Producing Drums with Superior Drummer 3
In this video tutorial series, Toontrack guru Luke Oswald shows how Superior Drummer 3 can be used as an all-inclusive, powerful, drum production tool. Learn how to create and produce a pro-level drum track and arrangement from start to finish, plus how to fine-tune your kit to fit the song, and mix it as well!
Series Introduction
• Overview (02:45) - In this video, Luke explains what you can expect from this tutorial series and how Superior Drummer 3 can be used for creating drum tracks and drum production.
• Track Layout (03:54) - A brief explanation of the song and track instruments that will be used as a musical backdrop for the drum track that will be produced using Superior Drummer 3.
Creating a Drum Track
• Recording a Drum Track (06:19) - Learn how to record directly into Superior Drummer 3 and what settings you need to configure for real time recording both in Stand Alone mode and within a DAW.
• Using MIDI Grooves (09:15) - Luke explains how MIDI grooves can be used to create a drum track.
• Importing Audio & Track Analysis in Tracker (08:26) - Learn how to quickly import and analyze your audio drum tracks in Tracker and create MIDI events from your audio drum recordings.
• Tracker Adjustments for Detailed MIDI Extraction (06:37) - Luke discusses a few additional features within Tracker to fine tune the MIDI extraction from your audio drum tracks.
• Using Tracker with a Stereo Drum Track (04:04) - Learn how to extract MIDI from individual instrument parts using a single stereo audio drum track.
Producing a Drum Track
• Editing MIDI Events in the Grid Editor (08:37) - Learn how to take your drum track and edit the MIDI performance directly within Superior Drummer 3 using the Grid Editor for fine tune adjustments.
• Adjusting Dynamics & Using the Power Hand Creatively (05:38) - Once you have your drum track created and edited, use the Edit Play Style function to make creative dynamic and instrument adjustments.
• Manipulating Groove Complexity (03:49) - Learn how to modify the complexity of your entire drum part or even individual instruments and sections.
• Creative Drum Selection (10:26) - Luke discusses his mindset when choosing drums for a drum track and what to think about as far as creating the best drum sound for your song.
• Articulation Selection (03:46) - Learn how to quickly audition a variety of articulations on the bass drum and snare drum for even more creative possibilities.
• Stacking & Importing Sounds for Bigger Drum Tracks (05:10) - Luke shows you how to stack sounds and import your own samples to create bigger hybrid drum tracks.
• Level, Envelope, and Tuning Adjustments (05:25) - Learn how to use the power of Superior Drummer 3's parameter functions for endless production possibilities.
• Using the Velocity Gate, Velocity Curve, and Soft Hit Level (03:49) - Luke shows you how he uses velocity adjustments to manipulate the drum performance even further.
• Mixing In Superior Drummer 3 (11:32) - Learn how to use the powerful Superior Drummer 3 mixer and its built-in routing and plugin effects to create the ultimate drum track.
• Multi-Channel Output for Mixing in a DAW (03:38) - Luke shows you how you can route out individual channels and instruments for mixing within a DAW.
Mixing Drums with the Original Song
• Exporting & Bouncing Your Drum Track (04:14) - Now that we've created and produced our drum track, learn how to export the MIDI performance and bounce down audio for use inside your DAW.
• Mixing Your Produced Drums with the Song Track (10:33) - Luke explains his approach to mixing in the drum track created using Superior Drummer 3 with the original song track and discusses both drum replacement and augmentation.
• Final Thoughts (02:36) - Luke provides some final thoughts on drum production workflow using Superior Drummer 3 and how the workflow process can be modified.