So I finally got around to downloading the Stories SDX after listening to multiple Youtube demos from Toontrack & other sources. My first impression was of a well recorded but, somewhat bland/flat sound presentation. Only way to con this was to download & hear it live on the same system.

Only downloaded ISO A. What I originally heard was confirmed. Well recorded but...

Started thinking of the earlier SD2 libraries that always needed help to open up & punch through a mix.

The cymbals are the one thing that seem to be well balanced. Shells just don't sound complete authentic.

The Hit Maker SDX had the same impression on me. Just worse. Especially the lack of natural ringing out & decay.

42.3GB just to for this one part.

I have stated before that the SL-SuperiorDrummer3 & SL-HansaRooms are really all that I need to do any type of production work.

This as stated, is my, personal experience. Your impression may be totally opposite of mine.

Anyway. Have fun & remember. Be like George Clinton. never throw an idea out. You will probably find a use for it someday or, even make it into hit. Mathematics - anyone?

Sept 30, 2023 update:

Was curious to see if improvements could be had by inserting a preamp circuit on each track.

Started with the Analog Obsession Merica which instantly lifted the overall sound field. A bit too heavy for my taste here.

Next up was the Combox which reminded me inserting a hardware piece into the signal chain. Very nice.

The last in the test were the Lindell 50 & 80 series channel strips with compression & gating turned off. The 50 series really opened up the sound while the 80 series was just ahead of the Combox.

The Combox was able to breath life into the overall tone of the kit pieces in a very pleasing way. The filters seem to have some sort of smooth resonance that aid in bringing out the character of the skins/heads.

 

Last edited: Sep 30, 2023

They sound great, but I know what you mean. It's more of a "these are recorded really nicely" sort of great as opposed to a great rock or indie rock recording/mix sort of great. Drum libraries like these never really have that ringing, crashing, snappy and super tight sound that I like when I listen to my favourite bands, they are always very very... lovely, beautiful, warm and slightly dull sounding. As you say, some of the drums never seem to ring out in the right way. I love all the extra mics and blending in some of the further away room mics for a bigger sound, and as I said, I do think they sound great, but yeah, something always feels like it's not quite right.

 

I tried using the SSL Channel Strip 2 to to see if I could improve the overall tonal character of the kit pieces. Started with comp threshold at 3/4 max and adjusted ratio up to between 1:2 & 1:5. From there, started balancing out tonal character while switching between E & G modes. Definitely an improvement.

I Agree that the cymbals seem to be the best part of the kits. Also wish there were a few more selections for kit pieces.

In isolation the kits sound okay but, would never cut through a mix without additional treatment. Preferably per track & bus FX instead of the internal SDX FX.

 

I am used to clear/open/natural sounding drums from years of gigging, recording & engineering. Not over or under processed.

I take the same approach to audio hardware vs plugins. There is good sounding and, good sounding that works in the context of a mix.

 

more of the same to be honest.. they need to process less their drums "raw sound" at least 1 time lol.. they all sound the same to me for the last 4 years.. i still use N.Y. sdx it has more punch and it is only 20 gb.. or even "evil drums" they sound better than many of their last SDX

 

Legacy Of Rock - Oyster kit is what I use most of the time, sounds great from the start.

 

I've downloaded everything TT ever put out, just about, but this just seems like the same old shit.

For good live shells, it's hard to beat a couple of older, smaller EZXs: 70s rock, and the original Jazz EZX. I use Rooms of Hansa for the vocal booth and Legacy of Rock.

And I'm actually loving HitMaker, and I didn't expect to.

 

I guess the only other thing us that TT tends to have waaaay too much low end as a rule, makes them YUGE! on their own but add bass instruments and you're generally frelled; they do need eq but that's easy. And I usually slap Xstressor on as a matter of course.

 

Finally Downloaded ISO B SL. Now that's more like it!

Definitely more usable than ISO A as is. Adjusting velocity curve retains natural sound compared to ISO A. Also more detail in OH channels.

Not really a fan of the Percussion SL in this library.

Hopefully the Main Room Sl lives up to the hype.