Superior Drummer Mixing: Getting Professional Results

Superior Drummer mixing requires understanding both the instrument’s powerful capabilities and how to integrate its output into professional mixes. This flagship virtual drum instrument from Toontrack provides multi-channel output, built-in mixing tools, and extensive sound shaping options. Knowing how to leverage these features while avoiding common pitfalls enables achieving truly professional drum productions.

Understanding Superior Drummer’s Architecture

Superior Drummer records each drum component separately, providing individual channels for kick, snare top, snare bottom, toms, hi-hat, overheads, room mics, and more. This multi-mic approach mirrors professional drum recording.

The internal mixer allows balancing and processing within the plugin before output. Changes made here affect all instances of the instrument, providing global control.

Multiple output routing sends individual channels to separate DAW tracks. This approach allows using preferred external plugins for processing while maintaining Superior Drummer’s multi-mic source quality.

Presets and sound libraries provide starting points but rarely serve final mix needs perfectly. Customization is expected and necessary for professional results.

Output Routing Strategies

Stereo output sends the entire kit pre-mixed to a single stereo channel. This approach is simple but limits mixing flexibility. The internal mixer must handle all processing.

Multi-output routing sends individual mic channels to separate DAW tracks. Kick, snare, toms, and cymbals each get dedicated channels for independent processing. This approach provides maximum control.

Hybrid approaches use multi-output for close mics while keeping overheads and rooms stereo. This balance provides individual drum control while simplifying ambient elements.

The specific routing choice depends on how much external processing is desired. Simple productions may work with stereo output; detailed mixing benefits from full multi-output.

Using the Internal Mixer

Superior Drummer’s built-in mixer provides EQ, compression, and effects on each channel. These internal processors are capable tools that can achieve professional results without external plugins.

Internal processing advantages include latency-free operation, integrated control, and preset recall. Changes are saved with the project and load instantly.

The internal effects section provides reverb, delay, and other processors that can replace external inserts. These effects are designed specifically for drum processing.

Bleed controls adjust how much of each drum appears in other mic channels. This feature enables realistic multi-mic interaction or clean isolated sources depending on preferences.

External Processing via Multi-Output

Routing to DAW tracks enables using preferred plugins for each drum element. The familiar workflow of processing individual channels applies just as with recorded drums.

Phase relationships between multi-output channels deserve attention. Check that kick in, kick out, snare top, and snare bottom align properly when combined.

External bus processing can treat Superior Drummer outputs just like recorded drum buses. Routing all outputs to a drum bus for collective compression and EQ works identically.

The combination of internal shaping plus external processing provides maximum flexibility. Use internal tools for broad strokes; refine with external plugins.

Getting Realistic, Human Feel

Velocity response mapping affects how dynamics translate to sound variation. Adjusting velocity curves ensures appropriate sound changes for different playing intensities.

Humanize and timing variation settings add subtle imperfections that prevent machine-gun effect. Even small amounts of variation improve realism.

Groove templates from actual drummer performances provide natural timing feel. Applying these templates to programmed parts adds human character.

Ghost notes, flams, and subtle articulations contribute to realism. Programming these details rather than focusing only on primary hits creates convincing performances.

Choosing Appropriate Kits and Expansions

The core Superior Drummer 3 library provides versatile sounds suitable for many genres. The extensive included content serves rock, pop, and related styles well.

Expansion packs (SDX and EZX) add genre-specific content. Metal Foundry suits heavy music; Rooms of Hansa provides vintage character. Matching expansion choice to production needs improves starting points.

Custom kit building using pieces from multiple libraries creates unique combinations. The drummer’s kit doesn’t need to match any single source library.

Room ambience from libraries significantly affects overall character. Some rooms suit specific genres better than others. Room selection deserves attention equal to drum selection.

Common Superior Drummer Mixing Mistakes

Relying entirely on presets without customization. Presets provide starting points, not finished results. Every production needs specific adjustments.

Ignoring multi-output possibilities. Stereo output limits control; multi-output enables professional-grade processing.

Over-processing when sources are already polished. Superior Drummer’s sounds are professionally recorded and may need less aggressive treatment than problematic live recordings.

Mismatching kit character to genre. Using metal-focused libraries for jazz or acoustic libraries for metal fights against the source material’s strengths.