An EZX powerhouse, tailored for hard and heavy rock.
| ADD TO CARTAn EZX powerhouse, tailored for hard and heavy rock.
| ADD TO CARTWhen it comes to heavy rock, nothing is as fundamental as an unwavering wall of hard-hitting drums steamrolling like a freight train at the forefront of the mix. If you’re looking for stalwart-type sounds that you can trust to hold down the rhythm section in any mix scenario of that kind you may find yourself in, this is an EZX for you.
Recorded by acclaimed mixer/engineer/producer Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Anthrax, The Donnas) and sampled by drummer Jeff Friedl (A Perfect Circle, Devo, Filter), this expansion for EZdrummer 3 and Superior Drummer 3 combines two rock heavyweights and delivers exactly what its title promises: drums specifically tailored for heavy rock productions. In total, it includes four unique kits, one extra recorded kit configuration as well as several additional snares – all handpicked to ensure a width of tones that ranges from the rich, dark and boomy to the ringy, tight and snappy. To add, the kits were captured at a private high-end studio in the Los Angeles area boasting a massive-sounding but still not overpowering room, making it the perfect choice for loud rock drums that sound thunderously big but not drowned out by excessive ambience.
In addition to the sounds, a broad selection of mix-ready presets engineered by Ruston as well as a basic collection of grooves and fills performed by Friedl are included.
If you’re in need of an EZX fuming with raw, unadulterated heavy rock energy – captured by two of today’s best using the best of gear in a room that simply has heavy rock written all over it – this EZX is for you.
This EZX expansion requires EZdrummer 3 or Superior Drummer 3.
Note: The MIDI included with this EZX is unique and not related to any contents of the Heavy Rock Grooves MIDI pack. Great match, though!
To rewind to the very beginning, how and when did you discover you had an interest for music and recording?
I discovered recording when I was about 20 years old, playing in bands. There was a college recording program not too far from Toronto that had a legendary Producer named Jack Richardson teaching there. I thought it would be really cool to work under him and learn how to make real records.
How did your paths with Jeff cross and why was he the perfect drummer for this project?
In 2004 I decided to build a mix room at my house in LA, and Jeff was a new friend in town I’d met through mutual musicians. We immediately bonded and started working together whenever we could. As the years went on, both of our careers began to take off, and we always stayed in touch and worked together as much as possible. I thought Jeff would be the perfect drummer for this project. He has amazing drums, he’s an incredible drummer, and he’s really easy to work with!
What was your overall aim with the sounds and the project on a whole?
My goal was to make drum kits that were immediately useable, and sound incredible out of the box. I wanted realistic, yet punchy sounds, and AMAZING cymbals. I’ve mixed a few records with programmed drums and they can be really amazing. I also wanted a large variety of tones and tunings which I think we achieved.
To you, what defines a great rock drum sound?
Power, attack, retaining bottom end and air moving. Oftentimes rock drums are too dead. I want to hear the room!
Having had the chance to work with the sounds when making presets and really digging into the product, how do you feel it all came out?
I’m so excited for this to come out. I’ve been using the drums on my own projects and songwriting and the people I’ve been working with are blown away!
“Oftentimes rock drums are too dead. I want to hear the room!”
Steel Panther “Feel the Steel” (2009)
Anthrax “Worship Music” (2011)
Stone Sour “House of Gold and Bones” (2012)
Coheed and Cambria “Unheavenly Creatures” (2018)
The Blue Stones “Pretty Monster” (2022)
Avatar “Dance Devil Dance” (2023)
Size: 16x24″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Pedal (Felt)
Size: 7x14″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x16″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x18″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 10x10″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 10x12″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 11x13″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 15″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Fat Hats
Tools: Sticks
Size: 20″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Oriental China
Tools: Sticks
Size: 19″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Sweet Crash Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 20″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Session Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 22″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 24″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis Medium Ride
Tools: Sticks
Brand: LP*
Model: Percussion Rock Ridge Rider
Tools: Sticks
Size: 14x26″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Pedal (Felt)
Size: 6x14″
Brand: Q
Model: Q* Copper
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x16″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom Alt Tuning
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x18″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom Alt Tuning
Tools: Sticks
Size: 10x14″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 15″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Fat Hats
Tools: Sticks
Size: 20″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Oriental China
Tools: Sticks
Size: 19″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Sweet Crash Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 20″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Session Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 22″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 24″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis Medium Ride
Tools: Sticks
Brand: LP*
Model: Percussion Rock Ridge Rider
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x24″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Stainless Steel Modern Prototype
Tools: Pedal (Felt)
Size: 6.5x14″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Black Beauty
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x16″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Stainless Steel Modern Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x18″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Stainless Steel Modern Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 8x12″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Stainless Steel Modern Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 9x13″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Stainless Steel Modern Prototype
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 18″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Oriental China
Tools: Sticks
Size: 20″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 21″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 22″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Custom Special Dry Crash
Tools: Sticks
Size: 23″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Sweet Ride
Tools: Sticks
Brand: LP*
Model: Percussion Rock Ridge Rider
Tools: Sticks
Size: 18x22″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic
Tools: Pedal (Felt)
Size: 6.5x14″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Copperphonic
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x16″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x18″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic
Tools: Sticks
Size: 9x13″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 18″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Oriental China
Tools: Sticks
Size: 20″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 21″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 22″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Custom Special Dry Crash
Tools: Sticks
Size: 23″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Sweet Ride
Tools: Sticks
Brand: LP*
Model: Percussion Rock Ridge Rider
Tools: Sticks
Size: 14x26″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic
Tools: Pedal (Felt)
Size: 6.5x14″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Legacy Mahogany
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x16″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic Maple Green Sparkle
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16x18″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic Green Sparkle
Tools: Sticks
Size: 10x14″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Classic Maple Green Sparkle
Tools: Sticks
Size: 16″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 18″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Oriental China
Tools: Sticks
Size: 20″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 21″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: Avedis
Tools: Sticks
Size: 22″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Custom Special Dry Crash
Tools: Sticks
Size: 23″
Brand: Zildjian*
Model: K Sweet Ride
Tools: Sticks
Brand: LP*
Model: Percussion Rock Ridge Rider
Tools: Sticks
*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.
Size: 14x22″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom
Tools: Pedal (Felt)
Size: 3.5x14″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: David Garibaldi Custom
Tools: Sticks
Size: 6.5x14″
Brand: Ludwig*
Model: Supraphonic
Tools: Sticks
Size: 7x14″
Brand: Yamaha*
Model: Recording Custom Alt Tuning
Tools: Sticks
Where does your interest in music stem from and how come you ended up behind a drum kit?
I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, which was a complete melting pot of culture – especially for music and art. From an early age I watched my Dad, Uncle and Cousins play funk, blues and R&B music, and I was also lucky enough to watch a bunch of different jazz, punk, and rock bands play shows as they rolled through town on tour. I was greatly influenced by so many different artists and styles and, ultimately, I became completely obsessed with wanting to be a professional drummer at a very young age. The idea of playing shows and recording albums with bands was everything to me!
Which drummers do you think helped shape your style?
There’s too many to list here, but a very short list would be Samuel Formell, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Alan Myers, Vinnie Paul, Bill Bruford, Tony Thompson, Bill Stewart, Sonny Payne, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Jordan, Elvin Jones, Chuck Biscuits, Abe Cunningham and Danny Carey…
When it comes to the kits and cymbals, what was the selective process like for this EZX and which specific qualities did you try to cover?
I wanted to cover a pretty vast variety of sounds with the drum selection. With the birch kits, I wanted to showcase the bright and punchy attack along with the balanced and fat overall sound they possess. With the maple drums, I wanted that perfect modern rock kit sound. These drums have a great balance of lows, mids and highs. I especially like the extra punchy low-end they have. Very versatile drums. As for the stainless steel kit… These drums are so loud, bright and punchy. A totally unique sound that I find useful not only for live shows, but also for recording. Finally, the maple kit is perfect for situations when you want a combination of full tonality and beautiful sustain. This one screams John Bonham vibes, but can also be used for a lot of different applications. For the cymbals, I chose a bunch of dark, beautiful and shimmering K Zildjians. There are some different Zildjian lines mixed in there as well, and we also captured some nice higher-pitched cymbals to round out the collection.
Throughout your career, you’ve taught drums, played with numerous bands, performed on multiple network talkshows, all the major festivals as well as recorded drums for major films and TV shows. If you had to pick some highlights, which ones would you single out?
It’s really tough to narrow down, but recording and touring with Devo for the last 16 years has been a huge honor. Touring and recording with A Perfect Circle starting back in 2011 is another highlight, especially recording the audio/video performance “Stone and Echo: Live at Red Rocks.” Performing on the Seth Myers Show as the guest drummer for an entire week was a blast. Forming my band The Beta Machine with my bandmate Matt McJunkins has been incredibly important and gratifying for me. Performing on the Jimmy Kimmel Show with four different bands (Eagles of Death Metal, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Jetta) over the years. And recording “Hotel Transylvania 4” and the Disney-Pixar “Cars Toons” episodes were a couple of the great experiences I’ve had recording with composer Mark Mothersbaugh over the years.
Hearing the final result and seeing the final product, what are your thoughts?
I was honestly beyond impressed with the results. Jay Ruston always produces such amazing drum sounds, and these are no exception. We always have a blast working together, and after 20 years, our results just keep getting better and better. Jay, Mike Fasano (drum tech), myself, and the Toontrack team really put a huge and meticulous effort into making these sounds and I’m really excited for artists to start creating with them!
Albums
Devo “Something for Everybody” (2010), ‘Something Else for Everybody’ (2013)
A Perfect Circle “Stone and Echo: Live at Red Rocks” (2013), “Eat The Elephant” (2018)
Abandoned Pools “The Haunted House” (2024)
Puscifer “Conditions of My Parole” (2011), “Money Shot” (2014), “What Is” (2012)
The Beta Machine “All This Time” (2017), “Intruder” (2019)
AJ Lambert “Dirt Soda” (2022)
TV/film
Cars Toon: Mater’s Tall Tales
That ‘90s Show (seasons 1 & 2)
Hotel Transylvania 4
Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs
Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution
In addition to the preset library created by the Toontrack sound design team, a collection of presets engineered by Jay Ruston is provided. Each preset features its unique set of channels and macro controls. This will allow you to fine-tune individual instrument levels, adjust the effects used behind the scenes, the overall saturation amount and more.
The included MIDI library of drum grooves and fills was performed by Jeff Friedl and designed to serve as a foundational palette of heavy rock grooves that you can use as starting points for your songs.
9 GB free disk space (plus 9 GB for download), 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended).
A working EZdrummer 3.0.6 (or above) or a Superior Drummer 3.3.6 (or above) installation.