Hi guys, new Strike owner here. Currently using a Roland kit, occasionally triggering sounds from Superior Drummer and/or EZ Drummer. This works out pretty well, but I find the whole process somewhat tedious and find that I prefer just drumming with module sounds for the sake of convenience. I decided to order a Strike module because the internal sounds seem pretty good out of the box, plus I've heard some really good custom kits.
I also like the idea of loading some of my VST kits into the module to use as internal sounds, obviously. My question is should I use SD3 kits or EZD kits? Of course the SD3 kits are better in terms of fidelity and definition, but the file sizes are much larger and I would think that might be a limiting factor when loading them onto the module. And truthfully, the EZD kits sound pretty darn great, too, despite being only a fraction of the size. I'm thinking about picking up some EZXs on sale this week, but figured I would ask about this here first. Some of the EZX's I'm looking at are basically trimmed-down versions of SDX's that I already own.
Thanks!
Welcome to the Forum !
Basically it's as you mentioned..EZD2 is processed/mix ready...SD3 Raw/unprocessed and about twice as many samples..at least..EZD2 is for quick songwriting.SD3 is for Production/Studio use.
The STRIKE module outputs the onboard FX through the Main Outputs...if you use the Individual outs the FX are not applied.
So if you use SD3 dry kits/samples and apply the onboard STRIKE'S FX (so you have a variety of options/kits) you have to output from the main..the FX/proccessed sound won't output from the individual outs..but if you use a EZD2 processed kit..or pre-mix everything on SD3 you can use the individual outputs but you lose the benefit/options of a dry kit and using the STRIKES onboard FX's...so it depends on your requirements for outputs.Live performers use the Dry signal/ individual outs to the FOH.
As with a number of software developers other than ride there is no bell or bow articulation in Toontrack..FXPansion has Bell,Bow,Edge for most cymbals depending on expansion..The last few expansions for SD3 have grown in size,more kits and started using a lot more articulations for positional sensing..something like 15 for the ride for Roland users..don't know about the Hi Hat and Snare..haven't had a chance to take a look at the last few as they have been sitting..
I presume you are going to use SDSE?
The size of the exported kit depends on how you set up SDSE initially regardless of the Vst/Software library size..
You can set up different .ini files for different Software/Vst.
There are a number of adjustments that can be made to accommodate whatever you need ...24 bit..16 bit mono..playing style /kit piece as not everyone needs 100+ velocities for a Tom rim or kick or a bell,simple Hi Hat range or dynamic ,or if you just crash the crash and china etc..basically you can set it up to export for a dynamic player/Jazz etc..or heavy hitter Metal etc
In the latest/recent versions of SDSE (starting v2.9.9) you can now use the Max Tune up option that was available as a memory saving feature for 2Box.
You set Options > Convert > Max tune up to 5(increasing max tune will lower the sound quality and save more space.)
after export..open the Strike Editor and create your new instruments, making sure to set the 'SEMI' parameter negative to match your max tune setting (for max tune up 5 in SDSE, set SEMI to -5 in the Strike Editor)
It saves a lot of space for a small loss in sound quality.
I haven't done a comparison as I haven't used SDSE for quite awhile.
So while you are waiting there are some things to consider as you go through the
SDSE Manual