Toontrack Drum Software provides two packages that help to add percussion to your recorded tracks. EZdrummer and Superior Drummer are both robust platforms.
You can add specific components with an e-kit or program the sounds with the tools to produce the rhythms that you want.
Toontrack includes pre-created drum sounds that let you map the rhythms for your project from thousands of MIDI samples and grooves from actual drummers.
Since both EZdrummer and Superior Drummer offer similar outcomes, which one is better for an upcoming recording or composition>
What Is the Different between EZdrummer and Superior Drummer?
Superior Drummer by Toontrack Drum Software provides excellent controls over every percussion sound. It provides an advanced audio engine to deliver nuance and expression. EZdrummer offers MIDI grooves and drum kits only.
If you don’t want to spend much time on your percussion, EZdrummer delivers a fast solution that sounds realistic.
You can produce the audio, incorporate it into your DAW, and make additional audio alterations to create a custom sound.
When you have more time to create a custom experience, Superior Drummer is a complete production studio with almost unlimited creativity.
The software provides full control over the leakage and bleeds between your percussion parts to fine-tune the tone.
The first option (EZdrummer) is comparable to the automatic tracks you can add through a DAW like Garageband.
The second (Superior Drummer) provides a full-session drummer with multi-mic setup duplication to create a one-of-a-kind composition.
Perhaps the best part about these offerings from Toontrack Drum Software is that they don’t overlap much.
Although they both offer MIDI grooves and hundreds of kits, you’ll get two different expressions that provide a well-rounded sound once you’ve added the tracks to the rest of the composition.
EZdrummer and Superior Drummer Use the Same Expansion Packs
When you have both software platforms available to add percussion to your music, podcasts, or more, Toontrack rewards you by offering expansion packs that work with both options.
That means you can buy one pack that works in both software tools. It stretches the value of your investment while helping you achieve a superior sound.
You can currently access three complete expansion packs with some unique variations for your creative work.
1. EZX Expansion Packs
Toontrack uses these expansion packs to create more sound and rhythm varieties for your various performances and kits.
Each is 100% compatible with both software platforms, focusing on specific styles and signature sounds.
Some of the titles found in the EZX Expansion packs include the following options.
- Nashville
- Americana
- Rock Solid
- Metal Machine
- Electronic
2. SDX Expansion Packs
This product is meant for Superior Drummer only. It provides more mixer presets, kits, and MIDI grooves to incorporate into your music to offer additional variability.
It’s specifically designed to take advantage of the audio engine found in this advanced platform.
The tools incorporated with the following titles let you customize tracks faster than ever without putting in the same efforts. You will not believe the amount of nuance and expression that each one offers.
- Roots Sticks
- The Rock Warehouse
- Music City
- New York Studios
- Custom and Vintage
3. Drum MIDI Packs
Although simulated or synthetic drumming is closer to the real thing than at any other time in DAW history, it is still not quite the same as putting a microphone on a real drummer.
If you’re trying to record an EP or LP to distribute or send as a sample, the basic software from EZdrummer or Superior Drummer might not meet your expectations.
Toontrack recognizes this complication. Instead of sitting back and waiting for someone to fix the problem, they’ve done something about it!
The Drum MIDI Packs for the two software platforms offer real performances from some of today’s best drummers.
You’ll find performances from Ryan Vikedal, Jason Bowld, Morgan Agren, and much more available with this upgrade.
It’s an investment that helps anyone become a producer for a wide style range, specific vibe, or future hit single.
Once you get started, Toontrack offers an almost unlimited resource to help anyone with DAW experience produce a high-quality percussion track for any music genre.
Pros and Cons of Using EZdrummer
EZdrummer provides a user experience that reflects its name. If you don’t need a completely customized percussion track for your composition, this software allows you to insert something into your DAW almost immediately.
It comes with an entire library of pre-recorded sounds that enable you to add clean, straightforward rhythms to any genre.
The interface is specifically designed to be simplistic so that almost anyone, including kids, can produce something that sounds realistic in only minutes.
If you’re looking for a simple drum sound editor or composer, these pros and cons of EZdrummer can help you decide if it’s the right tool for you to use.
| List of the Pros of EZdrummer | List of the Cons of EZdrummer |
| For an entry-level drummer assistance platform, the sound quality is dynamic and realistic. | You won’t receive any in-depth MIDI editing if you only use this software. |
| Most users will find the sequencer to be powerful and easy to use. | Upgrading EZdrummer as time passes might not be in the budget for everyone. |
| The song creator feature lets anyone become a composer within a few minutes. | The initial cost is a barrier for musicians who are bootstrapping their compositions. |
| You can use this software as a VST or as a standalone program. | It does take a little time to learn, although it is much easier to use than Superior Drummer. |
| Users can do some mixing and mastering work within the software to get the drums sounding the way they want for their music. | Changing the kit pieces takes some time and tests your patience. |
| If you don’t like the results you’ve created, a reset button allows you to experiment without much risk. |
Once you start to figure out how to use EZdrummer, you’ll discover how powerful this platform is for rhythmic composition. After you import a MIDI groove into your DAW, you’ll have the option to edit or customize it.
Your DAW must have compatibility with EZdrummer to take advantage of this benefit.
You can also take shortcuts with the song creator when using this software. You’ll find the button at the bottom right of the platform’s sequencer.
It requires you to have a MIDI groove selected to function. Drag the one you want to use into the drop zone, and then the platform translates it into the various parts with each variation.
Although you’ll get repetitive sequences, the chorus, bridge, and other components of your song won’t sound exactly the same.
It only takes a few seconds to achieve this result, making it well-suited for musicians and composers of all skill levels.
Pros and Cons of Using Superior Drummer
Superior Drummer is a software solution for anyone who wants complete control over their percussive mix. It lets you use hit levels, layer limits, gradients, MIDI mapping, and much more to create everything you want for each composition.
If you want to add an instrument into the mix, you just click the left menu dropdown that displays numerous choices.
You’ll find that each drum, cymbal, and sound deliver an authentic reverb that makes it feel real once you’ve added it to your DAW.
Here are the pros and cons to consider if you’re thinking about investing in Superior Drummer only.
| List of the Pros of Superior Drummer | List of the Cons of Superior Drummer |
| You receive total control over audio manipulation and sound design. | The software comes with a steep learning curve, especially for those who have never taken formal percussion lessons. |
| The total number of settings is far too many to count. | You must shape the sounds to make them usable within your DAW instead of giving you something to use straight from the box. |
| The programmed drums sound about as real as you can get without having a live musician to record. | You’ll need an understanding of sound mechanics and mastering to maximize the full potential of this software. |
| You get unprocessed samples to help you shape raw beats into whatever you need for a composition. | It takes more time to add rhythms to an existing composition because of the number of choices you must make when designing a background beat. |
| An enhanced grid editor lets you audition different parts or store multiple variations without extensive searching. | |
| You receive about 230 GB of libraries and drum sounds. | |
| It comes with about as many velocities and articulations as possible for each drum set. |
Superior Drummer is an essential item for anyone serious musician, songwriter, or composition enthusiast.
It’s overkill for someone who wants to create a jingle for a podcast or advertisement, but the platform does add the variability needed for an LP.
Think of Superior Drummer from the mindset of a music producer. It delivers a robust mixer, raw sounds, and total customization.
How to Install EZdrummer and Superior Drummer
If you’ve decided to purchase EZdrummer or Superior Drummer, the next step is to install the software on your computer.
Both platforms use the Toontrack Product Manager and install similarly. You can find the software in your default download directly to begin.
Double-click the installer so that it launches. You’ll need to follow the on-screen instructions that occur after.
Once the installation is complete, you’re able to use EZdrummer or Superior Drummer right away.
You’ll launch the Toontrack Product Manager to log into your account with the email and password used during the signup process.
After you get to your Toontrack account dashboard, you’ll see all of the registered products with the authorization to download.
You can choose all, some, or none at this point to expand your e-drum library.
If you download Superior Drummer, you’ll need to select all of the library boxes in the correct order to achieve a successful installation. That means it must happen by following the path below.
- Install Superior Drummer
- Install Part 1: Basic Sound Library
- Install Part 2: Room Mics
- Install Part 3: Surround Setup
- Install Part 4: Height Surround
- Install Library: Additional Bleed
Should one of the items get installed incorrectly, you may need to uninstall what you’ve already copied to start over.
EZdrummer vs. Superior Drummer: The Verdict
The best solution is to grab both software platforms. When you have these tools available to use, there isn’t a drum part out there that you cannot simulate.
If you want to add something quickly, EZdrummer provides that capability.
When your preference is to create a 100% custom result, Superior Drummer offers all of the tools needed for a successful outcome.
When only one software choice is in your budget, the best selection depends on what needs you have at home.
Should your goal be to compose a percussion part quickly, EZdrummer lets you grab a sound, arrange it in your DAW, and create a realistic result.
If you want something closer to a full-time drummer with customizable delays, impacts, and strikes, the expressiveness of Superior Drummer gives you arguably the most rhythmic versatility available in the industry today.
Toontrack allows EZdrummer buyers to upgrade to Superior Drummer for a discounted cost if it is decided that the first option doesn’t provide enough power for their compositions.