STEVE MONTI HEADS TO AREA 33.

E-drummer Steve Monti gave the two SDXs in our Area 33 series a go in these two original tracks. If you’re into industrial and ambient rock-meets-metal-type songs with hypnotic beats, this is for you!

You’ve used Superior Drummer 3 for years. When and how did you first discover the software?
My interest started with Toontrack’s Drumkit From Hell. From there I moved onto Superior Drummer 3. It was so long ago that I can’t remember how long ago it was. I think it was about 20 years ago! I’ve been here ever since. I’ve never really needed to venture anywhere else – everything I need is there.

As an e-drummer, what are the feature of the software that mean the most to you?
I learned playing real drums where dynamics and articulations are so important. I need software which will make things as close to the real deal as possible. I feel Toontrack put a lot into this and it feels authentic. I also find the mapping is pretty simple to set up too.The number of kits and sounds are so varied it’s just amazing. Also the noise factor plays a big part too. I live in London and an area surrounded by neighbors who are unlikely to appreciate live drumming. With e-drums, they hear nothing. When my son was small, his nursery was directly below my home studio and he slept through it all.

Which SDXs are your go-tos and why?
I have most SDXs and I would be sad to lose any! In my top list would be (no particular order) Decades SDX, Fields of Rock SDX, The Rooms of Hansa SDX, Death &Darkness SDX and Hitmaker SDX. I’m recently enjoying both the Area 33 SDX and Area 33 – Origin SDX. As to why, they are so versatile and can be used for any genre of music!


DRUMCEPTION: RIVERS OF NIHIL.

Big, ambient and haunting – listen to how the guys from Rivers of Nihil interpreted Mario’s drum track!

FLUFF – MARK LEWIS DEMO.

Fluff from Riffs, Beards & Gear tries out the Mark Lewis Metal Tones EZmix Pack.

GEAR GODS: THREE MIXES.

Trey demos three different mixing using the EZmix Packs released during Metal Month 2016.

GUEST PLAYLIST – EFRAIM JUNTUNEN (NAGLFAR).

We checked in with Naglfar drummer Efraim Juntunen to see what’s spinning in his headphones right now!

NEW DRUM MIDI PACK FOR BLACK METAL!

Steady doom-like beats, grinding tirades and violent outbursts in fills.

MUSIC CITY USA SDX – ON E-DRUMS.

E-drum performance by Luke Oswald featuring the Music City USA SDX.

TOMAS HAAKE: KIT RUNDOWN.

We caught up with Tomas Haake of Meshuggah to get a rundown of his 2016 touring kit.

MASTERING & MIXING WITH EZMIX 2.

A few videos on the subject of mixing and mastering with EZmix 2.

GET YOUR JAM BACK ON TRACK.

Check out what our friends at Jam Track Central got going on – and get tones for EZmix 2 from some of their guitarists!

NEW DRUMCEPTION TRACK!

Some insane riffing from Justin McKinney (The Faceless) and Ryan “Bart” Williams (Necromancing The Stone).

GUS G – THE FOURTH LESSON.

Learn more about “chord inversions” in the fourth video of the Gus G Metal Month Masterclass!

EZMIX 2 – QUICK TIP VIDEOS.

A bunch of tips, tricks and things you maybe didn’t know about EZmix 2 already.

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