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Free Quick Kit Project Templates for SONAR X3 users

Quick Kit Project Templates

In celebration of Drum Month, Cakewalk has put together the first ever collection of Session Drummer 3 Quick Kits. These pre-mixed project templates load right from quick start menu in all three versions of SONAR X3 without any assembly required. Open a quick kit, drop in your sequence, and you’re ready to rock with great sounding drums. Happy drumming!

Quick Kit Highlights:

  • Free download for all SONAR X3, Studio, & Producer customers (thru Dec. 31st).
  • 65 pre-mixed Project Templates featuring Session Drummer 3.
  • 3, 6, & 12 channel templates in 13 genres.
  • Includes simple install instructions to add them to your Quick Start menu in SONAR X3.

How to Download SONAR X3: You can now Download SONAR X3 on the Cakewalk Store for just $105. SONAR X3 Upgrades start at just $49.

How to Download Quick Kits Project Templates: If you already purchased SONAR X3, you can download the free Quick Kits from your My Account page on the Cakewalk Store.  If you have not yet created an account, you will need to use the same email address as your SONAR X3 registration. Then proceed to the My Account section and under “Free Offers” you will see the Free Quick Kit Project Templates.

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EDM Production: Creating Industrial Drums with Session Drummer 3

SONAR X2 Producer’s versatile drum production tools allow you to get creative with your sound. Want to push the limits of EDM or get that mid-90’s industrial vibe from your tracks? Check out this Quick Tip on how to process your drums utilizing the stock ProChannel effects and Session Drummer’s Tune Parameters.

  • On your Session Drumer track, load PC76 – U-Type Compressor
  • Set Input to 18db
  • Attack 0.5-1.0 ms
  • Fast Release 500 ms
  • Ratio set to Infinite or “All Buttons in Mode”
  • Set Output so that you are not overloading
  • Activate Console Emulator for more saturation
  • Activate the Softube Saturation Knob set this to 2-3 o’clock and set the type of saturation to “Keep Low”
  • Activate Breverb Prochannel. Set the parameters to a rather short Room Reverb

Drums are now over-saturated and over-compressed

Now that you have the basic foundation for a distorted/saturated/pumpy/electronic drum sound lets Mangle it.

  • Activate Write Automation on the Session Drummer Track in the Track View
  • Open the interface for Session Drummer  and go to the Mixer View
  • Activate the Write Automation within the Session Drummer VST Plugin
  • Play the track and move the “Tune” knob (with your mouse or your MIDI controller) for the High Hat in rhythm to create tuning aliasing. This will be labelled “Tune 03” in your automation.
  • Once this is done minimize the interface for Session Drummer  
  • Within the Track Pane using the Edit Filter go to Automation > Session Drummer x64 1 > Tune 01 (Kick Drum Tune Knob)
  • Select the Draw Tool and draw in some nodes that closely match the same curves and structure as the automation we just laid down.
  • Open the Automation Lanes to see the automation data side by side

Deactivate the Write Enable buttons just incase you are no longer going to automate any more parameters

  • As you do this feel free to adjust your compression, saturation, tuning, tempo, and automation to fully customize

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Approaching Drums Left of Center with AudioSnap and Session Drummer – Norman Matthew [MURDER FM]

So Last “NorMonday” I went on a little (ok a lot) about how I approached tracking guitars, before that we tapped on my signature vocal techniques. Now it’s time to get into the foundation of it all, drums. Again, prepare yourself for some left of self-centered techniques.

THE KICK DRUM SUCKS…NO WORRIES, THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

Seems there’s an app for EVERYthing these days. In the recording world, I like to think of plugins as the “apps.” I’ve been part of approximately 16.25 trillion sessions and not a-one has gone by that I haven’t run into a horrible kick drum sound – clicks, flaps, slaps, flops or just generally sounding like a basketball being dribbled through my mic. The flip-side to these tones of course, is that Gawd-awful weak kick drum that sounds like an egg-beater hitting a pillowcase.

Well I have found a Godsend when it comes to such atrocities….SESSION DRUMMER and AUDIO SNAP!

Drum replacement happens EVERYwhere, ALL the time, so don’t let anyone fool you… the key is knowing how to keep the feel and dynamics alive. I learned a lot about drum replacement from producer Beau Hill (Ratt, Eric Clapton, Alice Cooper, etc.), who took me under his production wing and mentored me on many techniques. In music production, we all strive for the best drum sounds because after all, that is what the rest of the music sits on. Unfortunately, we can’t all afford fancy tracking rooms where the walls move to adjust to the natural reverb. So, many of us at one point or another are slaves to the machine: tracking drums in the jam room, or in mom’s garage next to the washing machine (which is constantly on for some reason). Continue reading “Approaching Drums Left of Center with AudioSnap and Session Drummer – Norman Matthew [MURDER FM]”

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Free Platinum Samples Rock Legends Kit 3 with SONAR X2 Producer

Content Club

Free Platinum Samples Rock Legends Kit 3 with SONAR X2 Producer
Now through June 30th, all customers who purchase or upgrade to SONAR X2 Producer will receive the new Platinum Samples Rock Legend Kit 3 free as part of the SONAR X2 Producer Content Club May-June giveaway. This kit was recorded by Grammy nominated recording engineer Rail Jon Rogut whose credits include Meshell Ndegeocello, Ry Cooder and Michael Jackson. Designed for Session Drummer 3 and Dimension Pro, this expansion kit was recorded via a classic Neve 80 series console, Sontec Equalizers and a Fairchild 670. Microphones used included Telefunken ELA M 251’s on the Overheads and the Floor Toms, AKG C12A’s on the Rack Toms & Neumann M49’s on the Stereo Room.

The free Rock Legends Kit 3 is a natural ambient kit with a shank style hi-hat. Rock Legends Kit 3 is a larger, roomier version of the kit with a different Crash 1 and additional EQ and compression on the Kick, Snare & Toms.  The free Rock Legends Kit 3 only has 2 round robins with 16 velocity levels.

Highlights:

  • 125th Aniv. Limited Edition Gretsch Rock Legend drum kit.
  • Played with metal tip sticks.
  • Recorded using vintage Neve, Sontec, Fairchild gear and Telefunken, AKG and Neumann microphones.

If you already own SONAR X2 Producer, your free download is now available on your My Account page on the Cakewalk Store.

Upgrade to SONAR X2 Producer today or
Buy SONAR X2 Producer at a retailer near you.

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Free MultiTrack Drum Loops And New Drum Kit From Smart Loops

Smart Loops is giving away one of it’s MultiTrack loop libraries completely free through February 28th.  Smart Loops have done the hard work for you – recording superb sounding drum tracks.  The great thing about MultiTracks is that you the option of using these loops as a stereo mix or choosing only the parts you need.  This allows you the ultimate control of your mix Continue reading “Free MultiTrack Drum Loops And New Drum Kit From Smart Loops”

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Save 30% off Select SONAR X2 Extras Through Dec 13th

SONAR X2 Extras

Give yourself a little something extra this holiday season
Once you upgrade, customize your SONAR X2 setup with select extras and expansion packs – get 30% off or more. Fill up your mixing tool box with all 4 Cakewalk ProChannel Modules. Get premium drum kits for Session Drummer 3 from Platinum Samples, Sonic Reality, and Digital Sound Factory. Download fresh HD quality sounds for Dimension Pro & LE. In addition, you can save 50% off SONAR X2 video tutorials from SWA and Groove 3. These and other best selling extras are marked down for one week only. Hurry, offers end December 13th!

Shop for SONAR X2 Extras now

Don’t own SONAR X2 yet? Upgrade today and take advantage these deals!

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Six new drum kits for Session Drummer 3 from Platinum Samples

Platinum Samples

World famous engineers bring new drum sounds to Session Drummer 3
Platinum Samples is one of the leading providers of high-quality drum content on the planet today. They have made a name for themselves with unbelievable and precisely recorded drum samples, including the Andy Johns Kit for Session Drummer 3. Now they are back with 6 new collections, custom created for SONAR’s Session Drummer 3. Each of these collections is now available for only $39.95 at the Cakewalk Store. Continue reading “Six new drum kits for Session Drummer 3 from Platinum Samples”

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What's in SONAR X1 Producer anyway?

What's in SONAR X1 Producer?

With the First-class Upgrade promotion happening in June, it’s a good time to review the amazing value you get with SONAR X1 Producer. Whether you are upgrading or looking for a new digital audio workstation (DAW), SONAR X1 Producer gives you hundreds of dollars in exclusive features, instruments, and effects that only Cakewalk can offer musicians, producers, and engineers.

Let’s start with a quick video which goes through all the SONAR X1 Producer exclusives:

Now let’s take a look at some of the exclusive features in-depth to see what makes SONAR X1 Producer so special. Continue reading “What's in SONAR X1 Producer anyway?”

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How to Create Custom Drum Kits and Drum Patterns in 5 Easy Steps – With SONAR X1 Producer

Have you ever wanted to create a drum kit from your own samples and make your own drum loops?  Part 1 of this Drum Production Master Class shows you how to create a drum part from scratch with Session Drummer 3, Step Sequencer 2.0, and other tools that come with SONAR X1 Producer.

Watch the video and follow these 5 easy steps:

  1. Browse for Loops: Find audio loops with the right drum sound for your track.
  2. Harvest Drum Samples: Slice up the loop into clips to add to your custom drum kit.
  3. Build a Drum Kit for Session Drummer 3:  Drag and drop clips or add pieces from other kits.
  4. Create a Pattern: Customize your drum pattern using Step Sequencer 2.0.
  5. Arrange Your Patterns: Add variation to your pattern to create a multi-part drum track.

Buy SONAR X1 Producer to follow along and watch more free video tutorials at SONAR University!

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From the Temples of Syrinx to your drum tracks, get the sound of Rush for Session Drummer 3!

 

Sonic Reality’s Neil Peart Drums SD3 for Cakewalk’s Session Drummer™ 3 features samples of the authentic Drum Workshop® Signature “Snakes and Arrows” kit of drum legend Neil Peart from the band Rush. Recorded by producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains) this powerful stereo kit offers the ultimate high fidelity rock sound with incredible realism! Coming from the acclaimed Drum Masters 2 and Studio ProFile series Sonic Reality has now integrated this legendary kit into Cakewalk’s Session Drummer 3 format so users of SONAR X1 Producer can enjoy one of the finest sampled kits in the world. Continue reading “From the Temples of Syrinx to your drum tracks, get the sound of Rush for Session Drummer 3!”