Superior Drummer 2 Advanced Vol 1

In volume one of this comprehensive video tutorial series, Expert drum instructor Luke Oswald unlocks the advanced features of Toontrack’s Superior Drummer 2, exploring its finer details and how to use them creatively.

Overview

• Overivew Pt. 1 (08:47) - Luke walks you through of all of the panels and functions within the Construct Window of Superior Drummer 2.

• Overview Pt. 2 (04:08) - A walkthrough of the Mixer, Grooves, Mapping, Bounce and Settings Windows within Superior Drummer 2.

Standard vs. Classic View

• Library Selection (03:28) - Learn how to load a sample library, switch between the Standard and Classic views and select kit pieces.

• Instrument Selection (05:57) - Luke explains how to load specific kit piece instruments and demonstrates a variety of ways to audition each drum/articulation.

• Memory Status Considerations (02:59) - Learn why it's important to keep an eye on the memory load and how your memory footprint can have an impact on auditioning samples.

• Selecting & Editing Kit Pieces (01:13) - Luke demonstrates how to select and edit individual and multiple drums.

• Classic View Overview (01:14) - An explanation of the Classic View interface and how it differs from the Standard view.

Kit Presets & Tools Settings

• The Construction Kit Menu (03:27) - You can quickly load different kit variations or load only a group of kit pieces at a time.

• Saving Construct Kit User Presets (03:31) - Learn how to save, load and delete Construct Kit presets.

• Tools Settings: Sticks/Rods/Brushes/Snares Off (03:10) - Luke explains how to load various tools within the Tools Settings menu.

Memory & Status Panel

• Memory Panel Explanation (04:09) - Luke provides a detailed explanation of the Memory & Status Panel and how you can use it to manage your loaded samples.

• Using Additional Room Mics (01:52) - Learn how additional room mics can have a drastic impact on your memory usage.

• Memory & Status Panel Messages (02:19) - An explanation of the status messages that can occur within the Memory & Status Panel.

Instrument Panel

• Relative Volume Adjustments for Instruments (06:20) - Discover how to adjust the volume of each instrument independent of other kit pieces.

• Relative Volume Adjustments For Articulations (07:18) - Learn how to adjust the relative volume of each individual articulation.

Pitch Panel

• General Pitch Adjustments (04:51) - Learn how the pitch function works and how to pitch up or down your loaded drum kit.

• Pitch Adjustments For Articulations (03:55) - Luke explains how to adjust the pitch of an individual articulation.

• Pitch Adjustments For Multiple Instruments (01:29) - You can make pitch adjustments for multiple drums at the same time.

• Pitch Adjustments For Kits (01:45) - Learn how to quickly adjust the pitch of the entire drum set and how that affects the samples loaded into memory.

Humanize/Voice & Layer Panels

• Sample Pool Explanation (05:03) - Luke explains how samples are recorded and the necessity of "sample pools" for a realistic sample library experience.

• "Round Robin" Sample Management (04:00) - Luke explains how the Superior Drummer 2 engine handles the large number of samples to create a realistic performance.

• Humanize/Voice & Layer Limit Functions (03:32) - An explanation and demonstration of the Humanize/Layer Limit features.

• Humanize Functions Explanation (04:05) - Luke explores each of the Humanize features.

• Voice & Layer Panel: Layer Limit Adjustments (05:23) - An explanation of "Layer Limits" and how each sample is placed into a Layer Limit group.

• Voice & Layer Panel: Voice Limit Settings (03:19) - The Voice Limit function works similar to "polyphony" to limit how many samples can be playing simultaneously.

• Voice & Layer Limit Applications (02:12) - Luke provides examples of how the Voice & Layer Limit functions can be used to add realism to your performance.

Envelope Panel

• Attack Adjustments (03:20) - Explore the parameters of the envelope panel along with best practices for using them.

• Decay/Sustain Adjustments (03:30) - You can use the Decay/Sustain adjustment settings to modify the sustain of a snare drum or cymbal.

• Hold/Release Adjustments (04:20) - An explanation of how to manipulate the cutoff of each sample to control the transition to digital silence.

• Ratio/Time/Offset & Manual Input Options (02:18) - Learn the difference between each of these settings and how they relate to the Envelope controls.

• Envelope Applications: Snare Drum (02:49) - Luke demonstrates using the Envelope Panel to manipulate the sound of your snare.

• Envelope Applications: Floor Tom/Bass Drum (04:28) - You can use the Envelope Panel settings to roll off the sustain of a floor tom.

• Individual Articulation Adjustments (01:25) - Learn how to adjust the Envelope parameters for individual instrument articulations.

XDrum Panel

• Creating A New XDrum (04:45) - Luke demonstrates how to create a new XDrum to supplement your loaded sample library.

• XDrum Microphone Assignments (05:36) - How to manage the Microphone Assignments for your XDrums.

• Consolidating XDrum Microphone Channels (06:18) - Luke explains how to consolidate XDrum microphones for use in your existing mixer channels.

• Working with Microphone Assignments (01:59) - Learn how to reset, restart, restore, and delete XDrum microphone channels.

• Editing Individual XDrum Articulations (03:35) - Luke demonstrates how you can edit individual articulations for each XDrum.

• Steal Default, Steal Current & Steal Second Position (06:52) - An explanation of how to map your XDrums to the appropriate mapping.

• Deleting/Moving XDrums & Saving XDrum Presets (01:32) - Learn how to delete XDrums, move them around the interface and save your XDrum setup for later recall.