From comprehensive editing and customisation of the kit itself, to sequencing (a ton of grooves is included), big-console-style mixing and bleed control, and processing with a wealth of top-quality effects, it’s like a mini DAW for drums, running standalone or as a plugin. Representing the current state-of-the art in sample-based percussion, Superior Drummer 3 not only ships with a ridiculous 230GB of massively multisampled tubs and metalwork in up to 11-channel surround (recorded by engineering demigod George Massenburg, no less), but also furnishes you with literally everything required to produce mix-ready beats from start to finish.

All you need is a great plugin with which to do it – read on… Toontrack Superior Drummer 3 While guitars, strings, winds and other more nuanced, tonally sensitive instruments inevitably involve some degree of creative compromise in the pursuit of authentic results, the relative simplicity of the drum kit makes it easy to realise utterly convincing drum tracks in the virtual space. The last is only of direct relevance to actual drummers, of course, but also reflects the overall depth of multisampling involved. Our selection criteria saw us focusing on the quality of each contender’s sample bank and included MIDI grooves, tweakability of individual drums and cymbals, mixing and processing features, and e-drum playability. In this round-up, we’ll look at what we consider to be five of the very best options on the market, across a range of price points and complexity levels. Today’s producer looking to create ‘acoustic’ drum tracks entirely in the box is truly spoilt for choice when it comes to sound sources, with countless impressive sampled-based instruments vying for their attention and cash.

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