Is Steve Slate Drums samples worth considering

[Butters]

Any positive feedback on this Drum library product? Or are the likes of EZ drummer libraries ( with it's nice interface) just as good and probably unnoticable within a mix ? I couldn't see any reference to the recording specs from the website.

http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/reviews.html

They seem to be biased towards big drum (American band sounds), so I don't know how they would fit into say folk, and pop styles. The samples can load into Kontakt if you use it. LE version costs $199, full version costing $329.

[Parker Fly]

The Andy John's BFD pack is superb, that has the entire recording specs included in the pack, from the type of mic, position, even down to the room and Neve channel EQ.

[Guest]

Hi Butters. Here are some specs of Steven Slate Drums:

36 processed drumkits, all recorded to 2 inch tape, including many that fit in pop, folk, and folk rock. There are also 11 snares modeled after classic snares such as the John Bonham snare. Every sample has its own adjustable room sample. The collection is for Kontakt, Drumagog, and soon BFD2.

Check out this live concert of James Blunt where mixer Jeff Juliano used the Steven Slate Drums to augment the live kit, including the Z4 snare ambience samples for the snare reverb:

http://dentynejb.imeem.com/playlist/PPjVc7s5/james_blunt_concert_sponsored_by_dentyne_ice_video_playlist/

Here are some user MP3s done by Scott Reinwand using Steven Slate Drums 2.0 in a more pop/folk category:

http://www.vitaetmusica.com/outgoing/Trust1.mp3
http://www.vitaetmusica.com/outgoing/LongTimeGone.mp3
http://www.vitaetmusica.com/outgoing/Frayish.mp3

Also be sure to check out new mixes by pop/folk producer/mixers like Dave Way, Jeff Juliano, and David Kahne.

More info at our website, thanks for the inquiry.

Steven
www.stevenslatedrums.com
Steven Slate Drums 2.0 ! 36 drumkits
11 modeled after classic sounds of:
Led Zeppelin, Dream Theater, Pantera, Deftones, and more!

[Doublehelix]

Yeah, it is great stuff, I use it with Drumagog, and it is a great collection. I just received it recently actually, so I have not played with it too much, but from what I have heard, it is amazing. Throughly worth every penny.

[Guest]

Here are some new programmed demos for you guys to hear.. these demos should show some of the variety we have to offer, but keep in mind its just 8 preset kits out of 36... also keep in mind the amount of room ambience is completely adjustable..

First a cool little drum beat and fill with:

RadioHitKit2 (modern rock sound, semi ambient):
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/RadioHitKit1.mp3

The70sClassicKit (Dry, Vintage):
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/70sClassic.mp3

GreenDay Kit (Cracky, Bright, Modern):
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/Green.mp3

VintageFatty Kit (dry, vintage, thick)
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/VintageFatty1.mp3

and now a beat played free hand on the keyboard that starts off soft and then SLAMS!! showing off some dynamics...

DeepRockKit (ringy, punchy, rock):
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/DeepRockDynamic2.mp3

VintageDry Kit (dry, fat, vintage):
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/VintageDryDynamic.mp3

CrackyMetal Kit (punchy, aggressive, metal)
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/CrackyMetalDynamic.mp3

Nirvana Kit: (fat, deep, thick, rock)
http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo3/NirvanaDynamic.mp3

and here is a cool Drumagog'd live show first with samples and then without the samples:

http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo2/ViperSamps.mp3

http://www.stevenslatedrums.com/demo2/ViperNoSamps.mp3

Hope you guys dig em..

Steven
www.stevenslatedrums.com

[shirkethic]

HI Steve & DoubleHelix,

Can you elaborate on the Kontakt implementation and Drumagog implementation? I'm very interested but theres not much info on how it looks when you load it up. I currently use EW's MOR and BFD2 so I'm interested in the sound but wondering how it works and feels in use..
Thanks!

Paul

[Doublehelix]

Well, I am no expert on the SSD's, but I have been using them for a couple of months now with GREAT success!

I use Drumagog almost exclusively for drum sample replacement, and it is a true joy to work with Steven's samples. I have a bunch of other collections for Drumagog that have purchased, and Steven's samples get used most often for sure.

They are quite varied, and always sound great right out of the box... I rarely add any additional EQ or compression (although I do usually compress the drum buss...). As Steven says, they allow for several different ambiance settings, and you can get some really amazing things happening with them

Drumagog is hard to explain in words, but relatively easy to understand once you get your hands on the software. I think there is a demo available on the Drumagog site, but you will need to check.

Did you have any specific questions?

[Guest]

Helix thanks for providing info on Drumagog.

Paul, as for Kontakt, it loads up as preset "multis" which means it loads all the kit pieces as a preset drumkit. There are 36 preset drumkit consisting of dozens of snares kicks toms and cymbals. Given that as of right now its an expansion instrument for Kontakt, it doesn't have all the flashy photos, just basic controls for everything you'd need to do.. Room ambience control, volume, pan, keyswitch to turn off the overhead mic, tune, envelope, etc.

However, in a few months we WILL have the flashy pretty interface as we are going to be coming out with a customized Kontakt player engine which will add the NRG ROOM sample and many more features. We will also be fully compatible with BFD2 and will release our collection as an expansion pack so you'll be able to use the drums in the powerful BFD2 environment.

We'll have even more detailed demos coming out soon.

Steven
www.stevenslatedrums.com