EZplayer Pro 1.0.1 and Superior Drummer 2.0.1 Feedback

Basics on my Up and Running:

Seems to require 3 tracks:
1) A MIDI track without OUT to S2
2) A Synth track with IN on EZplayer
3) A Synth track with IN on S2

(Of course S2 and EZPP must 'exist' in the Synth Rack)

Libraries from the MIDI directory of Disk 1: (to Manually Add On)
"Superior Libraries": N.Y. Avatar: This MIDI library seems similar in size compared to EZDrummers (EZD) Pop/Rock Library
"EZ Player Pro MIDI (Library): Contains (so called) EZX Libraries that seem derived from 'bigger' EZX libraries: "Claustrophobic", "Twisted", "Cocktail", and "Pop Rock"
But I don't recognize them as the same MIDI's. Yet they seem excellent building blocks ... along with EZDrummer's 'bigger' Pop/Rock Library

Finally Toontrack web site has free MIDI Libraries like: "Jacker Pack" ... these seem as 'demos' which are interesting but probably not vital (for my stuff).

I just finished upgrading about 21 modest EZDrummer multi-tracks to Superior 2 with little hitch.
The S2 engine is much more authentic sounding than EZD

I'd click the same note in Piano View and get several (12?) different sounds for the same snare hit (each time I re-clicked the mouse).
Now I look forward to actually using EZPP to create better routines (with just a mouse).

S7 promptly Crashes when I interrupt RAM loading of Superior Samples. I'm sure you can make S7 crash, also by getting impatient while RAM loads in Avatar or Pop/Rock Samples.
A final note to us noobs:
1) The 20 GBytes of drum samples are not the Superior Libary Avatar MIDI samples nor the EZPP MIDI samples: those 20 GBytes are memory intensive samples that selectively load depending on mics, Xdrums, etc.
2) I'm not about to load 2 or more instances of Superior and experiment with S7 crashes.
3) EZPP is able to afford experimentation with many layers of drums anyway, as its own little drum-DAW
4) For EZPP to start actually working (the way I've experimented), requires the EZPP MIDI track to be selected (once) ... somehow that turns on the player

Thank you to all, especially Dave and Steve, for encouraging us with S2 and EZPP.

I welcome any other feedback, comments, rebukes, etc.

EZPP is so much easier than EZDrummer to sequence and organize drum MIDIs, I frankly believe Toontrack may drop EZDrummer (as they did with DKFH) as more and more customers use EZPP alone.
I for one am going to try to unistall EZD (while somehow keeping the Pop/Rock EZXs it contains.)

ORIGINAL: Mod Bod

I frankly believe Toontrack may drop EZDrummer

I don't see this happening. Too strong a product and it's a gateway into SUPERIOR.

EZD is truly an awesome breakthrough for ‘would-be-drummers’ and drummers alike and, indeed, was my gateway into Superior 2.0.
I just don't know how I got along with anything less than EZPlayer, until now.

Also, I've had a chance to listen to all 21 of my EZDrummer-to-Superior upgrades (21 songs of mine that I 'upgraded' directly from EZD to S2).

Though biased by my financial investment in S2 and EZPP I currently conclude:
The S2 'Engine' (with Sound Fonts/Samples) is 'superior' to my ears.
My 21 home songs sound so-oo much more authentic and professional, to my ears. I'd quantify 10-15% better sounding than EZD and 20% better than SD2.
I may confidently state that S2 'rocks my socks' in all 21 pieces.
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Additional Feedback:
S2 Hi-Hats sound significantly 'differently' than Session Drummer 2 Hi-Hats. (I believe, someone had commented on this before.)
Maybe I'm used to SD2's excellent Hi-Hat sounds and have become too addicted toward that sound, especially in some of the 'swing' loops.

Any EZX's you heartily recommend (i.e., for your pieces)?

I've had Superior for three weeks now and have been using it strictly as a drum module -- I hadn't even installed EZPlayer or checked out the MIDI library. Your post prompted me to install it and see if it might be useful. In short, it really wasn't, at least no so far.

I was left underwhelmed by the MIDI library, not because it wasn't extensive or well-done, but mostly because I just can't figure out what to do with canned MIDI patterns.

What do you do with them, exactly? String them together and call that your drum track? Am I wasting my time hand-crafting my drum tracks, missing out on a valuable time-saving technique?

ORIGINAL: Philip

Any EZX's you heartily recommend (i.e., for your pieces)?

Nashville is a must have.

ORIGINAL: Mod Bod

I frankly believe Toontrack may drop EZDrummer

I don't see this happening. Too strong a product and it's a gateway into SUPERIOR.

ModBod, I have seen several of your post on EZ and you seem like you are really versed on this product-I am strongly considering getting this as I need more realistic drum sounds for the gospal music that I write. I just wanted to clarify that I could utilized the existing canned patterns to lay down a foundation then enhance them per using EZ as a drum synth correct?

ORIGINAL: sada10

ORIGINAL: Mod Bod

I frankly believe Toontrack may drop EZDrummer

I don't see this happening. Too strong a product and it's a gateway into SUPERIOR.

ModBod, I have seen several of your post on EZ and you seem like you are really versed on this product-I am strongly considering getting this as I need more realistic drum sounds for the gospal music that I write. I just wanted to clarify that I could utilized the existing canned patterns to lay down a foundation then enhance them per using EZ as a drum synth correct?

I've responded to your other post and yes, EZdrummer is a good fit for you.

ORIGINAL: bitflipper

I've had Superior for three weeks now and have been using it strictly as a drum module -- I hadn't even installed EZPlayer or checked out the MIDI library. Your post prompted me to install it and see if it might be useful. In short, it really wasn't, at least no so far.

I was left underwhelmed by the MIDI library, not because it wasn't extensive or well-done, but mostly because I just can't figure out what to do with canned MIDI patterns.

What do you do with them, exactly? String them together and call that your drum track? Am I wasting my time hand-crafting my drum tracks, missing out on a valuable time-saving technique?

EZPlayer:

Although I've never been tempted down the EZD/Superior route this kinda intrigued me, a midi drum clip librarian and pre-arranger without any bloat.

So I logged on to TT's site set me up an account and d/loaded the free version. And on it's own this lil' version of a complete software pearl has blown me away.

Instant audition of any clip, commercial or home rolled, mapped out through RDK, Battery, GM or whatever you fancy. Drag out a song structure (for further tweaking, or hand-crafting... ) in seconds. This is a real little gem and I'm still talking the free version here, this is the most useful software tool I've installed fer ages, bar anything.

Bear in mind that these days you can play out billions of quality samples through quite a number of competing drum modules this little cutie is pretty much unique, 100% usable and a really valued addition to the writing process.

How did I miss it until now?

Props to TT this is THE real breakthrough app. IMO of course...

ORIGINAL: Jonbouy

ORIGINAL: Mod Bod

Also interesting is the irony that the Avatar MIDI samples available in EZPlayer are less convincing to my ears than the MIDI samples entitled "Pop/Rock" (from EZDrummer): Ouch!

I can see a tendency to try and not recreate the same grooves in the different EZXs and EZPP. However, I don't think that having duplication is a bad thing when dealing with different midi artists. Nir Z has a definite Jazz influence in his grooves. Even his Rock grooves have a bounce to them, IMHO. I like 'em but they are definitely different.

+1

Although I'm not familiar with the artist's Dave's referring to here or any of the EZ content, even the most fundamental 42TF beat will have a different feel when played by a 'different drummer'. Gather (or make) the clips of those players you like the best, those selections/choices are a big part of the process that ends up in making your 'own' style surely.

I agree. I've been using Nir Z's (Avatar MIDIs) more and more for jazz-like swings now (which are merely 'different' than "Pop/Rock" routines). I guess I was used to EZD "Pop/Rock" and Session Drummer Swings as starting points.

Hopefully 'my style' will become eclectic enough to accept the N.Y. Avatar Sampling Library as a viable for sampling Library for some of my novice pieces.

Instant audition of any clip, commercial or home rolled, mapped out through RDK, Battery, GM or whatever you fancy. Drag out a song structure (for further tweaking, or hand-crafting... ) in seconds. This is a real little gem and I'm still talking the free version here, this is the most useful software tool I've installed fer ages, bar anything.

That's pretty bold, Jon!
The EZP MIDI sampler arranger also seems to have helped me focus on velocity and arrangement somewhat first ... then go to S7 piano view with more boldness to change drum-notes. E.g., I've discovered sweet HiHat notes in EZD's Pop/Rock module that correspond to C10 and Db10 (similar to the chiming Hat beats in the Train beats of Session Drummer).

IMHO, Superior 2 is 'almost' as easy as EZDrummer ... But S2 has its own drum bus option(s) and Xdrums option(s) ... which I myself am not needful of ... at my MIDI sequencing stage.

I'm curious if anyone regularly uses the S2 drum busses and/or Xdrums (I think they're called)

Thanks Dave, I can see where it would be useful to combine hats and overheads as well as snare mics, etc. on a bus ... just a tad confusing for my sub-genius level.

I just discovered tweaking stuff like Presets for Drum-Kits, Layer limits, etc. and Mixer (mic) Presets to help get started with EQ, Transients, Gate, Compressor, etc..

I'm starting to delve into it.

ORIGINAL: Philip

That's pretty bold, Jon!

I meant it!

It is an excellent little tool, props to TT for releasing it. It suits my working methods to a tee.

The only dilemma I have now is I'm wondering if the 'pro' version has the same succinct beauty that the free version has... £25 tells me it's gotta be worth taking the risk.

I love it, in fact I've done little else but organise all my clips and play out lots of drum tracks for the last week...

My partner must think I'm applying some advanced 'Chinese torture' method on her presently...