STUDIO DRUMMER Explained

Expert drum instructor Luke Oswald breaks down Native Instrument’s powerful STUDIO DRUMMER software in this comprehensive video tutorial series. Learn every aspect and how you can use this software with your electronic kit and DAW of choice!

Overview

• Overview Pt. 1 (06:23) - Learn the basics of the Kit and Groove windows.

• Overview Pt. 2 (07:51) - Luke explains the basic functionality of the Options and Mixer windows.

Grooves Window

• Playing MIDI Groove Files (03:09) - Learn how to play the MIDI groove files that ship with Studio Drummer.

• Auditioning Drum Kits & Mix Presets (01:43) - Luke explains how to audition various drum kits/mix presets while playing a MIDI groove.

• Using Groove MIDI To Adjust OH & Room Levels (01:19) - Learn how to make quick adjustments to the OH and Room levels.

• MIDI Groove Feel Adjustments (02:45) - An explanation of how to quantize and humanize your MIDI grooves for a variety of "feel" options.

• Using The Grid To Adjust Tightness/Swing Parameters (03:25) - Luke demonstrates how to adjust the Grid settings.

• Velocity Adjustments & Tempo Settings (02:32) - Learn how to make velocity/tempo adjustments to your MIDI grooves.

• Using MIDI Grooves Within Your DAW (02:54) - Luke shows you how to import MIDI grooves into your DAW.

Options Window

• MIDI Mapping Explained (02:09) - The basics of MIDI mapping are explained.

• Velocity Curve Adjustments (02:49) - Learn how to adjust the global velocity settings for your MIDI performances.

• Velocity Range Adjustments (04:49) - Luke demonstrates how the Velocity Range adjustments can be used to set a maximum and minimum velocity.

• Mapping Presets (02:25) - Use mapping presets to quickly set up MIDI mappings for your MIDI controller or e-drums.

• Manual Mapping Adjustments (02:54) - Learn how to create custom mapping presets.

• Saving/Deleting Mapping Presets (01:23) - You can save mapping presets for later recall or delete them completely.

• Kit View Options (01:47) - Luke explains how to enable -click-to-audition- and 'visual hits' within the Kit Panel.

• Randomize Options: Volume Adjustments (02:44) - Learn how to add random volume adjustments.

• Randomize Options: Velocity Adjustments (01:17) - Luke explains how to use the Velocity Adjustment to create realistic drum parts.

• Randomize Options: Time, Pitch & Tone Adjustments (03:04) - Time, Pitch and Tone Adjustment can be used to create randomized/humanized grooves.

Kit Window

• Mixer Presets in the Kit Window (02:16) - Load a variety of mix presets to start off with mix-ready drum sounds.

• MIDI Groove Player (00:54) - An explanation of how to play MIDI grooves from within the Kit Window.

• Drum Selection & Auditioning Samples (01:37) - Learn how to audition instruments within the Kit Window.

• Mapping Individual Articulations (02:26) - Luke demonstrates how to customize the MIDI mapping.

• Unloading/Reloading Instruments (01:30) - Learn how to offload unused instruments to conserve system resources.

• OH & Room Mix Adjustments (03:43) - Luke explains how to adjust the relative volume of each instrument within the Overhead and Room microphones.

• Tuning & Pitch Adjustments (01:12) - Learn how to use the Tuning parameters to change the pitch of each individual instrument.

• Envelope Settings (06:04) - Use the Envelope settings to manipulate the attack & sustain characteristics of each drum.

• Kit Sounds (06:33) - An overview of the "Stadium", "Session", and "Garage" drum sounds.

Mixer Window

• Mixer Presets in the Mixer Window (01:53) - Learn how to load mixer presets in the Mixer window.

• Fader Adjustments, Solo/Mute Options & Panning (02:47) - Luke explains how to use the mixer faders, solo/mute buttons and panning dials.

• Reverb Sends & Types (07:01) - You can add reverb to an individual channel or the entire drum mix.

• Channel FX Overview (00:43) - An explanation of each parameter within the built-in mixer effects.

• EQ Parameter Overview (02:04) - Learn how to make EQ adjustment.

• EQ Adjustment Examples (01:29) - Luke provides examples of how you can use EQ to customize your drum sound.

• Compressor Parameter Overview (03:26) - Learn how to use the compression settings with Studio Drummer's built-in channel compressor.

• Compression Examples (01:19) - Luke demonstrates how Compression can have a big impact on your drum sound and how to use the "Parallel Compression" mix dial.

• Transient Master Parameter Overview (01:05) - An explanation of how to use the Transient Master's Attack/Sustain controls.

• Transient Master Examples (02:37) - Learn how to use the Transient Master to tame harsh transients and extend room sustain.

• Tape Saturator Parameter Overview (01:13) - Luke explains how to use the Tape Saturator to add that analog sound to your mix.

• Tape Saturator Examples (02:04) - Want more of that analog sound? Learn how to use the Tape Saturator to emulate recording to tape.

• FX Chain Arrangement (00:51) - An explanation of how to change the arrangement of your channel FX chains.

• Loading Channel FX Presets (02:50) - Luke explains how to use the built-in channel FX presets to make quick mix adjustments.

• Saving Channel FX Presets (02:19) - Learn how to save your FX presets.

• Individual Microphone Adjustments (02:30) - Learn how to manipulate the individual microphones for each channel.

• Saving & Loading Entire Studio Drummer Presets (02:50) - Luke demonstrates how to save your entire Studio Drummer preset, including drum selection, mix and FX chain settings.

• Routing Basics (02:20) - Luke explains how routing works in Studio Drummer.

• Stadium Kit Custom Mix (03:31) - An example of how to create a customized mix using the 'Stadium Kit'.

• Session Kit Custom Mix (05:39) - Luke starts with the "Session Kit" default settings and demonstrates how to create a new mix preset.

• Garage Kit Custom Mix (05:52) - Luke walks you through the steps to customize the mix and channel FX chains for the 'Garage Kit'.

Multi-Channel Output

• Setting Up KONTAKT Player For Multi-Channel Output (06:20) - Why and how to set up Kontakt Player for Multi-Channel Output prior to loading Studio Drummer.

• Multi-Out Setup Within STUDIO DRUMMER (04:40) - Learn how to configure Studio Drummer for Multi-Channel Output.

• Checking The Panning (10:18) - Make sure the panning/stereo width of each multi-out channel is correctly responding to mix.