Superior Drummer 3: Recreating the Legends of Drums

In this video tutorial series, SD3 guru Luke Oswald shows you how to recreate some of the most iconic drum sounds in recorded drumming history! See how to make the sounds of some of the biggest names in drumming, all using the stock sound library in Superior Drummer 3!

Introduction

• Welcome to the Legends (04:15) - Luke welcomes you and explains his thought process in creating this series and provides you with some insight into how he started each mix, and what you can expect to find throughout this tutorial series.

Jeff Porcaro

• Reverb & Parallel Compression (08:45) - Luke starts off with an explanation of how to setup Reverb and Compression sends with unique FX chains.

• Close Mic Adjustments (06:18) - Get an explanation of the adjustments Luke made for the close mic channels for this mix.

• Instrument Settings (03:50) - Luke now adjusts the level and tuning to create the classic Jeff Porcaro signature drum sound.

• AMB, Reverb, Plate EQ & Tape Compression Macros (07:01) - Learn how to create additional macro controls to quickly manipulate the mix in a variety of ways.

John Bonham

• Drum Selection & Comp Bus Mixer Settings (05:26) - Luke starts this mix with proper drum selection and a parallel compression bus design to get that classic John Bonham sound.

• Delay & Phased Distortion Mixer Settings (07:04) - See how to create some of the ingredients that make this a signature mix including Delay and Phased Distortion.

• Ambience Bus, Main Output Bus & Drum Configuration (09:52) - Explore additional settings for the ambience bus and main output.

• FX & Macros (05:16) - See how to create macro controls for ambience and parallel compression levels, delay level, delay filter and phased distortion.

Steve Gadd

• Getting the Base Sound (08:16) - Learn how drum selection, tuning and envelope adjustments help to create the classic Steve Gadd dry drum sound.

• Ambience, Comp Bus & Instrument Mixer Settings (09:35) - Luke now sets up parallel bus channels with FX chains to enhance the drum mix.

• Retro / Modern Options (07:37) - Learn how to create macro controls that allow for a very dry "retro" mix to a live modern mix.

Joe Morello

• Drum Selection & Tuning (04:53) - See how drum selection and tuning makes for that classic Joe Morello jazz sound.

• Making it Vintage (06:48) - Watch Luke setup several unique bus sends and FX chains to manipulate the drum mix and create a vintage drum sound by utilizing Punch Bus, Room Compression, Transient, EQ and Bitcrusher effects.

• FX, Close Mics & Macro Parameters (07:06) - Using macro controls, Luke now provides several variations to the mix to allow for an older vintage sound or a modern hi-fi drum mix.

Neal Peart

• Drum Configuration, Tuning & Envelope Settings (06:34) - Luke starts off with drum selection, tuning and envelope settings to get that signature Neil Peart drum sound.

• Tape Distortion & Reverb Bus Channels (06:55) - Watch how to add depth to your mix with a dedicated Reverb bus and saturation with a Tape Distortion bus.

• Ambience, Overhead & Instrument Bus Channels (06:26) - Luke now creates additional bus channels and FX chains to enhance the mix.

• Room, Reverb, Tape Distortion & Analog Compression Macros (04:46) - Discover how to use these macro parameters to alter the ambient microphones used in the mix to add reverb, tape distortion and analog compression.

Chad Smith

• Mic & Drum Selection & Configuration (07:44) - See how to utilize a unique drum selection using snare stacks and additional ambient microphones to create that big Chad Smith snare sound.

• Filtered Room, Reverb & Ambience Bus Channels (07:31) - Luke now provides a unique approach to your ambience channel with filtered room and reverb sends.

• Kick, Snare & Tom Bus FX Chains (04:50) - Explore how additional FX on the individual instrument bus channels help make this unique sound.

• FX, Snare Level & Kick Punch Macros (05:18) - Luke shows you how to create macros for adding more ambience and changing the character of your room with the filtered room and frequency macros.

Stewart Copeland

• Instrument, Level, Tuning & Envelope Adjustment (08:37) - Learn how to create the Stewart Copeland signature sound using a unique configuration of drums, tuning, envelope adjustments and microphone channels.

• Ambience, Reverb, Tape & Instrument Mixer Settings (08:38) - Luke creates a unique set of bus channels to supplement the drum mix, dialing in that immediately recognizable drum sound.

• FX & Tape Saturation Macros (06:21) - These macros include adjustments to manipulate the room and overall drum mix in a variety of ways, allowing for dialing in the perfect amount of color and character.

Phil Collins

• Drum Selection & Tom/Room Mic Configuration (05:23) - Luke walks you through his drum selection and ambient channel configuration to get you on the right path for this famous drum mix.

• Creating a Compressed Gated Drum Sound (06:29) - Learn how to create an extremely compressed gated drum sound ala Phil Collins.

• Ambience, Cymbals & Close Mics Bus Settings (04:16) - Luke now sets up the ambience bus channels with dedicated cymbal and close mic bus channels for extra control over the drum mix.

• Phaser & Instrument Bus Mixer Settings (05:15) - See how to create a unique phaser FX chain to add character to the already massive drum sound you've built.

• FX & Cymbals Macros (04:59) - Luke explains how to set up more unique macro controls to quickly adjust the ambience, saturation and phaser effects, as well as close mics and cymbal levels.

Conclusion

• Series Conclusion & Additional Tips (03:03) - Luke concludes this series with an assortment of additional tips on how you can get the most out of these tutorials and mixes.