Simple question for you guys..

Of these two drum/rhythm softwares, which one plays best with Sonar X2?

I've narrowed it down to these two based on the 1) Sound quality 2) Price point and 3) Reviews from others.

MY REQUIREMENT:
Does either one of these plugins allow you to route individual drum sounds in a kit to individual tracks within Sonar X2 while at the same time playing a rhythm triggered by a separate MIDI track? (i.e. setup a beat using the step sequencer to trigger the kit sounds, but having each instrument in the kit routed out to individual Sonar tracks so I can use the ProChannel to tweak each sound).

If you have any experience with either or both of these, which do you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your advice!!

If I read your question correctly, the answer is yes for SD2 and I assume the same for BFD2.  Any decent drum package (including Kontakt) will allow you to route the separate kit elements to its own track in your DAW.  Just use the Insert Soft Synth function and check the "All Synth Audio Outputs" option.  Then you'll have separate DAW audio tracks each with a corresponding input from the drum plugin's outputs, which you can assign with the drum plugin's internal mixer.
 
I like SD2 -- it is a little pricey when you start adding SDX expansions, but the sound quality is top-notch. 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

Eddie TX


If I read your question correctly, the answer is yes for SD2 and I assume the same for BFD2.  Any decent drum package (including Kontakt) will allow you to route the separate kit elements to its own track in your DAW.  Just use the Insert Soft Synth function and check the "All Synth Audio Outputs" option.  Then you'll have separate DAW audio tracks each with a corresponding input from the drum plugin's outputs, which you can assign with the drum plugin's internal mixer.
 
I like SD2 -- it is a little pricey when you start adding SDX expansions, but the sound quality is top-notch. 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

Thanks for the reply, Eddie!

Yes, to both of them allowing free routing to individual channels.  (Even Session Drummer 3 and EZ Drummer will do that.) 

I have both and use BFD2 more than SD2, but that is probably because my favorite kit that I have is the Evil Joe Barresi Glamoflage Quick Pack in the BFD format.  I also have the Evil Joe full set for SD2, but it's not quite as mix-ready as the Quick Pack right out of the box.

They are really quite similar in what they are capable of.  I think SD2 might have a slight price advantage in that they have sales more often, but I've seen some good deals on BFD2 kits too.  I just picked up the Neil Peart Kit for BFD from eSoundz for $39, and while it's not my favorite, it is a nice additional option when I'm looking for something a little less extreme than the EJB kit I use for most of my hard rock/metal type sounds.

One major advantage to Superior Drummer is
the EZ Player Pro (which is also available separately for $49 (less most places)

It allows you to separate the drum and cymbal parts of different MIDI 
components which makes it a lot easier to create your own...

If you're really good at inputting the drum parts with the keyboard
then you may not need or want it.  But it does make writing your 
own drum parts easier.

It will also let you input all major Drum Samplers MIDI file formats...
Just a consideration

cclarry


One major advantage to Superior Drummer is
the EZ Player Pro (which is also available separately for $49 (less most places)

It allows you to separate the drum and cymbal parts of different MIDI 
components which makes it a lot easier to create your own...

If you're really good at inputting the drum parts with the keyboard
then you may not need or want it.  But it does make writing your 
own drum parts easier.

It will also let you input all major Drum Samplers MIDI file formats...
Just a consideration

Superior Drummer lets you separate the individual instruments and drag and drop them into your project as well.  EZ Player Pro has an arranger track that allows you to create a complete loop inside of it and drag that completed loop into SONAR.

I love SD2 and have never had any problems with it and X2.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!  It looks like, according to what I'm hearing most of you say, that Superior Drummer 2 is the better choice, even though some of the expansion packs can get a lil pricey. I'm going to look into EZ Player Pro as well and the options it provides.

Thanks again, I'll keep on eye on anymore feedback here in case others weigh in on the discussion!

Beeej21


Thanks everyone for the feedback!  It looks like, according to what I'm hearing most of you say, that Superior Drummer 2 is the better choice, even though some of the expansion packs can get a lil pricey.

I am a Toontrack user and I love Superior Drummer. That said I would not say its "better" than BFD, indeed BFD looks better value for money on current UK pricing SD2 189 pounds v BFD 2 116 pounds, and the basic BFD 2 package arguably gives you a little more. Toontrack do tend to have sales with quite large discounts.
 
The "best" sound will come down to personal preference.
 
I do not think you will be disapointed with either package.
 
 
 
 

I bought SD2 and Metal Foundry exp pack together from AudioDeluxe.com on sale. Somebody always has a sale!