The Samples
At the heart of any virtual drum library are the actual samples themselves. Steven Slate has been called the master of drum sounds. In the early 2000s, his original drum sample disc was in high demand amongst many top Hollywood producers and mixers. By 2006, when he publicly released his first official drum sample disc, his sounds could already be heard in many top billboard hits. Today, the airwaves are filled with Steven's samples, as they are used by top mixers such as Mike Shipley, Chris Lord-Alge, Dave Way, Jeff Juliano, Jay Baumgardner, and more.

Steven has recorded only quality drums, all tuned to perfection. Every drum and cymbal has been recorded first to 2" tape, enhancing their unique, rich sound. Every drum and cymbal was recorded with multiple velocities and multiple hits per velocity to ensure the most natural recreation. Then the samples were transferred to digital via high-end A/D converters at 24-bit/ 44.1khz.

The samples were then processed by Steven Slate using some of the most classic analog gear from both past and present. The result are drums that sound like you've always dreamed of, with punchy transients and smooth decays.

SSD Virtual Instrument
The SSD Virtual Instrument, powered by KONTAKT Player3, is a standalone or RTAS-VST-AU plug-in that is easy to use and integrate into your DAW. It contains both maps for keyboard and a universal mapping for Roland VDrums. With its custom velocity and remapping features, you can also customize your own maps.

New in version 3.5 is the "Advanced AMG" anti-machine gun mode. This new algorithm is physically modeled after real drummers playing real drums. Advanced AMG makes the drums play with an extreme amount of realism with detailed response and sensitivity.

Modeled Kits
While you'll probably find many of the drum kits on Steven Slate Drums are reminscent of drum kits you've heard from various bands over the years, 13 kits have been authentically modeled for a sound so close, you'll think it is the real thing. The initial EX pack contains the now famous Old Zep kit, modeled after the classic sound of Led Zeppelin. Upgrading with the EX expansions can get you all of the modeled kits, including: Steely Dan, Motley Crue, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Dream Theater. Keep in mind, these drum kits model the finalized mixed sounds that you have become familiar with, not just raw recordings of the drummer's kits.

Room Mics
The Steven Slate Drums collection contains two unique sounding sets of room mics. The first set is from a large warehouse with concrete walls. These room mics were processed with heavy doses of compression, EQ, and even modulation to make a larger then life, deep, wide, expressive room sound.

The drums were then sampled in the famous NRG Recording STUDIO A, known for being one of the top drum rooms in Los Angeles. It's been home to bands like Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Billy Joel, and more. These room mics have been left unprocessed and contain the signature depth and space from this beautiful sounding room.

Features
10 drum kits including an Old Zep kit and 5 hybrid kits with multiple layers of kicks and snare
Contains a RTAS, VST, AU, and standalone MIDI plug-in powered by KONTAKT Player3
Contains both maps for keyboard and a universal mapping for Roland VDrums
Can customize your own maps
Instant presets for all Roland VDrum Modules
100s of easy-to-use MIDI grooves in SSD's unique SONG form
Drum and cymbal recorded first to 2" tape, and recorded with multiple velocities and multiple hits per velocity
Samples transferred to digital via high-end A/D converters at 24-bit/ 44.1khz
New-to-the-series Advanced AMG anti-machine gun mode
2 sounding sets of room mics (large warehouse with concrete walls, NRG Recording STUDIO A)

Note: Quality 96 kHz stereo samples