Best Budget Drums - Steven Slate vs EZ vs KitCore

[Mark Kaufman]

Apr 12, 2009, 12:01pm, slideboardouts wrote:I went ahead and ordered Addictive from musicians friend. I've been putting off getting better drum sounds for a while and with AD getting rave reviews from everyone and costing under $100...I just couldn't help myself -SteveThat's what happened with me and the Behringer V-Verb, being blown out for $79 at Musician's Friend. I've come to ignore the very word "Behringer", but started reading about this unit with the same raves from some reliable voices at gearslutz comparing it to excellent Lexicon units...bang, pulled the trigger.But had I known about this...I could pull the trigger again, but it would be on credit...and isn't that how this global financial meltdown happened?

[partyofone]

Ha ha Mark I guess SO! Bummer though.Don't tell any gear slutz but I bought a Behringer monitor switcher for like $40 and one of the most useful pieces of gear I've bought. Allows me to switch between 3 monitors and also listen to mixes in mono. Oh yeah also has a talk back mic. Only downside is it's plastic and constantly shifts around.Keith I'll report my findings for sure... as everyone has said I'm sure all 3 options will be great and it'll be minor differences. I may just get Steven Slate for the simple fact that no one here has it and I can report my findings.

[mazz]

Apr 13, 2009, 8:17am, t4mh wrote:WOW! Lots of opinions! I use EZD and would like to upgrade to Superior 2.0 which I have heard beats them all in all categories. I don't know as I haven't used it. I am fairly meticulous about my drums and so far I've had success with what I use although there are some things that I would in some way like to be better. I remain open minded and will be interested in how you proceed and what shakes out as pros & cons for you. At this point of usability in the VST world, unless you have a room and a bunch of really GREAT drum mics, a pocket full of cash would help, don't hire a drummer. Hopefully, someday we will all progress to the point where we can achieve great drum tracks by having a real person playing, but for now, IMHO software!Good Luck!KeithSuperior Drummer 2.0 is a very nice step up from EZ Drummer. I haven't used it a ton yet but it does sound really fantastic. I'm going to pop for the new expansion soon. The samples that come with it were sampled in Avatar Studios in NYC and they sound really great.The mixer has more flexibility and there's more mics to choose from. Overall, it's what you'd expect from a flagship model. Well worth the upgrade if you can swing it.Mazz

[mojobone]

Apr 13, 2009, 7:53am, partyofone wrote:Hey Mojo the site is slightly confusing because I thought I'd have to have an external player too but after some additional digging I think only previous versions had to have BFD, Drumagog, or Kontakt but as of version 3.0 they have a custom Kontakt player.http://stevenslatedrums.com/index.php?o ... mid=61Yeah, didn't mean to confuse anyone, the current version works as a standalone or VST, it's just there are already a couple of BFD libraries I'm already interested in, as well, and I'd like to avoid learning yet another sampler.

[partyofone]

Ha ha yeah Mojo... I'm trying to avoid jack of all, master of none syndrome that gear lust can lead to.Guys, I REALLY appreciate everyone's input here and as Mazz said I don't think there is a bad decision to be made... I know there was overwhelmingly positive response to the AD deal and I'm still really torn because each one seems to have it's strengths and own sound, but in the interest of trying something different I've decided to go with the Steven Slate Drums. One day I'll probably own them all because as Chuck said you can't have too many drums options. I will post some demos soon and report my experience!

[jonathanm]

I just pulled the trigger on AD. Have been running the free demo for some time now, and couldn't believe it when I read in this discussion that musiciansfriend.com had it for $99.95.I usually buy from sweetwater.com just 'cause I like their service and follow up (not to mention pricing). But I called 'em and they couldn't match the price...they even said to buy it. I'm stoked! Carter, you should get a commission on the sale!

[partyofone]

Ha yeah something in the air with drums plugs... EZ, AD, and SSD all on sale this month!

[mojobone]

It's tax season, and competition for your dollar is heatin' up!

[devin]

Big Blue Barry is an acoustic drummer, and he's now using EZ Superior and loves it. I use EZ as well, all on BBB's recommendation (not that my drum work is moving any mountains).Apr 14, 2009, 1:50pm, mojobone wrote:It's tax season, and competition for your dollar is heatin' up!Or something really, really, BIG is coming down the pipe, and the big boyz are unloading their stuff while it's still on top.Happened to me with VHS (*presses rewind*) and 8-Track (*presses fast forward*).

[bigbluebarry]

Yep, I do love SD 2.0... but I know a guy who once said "you can never have too many options for drums" so I'm gonna be buying me a copy of AD since it's under $100!!! But I'm also gonna get the new expansion pack for SD too! Thank you income tax refund - Big Blue