Hi everyone,
I’m using Superior Drummer 3 with Decades SDX, Metal Foundry SDX, and all the stock SD3 kits. Sometimes, I find that the stock SD3 kits sound more fitting than even the Decades dry kits, depending on the track.
I play drums myself on a TD-17KVX, soon upgrading to a TD-27KVX with a digital snare, hi-hat, and ride.
I need help choosing the right drum kit for different styles, particularly:
70s pop and rock
Modern John Mayer-style drums (like on Sob Rock)
For instance I really like a muffled, dead-sounding kick with a tight and controlled low end that doesn’t overpower the mix. A great example of this is JJ Cale’s Magnolia or Call Me the Breeze. The kick in those songs has a dry, muffled sound that drives the song while sitting in the mix without being too big or overwhelming the other instruments.
This might sound like I’m asking for mixing tips, but I’m specifically looking for the right drum kit and drum set in SD3 that naturally delivers this sound in a 70s-style mix before any processing. The kick drum in these recordings has a kind of “cozy, dry, muffled pillow-smack” feel—if that makes sense. I can’t really describe it better. I usually apply sidechain compression on the low end in my drum productions to help everything sit well in the mix. When it comes to 70s mixes like JJ Cale’s, I’m unsure whether the bass takes precedence over the kick or if the kick is prioritized over the bass in these kinds of productions? However, my priority here is choosing the right raw drum tones first and foremost. I just wanted to mention this low-end relationship in case it helps in the decision-making.
A big challenge in picking the right drum tones is that everything sounds good while I’m playing, but when I step back and listen critically, I often realize I should have chosen a different kit or tuning. When I’m actively playing, I feel like I get tone-deaf to how well the sound fits the track, making it difficult to choose the best kit.
If anyone has experience with choosing the right kits in SD3 for these styles, or any tips on getting that vintage, controlled low end, I’d really appreciate the help!
Thanks in advance!
