Superior Drummer 3 Explained®
Chapter 1 : Getting Started
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1:15 SD3 Introduction
In this video, Luke introduces you to Superior Drummer 3 and explains why this software has substantial meaning to him as a longtime.
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5:47 Upgrade & Installation Options
Luke explains the upgrade options for Superior Drummer 3 and discusses the variety of core library downloads and what you can expect for each.
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4:53 Interface Layout Options
Learn how to resize the Superior Drummer 3 interface and detach/reattach the tab windows for infinite display possibilities.
Chapter 2 : Menu Options
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2:25 File Menu
Luke explains how to save and open SD3 project files and how to setup a default project.
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2:39 Edit Menu
Luke explains the benefits of the Copy/Paste and Undo/Redo features within Superior Drummer 3.
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8:45 Settings Menu
Explore the global settings within Superior Drummer 3, including mouse control and navigation options, database and library management, edrum settings and audio/MIDI setup.
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1:37 View Menu
Learn how to alter the interface layout and how you can customize a variety of viewing options within Superior Drummer 3.
Chapter 3 : Loading Libraries & Presets
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1:50 Library Selection
See how to change expansion libraries and how Superior Drummer 3 handles legacy SD2 and EZD2 libraries.
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3:18 Preset Selection
Luke explains how to load mix presets for use as a creative starting point.
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3:59 Select Parts & Part Presets
Get an in-depth explanation of how to load only part of a mix preset, and learn how to load just the drum selection or just the mixer settings for endless creative possibilities.
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3:13 Saving & Loading User Presets
Learn how to save your own custom mix presets and how you can recall them at a later time.
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7:09 RAM & Memory Usage
Luke discusses the importance of memory usage and discusses the caching and quality options available for Superior Drummer 3.
Chapter 4 : Drums Tab
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5:45 Drum & Tool Selection
Luke demonstrates how you can select an instrument and use specific performance tools like rods, brushes and mallets.
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3:28 Articulation Selection
Learn all about the variety of articulations within Superior Drummer 3 and how they can be selected and edited.
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6:54 Search, Replace & Add Instruments
Superior Drummer 3 features a new Instrument Search feature that allows you to search for any instrument to replace existing ones or add new sounds to your kit setup.
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7:55 Importing Your Own Samples
Discover how to import your own custom samples in a variety of ways to create your own hybrid drum kits.
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8:09 Creating Instrument Stacks
Luke explains how to quickly stack drums to create custom layered drum kits.
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3:49 Box Parameter Options
Learn about the Box Parameter layout options and how you can customize them to your own way of working.
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4:02 Level, Env, Tuning & Pitch FX
Luke now discusses the Level, Envelope Tuning and Pitch FX options and how they can be used to alter the sound of your selected instrument/articulation(s).
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4:51 Velocity Gate, Curve, Soft Hit Level & Smoothing
See how to manipulate the velocities of your MIDI performances using the Velocity Gate, Velocity Curve, Soft Hit Level and Smoothing.
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3:18 Technical Functions
Luke reveals some of the deeper functions within Superior Drummer 3 such as Voice & Layer, Humanize, Mute Tail Articulations, Hi-Hat CC Off-Set and The MIDI Monitor, and how they affect the loaded samples and incoming MIDI.
Chapter 5 : Grooves Tab
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6:25 Search Field, Filters & MIDI
Luke explains a variety of ways to search for MIDI grooves using your own search criteria and tag filters.
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3:06 Tap2Find Filtering
Learn how to use the new Tap2Find function for even greater MIDI groove filtering options.
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1:57 Filter Settings & Web Shop MIDI
Get the lowdown on the filter settings and how you can show or hide any filter category. Luke also explains how you can audition MIDI that you have not yet purchased.
Chapter 6 : Mixer Tab
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7:00 Basic Mixer Functions
Luke now explains the basics of the Superior Drummer 3 mixer and discusses Solo/Mute adjustments, fader adjustments, routing and channel visibility.
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4:40 Mixer FX Overview
Now see how to add, move, copy, configure and remove Superior Drummer 3 plug-in effects.
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3:16 EQ Effects
Luke reveals and discusses the three EQ options available within the Mixer Tab.
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4:54 Dynamics Effects
Learn all about the various dynamic processors including compressors, limiters and exciters found in SD3.
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2:38 Distortion Effects
Get an explanation of the distortion effects that can be used to add grit and texture to your drum tracks.
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2:21 Reverb Effects
Superior Drummer 3 comes stocked with a variety of ambience processors including plate, room, hall and spring reverbs. See and hear them in-action!
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1:38 Delay Effects
Luke now demonstrates the great sounding Tape, Filter and Classic delay effect options available in the Superior Drummer 3 mixer.
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4:19 Modulation Effects
Discover SD3's chorus, flanger, tremolo and and other modulation tools within the Superior Drummer 3 mixer. And how to apply them to your drums.
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5:45 Utilizing Mix Presets
Luke explains why learning how to utilize Mix Presets is a valuable tool for sound design development.
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3:43 Using Bus Sends
Learn how to use parallel bus sends for additional mix processing options.
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3:35 Bus Send Output Variations
Get an in-depth explanation of the Pre-Fader, Post-Effect and Post-Fader Bus Send options.
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3:26 Bus Send Applications
Luke now discusses a few real-world applications for using Bus Sends.
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5:49 Routing Microphone Channels
Learn how to configure channel routing for instrument microphones.
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3:59 Routing Instrument Stacks
Luke now teaches you how to route microphone channels for stacked instruments.
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2:31 Multi-Channel Output Overview
Learn how to setup automatic and manual multi-channel output configurations.
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7:30 Bleed Level Adjustments
Luke demonstrates how microphone bleed levels work in the new Superior Drummer 3 mixer.
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2:04 Additional Microphone Bleed
Learn how to quickly enable and disable microphone bleed for ambient microphones, and create new sonic textures for your drums.
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4:42 Bleed & Close Mic Levels
Discover how to adjust the close mic instrument vs bleed levels, how to adjust the offset for microphone channels, and how to adjust the microphone envelope, for dialing in the perfect drum sound.
Chapter 7 : Tracker Tab
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2:58 Importing Audio
Learn how to quickly import audio into Tracker for quick audio to MIDI conversion.
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6:24 Extracting MIDI from Audio
Luke discusses the main methods for extracting MIDI from audio including how to set and dial-in the Threshold, Match w/ Sound, Amount Dial and Bleed Reduction controls for a perfect extraction.
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7:12 Audio To MIDI Conversion: Multi-Track Drums
Luke now walks you through an entire multi-track drum recording where he's able to extract MIDI from all individual drum audio tracks and then have them trigger SD3 sounds!
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2:00 Exporting MIDI From Tracker
See how to export your converted MIDI files to your computer or drag and drop into the Superior Drummer 3 Song Track.
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8:27 Audio To MIDI Conversion: Stereo Drum Track
Now learn how to take a stereo drum track recording and extract MIDI parts for each drum instrument. Cool!
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3:13 Additional Tracker Functions
Luke now explains some additional settings that are helpful when using Tracker, such as Snap To Grid, Snap To Transient, Region Editing and Playhead Synchronization.
Chapter 8 : The Song Track
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6:15 Creating Song Templates
Luke shows you how to generate an entire drum track from a single MIDI file.
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3:57 Saving User Song Templates
See how to save your own song track arrangements for use as a User Template with other MIDI grooves.
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3:43 Importing & Recording MIDI
Luke discusses additional methods for importing MIDI into the Song Track and also talks about recording directly into Superior Drummer 3.
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4:25 Manipulating MIDI
Once you've created your drum track, see how to manipulate and edit MIDI blocks within the Song Track.
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8:30 Edit Play Style
Now learn how to make musical changes to your MIDI grooves using the intuitive Edit Play Style function.
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5:09 Grid Editor: Add, Delete & Quantize MIDI
Learn how to add, delete and quantize your MIDI grooves in the Grid Editor.
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3:01 Grid Editor: Velocity Adjustments
Learn all about the Global, Dynamic and Fade velocity adjustment options to create more realistic drum tracks.
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2:39 Grid Editor: Editing Instrument Articulations
Luke demonstrates how you can easily edit instrument articulations in an organized fashion.
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1:31 Grid Editor: Editing MIDI CC Information
Luke shows you everything you need to know to edit MIDI CC information within the Grid Editor.
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8:26 Export MIDI & Bounce Audio
Luke now demonstrates how to export your MIDI grooves and bounce high quality audio in a variety of ways, directly from the Superior Drummer 3 Song Track.
Chapter 9 : Macro Controls
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3:44 Assigning Parameters To a Hardware Controller
Luke now shows you how to use the MIDI Learn function to quickly assign individual, or multiple parameters to a hardware controller for more creative options.
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8:24 Upper, Lower & Slope Parameters
Luke discusses how to use the Macro Controls parameter adjustments for endless creative control over multiple parameters at once.
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3:08 Automating Macro Controls
Learn how to automate Macro Controls in your DAW to record multiple parameter adjustments.
Chapter 10 : E-Drum Settings
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2:07 Custom Mapping & Learn Function
See how to setup MIDI mapping for your electronic drum module and how to create custom mapping presets using the convenient Learn function.
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4:11 Custom Positional Sensing
Luke explains how to use the new Positional Sensing capabilities of Superior Drummer 3 to adjust the transition point between multiple articulations.
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2:25 Global Velocity Adjustments
Learn how to configure global velocity settings and hi-hat CC controls for incoming MIDI to make trigger Superior Drummer 3 just right.
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0:49 Series Sign-Off
Luke thanks you for joining him on your SD3 journey.
Product Overview
Want superior tutorials for the highly anticipated drum production workstation, Superior Drummer 3? Look no further... Toontrack expert Luke Oswald presents the most in-depth video tutorials available about Toontrack's new flagship drum VI, Superior Drummer 3..
Luke starts with installation and interface basics and moves into the new Menu system, covering all of the global settings you need to know to get started.
After that, you'll learn all about library expansion, how to load mix presets and see how to save your own custom user presets.
Next, Luke jumps to the Drums Tab menu and explains the new approach to drum selection and how you can quickly search for instruments, replace existing kit pieces and add new kit pieces with ease.
You'll then discover how you can import your own samples and create hybrid drum stacks for quickly layering drum sounds.
Parameter Boxes are next, and you'll explore how to tweak and configure your drum sounds all the way down to the articulation level.
In the Grooves Tab, you'll learn about the new MIDI groove search filters and how you can use Tap2Find to find grooves based on ideas you have in your head. Cool!
Moving on, Luke explains the new Superior Drummer 3 Mixer in great detail, covering everything from bus routing and bus sends, to plug-in effects and microphone routing and bleed levels.
Then in the Tracker Tab, Luke demonstrates how you can take multi-channel audio drum tracks and extract MIDI information for each instrument, and then shows you how to do the same thing for a single stereo drum track, where he's able to extract MIDI data for each kit piece from a single stereo audio file!
Moving on to the Song Track section, Luke explains how easy it is to create full song templates from a single MIDI groove and how you can customize the song ideas and save user templates that you can use later for even more song creation ideas.
He also discusses the Edit Play Style function and how you can alter your MIDI grooves in a musical fashion, or how you can edit even the smallest details of your grooves within the built in Grid Editor.
Next, Luke moves on to Macro Controls and reveals how you can adjust multiple parameters with a single control for endless creative results. He also demonstrates how the Macro Controls can be assigned to a hardware controller and can be automated within a DAW.
Luke ends this series with a discussion of the new features for E-drummers. He discusses how you can choose from pre-defined MIDI maps or easily create your own with the updated Learn function.
The new positional sensing features are then covered, where you can tell Superior Drummer 3 what articulations you want to use on positional sensing pads and even setup the transition points between each articulation!
Lastly, Luke discusses global Velocity Curve and Hi-Hat CC settings that can be applied to incoming MIDI from a hardware controller without affecting the MIDI in your Song Track.
Superior Drummer 3 is truly the most comprehensive drum production tool on the market, and the Superior Drummer 3 Explained® tutorial series provides the important foundations and then some, that you need to take advantage of this amazing new software. Watch "Superior Drummer 3 Explained®" today!
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Reviews
Submitted 2 weeks ago
Superior Drummer 3 Explained
All the videos are very helpful but I was hoping for more hands on interfacing with my DAW. Real world stuff like creating a song and adding groves and deleting groves accessing SD3 from the daw, etc, There was one vid that showed some editing but he did it so fast I have no idea how he did it. Dont get me wrong this is worth it I just need a few more basics. Im an 80's musician from the day of hoping your drummer doesn't show up drunk! This stuff is kinda new to me.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 month ago
I bought the best, now I actually understand it! : )
Thorough & detailed but never losing sight of why. Very knowledgable.
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Reason, Reaper, Studio One
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 months ago
Very clear and useful.
Great job! Broken down to small sections with appropriate titles to help find specific topics easily.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 months ago
Very good explaind
Somehow i am missing how to deal with edrums and the midi library in one project. It seems to me, that if im changing the mapping to fit the drum module, the midifiles dont fit anymore. One the other hand, the velocity threshold of the module matching doesnt effect the playback of the midi. What is the best way to do this? And: In the Midi Note Mapping Part - Changing the Midimaping from C1 to C0. What happens to the mapping of the HiHat? I will figure that out. But a bit unprecise in that part. Overall a great video even for experienced users. Thanks!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 months ago
Always the best!
Just got Superior Drummer a few months ago and this has really helped me. The video on the SD3 Orchestral SDX Expansion is also top notch.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 5 months ago
Very Helpful!
Great overview of Superior Drummer 3!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 7 months ago
extremely helpful!! WELL DONE!!
I always get the knowledge to tackle all the technology that I would not understand without the fine instruction that Groove 3 has to offer.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 8 months ago
Invaluable
I am a guitar player that’s trying program drums for use with a beat buddy drum pedal and it is a daunting task in my case. Up until I discovered groove 3’s training videos I was struggling to really get the hang of Superior Drummer 3. The video is the best that I have used and I now use is as a reference to go back to when I need to refresh my memory. Superior Drummer 3 is a very powerful tool and to get the most out of it, you definitely need this video series.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Helpful! have to start all over
Looking forward learning the application
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Fantastic!
Wish I could do a one on one class with Luke . . . until then these videos will keep me coming back for more.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Sound for Film/TV, Ableton Live, Cakewalk Sonar, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 2 weeks ago
Superior Drummer 3 Explained
All the videos are very helpful but I was hoping for more hands on interfacing with my DAW. Real world stuff like creating a song and adding groves and deleting groves accessing SD3 from the daw, etc, There was one vid that showed some editing but he did it so fast I have no idea how he did it. Dont get me wrong this is worth it I just need a few more basics. Im an 80's musician from the day of hoping your drummer doesn't show up drunk! This stuff is kinda new to me.
Submitted 1 month ago
I bought the best, now I actually understand it! : )
Thorough & detailed but never losing sight of why. Very knowledgable.
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Reason, Reaper, Studio One
Submitted 3 months ago
Very clear and useful.
Great job! Broken down to small sections with appropriate titles to help find specific topics easily.
Submitted 4 months ago
Very good explaind
Somehow i am missing how to deal with edrums and the midi library in one project. It seems to me, that if im changing the mapping to fit the drum module, the midifiles dont fit anymore. One the other hand, the velocity threshold of the module matching doesnt effect the playback of the midi. What is the best way to do this? And: In the Midi Note Mapping Part - Changing the Midimaping from C1 to C0. What happens to the mapping of the HiHat? I will figure that out. But a bit unprecise in that part. Overall a great video even for experienced users. Thanks!
Submitted 4 months ago
Always the best!
Just got Superior Drummer a few months ago and this has really helped me. The video on the SD3 Orchestral SDX Expansion is also top notch.
Submitted 5 months ago
Very Helpful!
Great overview of Superior Drummer 3!
Submitted 7 months ago
extremely helpful!! WELL DONE!!
I always get the knowledge to tackle all the technology that I would not understand without the fine instruction that Groove 3 has to offer.
Submitted 8 months ago
Invaluable
I am a guitar player that’s trying program drums for use with a beat buddy drum pedal and it is a daunting task in my case. Up until I discovered groove 3’s training videos I was struggling to really get the hang of Superior Drummer 3. The video is the best that I have used and I now use is as a reference to go back to when I need to refresh my memory. Superior Drummer 3 is a very powerful tool and to get the most out of it, you definitely need this video series.
Submitted 1 year ago
Helpful! have to start all over
Looking forward learning the application
Submitted 1 year ago
Fantastic!
Wish I could do a one on one class with Luke . . . until then these videos will keep me coming back for more.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Sound for Film/TV, Ableton Live, Cakewalk Sonar, Pro Tools
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I've always had an interest in drumming from a young age and started playing in 6th grade when a family friend stored their drum set at my parents house for a summer. I started playing in church the next fall and have been playing ever since. No one had to tell me to practice, it was just something I loved to do. I just enjoyed everything that had to do with drumming.
2. What training have you had?
I studied piano at a young age, then played trumpet from elementary through middle school. I started drumming on my own at the age of 12, then switched to drumming as my main instrument in high school and went on to study in college along with Music Business. I've been teaching drums since college, both private instruction and drum clinics.
3. When did you get into recording?
When I was in middle school/high school, I was very interested in music technology. It was much different then, but I remember recording/sequencing song arrangements with music software and filming videos and editing in camera all the time. In and after college, I started learning about audio production when I was recording drums for the bands I was in. In the late 2000's I stumbled upon drum sample technology, and that changed everything for me. I started really digging into the study of audio production, recording, mixing and mastering. I started studying video production around the same time as I knew I wanted to eventually film high quality drum videos while using this sample technology.
4. People you have worked with/for?
During my time in Nashville, I studied drums with Derico Watson (Victor Wooten), Jeff Bowders (Paul Gilbert), Will Denton (Steven Curtis Chapman, LeAnn Rimes), Marcus Finnie (Kirk Whalum, India Arie) and Raymond Massey (Pearl Drums). I've recorded drums on multiple albums produced by Sadson Music Group and have played on albums with artists such as George Clinton and Samantha Ware.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
To me, teaching is as inspiring as performing. When you teach, you're forced to understand the topic at a much deeper level. I love the process of learning and improving, and to me teaching is just an extension of that process. I learn something new every time I teach anything, whether it be a drum lesson or a software tutorial. I also believe as artists we have a responsibility to pass on the knowledge that we've accumulated. You must take action and apply what you've learned to your own life, but that only goes so far. If you can take what you've learned and share it with someone else, you're giving them the opportunity to take that knowledge, nurture it and allow it to influence their own lives. Eventually, they can pass that knowledge on to someone else, and the process keeps going. You never know the impact you can have on someone simply by sharing with them what you've learned.
Products by Luke
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tutorial videoAddictive Drums 2 Advanced Vol 1
In volume one of this advanced video tutorial series, eDrum guru Luke Oswald explains a wide range of topics designed to make you a real master and addict, of XLN’s Addictive Drummer 2 virtual instrument plug-in!
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tutorial videoAddictive Drums 2 Advanced Vol 2
In volume two of this advanced video tutorial series, eDrum guru Luke Oswald covers the finer nuances, more features and functions, as well as eye-opening tips and tricks for using XLN’s Addictive Drums 2 virtual instrument!
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tutorial videoAdvanced Drumming Combinations & Patterns
In this Drumstroke™ video tutorial series, drum guru Luke Oswald lays down the groove and shows you awesome drumming combinations and patterns that you can use to spice up your drumming or drum programming!
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tutorial videoBass Drum Technique Workshop
In this Drumstroke video tutorial series, drum guru Luke Oswald reveals the steps to take to build up bionic feet when playing your kit, including speed and endurance and the ability to play what’s in your head!
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tutorial videoCreating Drum Fills & Patterns
In this Drumstroke#TM# video tutorial series, drum master Luke Oswald reveals how to create both basic and advanced drum fills and patterns, that you can apply to both real drums and programmed drums in your DAW!
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