Toontrack does have many very informative and helpful videos on their website that demonstrate how to get a raw drum sound more up to snuff using the onboard effects and mixing and routing capabilities, so there is a treasure trove of great information to be found there. As I said the samples sound amazing, but they're largely unprocessed so if you don't know how to mix a drum set to make it compete within the context of other instruments in either a live or recorded situation, it's really only going to sound good on its own. What you get out of the software really depends on what you put into it. This passes quickly as you come to understand the thinking behind some of the design decisions and become familiar with the routing (at least that was the trickiest part for me). It's very intuitive in many respects, but the enormity of everything it can do does mean there is a bit of a learning curve at the start.

Its mixing capabilities are virtually limitless and endlessly customizable, and its included effects are excellent. SD3's sounds are huge, detailed, and exceptionally captured.

It's hard to think of anything to say that hasn't already been said. All have their strengths and weaknesses, but at some point I decided to go whole hog and step up to what everyone seems to agree is the Big Daddy of drum software, Superior Drummer 3. I've used a few of the most noteworthy drum VSTis out there, including Modern Drummer from NI, Addictive Drums 1 and 2, and Steven Slate Drums 5 and 5.5.

Expandable with Toontrack SDX / EZX expansion.

Professionally drummed MIDI library with 1640 grooves and fills.

Integrated tracker enables extensive audio-to-MIDI conversion based on 'instrument recognition AI'.

Scalable mixer with 35 effects such as filter, equalizer, compressor, gate, transient processing and detailed adjustable bleed between the channels.

Tap2Find function with comfortable search.

Integrated groove sequencer with grid editor.

Tunable drums and cymbals with natural attack, reverse playback and pitch envelope.

Additionally about 350 electronic drums as well as percussions.

6 drum kits by Ayotte, Gretsch, Pearl, Premier, Ludwig and Yamaha as well as additional Snares, Kicks and Cymbals.

Over 230 GB of natural drum samples without effects.

Recorded in 11.1 surround by George Massenburg in Galaxy Studios.

Based on meticulously recorded samples of high quality drums.

Virtual Drum Production Studio (Download)

Superior drummer 3 e drums