, assembled and recorded to metal perfection, ready to bring your metal productions to the next level. And, for the first time in Toontrack history, we’ve included Separate mix channels in the EZdrummer mixer, containing kick and snare drum samples designed by Daniel Bergstrand, that augment these already amazingly recorded drums.

Check it out here:
Metalheads EZX®

Take a look at these Toontrack products in action:

Rating:

Alright…After installing, mapping to my Alesis DM10 studio drums and playing around with this software…I have to say this is one killer drum sound set that’s a must buy for the serious recording professional down to the hobbyist. The sounds are amazing, the adjustability and customization options are almost endless to provide just the right sound you’re looking for.

First things first:

I cannot emphasize this enough: READ the manual fully that comes with this software first and foremost. Don’t just hook up your drums and try to go for it…There’s a lot to this program. You can tell they’ve created this not only for the musician, but for studio engineers…It’s technical and can take a little time to map it with your drum set (more on mapping with an Alesis DM10 brain below). But once you get it set up it’s truly amazing drum software.

Mapping my drumset

It took me some time to get it mapped correctly as the Alesis DM10 Studio kit doesn’t have after touch and some things just didn’t seem to jive right off. If you own an Alesis kit with the DM10 Drum brain, your going to have to do some additional steps below to get your Hi-hat and Ride cymbal and crash choke set up correctly…of course, after reading your manual.

I spent a lot of time looking for the information contained in the following links. They are invaluable for getting your Alesis kit set up:

Hi-hat triggering set up with Superior Drummer for Alesis DM10 Studio kit–Post #2:
Hi-hat set up

Cymbal choking set up with Superior Drummer for Alesis DM10 Studio kit–Post #3:
Cymbal choking set up

General Midi Mapping numbers set up with Superior Drummer for Alesis DM10 Studio: – I had to manually assign the ride bell and ride bow area with the corresponding midi values
General midi mapping for DM10

Get everything mapped to your drums, create your kit, set sensitivity levels for each pad (Ultra cool feature to match your playing style), choose your mic options and SAVE your different settings. You can easily pull them up again with any new project.

Ok, I got through the mapping, built my drum kits and tweaked my sound and mics…now it’s time to play

It’s going to bring a smile to your face…I guarantee it. The sounds from these different sound sets we’re truly amazing. They’re crisp and sound better than the real thing! What’s cool is with all the adjustability, you can really create your “own sound.” Sensitivity is incredible…from the softest buzz roll to pounding hit, the dynamics were incredible. Overall, I’m very pleased with these drum sample sets. Set up was a little difficult, but once I overcame some of that learning curve and learned some alternatives to set it up with my kit, I found this to be some of the best drum sampler software out there.

Requirements:
PC:
Windows XP SP3 or newer, 2 GHz Pentium 4 or Athlon processor with 1 GB RAM (multi-core CPU with 2 GB RAM or more recommended)

Mac:
Mac OS 10.4.11 or higher, 2 GHz G5 with 1 GB RAM (multi-core CPU with 2 GB RAM or more recommended)

4GB free hard disc space, DVD drive (25GB free hard disc space, Sequencer application and professional soundcard MIDI controller such as keyboard, drum pads or electronic drum kit recommended)

Pintech Dingbat Tubular Pad

The Pintech Dingbat Tubular Pad takes up less room than a couple of pairs of drumsticks and sounds like anything your trigger module can come up with. Rugged construction, 9″ playing surface, excellent tracking and response. Compatible with all popular trigger modules. Mounts easily. Lifetime warranty.

Pintech Dingbat Tubular Pad Features:

Compact 9″ playing surface with realistic rebound-smaller version available as well!
Tough construction
Perfect tracking

Rating:
For all you electric drummers: Need a closed hi-hat while playing your double bass and want to have the ability to switch back to your regular hi-hat? Is your snare drum only 2 zone? While playing jazz you’re going to want to have your standard head and rimshot assigned to your snare for accenting…but, how do you get a sidestick for those softer grooves? Need more options like assigning an alternate snare drum or other effect while playing drum-and-bass? Look no further, the Dingbat by Pintech is here…

All I have to say is this electric drum pad is sweet…innovation at its finest. It fits into places on your electric kit boldly where no other electric drum pad has ever gone. And it’s half the price of a normal drum pad. You can mount it almost anywhere on your kit with the provided mounting system. Sensitivity and tracking are excellent. One thing, you’ll need to purchase a 1/4″ patch cord that you can find at any local Radioshack for hooking it into your drum brain-they’re cheap and easy to find. It takes a little innovation and trial and error to get it positioned in tighter areas (I mounted mine right behind the snare), but once you do, it opens up a whole world of opportunities. Definitely need to check this cool piece of drum equipment out!

Roland TD-4KX2-S V-Compact Series Drum Set

The most affordable series from the V-Drums family has undergone a number of upgrades and refinements, including a new Kick Pad and V-Cymbals. With its improved playability, this kit will help you maximize your performance and practice time. You’ll get better faster with the built-in Coach and Quick Rec/Play function, and the mesh snare and tom heads as well as the cloth-based kick pad will give you an accurate feel for when you use your hard-earned skills to play an acoustic kit.

Roland TD-4KX2-S V-Compact Series Drum Set Features:

* Mesh heads for snare and toms (PDX-8, PDX-6)
* Natural swing motion and playing feel with new V-Cymbals (CY-12C, CY-13R)
* Three-way triggering for ride (CY-13R)
* Great feel and reliable playability with new mechanics and a cloth-based kick drum head (KD-9)

Includes:
* (1) TD-4 Percussion Sound Module with multi-pin cable harness and module mount
* (2) PDX-8 Mesh Pads (Snare, Tom 3)
* (2) PDX-6 Mesh Pads (Tom 1, Tom2)
* (1) KD-9 Kick Trigger Pad
* (1) CY-12C V-Cymbal Pad
* (1) CY-13R V- Cymbal Pad
* (1) CY-5 V-Cymbal Pad
* (1) FD-8 Hi-Hat Control Pedal
* (1) Drum rack
* (1) DW throne
* (1) DW kick pedal
* Clamps and arms for both the pads and cymbals

Rating:
Awesome, affordable electronic drum kit. Roland’s new version of V-series drums, the TD-4, is absolutely stunning. The sounds are amazing and it’s built with Roland quality. Compact to fit into tight spaces or studios. Definitely an electronic drum set to be checked out.

Alesis DM10 Pro Electronic Drum Set

Alesis DM10 Pro Kit is the product of extensive research and development efforts. Based around the DM10 sound module, the DM10 Pro Kit features Alesis’ RealHead drum pads, SURGE Cymbals made of real cymbal alloy and an ErgoRack mounting system.

DM10 Module
You will immediately notice the DM10 module’s outstanding sound quality. This drum sound module contains true drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds—built from real samples of classic studio drums and prized cymbals. Drummers will find some of the most in-demand acoustic drum sounds from legendary drum brands, a huge arsenal of top producers’ go-to snare drums, real American, Canadian, Chinese, and Turkish cymbals, and a choice selection of classic drum machine and electronic percussion sounds that have fueled the biggest hit records.

Discerning ears will notice that each sound is actually a series of different samples: multiple dynamic-level samples and articulations are all built in so as you play harder and softer, the drum or cymbal changes its timbre, not just its volume. This engineered realism is known as Dynamic Articulation, an Alesis exclusive. You can play with or without reverb for different room sounds and enjoy a wide variety of rimshots, rim clicks, and different stick-placement sounds on the cymbals. For example, a hi-hat’s sound depends on a number of factors: how open or closed the pedal is, how hard it is struck, and other variables resulting in 40 different sounds—plus foot chick and heel splash.

The DM10 module not only has a breathtaking collection of sounds onboard, it is also the world’s first drum-sound module that enables you to load new sound sets via USB connection from your computer. This means that your sounds will always stay fresh, current and cutting edge.

You can also use the DM10 as a trigger-to-MIDI interface for performing and tracking with software drum modules such as BFD, Toontrack, and Reason, among others. For practice, you can play along with the tracks in the DM10′s internal sequencer, mix in an iPod or other MP3 player and play along.

The DM10 module has 12 trigger inputs, perfect for creating custom configurations with up to 24 different pads. The DM10′s top-panel mixer gives you easy access to creating custom mixes.

RealHead Drum Pads
The DM10 Pro Kit has Alesis’ acoustic-feeling RealHead pads in 8″ and 10″ sizes. The dual-zone pads feature real mylar drumheads and real triple-flanged counterhoops for the feel you demand. The snare and tom pads are dual zone, enabling you to perform rimshots, rim clicks, or assign other sounds such as wind chimes, cymbals, gongs, and cowbells on the tom rims.

Surge Cymbals
The DM10 Pro Kit comes with premium SURGE cymbals, the only serious choice in electronic cymbals. The kit includes a 12″ SURGE hi-hat cymbal, a 13″ SURGE crash cymbal with choke and a 16″ SURGE triple-zone ride cymbal with choke. Comprised of a genuine alloy cymbal coated with a clear sound-dampening layer, SURGE cymbals feel like acoustic cymbals because they begin life as just that. The crash and ride cymbals feature large choke strips on the undersides for even more attention to accurate cymbal control. The SURGE ride also features multiple-zone triggering on the bell, face, and edge. The SURGE hi-hat cymbal offers continuously variable control using the included pedal.

ERGORACK
The DM10 Pro Kit features an ergonomically curved, chrome-plated ErgoRack for mounting the pads and module on. It is a heavy gauge, heavy duty rack—and supremely adjustable. The ErgoRack is large enough to enable you to add on additional drum pads and SURGE cymbals. You can even mount acoustic drums, cymbals, and percussion instruments on this roadworthy system.

The ErgoRack employs standard 1-1/2″ tubing for compatibility with virtually all drum manufacturers’ rack hardware. The rack features quick-release, metal clamps for fast setup and tear down. The crash and ride cymbals mount on large, knurled boom cymbal arms that are height adjustable right in the rack down tubes. The DM10 Pro Kit comes with tom mounts that enable freely adjustable mounting. Drummer-friendly wing-screws are present on all important rack clamps and pads for ease of adjustment without reaching for a drum key. The drum pads mount on standard 10.5mm L-rods with low-slip, knurled mounting surfaces.

The DM10 Pro Kit: The flagship of the Alesis electronic percussion line.

Alesis DM10 Pro Electronic Drum Set Features:

* DM10 drum-sound module with 12 trigger inputs
* Premium sound set built from real samples of real drums and cymbals
* Dynamic Articulation changes sounds’ timbre along with dynamics for realism
* Top-panel mixer for customizing drum mix
* Built-in sequencer for practicing and creating drum tracks
* DM10 is the world’s first drum-sound module that enables USB sound loading
* Can be used with software drum modules via USB
* RealHead acoustic-feel 8″ and 10″ dual-zone drum pads with real heads
* SURGE cymbals are acoustic cymbals with triggers
* 12″ SURGE hi-hat, 13″ SURGE crash with choke, 16″ SURGE ride with choke
* Ergonomically curved, chrome-plated ErgoRack
* Mix input for practicing with CD and MP3 players

Includes:
* 1 DM10 drum module
* 2 8″ RealHead drum pads
* 2 10″ RealHead drum pads
* 1 8″ RealHead kick pad with tower
* 1 12″ SURGE hi-hat cymbal
* 1 13″ SURGE crash cymbal
* 1 16″ SURGE ride cymbal
* 1 ErgoRack with mounting clamps and arms
* 1 hi-hat pedal
* 1 Set of interconnection cables

Premium sounds and you can input your own as well.

Rating:
Nice Electronic drum set with great sounds built in. Hi tech engineering and advanced electronics make this electronic drum kit what it is. Alesis is coming out with some very nice electronic drum sets and giving the bigger manufacturers a run for their money. Speaking of money, the price on this Alesis DM10 Pro Electronic Drum Set is truly a great deal for everything you get. Very responsive, mutli-zone pads and cymbals make it a winner. The DM10 drum module is amazing and the ability to add additional drum sounds and the ability to interface with a computer makes the possibilities endless. How cool it is to plug your set into your computer and record. Check this great electric drum kit out.

Korg Wavedrum

Start with a real drum head that responds naturally to brushes, sticks, mallets, or even your bare hands. Add in a sensitive acoustic transducer, advanced DSP synthesis, and hundreds of superior samples. The result is the astounding Korg Wavedrum. Delivering accurate and imaginative sounds from around the globe, Wavedrum creates an interactive, organic, and spellbinding playing experience that no trigger-based system can match. The affordable 2nd generation Korg WAVEDRUM is sonically richer, more sensitive, and packed with enough power and expression to create its own musical legend. The WAVEDRUM's wide dynamic range mimics that of an acoustic drum. WAVEDRUM responds perfectly to your action, from subtly nuanced tapping and stroking to aggressive, repetitive strikes.The original Korg WAVEDRUM amazed the world back in 1994. This legendary musical instrument was instantly famous for its innovative design, performance possibilities, and unique sounds. Now the Korg WAVEDRUM's broad variety of sonic offerings ranges from traditional acoustic percussion instruments to new and unique percussive sounds. With WAVEDRUM, instruments that normally require special techniques to play, such as the tabla, or conga, can be played with ease. In addition, WAVEDRUM establishes its own way of playing, granting you unparalleled levels of expression, full of originality and depth. Compact and lightweight in design, Korg WAVEDRUM is ideal in all performance situations—from casual playing through to a full-on recording session or a live concert performance.Totally unique sounds and innovative ways to play open the door to new musical journeys. The Korg WAVEDRUM delivers inspiration and satisfaction to creative percussionists seeking new realms of expressiveness and sounds. Moving beyond traditional drum and percussion sounds, WAVEDRUM also provides totally new and unique sounds that are not available in the real world, and offers new ways of playing to achieve new levels of musical expression. With a Korg WAVEDRUM, you can change the pitch randomly with each hit, or play melodic phrases by choosing a musical scale and applying pressure to the head. Traditional hand-drum techniques, such as adding pitch and tonal changes to a strike by pressing the head, were previously unobtainable on an electronic instrument. Korg WAVEDRUM processes and responds to these intimate performance gestures as no other percussion instrument can. These same techniques provide a wealth of performance possibilities. For example, WAVEDRUM can produce sitar and tambura sounds at the same time. You can produce tanpura sounds alone by hitting the head, adding the sitar sounds by applying pressure to the head before hitting it. Applying further pressure can change the pitch of the sitar continuously within the selected scale. These and other performance characteristics are unique to the Korg WAVEDRUM.Multiple sensors and playing techniques deliver previously unimaginable expressiveness

Rating:
I’ve been scouring the internet for information on this cool electronic drum. It’s a very cool, interactive drum that can stand alone or be used in conjunction with any acoustic or electric drum kit. Play it with your hands, sticks, brushes…however you want. What’s cool is that the sound triggering goes beyond the head itself. The entire top surface can be interacted with. Cool drum…kind of pricey, however.