Toontrack has effectively created a new instrument category: The Narrative Percussion Library. By focusing on the decay rather than the attack, and the room rather than the close-mic, the Stories SDX allows producers to paint with shadows. It asks the question: What is your drum track trying to say?
For composers who treat every sound as a character in a story, this is the most inspiring release of the year. Head over to Toontrack’s official website to hear the official audio demos, or fire up Superior Drummer 3 to start your own story today.
Have you tried the new Toontrack Stories SDX soundbank? Share your mix results in the comments below or join the discussion on our forum.
The cardboard box arrived on a Tuesday, unremarkable against the pile of bills and junk mail, but Elias knew immediately that it was different. It was heavier than it looked, dense with potential.
"New Arrivals," the label read, but the scrawl in black marker simply said: Toontrack Stories SDX.
Elias was a collector of sounds, a sonic archaeologist. His studio was a tomb of hard drives, each labeled with the names of virtual cities and fictional drum kits. But he was bored. The snap of the snare, the boom of the kick—it had all become clinical. Perfect, yes, but sterile. He was looking for ghosts, for the scuff of a shoe on a floor, for the air in the room.
He sliced the tape open.
The installation was surprisingly fast. Usually, these massive soundbanks took hours to load, unpacking gigabytes of data like a digital archaeologist dusting off bones. But Stories loaded in a blink. The interface that materialized on his dual monitors was clean, elegant, and devoid of the usual clutter of presets. No "Rock Kit 1," no "Jazz Ballad."
There was just one button: Open Library.
Elias clicked.
The screen didn't display a kit. It displayed a timeline. It looked like a video editor, but the clips were labelled not with visual cues, but with emotions. Regret. 1974. Joy. Basement Tapes. The Long Goodbye.
Curious, he dragged Regret. 1974 onto the canvas.
His monitors didn't just play audio; the room seemed to shift. The hum of his computer fans died down, replaced by the ambient hiss of tape. The temperature in the studio dropped. Through his monitors, he didn’t hear a drum sample; he heard a room. A drumstick hit the floor, a muttered curse, and then—a snare hit so dry, so tight, and so utterly melancholic that Elias felt a lump form in his throat. It wasn't just a sound; it was a narrative. It was the sound of a drummer playing in a garage while rain lashed against the door, waiting for a phone call that would never come.
Elias sat back, the hair on his arms standing up. This wasn't a soundbank. It was a time machine.
He frantically began to click and drag. He pulled in Joy. Basement Tapes. Suddenly, the room was hot, smelling faintly of old wood and cigarettes. The cymbals weren't pristine brass; they were "trashy" in the best possible way, sounding like they had been bought at a pawn shop in Memphis in 1962. The kick drum thundered with a loose, organic wobble that no algorithm could synthesize. It was imperfect, lively, and laughing.
This was the "new" he had been craving. Toontrack had done something dangerous. They hadn't just sampled drums; they had sampled the performance. They had captured the hesitation before a fill, the rush of adrenaline in a chorus.
Hours bled into the night. Elias built a song not by arranging parts, but by weaving a narrative. He used a preset called The Confession for the verses, where the snare was muffled and sounded like a heartbeat under a wool coat. For the chorus, he switched to Breaking Point, a kit that sounded like it was being played with hammers and glass shards, raw and feral.
Around 3:00 AM, he found the most peculiar file in the library. It was unlabeled. A grey block.
He dragged it to the end of his timeline.
Silence.
Then, a subtle sound. The squeak of a drum throne. The rustle of clothing. The drummer getting up to leave. The sound of a door closing softly.
It was the sound of the story ending.
Elias hit save. The file size was massive, but his hard drive accepted it without complaint. He sat in the darkness of his studio, listening to the hum of his equipment return. The silence felt different now. It felt earned.
He looked at the box on his desk. It was empty now, the data transferred, but he felt a strange urge to keep it, to shelve it with his rarest vinyl.
He had bought a soundbank expecting new samples. He had found a collection of moments. He realized then that the "SDX" didn't just stand for Superior Drummer Expansion. Tonight, it stood for Stories Defined eXactly.
Elias smiled, pressed record, and began to write the next chapter.
The Stories SDX Go to product viewer dialog for this item. by Toontrack is a versatile sound expansion for Superior Drummer 3, released on September 5, 2023. Produced by multi-Grammy winner Frank Filipetti, it was recorded at the legendary Power Station New England. Key Features & Content
The library is designed to cover a broad spectrum of musical genres from the last 40 years. toontrack stories sdx soundbank new
Six Full Drum Kits: Each kit represents a different "mile marker" in Filipetti's career.
Modern Rock: 2000s DW Collectors Birch, designed for grit and power.
Classic Rock: 1960s Rogers Londoner, ideal for big 80s ballad and rock sounds.
Art Rock: 1970s Premier Elite, a "workhorse" kit with a loud, historical NYC sound.
Acoustic Songwriter: 1980s Gretsch Stop Sign Badge, focused on nuance and subtle singing tones.
Vintage Pop: 1960s Ludwig Super Classic, bringing out natural acoustic timber.
Musical Theater: 1930s Slingerland Radio King, recorded with sticks, rods, and mallets for extreme adaptability.
Percussion Collection: Includes 34 instruments like timpani, gongs, congas, bongos, and shakers, all recorded in the same 5.0 surround setup.
Recording Spaces: Captured in three distinct rooms—the main room for depth and brightness, and two isolation booths for tighter, more intimate sounds. Technical Specifications
⚠️ Storage Warning: This is a massive library requiring significant disk space. Toontrack Stories SDX - Expert Review | Audio Production
The Stories SDX, released on September 5, 2023, is a high-end sound expansion for Toontrack's Superior Drummer 3. Developed in collaboration with multi-Grammy-winning engineer Frank Filipetti, this library is designed as a "multi-genre" toolkit rather than a niche genre expansion. Core Content & Technical Specs
The expansion is substantial, requiring approximately 160GB of disk space for a full installation, which includes immersive 5.0 surround sound options.
6 Drum Kits: Sourced from Filipetti’s private collection and iconic sessions, spanning sounds from the 1930s to modern rock.
Extensive Percussion: Features over 30 percussion instruments, including timpani, congas, bongos, gongs, woodblocks, and orchestral bass drums.
Recording Location: Captured at Power Station New England, a studio modeled after the legendary Power Station in New York.
Versatile Tooling: Kits are sampled with various tools, including sticks, rods, and mallets, and feature "snare wires on/off" options for selected kits. Key Highlights & Features
Broad Sonic Palette: Unlike many SDXs that focus strictly on metal or jazz, Stories covers pop, rock, singer-songwriter, and even musical theater styles.
Mix-Ready Presets: Includes 64 presets engineered by Filipetti and the Toontrack team, ranging from raw, natural tones to highly processed, "glossy" sounds.
Custom MIDI Library: Comes with dedicated MIDI grooves for each drum kit and specific patterns for the percussion collection, performed by Norman Garschke.
Acoustic Environments: Users can blend sounds from three distinct spaces: the main room and two different isolation booths. Expert Consensus
Reviewers from platforms like Sound On Sound and Production Expert highlight its value as a "first expansion" for those who want a versatile, high-quality addition to the core library without being boxed into a specific genre. It is particularly praised for its organic warmth and the rare inclusion of a comprehensive percussion set within a drum expansion.
Unlocking the Power of Storytelling: Toontrack's SDX Soundbank New
In the world of music production, having access to high-quality drum sounds is essential for creating a professional-sounding track. For years, Toontrack has been a leading provider of drum sample libraries and virtual instruments, and their SDX soundbanks have become the gold standard for drummers and producers alike. The latest addition to the SDX family is SDX Soundbank New, a massive collection of drum sounds that's designed to take your music production to the next level.
What is SDX Soundbank New?
SDX Soundbank New is the latest expansion of Toontrack's SDX soundbank series, featuring a vast collection of drum sounds recorded by renowned engineer and drummer, Jeff "Tain" Watts. This new soundbank is designed to provide producers and drummers with a wide range of versatile and high-quality drum sounds that can be used in a variety of musical genres.
The Story Behind SDX Soundbank New
The story behind SDX Soundbank New begins with Toontrack's quest to create a drum soundbank that would meet the demands of modern music production. The company wanted to create a soundbank that would not only provide high-quality drum sounds but also inspire producers and drummers to create new and exciting music. Toontrack has effectively created a new instrument category:
To achieve this goal, Toontrack teamed up with Jeff "Tain" Watts, a seasoned engineer and drummer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry. Watts brought his expertise and passion for drumming to the project, carefully selecting and recording a wide range of drum sounds that would meet the needs of producers and drummers.
Features of SDX Soundbank New
SDX Soundbank New is packed with features that make it an essential tool for music producers and drummers. Some of the key features include:
Musical Genres and SDX Soundbank New
One of the things that sets SDX Soundbank New apart from other drum soundbanks is its versatility. The soundbank features a wide range of drum sounds that can be used in a variety of musical genres, from rock and pop to jazz and hip-hop.
Using SDX Soundbank New in Your Music Production
Using SDX Soundbank New in your music production is easy. The soundbank is compatible with Toontrack's EZdrummer and Superior Drummer virtual instruments, making it easy to integrate the sounds into your workflow.
Here are a few tips for using SDX Soundbank New in your music production:
Conclusion
SDX Soundbank New is a game-changer for music producers and drummers. With its vast collection of high-quality drum sounds and customizable features, it's the perfect tool for taking your music production to the next level. Whether you're working on a rock, pop, jazz, or hip-hop track, SDX Soundbank New has the sounds and features you need to create a professional-sounding track.
The Verdict
In conclusion, Toontrack's SDX Soundbank New is a must-have for any serious music producer or drummer. With its high-quality drum sounds, customizable features, and compatibility with EZdrummer and Superior Drummer, it's the perfect addition to any music production workflow.
Rating: 5/5
Recommendation
If you're looking for a high-quality drum soundbank that can help take your music production to the next level, look no further than SDX Soundbank New. With its vast collection of drum sounds and customizable features, it's the perfect tool for music producers and drummers of all levels.
Toontrack's Stories SDX is a sound expansion for Superior Drummer 3 that captures the storied career of legendary engineer Frank Filipetti . Recorded at Power Station New England
, this massive library is designed to cover a vast musical landscape—ranging from pop and rock to Broadway and orchestral scores. Key Highlights Massive Sound Palette : The library includes six full drum kits and a comprehensive collection of percussion. Frank Filipetti’s Signature
: Known for his work with Foreigner, James Taylor, and the Bangles, Filipetti personally engineered and mixed the presets, offering everything from raw tones to polished, mix-ready sounds. Triple Ambience
: Sounds were captured in three distinct spaces: the main live room and two isolation booths, providing varying degrees of "air" and resonance. Tool Variations
: Beyond standard sticks, the library features kits recorded with rods, mallets
, and even "snares off" configurations, particularly useful for musical theater and ballad textures. Immersive Audio
: It includes five additional room microphones, making the kits compatible with surround mixing up to Library Structure
The SDX is divided into four separate libraries to keep the workflow organized: Main Library
: Houses the core drum kits (Modern Rock, Classic Rock, and Art Rock). Percussion Library
: A dedicated space for shakers, congas, and other percussive elements. Additional Kits
: Focuses on specialized setups, including the ISOA musical theater kit. Community & Expert Reception
Stories SDX is a massive sound expansion for Superior Drummer 3, recorded by legendary engineer Frank Filipetti. It is designed to capture the "organic, warm, and natural" tones typical of Filipetti’s award-winning work (e.g., James Taylor, Carly Simon). 🥁 Soundbank Overview : Frank Filipetti Total Libraries : 4 distinct libraries (Main, Percussion, etc.) Library Size : Large-scale SDX (roughly 160 GB+) Core Content 6 core drum kits 64 mix-ready presets Extensive MIDI library and song structures 🛠 Included Drum Kits Have you tried the new Toontrack Stories SDX soundbank
The main library revolves around three specific tonal profiles: Modern Rock Kit : Punchy and polished for contemporary production. Classic Rock Kit : Warm, vintage response with balanced sustain. Art Rock Kit : Unique, character-driven tones for creative projects. Percussion Library
: A dedicated section featuring shakers, tambourines, and orchestral elements. ✨ Key Features
: Recorded with minimal processing to allow for maximum flexibility in the SD3 mixer. Consistent Cymbal Setup
: The kits share a primary set of cymbals, hi-hats, and rides to ensure smooth transitions between kit swaps. Articulation Depth
: High-resolution sampling including multiple hits per velocity and specialized strikes (brushes, mallets). 💡 Best Uses Singer-Songwriter : Perfect for intimate, acoustic-focused tracks. Pop/Rock Production
: Versatile enough for radio-ready "modern" sounds or retro-leaning "classic" vibes.
: The percussion library adds cinematic textures suitable for film or TV.
If you'd like to get the most out of this library, I can help you: Compare it to other SDX libraries like The Rooms of Hansa Build a custom kit suggestion based on a specific reference track. Understand the installation and disk space requirements.
Which of these would be most helpful for your current project?
Toontrack Stories SDX Soundbank Review: A Game-Changing Drum Experience
Toontrack, the renowned music production software developer, has once again pushed the boundaries of drum sampling with their latest release: the Stories SDX soundbank. This new expansion pack for Superior Drummer and EZdrummer is a treasure trove of meticulously recorded drums, designed to bring your music productions to life.
Sound Quality and Variety
The Stories SDX soundbank boasts an impressive collection of drums, recorded in a state-of-the-art studio with a focus on capturing the perfect blend of tone, dynamics, and character. The pack features a wide range of drum kits, from classic rock and pop to jazz, funk, and beyond. Each kit is carefully crafted to provide a unique sonic identity, ensuring that your productions stand out from the crowd.
The sound quality is simply exceptional, with crystal-clear highs, warm lows, and a perfect balance of room and close mic'ing. The samples are incredibly detailed, allowing for a high degree of customization and flexibility. Whether you're looking for a vintage, gritty sound or a modern, polished tone, the Stories SDX soundbank has got you covered.
Recording Process and Drum Selection
Toontrack's team of expert engineers and drummers have outdone themselves in capturing the essence of these drums. The recording process involved using a combination of traditional and modern techniques, including mic'ing the drums in a variety of rooms and using a range of pre-amps and converters. This attention to detail has resulted in a soundbank that is both authentic and versatile.
The drum selection is equally impressive, with a range of kits and individual drums to choose from. From the '70s-style rock kit to the jazz and fusion kits, each drum is carefully recorded to provide a unique sonic character. The soundbank also includes a range of specialty drums, such as the 'vintage' snare and the 'deep' bass drum.
Integration and Workflow
As with all Toontrack SDX soundbanks, the Stories pack integrates seamlessly with Superior Drummer and EZdrummer, making it easy to get up and running quickly. The user-friendly interface allows for effortless browsing and selection of kits, and the extensive MIDI mapping options ensure that you can tailor the drums to your specific needs.
Key Features:
Conclusion
The Toontrack Stories SDX soundbank is a phenomenal addition to any music producer's arsenal. With its exceptional sound quality, versatility, and seamless integration with popular drum software, this pack is a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their drum productions.
Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting out, the Stories SDX soundbank offers a wealth of creative possibilities. With its diverse range of drum kits and meticulous recording process, this pack is sure to inspire and enhance your music-making endeavors.
Rating: 5/5
Recommendation: If you're a fan of high-quality drum samples and want to take your productions to the next level, the Toontrack Stories SDX soundbank is an absolute must-try.
The Toontrack Stories SDX soundbank new is a masterpiece of nuance. In a market saturated with "brutal" and "loud" drum samples, Toontrack has taken a courageous step toward subtlety.
Buy it if: You struggle to get "live feeling" drums in your ambient, shoegaze, post-rock, or cinematic scores. If you hate sample replacement and love microphone bleed, you will adore this library.
Skip it if: You need machine-gun double bass, ultra-tight pop-punk snares, or dry, gated 80s sounds. There are better SDXs for those tasks.
Unlike previous SDXs where velocity dictated volume, here, velocity often dictates texture. Hitting a tom softly triggers a "mallet roll" sample. Hitting it hard triggers a stick attack plus the resonance of the room breathing. This dynamic response is perfect for scoring emotional shifts in film or game soundtracks.