Toontrack Signature Part 1 EZX Expansion Pack

In an unpretentious brick building on Sunset Boulevard, right smack in the hustle and bustle of one of the most busy and iconic streets of LA, some 60 years of music history has transpired. Saying that the inside of its walls is hallowed ground where legends have roamed simply doesn’t cut it: Sunset Sound is a shrine. When asked where multi-Grammy Award-winning producer/mixer/engineer and EZdrummer 3 core sound library collaborator Michael Ilbert would bring a handpicked collection of some of the most amazing, unique and sought-after kits on the LA studio scene, the answer was simple: it was here.

Michael Ilbert’s series of Signature EZXs comprises two separate titles: Part 1 and Part 2. To offer maximum versatility and width, both volumes were recorded in separate studios of the Sunset Sound complex and includes its own unique set of kits, MIDI and presets. Part 1, which you are looking at now, was recorded in the famed Studio 2 room – a space which the likes of The Doors, Maroon 5, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine and countless more have trusted to grace some of their most groundbreaking works. This EZX out of the two was designed to cover the range of hard-hitting rock and mainstream pop to alternative and indie. It features three kits – curated, tuned and prepped by someone just as notable on the LA studio circuit as the studio itself: Ross Garfield from the noted Drum Doctors.

The result? An EZX chock-full of drums with power, grit and attitude – captured in one of the most vibrantly energetic and iconic ambiences on the planet using all of Michael Ilbert’s trademark traits and signature magic.

If you were ever on the look for vibe and mojo for your songs, this EZX has all of that and then some.

• Recorded in Studio 2 at Sunset Sound by multi-Grammy Award-winning engineer/producer/mixer Michael Ilbert
• Three (3) of the most classic session kits on the LA scene
• A total of nine (9) kick configurations, nine (9) snare configurations and two (2) full cymbal sets
• Cowbell and tambourine
• One kit recorded with mallets
• Comes with mix-ready presets engineered by Michael Ilbert
• Includes a collection of MIDI grooves and fills tailored for the library

The Studio

The drums for Part 1 was recorded in Sunset Sound’s historic Studio 2. Complete with a classic Fred Hill-modified Neve 8088 console and an abundance of outboard, the options are endless. However, we all know that the heart of any studio is its live room – that’s where the drums truly speak and come alive. And believe us, the massive space of Studio 2 has an ambience that speaks volumes – in any and all respects of the word. It’s loud, direct and reverberant at the same time as it’s controlled, natural, round and warm without ever coming off as overpowering. Simply put, a perfectly crafted drum room for any type of production in which you want the drums to have attitude, grit, bite and attack without having to infringe the slightest on natural acoustics.

The Drums

WHITE OPAL KIT.

Brand: Ludwig
Model: Classic
Material: 3-ply mahogany/3-ply maple
Finish: White Marine Pearl
Era: 1950s/1970s

Sampled with drumsticks (snare wires on).

PINK SPARKLE KIT.

Brand: Slingerland*
Model: Radio King
Material: Single-ply maple
Finish: Pink Sparkle
Era: 1940s

Sampled with drumsticks (snare wires on).

STAINLESS STEEL KIT.

Brand: Ludwig
Model: Stainless steel
Material: Stainless steel
Finish: Stainless steel
Era: 1970s

Sampled with drumsticks (snare wires on) and mallets (snare wires off).

The Mics & Signal Chains

AMBIENCE & ROOM MICS.

You’ll find these mics represented in the EZdrummer 3 or Superior Drummer 3 mixer depending on preset selected. For some presets, Michael Ilbert grouped and summed several mics to combined channels.

The Presets

The included collection of presets was engineered by Michael Ilbert and designed to offer several mixes of each of the included kits.

The MIDI

The MIDI content included with this EZX was inspired by Michael Ilbert’s and the team’s musical references for each kit, meaning it covers anything from hard and heavy rock to pop, alternative and indie. In addition, a bespoke section tailored for use with the mallets portion of this EZX was included. All in all, this means that you’ll have the perfect canvas of curated grooves to start building your songs from.