Hey guys, I am wondering what you guys use for your Drums. As a long time user of SONAR I used the included Session Drummer program quite a bit but I haven't been able to get SONAR installed on my new Laptop. So any suggestions for Drum Programs to use in Reaper or ProTools would be much appreciated!!


This post has been edited by Sensible Jones: Apr 3 2021, 01:27 PM

I use Superior Drummer 3 and the Progressive Foundry expansion. I have bought a few presets/templates from Develop Device, i.e. this one for instance: https://premixed-templates-presets.com/coll...ts/ambient-rock

But Superior Drummer is not cheap and the expansions aren't cheap either. I don't know your budget of course.

I went with ezdrummer at the time simply cause of the "tap to find" feature.

-So you record inside ezdrummer your main pattern (only using kick and snare is enough, no midi keyboard needed) and after that ezdrummer gives you a list of matching or similar patterns. Saves huge time while keeping things more personal sounding.

-After you picked a main pattern, you drag it to the "song creator" and it gives you other pattern options for intro, chorus, fills etc.

-Finally as you lay the patterns to the song, if you want these pattern can be drag-dropped to the DAW for any customization. Midi can be read by inside ezdrummer or from DAW (even both at the same time)

I did some arrangements for friends and they were always satisfied, cause with little effort it doesn't give a "loop" feel to a song. I bet most youtube guitar demo tracks are made with it (ezdrummer is often called the guitarists drum plug-in)

Also the included 2 drum kits work just fine. They are "pre-mixed" but they've done a well job, never had blending issues to other sounds in a mix though I always went with the modern kit. Extra kits can be bought But its not an immediate need, midi packs to me are better if one wants to expand the suggestion library.

It also has a big brother called superior drummer.

Edit; https://www.powerdrumkit.com this is a great freeware you might want to check out, I don't have it loaded anymore but the sounds were pretty good.

This post has been edited by Mertay: Apr 3 2021, 02:04 PM

Thanks for that Cael! I'm not going to say my budget is unlimited but I don't mind paying out for the right thing for me. I did use EZ Drummer for a while. Have had a few people suggest SD so will definitely go and investigate it some more!!


That sounds like a great feature Mertay! Very useful!!
I'll also check out that Power Drum Kit too.

Have also had suggestions for Getgood Drums too!!
Thanks for the input guys!!

Another vote for Superior Drummer here! That's the one that I use in my lessons. Check it out:

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/One-String-Metal-Solo/

Superior drummer is a better overall product to be sure. EZ drummer is a great way to start out and get in to virtual drumming and it's less expensive. Many folks will start with EZ drummer and then at some point upgrade to superior drummer.

I use studio drummer from native instruments but think the superior drummer is better.
However im not good at programming drums so its al hard for me

Cheers Gab! Think I'll be starting with EZ Drummer!!



Looks like I'm going tp go that way too Todd!




Yeah, I'm not great at it either!!

You'll likely need a new SSD for Superior anyway

But aside that, once you get fast with ezdrummer the upgrade is worth it. Superior also has ram saving features which helps with older computers. I also like the fx plug-ins in it so you don't have to expand the channels in the DAW which helps to keep the project tidy.