Abbey Road drums are amazing....Double them up with the Battery Jazz kit.....Awesome sound.

Drum kits in Session Drummer and EZ Drummer are both processed (so I heard...I don't own them). But the kits in Abbey Road Drummer (and Studio Drummer) libraries are all unprocessed, meaning you'll have to apply EQ, compressor, etc., everything from scratch to make it sound really good in the mix (several mixer presets with these effects already applied are available for each kit, but I personally find them not very good).

Although NI encourages users to use the built-in effects (I do use them) for convenience, the knobs on the effect modules and faders on the mixer don't show parameter values (and there's no compressor gain reduction meter, no EQ spectrum, etc.), so you'll have to completely rely on your ears. Also, I've realized that the Drummer libraries have noticeable volume differences between cymbals, etc. (I've only noticed this in 70s Drummer so far), so if you don't like that you'll have to edit the volume by going into Edit mode.

I have AR70s, AR Modern Drummer and Studio Drummer, and love the AR ones very much.

Jlien X

Although NI encourages users to use the built-in effects (I do use them) for convenience, the knobs on the effect modules and faders on the mixer don't show parameter values (and there's no compressor gain reduction meter, no EQ spectrum, etc.), so you'll have to completely rely on your ears. 

This drives me crazy. The EQ for example is the same as their Solid EQ effect, which DOES show parameter values. It's a huge omission. You have no idea what frequency you're boosting or cutting. 

 fwiw if you need to see the parameter values for the fx, you can wrench the instruments and look at the bus sends and instrument fx which show them all.  kinda a pain, yeah, but it's possible.

  I think the Abbey Roads Drummer series is great. And you won't regret buying it. But... But since you're asking "are they worth it?" I have to pause and ask, why are you looking for more drums? I've never used SD3, but I auditioned them with whatever update they first came with and thought they sounded perfectly fine. You also have EZDrummer, and I think EZD continues to sound great. You have HW stuff that may not compete sonically... but it sure can compete from a creative standpoint, nailing inspiration fast. I suppose there's a few reasons to get AR... or any additional drum libraries (but also check out SSD's new one): 1)If your productions are really suffering from some lack of drum detail 2)You just love producing and playing with new kickass drums. -- Joe "Both models work" Tabby

Maybe "worth it" was not the right way to ask.  I was just gathering opinions.

Nothing wrong with the drums I have, but I like to have diferent drum sounds on different songs while maintaining a consistent sound.  In other words, I might have ten different acoustic snares on ten different songs, but it would not be consistent with my style to throw in a wildly electronic snare on a song.  I like to have a wide variety of organic drum sounds.

For example, I am always seeking a better kick: it needs to have a solid bottom without sounding too hard, and enough definition on the higher end to cut through without sounding like a disco slap.  Toontrack EZ Drummer is great but I find the Nashville kit kick to sound a little too hard—like the head is too tight.  I have found some good kicks in SD3, but finding drum sounds in the SD3 folders is not especially easy and it takes a long time to assemble a kit.

Another example: I just used a snare from the Fantom synth built into the V-Studio for a song.  It works perfectly in that song, but I may not use it again for a long time.

Anyway, the comments here have been great.  Thanks.

Then you have many other options to choose from. Steven Slate Drums (even the EX version has many different drums) and BFD2/BFD Eco (I have the Eco version but hated its overall sounds so I uninstalled it), Addictive Drums, etc.

Konrad, I have the AR bundle and the drummer as well. I think you will like them. If you want to hear them on songs here is a link to my buddy's songs. AR is all he uses.
 
http://www.youtube.com/user/754samuel?feature=results_main
 
 

Got an email from NI yesterday...they have shipped my Komplete 9 Ultimate. Great!!!