By combining smart software features with extreme sample detail and nuance, Superior Drummer 3 bridges the gap between the “e” and the drums, making your electronic kit every bit as “real” and acoustic as it can be.
Transform incoming MIDI without affecting the playback of MIDI files
E-drum presets for a variety of e-drum brands
Optimized response and humanization
Easy setup for positional sensing pads and multiple articulations
Up to 25 velocity layers per instrument
Quick access to controls for snare and hi-hat CC
Toontrack’s Mattias Eklund and engineer George Massenburg hard at work in the “API Room”.
Layers of technology. George and team are carefully placing each microphone to capture the immense ambience of the 330 square meter Galaxy room.
Each room is a standalone bunker, mounted on helical springs. The insolation between each bunker is a staggering 100.7 dB.
When sampling drums in surround and height, you need – height. The Galaxy hall with its eight meters from floor to ceiling was the perfect choice.
The studio took seven years to complete and a total of 318,000 man hours were spent to achieve the full construction of the facility.
In this video, George takes you through his Superior Drummer 3 microphone positioning philosophy.
Let Tom Van Achte take you on a tour through the Galaxy complex.
CLICK TO ENLARGE.
CLICK TO ENLARGE.
*All other manufacturers’ product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Toontrack. See full notice here.
Over the past four decades, George Massenburg has been involved in over 400 records. His work includes milestone albums by Earth, Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, Natasha Bedingfield, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel, the Dixie Chicks and many, many more.
George’s work has gained him world wide recognition and four Grammy Awards, including the Grammy for Technical Achievement in 1998, at the time making him one of only seventeen individuals to ever receive this honor.
In addition to numerous Mix Magazine TEC Awards, in 1988 he also won the Academy of Country Music Record of the Year Award for his production on the album “Trio” featuring Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
Further, George has designed, built and managed several recording studios as well as contributed to the acoustical and architectural design of many other studios, including George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound. In 1982, he founded George Massenburg Labs, an audio electronics company that has released an extensive range of innovative recording technologies, all based on his original designs.
Regularly published in professional journals and trade magazines world wide, George Massenburg received the Gold Medal from the Audio Engineering Society in 2008.
In 2013, he was awarded a patent #8,510,361 in the US (as well as other countries) for a variable exponent averaging detector and dynamic range controller.
He is also a member of the National Recording Preservation Board of the Library of Congress and an advisor to the Committee for Library Information Resources. George serves as the Chief Technical Officer of META (the Music Engineering Technical Alliance), a strategic union of music producers and engineers dedicated to the highest standards of audio and delivery of music.
George has also been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music by Boston’s esteemed Berklee College of Music.
Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Sound Recording at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and a Visiting Lecturer at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston and Valencia, Spain as well as the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN.
Superior Drummer 3 called for a superior engineer. These are his drum sounds – captured with layers of technology and a lifetime of experience to back it up.
Short and to-the-point videos that all answer the simple question of “how to” accomplish a certain idea or sound by using creative ways of working with Superior Drummer 3.
Our YouTube channel has even more Superior Drummer 3-related videos!
Get the full Superior Drummer 3 product with two SDX expansions in one convenient bundle. Tons of options and great savings!
BUNDLE UP5X14” SLINGERLAND* RADIO KING (early ’50s)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 7A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
6.5X14” LUDWIG* BLACK BEAUTY
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
5X14” LUDWIG* 400 CHROME-OVER-BRASS (COB) 1959
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
8X14” LUDWIG* COLISEUM
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
6.5×14” LUDWIG* SUPER-SENSITIVE (mid ’70s)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
4X14” GIGSTER* “SLIM” (wood, gut snares)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Calfskin
10X14” ROGERS* “YORKTOWN” EAGLE BATCH (wood, ‘50s parade snare drum)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
4.5X10” ODERY HARD HOOP ALUMINIUM WOOD
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
6X14” TAMA* WARLORD COLLECTION MASAI BUBINGA KGB146 (wood)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
2.5X10” SONOR* SELECT FORCE JUNGLE (with ten tambourine cymbals in shell)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
5X13” AYOTTE* MAPLE CUSTOM YELLOW
Recorded with: Sticks/rods and snares on/off
Tools: Vic Firth 5A, Promark Cool Rods
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
6X14” PEARL* MASTERS CUSTOM (Maple)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
5.5X14” AYOTTE* CUSTOM MAPLE
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
3.5X14” GMS* BRASS PICCOLO
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
6.5X14” NOBLE AND COOLEY* ZILDJIAN* CAST BRONZE
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 2B
Drumhead (batter side): Evans Genera Dry Coated
5X14” GRETSCH* SOLID ALUMINIUM
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
4X14” 1920S LUDWIG* BLACK BEAUTY
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
6.5X14” TAMA* BELL BRASS
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 2B
Drumhead (batter side): Evans Genera Dry Coated
7X14” NOBLE AND COOLEY* STEAMBENT MAPLE
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
5.5X14” LUDWIG* JAZZ FESTIVAL (with 10” Paiste* 3000 splash cymbal on top)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
5X14” 1930S LEEDY* BROADWAY STANDARD SOLID MAHOGANY
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
5.5X14” YAMAHA* COPPER NOUVEAU
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 2B
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
8X14” TAMA* ARTWOOD MAPLE
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
8X14” LIGNUM CUSTOM PEAR STAVE
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on, brushes/snares off
Tools: Vic Firth 5A and Vic Firth HB Brushes
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Fiberskyn 3
8X14” LIGNUM CUSTOM PEAR STAVE (with extra drumhead taped to the top)
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on, brushes/snares off
Tools: Vic Firth 5A and Vic Firth HB Brushes
Drumhead (batter side): Remo Weatherking Ambassador Coated
6X14” ODERY AIR CONTROL VENTED
Recorded with: Sticks/snares on
Tool: Vic Firth 5A
Drumhead (batter side): Aquarian Texture Coated with Power Dot
Learn how to use the new search functions and filters in the Grooves window to quickly find any groove within your MIDI libraries.
Learn more about the Tap2Find and Edit Play Style functions from the perspective of a song writer/producer.
The all-new Grid Editor allows you to edit your MIDI in any way you want. Learn more about the key features, including the articulation drop downs and the variety of ways you can manipulate velocity.
Learn how to use a single MIDI groove to generate entire song structures using the Song Creator. Also, learn more about saving your own templates and how to use them for other groove ideas later.
Learn how to quickly export your MIDI files via drag and drop and how you can bounce high quality audio files in a variety of ways.
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
3/4 Swing |
80 BPM |
53 |
Slow Waltz |
4/4 Straight |
55 BPM |
51 |
Laid Back Ballad |
4/4 Straight |
67 BPM |
57 |
Slow Ballad |
4/4 Straight |
71 BPM |
48 |
Mid Straight Ballad |
6/8 Straight |
66 BPM |
67 |
Rollin’ Ballad |
6/8 Swing |
47 BPM |
49 |
Lazy Ballad |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
4/4 Straight |
100 BPM |
51 |
Straight in Half |
4/4 Swing |
71 BPM |
43 |
Half Shuffle |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
4/4 Straight |
78 BPM |
43 |
Slightly Heavy |
4/4 Straight |
87 BPM |
59 |
Basic Pop/Rock |
4/4 Straight (Trainbeat) |
89 BPM |
44 |
Solid Train |
4/4 Straight |
94 BPM |
52 |
Pushy Medium |
4/4 Straight |
95 BPM |
35 |
Relaxed 16ths |
4/4 Straight |
102 BPM |
39 |
Funky 16ths |
4/4 Straight |
124 BPM |
72 |
Bouncy 8ths |
4/4 Straight |
130 BPM |
36 |
Mid Metal |
4/4 Swing |
74 BPM |
49 |
Swingy Pop/Rock |
4/4 Swing (Trainbeat) |
87 BPM |
35 |
Training to Swing |
4/4 Swing |
89 BPM |
51 |
Bouncing Subs |
4/4 Swing |
94 BPM |
48 |
Soulpop Swing |
4/4 Swing |
117 BPM |
47 |
Forward Shuffle |
6/8 Straight |
87 BPM |
56 |
Basically Six |
6/8 Straight |
120 BPM |
49 |
Six to Twelve |
6/8 Swing |
91 BPM |
45 |
Swinging |
12/8 Straight |
137 BPM |
42 |
Twelve Shuffle |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
4/4 Straight |
176 BPM |
58 |
Forward Push |
4/4 Straight |
180 BPM |
34 |
Thrash |
4/4 Straight |
200 BPM |
40 |
Blast Metal |
4/4 Swing |
196 BPM |
49 |
Jumpin’ Quick |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
4/4 Straight |
4 |
||
4/4 Swing |
4 |
||
6/8 Straight |
4 |
||
6/8 Swing |
4 |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
4/4 |
60 BPM |
7 |
|
4/4 |
120 BPM |
7 |
|
6/8 |
60 BPM |
7 |
|
6/8 |
120 BPM |
7 |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
Jazz 4/4 Swing |
60 BPM |
2 |
Ballad |
4/4 Swing |
92 BPM |
4 |
Slow |
4/4 Swing |
125 BPM |
4 |
Midtempo |
4/4 Swing |
162 BPM |
4 |
Fast |
4/4 Swing |
200 BPM |
4 |
Uptempo |
3/4 Swing |
62 BPM |
2 |
Ballad |
3/4 Swing |
94 BPM |
3 |
Slow |
3/4 Swing |
120 BPM |
3 |
Midtempo |
3/4 Swing |
158 BPM |
3 |
Fast |
3/4 Swing |
204 BPM |
5 |
Uptempo |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
4/4 Straight |
72 BPM |
4 |
Pop/Rock 4/4 |
6/8 Straight |
78 BPM |
4 |
Pop/Rock 6/8 |
4/4 Shuffle |
118 BPM |
4 |
Blues 4/4 |
4/4 Straight |
164 BPM |
3 |
Rockabilly 4/4 |
4/4 Straight |
100 BPM |
3 |
Latin |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
4/4 |
60 BPM |
10 |
Crescendos / Diminiuendos |
4/4 |
120 BPM |
10 |
Crescendos / Diminiuendos |
6/8 |
60 BPM |
10 |
Crescendos / Diminiuendos |
6/8 |
120 BPM |
10 |
Crescendos / Diminiuendos |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
3/4 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
13 |
One Shots |
3/4 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
12 |
One Shots |
4/4 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
11 |
One Shots |
4/4 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
10 |
One Shots |
6/8 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
5 |
One Shots |
6/8 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
5 |
One Shots |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
3/4 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
21 |
Future Hit Shaker |
3/4 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
20 |
Future Hit Shaker |
4/4 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
22 |
Future Hit Shaker |
4/4 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
20 |
Future Hit Shaker |
6/8 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
8 |
Future Hit Shaker |
6/8 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
8 |
Future Hit Shaker |
TIME SIGNATURE |
TEMPO |
FILES |
LIBRARY NAMING |
---|---|---|---|
3/4 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
21 |
Future Hit Tambourine |
3/4 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
20 |
Future Hit Tambourine |
4/4 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
22 |
Future Hit Tambourine |
4/4 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
20 |
Future Hit Tambourine |
6/8 Straight |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
8 |
Future Hit Tambourine |
6/8 Swing |
Variabel Tempo – Future Hit |
8 |
Future Hit Tambourine |
Learn how to load a default kit and then stack additional acoustic kicks and snares along with a kick/snare from the collection of electronic drum sounds available in Superior Drummer 3.
Learn how to make tuning adjustments and how to work with the new tuning algorithm. Also, learn how to work with the Envelope, Velocity Curve and Soft Hit controls to further tweak the dynamic overall sound and dynamic range.
Learn how to work with the Bus Sends and various other sound shaping tools in the available in the Mixer!
Learn how to use the Macro Controls to adjust multiple parameters at once using the input and output settings of a compressor on a room channel.
Learn how to work with custom samples and building hybrid kits.
The collection of drums in the core sound library were carefully chosen to paint the richest and most diverse picture thinkable. In here, you’ll have a plethora of all the timbres, sizes, depths and options you can think of. From loud and reverberant to subtle and tight – with this collection of drums you’ll be able to paint with sound in ways beyond the imagination.
*All other manufacturers’ product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Toontrack. See full notice here.
Introducing more articulations than ever before, Superior Drummer 3
takes the craft of sampling to a completely new level.
The cymbals were sampled in several velocity layers and in up to nine (9) different articulations: Bow tip, bow shank, bell tip, bell shank, crash, mute hit, crescendo, FX and mute tails.
The hi-hats cover up to a staggering 27 different articulations, ensuring that you can bring out the most subtle nuances in each instrument.
With eight (8) standard articulations as well as additional ones for optional tools, the detail you can bring out in the Superior Drummer 3 snares is on a whole new level.
Bob Rock needs no introduction to the world of heavy rock. Superior Drummer 3 comes with two custom presets designed by the man himself.
Watch the video.
Top metal producer Andy Sneap (Judas Priest, Accept, Saxon) has provided five allround presets for metal and loud, heavy rock.
Watch the video.
Richard Devine, a true creative genius of elaborate sound design. Superior Drummer 3 comes with a wealth of his uniquely layered kits.
The Superior Drummer 3 mixer includes 35 low-footprint insert effects. EQs, reverbs, filters, compressors and more. Literally, each channel strip is a virtual sound processing powerhouse.
The included effects give you endless opportunities to cult and hone your drums mixes. From models of classic hardware (limiters, compressor, EQs) to all-new modern processors. A world of mixing possibilities is at hand!
Instrument bleed is a universal truth when recording drums. This unique type of ambience builds the foundation to a drum track that’s unmistakably authentic. Superior Drummer 3 includes full bleed available on every single channel and offers unparalleled bleed refinement tools that are not possible in real life.
The fully featured Mixer delivers a professional workspace capable of complex signal routing, much of which is unique to the Superior Drummer 3 environment. Here you can create buses and sends as you would with any mixer, but Superior Drummer 3 even allows busing and processing of bleed instruments independently of their close microphones.
The curated selection of ambience channels impart the flexibility to craft the perfect auditory environment for your drum kit. Instantly take your kit from close and tight to sustained ribbon mic warmth and all the way to an explosive hall-like decay. And, if you’re mixing in a surround format, all of the ambience channels can be seamlessly output for up to 5, 7, 9 and 11 channel systems.
With 16 stereo outputs, Superior Drummer 3 lets you mix in any way that you wish. Send groups or individual channels from the Mixer directly to your DAW for processing or summing.
Don’t want to look at all 22 channels in the mixer? Use the Edit Visibility feature to show only what you want to see for your mix.