Decades SDX by Al Schmitt - The Making Of (short documentary)

[@MikeLuke]

"And Norm? God bless him! He is amazing, I don't know how many guys can do what he does." - Dear Norman, you can end your career right now. It won't get better than this. ;) To have a sample library recorded by the greatest audio engineer ever lived on earth is mindblowing. Congrats, Toontrack. And congrats, Norman. ;)

[@toontrack]

Thanks Mike!

[@johnbakertunes]

Buying this one. These guys are so passionate about drums, drumming, and engineering. Lots of work and heart behind this SDX.

[@adamvitovskyfilms]

This is the best documentary about studio recording ever.

[@absinha6209]

“When I started we didn’t have equalizers” -> Master Jedi he is.

[@petegiant]

The messed up thing is practically all the Beatles material was also recorded with the engineers having little to no access to EQ. All these guys from that era are true giants in audio, being able to achieve the records they did with the equipment they had.

[@unclefish]

This is by far my favorite Toontrack library.

[@xomblei]

I can only hope to be this aware and on top of it at 89!! what a dear soul with an incredible work ethic... so glad you guys did this with someone as prolific as Al.

[@toontrack]

It was truly an honor and a great time!

[@PerceptiveAudio]

RIP Al - you will be missed. The greatest engineer who ever lived

[@VoxJ]

This sounds F....... awesome!! What a great time to be songwriting.

[@michallasan3695]

What has that got to do with songwriting? I have never used it for writing songs, only for bypassing working with a real drummer when recording. I cannot imagine how a sample library can help write songs.

[@tylerchambliss8379]

RIP Albert Harry Schmitt. I just found out he's been dead sense April 2021. I know he was old but it's still a shock for me because Al is a big idle of mine. I just wish ToonTrack would make Superior Drummer accessible for the blind because this would get me as close as I'm going to get to working with him sense I know I'll never be able to.

[@donsak111]

Raisin the bar right there...

[@SaS-Music]

Superb! I love these sounds. Thank you Al and Toontrack!

[@StereoAnthony]

Even though I've raced home from work to buy and start downloading this new library, just wanted to watch the video while it's downloading to get the full story. Can't wait to load them up later tonight! Not to mention another library recorded on a 80 series Neve!

[@westcoastburiedtreasure8343]

God Bless Al Schmitt.

[@thaexception3406]

Insightful and that drummer compliment from Al is major

[@universalfraeser]

Absolute amazing the passion and love behind this project. Buying this one

[@Nashvilleagain]

R.I.P. Mr. Schmitt

[@marcv2290]

bought it for my acoustiv drums i have now a very wide range of drums core libary, rock foundry, decades & custum shop & ukpop ezx :)) could be the best sdx so far

[@ChrisBakerDrummer]

Awesome! Can't wait

[@kasavubu]

Rest in peace Sir

[@cahlajthepoetmc9746]

Great video.

[@insighttv4601]

Can't wait to test this one )))

[@valbeccia8591]

Awesomeness ❤️

[@faderhead]

How is this man 90 years old?? He looks and speaks like someone who is 55!!!

[@tobbebergman7583]

Music makes you young ! Al Schmitt is 89 ;)

[@xoonth]

Very great man !

[@txtele]

I don't know if people understand how important it is to actually have musicians who can play consistently hit the drums the same every time in the same place with the same amount of power it really is a dance and when you have an engineer as good as Al Schmidt you better be recording musicians who can play

[@michallasan3695]

It is funny because drummers criticise sample libs for repetitive sounds and you now write that this is their own aim - people always find some problem.

[@jmkmusicpedals]

Toontrack has come such a long way from when they did the horribly compressed and dated sounding SD 2 core library and the endless metal centric stuff. Enjoying these new libraries so much.

[@tylerchambliss8379]

The thing is at least with the original metal foundry if you loaded up the individual kits not presets they were really versatile. Same with the Metal Machinery but I'm not a fan of the progressive foundry if we're talking only superior 2 stuff..

[@jynxvox]

"He doesn't use EQ or compression, he changes the mic placement." Mind blown 🤯

[@petegiant]

90% of the work is selection of mics based on polar patterns, eq curve, spl and then positioning them where they sound best.

[@pa_wlak]

@@petegiant of course but show me the place with better mic collection and better room sound.....

[@petegiant]

@@pa_wlak I'm sure there are spots even in a room as 'good' as this one that are bad for certain applications. Sometimes if a room is terrible the best place for the mics maybe a different room.

[@sn47som]

of course he does, you think he doesnt use the eqs on that massive neve desk!? he does for mixing. He is referring to eq curve settings and filtering on the mics themselves and where he places the mics gives more or less low or high end. He didnt need compression back in the day due to tracking to tape which has natural compression. He is old school and sure wanted to keep dynamics.

[@sabineandkennii]

yes!! been waiting for this one!

[@iammusic1950]

Toonttack, I'd like to see your session drummers play these kits on a on vdrums after they've recorded the samples.

[@toontrack]

Hi Christian, That's a great suggestion. We'll forward it to our home office!

[@maddogtungate6740]

Rest easy my friend.

[@bbuteo]

omG this is almost a solemn moment....just looking at this guy we learn something, im very fascinated by him so i bought his book called "The Magic Behind the Music" and he made me almost cry with all the philosophy behind the recording sessions...after watching so much trash on internet about mixing, this book brought me to the flat zone. He is now 90 years old and he is the most sweet person i ever seen, for all those who likes to track recordings...learn from the master, just like Bruce lee. PS- by the way...who disliked this video was one of those trash youtubers who thinks that knows everything, i mean it was satan himself, because this isnt a matter of opinion is just a fact

[@toontrack]

Amazingly good at what he does. And an amazing person!

[@Denilson.Carreiro]

I share the same thoughts. Reading his book and learning a lot. Happy New Year my friend!

[@tamirkeren6750]

R.I.P Al.

[@sonikblaksmif]

RIP Al Schmitt

[@CarstenGoeke]

Fantastic. I would love to know, how Norman plays the midi files. Which gear he is using? Thanks a lot. Greetz

[@清光桜子]

アル・シュミットさん、天才！ １秒でも長く生きて、神様から授かった才能を死ぬ寸前まで、表現されて欲しい。仏様に毎日お祈りしています。全て、絶対、大丈夫！私は、仏様を少しも疑っていません。桜子

[@user-zt1er1uj6i]

What's the difference between EZD and superior drummer?

[@EmilioConesa]

Are those grooves midi included?

[@toontrack]

Hi Emilio, Yes, the MIDI in the video is from the included MIDI library for the Decades SDX.

[@j_dublay]

And there goes more of my money...

[@michallasan3695]

Why? Snares sound dull there, I only found one good snare in ezx kicks and snares.

[@michaelk2397]

Are the snares centered in the overhead mics? I hope so! In many libraries, the snare isn't centered in the overhead mics.

[@toontrack]

The Snare is located in the stereo field as Al Schmit wanted it to be, as he was the one positioning all of the mics. We watched in awe as Al graciously explained his theories on micing, and what he goes for in a drum sound. The last thing we would do in this situation is try to impose any other opinion or theory on Mr. Schmitt.

[@stevenk9094]

I do wish these content creators would go back and check the voice to text spellings so the text would actually get Al's name correct. Sloppy work, no proofing, certainly not how Al worked and any documentary about him or his work should yield the same high standards.