Toontrack’s latest SDX expansion includes eight new kits recorded at the legendary Real World Studios, and has been created in collaboration with Grammy-winning engineer Kevin Killen. Designed for the ever-popular Superior Drummer 3, Real to Reel SDX captures the sound of three of the iconic studio’s rooms, with the eight full drum kits complemented by a selection of extra kicks, snares and cymbals.
Each of the included kits were chosen to fulfil a certain role or sound, and combined with the studio’s three rooms, allow the latest SDX to deliver a wide variety of tonal options. The three spaces feature distinct acoustics: the Big Room, a large space with bare concrete surfaces and steel pillars that offers a huge, ambient sound; the Wood Room, a two-storey space that features a mixture of stone walls, wooden floors and steel walkways, offering a controlled, naturally diffused reverb; and the Wood Booth, a much smaller space that delivers a contrasting tight, dry sound.
As its name suggests, Real to Reel has been recorded to tape — specifically, to Real World Studios’ Studer A820 — a move which Toontrack say offers “a seamless marriage between old and new that has a little bit of vintage, warm and tape-saturated magic in every last drum hit.” The kits include a Ludwig Vistalite, Ludwig Legacy Mahogany, Hayman Vibrasonic Showman, Yamaha Maple Custom, Eddie Ryan Concert Tom, Premier Ace and Slingerland Radio King. There’s also a Waterfall kit made up of gear from various brands, and a selection of additional kicks, snares, cymbals and percussion.
Real to Reel includes eight drum kits, and has been captured in three of Real World Studios' versatile live rooms.
A versatile set of mic signals are included, and Real to Reel comes loaded with presets, including a set of 13 patches that have been optimised for use with electronic kits. As with all SDX releases, the pack also includes a collection of MIDI grooves and fills that are exclusive to the release.
Compatibility
Real to Reel runs in Toontrack’s Superior Drummer, and requires version 3.4.1 or above, which is supported on PCs running Windows 10 and higher, and Macs running macOS 10.13 or later. VST, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available, along with a standalone application.
Pricing & Availability
Real to Reel is available now, priced at €179.
