SSD Drums 5.5 - Sale - Thoughts

[lokeyfly]

Hey, I was wondering if any of ya'll use the Steven Slate Drums 5 5 and how it fares with Studio One. I d'loaded the free 5.5 SSD version and it's quite nice, and looks to be a flexible alternative. Its also on sale until June 30th at $59 which is about half off. Let me know your experience with it, or to talk shop about it.
No Superior Drummer, or other recommendations please, (thanks, though). I know them enough to know they are a good viable alternative but no need as to save you time. I just want to add a good rudimentary quick drum kit to my exiting collection. The Slate SSD 5.5 would be the addition at this time.

What I currently have for Drums and percussion.
Battery 4
Studio Drummer
Abbey Road Drums,
Impact (Presonus library)
Various percussive instruments such as:
Cuba, Drum Lab, and Kompkete 12 Ultimate drum collection.
FXpansion BFD2.

Thanks ahead for your take on this.

 

[Skijumptoes]

It's pretty good, and I was all over it when I first got it. But fast forward several years late, and I never use it.

BFD3.5 has been my go to for the past year, and for quick drum go-to's I seem to always reach for the UJam stuff
You get UJam "Legend" with Studio Pro so check your account and see what you think of that. It's similar to the NI stuff but it's super quick to load and much more instant.

Being able to trigger/drag drop patterns makes it super easy to get a vibe going, which you can replace at a later date - if that's kinda your goal.

 

[Vocalpoint]

For me it's :

Acoustic Drums

EZ Drummer v3 (Toontrack)

Electronic Drums

Triaz (Wave Alchemy)
XO (XLN Audio)
and good ole Impact - loaded with whatever mayhem I can muster up via my sample collection.

Nuff Said.

VP

 

[lokeyfly]

It's pretty good, and I was all over it when I first got it. But fast forward several years late, and I never use it.

BFD3.5 has been my go to for the past year, and for quick drum go-to's I seem to always reach for the UJam stuff
You get UJam "Legend" with Studio Pro so check your account and see what you think of that. It's similar to the NI stuff but it's super quick to load and much more instant.

I forgot about Ujam.hadt that around 2016. The samples were great. Very clean and punchy. I may dig that up again.

Being able to trigger/drag drop patterns makes it super easy to get a vibe going, which you can replace at a later date - if that's kinda your goal.

Exactly, my intention. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Midiboy]

I have been using SSD 5.5 for quite a while. It's a GREAT set as long as you send each drum to their own channel in Studio One / Pro where you can place various effects on them. It has NO built in effects at all, and it doesn't cut thru the mix really well if you don't do that. BUT, as opposed to NI drum kits, it's MUCH easier to do that. (I love my NI kits as well, but they do take more work).

I actually forgot about the UJAM stuff you get with Studio One / Pro. It's not bad. It's great for a quick recording project!

 

[lokeyfly]

......and good ole Impact - loaded with whatever mayhem I can muster up via my sample collection.

Yep, I really like a few of the alternative quick access of samples from the library, dragged into Impact for quick and Interesting add-ons. Even adds to the realism with accentuating cymbals.

I think the one criticism of Slate Drums was there is little real-time varying control such as HH changes, where the competition have more instant control towards such things. Makes sense.

Cool beens, guys. Enjoyed the feedback.

 

[lokeyfly]

I have been using SSD 5.5 for quite a while. It's a GREAT set as long as you send each drum to their own channel in Studio One / Pro where you can place various effects on them. It has NO built in effects at all, and it doesn't cut thru the mix really well if you don't do that. BUT, as opposed to NI drum kits, it's MUCH easier to do that. (I love my NI kits as well, but they do take more work).

Yep, I'm all about the work. : ) Good point that it's just a little easier to tweak than the NI stuff. Seems that way with the free version. And yes, I'll run the tracks independently. Sometimes partially grouped such as Tom's sent to a stereo channel, but panned separately from the source. Or, bussed.

I actually forgot about the UJAM stuff you get with Studio One / Pro. It's not bad. It's great for a quick recording project!

Indeedy.

 

[Midiboy]

One thing that I like, if you are so inclined, at least on the paid version, some of the drums come with more than one mic. For example, the snare might have a top mic, a ring mic and a bottom mic. They can all be sent to different channels if you want. (I tend to group them, like you said about the toms).

 

[BobF]

Impact is quick and good. I mostly go with AD2 or EZD3. I have all of the NI stuff, but have yet to take the time ...

 

[TDF1981]

I use Slate Drums for some recording projects and it‘s okay, some extensions are really good like the punk rock stuff you can buy from third parties. But it‘s a nightmare if you want to quickly combine a groove compared to easier things like UJAM drummers.

 

[lokeyfly]

Yeah, sounds like a bit of give and take on all points given.
The separate above and below toms assignment sounds good.
The 1/2 off price is certainly nice, and makes this a descent, but obviously not a do all, offer. Thanks guys. Very much appreciated.

 

[lokeyfly]

All good advice here so thank you for that. I ended up only keeping the free SSD 5.5. It will serve as a simple alternate. I also have all of the NI drum packs, and Battery 3 & 4. Of course the others as mentioned.
I'd simply add if someone didnt have any formal drum kit sounds, the Slate Drums are a pretty useful offering. They're even multi layered samples! I remember Lawrence always gave them a thumbs up from the old Presonus forum. I'd support that claim even at this time. Thanks guys, happy drumming and music making.

 

[Midiboy]

I actually really love SSD as long as you split them out into different channels and put good effects on them (I tend to use Izotope stuff on them as well as Pro EQ). The fact that they have absolutely no real built in effects other than a VERY SIMPLE EQ is a bummer. But I love their sound once you get them split ot and effected.

BUT, I also really love the various NI drum kits. (I have Komplete 15 Collectors, so I have most all of their drum kits). I really like those as well, but I still think Kontakt is a real pain in the butt to split out. They don't make it easy at all.

 

[Vocalpoint]

BUT, I also really love the various NI drum kits. (I have Komplete 15 Collectors, so I have most all of their drum kits). I really like those as well, but I still think Kontakt is a real pain in the butt to split out. They don't make it easy at all.

This is why you need to define a Kontakt MultiOut Track Preset in Studio Pro (build once - reuse lots) - and leave the hassle factor for the app to manage.

VP

 

[Midiboy]

This is why you need to define a Kontakt MultiOut Track Preset in Studio Pro (build once - reuse lots) - and leave the hassle factor for the app to manage.

VP

You are wrong about this, I just haven't slowed down enough to sit down and learn how to do it. I'm on a major song writing kick....I recorded an entire album in the last 4 months and am 4 songs deep into a new already.

 

[lokeyfly]

You are wrong about this, I just haven't slowed down enough to sit down and learn how to do it. I'm on a major song writing kick....I recorded an entire album in the last 4 months and am 4 songs deep into a new already.

I'm right between you and VP on this. Kontakt Versions 6 and back (I hated version 7, but thats for other reasons), I would create individual output channels. Not just the four main busses, but individual outs. Now with K8, I am too busy to dive back in. Its inevitable that I'll have to for best results though. Since Vocalpoint explored this with K8 already, I can tell it will be solid.

Its a fairly easy path, so either one of us will send you a screenshot, or existing video. Once you set it up, just keep using that Kontakt multi out template.

 

[MisterE]

It's pretty good, and I was all over it when I first got it. But fast forward several years late, and I never use it.

+1. Don't forget, it's abandonware spun off from the main Slate product lines. Up to you, but if I were looking for a drum VST to be the belle of the ball, I'd be looking for one that wasn't abandonware.

 

[lokeyfly]

Lately, I've simply used the free SSD3 version for just having another 3 rounded kits. You know, like Walter Becker (R.I.P.) and Donald Fagen would wring out drummers . They changed drummers faster than the rest of us change underwear. That freebie is really a nice addition. Even lots of layered samples. Way better than that recently added FSP drum metronome. But then, long time drummer, here. Thx for the note about abandonware.