"Foregone Presence" by James R. Sutton (Drum Tracking) Roland SPD-SX PRO + Toontrack Post-Metal EZX

As seen in the video, I recorded the drums for this song using the Roland SPD-SX PRO as a controller for Toontrack's Superior Drummer 3, using their "Post-Metal" EZX expansion for sounds. All of the drum parts heard in this video were played live as a full take and were not programmed.
For anyone interested, I’ve uploaded a video talking about how I configure the SPD-SX PRO for use with EZDrummer 3:
• Roland SPD-SX PRO + To...
Cover photograph (in this video only) by Evgeni Tcherkasski
#jamesrsutton #edrums #originalmusic

[@superjarri]

When the drummer knows what he's doing, vst plugins sound as natural as a real drum kit. Fantastic playing.

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thanks so much.

[@kcahdp]

Everything except cymbals, no plugin that makes it sound perfect

[@SlikkTim]

@@kcahdp Any decent engineer will filter the hell out of cymbals in the final mix anyway.

[@philidesagun]

Can you help me how to use garage band to octapad?

[@davidgoode7416]

Nice sounds and playing 👊

[@jconsi]

Such a great feel James. Love the sound of Post Metal... next on my list. I like how your foot is back on the KT-10, I do the same thing. There's a sweet spot there. Really inspiring playing and tune. Thanks!

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thanks a lot, Jeff. I'm not sure why I started playing that far back on the kick pedal, but it feels natural for me. You're right, it does feel like the sweet spot back there.

[@jconsi]

@@jamesrichardsutton such a great pocket. The fill at 2:28 is funky AF too. :)

[@rythmguru9641]

So natural sounding😍

[@Wazulon]

I love seeing someone demo something so well that I've been thinking about. Thanks James :) A cool setup.

[@Beethovan]

Amazing drumming. Very good video. Thanks for taking your time and sharing this for us. God bless you.

[@MarkuzP66]

Awesome man! I have exact same setup :-)

[@post.sonitum]

This is beyond amazing... 🔥🔥😁

[@KnuckleThruster]

Very well done!

[@MelborneMoon]

That's badass, James! Great vibe and you make that Roland sound like a real kit. Great sounds all around.

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thank you so much. I never thought I’d eventually find myself playing drums on a little box of rubber squares, and somehow make it sound good.

[@Free-Gee]

​@@jamesrichardsuttonRight? Same here! I started with Mattel's Synsonic 4 pad drum back in 1984 and in 1989 I began using the 10 pad DrumKat. 👍

[@NeilHollomanDrums]

bravo. really nice job. the 6 stroke roll fill into the beat at the beginning really says alot for your feel and the pad's abiity to translate it.

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thanks, Neil.

[@Digiphex]

Can you just let the loose stick rebound and get lots of little triggers?

[@habal6726]

Faina Muzyka. zabiera do krainy marzen. (PL)

[@scottytooshotty1]

This a great demo. You think this is a good alternative for space limited beginner Drummers? I've always wanted to learn but never had the space

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thanks, Scott. This setup is definitely great if you're extremely limited on space and an experienced player. However, when you consider the cost the SPD-SX PRO, pedals, computer, and software as in this case, I think that's a lot of money for any beginner to commit to spending. You can get a small, entry-level e-kit for a fraction of the cost.

[@scottytooshotty1]

@jamesrichardsutton thanks for taking the time to respond. Sounds like good advice

[@tendingtropic7778]

thanks: question, i like the way you set up the pads on the spdxpro, practical this way, but what if you need to play 16ths (double handed) on the hihat pad?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

In a case where that would be required, I'd probably sacrifice the tom on pad 4 with a duplicate of the hi-hat config on pad 6.

[@tendingtropic7778]

great stuff, may i ask what hihat pedal you are using? fd8?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

It's an FD9.

[@kwansudude4919]

Awesome sound! Could I do this same thing with my spd sx. I would like to use it as a lower volume compact kit for small venues. I don’t have the new pro model.

[@jamesrichardsutton]

You can definitely use an SPD-SX as a MIDI controller, however keep in mind that the SPD-SX does not have hi-hat control support.

[@jsnsushantpahadi]

How can we use spd sx as a Midi?

[@StephanSeiler2]

Hi James, this is truly awesome. I was thinking of doing something similar. Would you mind telling me some of the learning curves you had to go through for learning to play the kit in quite a small surface area? Do you get used to it quite quick? Thanks!

[@StephanSeiler2]

p.s. really nice track too!

[@jamesrichardsutton]

@@StephanSeiler2 Thank you, Stephan. Honestly, it didn't take me long at all to get used to. Sure, it was a little awkward at first, but once I figured out the placement of each instrument that felt best for me (hats on pad 6, floor tom on pad 9, etc.), I was soon thinking less about the small playing area, and more about the drum parts I was playing.

[@ddrummerr]

Can you please tell me how to implement this? Thanks

[@jamesrichardsutton]

I've already made a video with more info on this setup. Please check the description above.

[@ddrummerr]

@@jamesrichardsutton Thanks

[@rafaelgarnica2331]

Hola hermano saludos desde Argentina podria compartir los sonidos samples saludos y bendiciones

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Hi Rafael - These are all sounds from the "Post Metal" EZX from Toontrack, which is an add-on for EZ Drummer 3. Here I'm using it with Superior Drummer 3.

[@rafaelgarnica2331]

Hermano no entiendo nada de eso me gustan los sonidos sample

[@rafaelgarnica2331]

Te lo agradecería mucho si me lo compartieras saludos y muchas bendiciones

[@Coastal-Sasquatch]

James do you like this setup? I have an acoustic kit but cant play too often cause of the noise was thinking of doing something like this

[@jamesrichardsutton]

I do like this setup, however I wouldn't say it's the the most cost-effective way to get into e-drumming. By the time you buy an SPD-SX PRO, pedals, and hardware, you could buy a very usable full e-kit and a more realistic drumming experience. In my case, space is very limited right now and since I already had the SPD-SX PRO and pedals as part of my hybrid setup, I had to make do.

[@Coastal-Sasquatch]

Cheers for the reply, gives me something to think about

[@curbroadshow]

Very nice, is that your own composition?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thank you. Yes, it is.

[@curbroadshow]

Would you be ok with me using some of your tracks for my KZbin videos? I’m planning to do countryside/drone photography videos this summer and the ambience of your tracks would fit perfectly. It’s no problem if you say no.

[@curbroadshow]

How are you finding the SX Pro by the way?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

@@curbroadshow I apologize for the delay in responding. I have my music registered with KZbin now so you're welcome to use this song in your videos if you'd like. Thanks for your support!

[@d.h.6537]

hi James - great post rock ambiance. I know as a standalone device, the spd-sx pro can only do 2 velocites of HH sounds (Layer A+B). But does it at least output standard CC4 messages over midi for HH control? thanks!

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Hi D.H. - Yes, as one of the improvements made to the PRO model of the SPD-SX, proper hi-hat control including support for CC messages was added. I'm using an FD-9 pedal in this video, but I've also successfully used a VH-11 with the SPD-SX PRO.

[@reggietelly]

Excellent. Do you have two FD 9’s one for Kick and one for hihat. Is the fd 9 worth the extra money over the 8? Also would be interested in how you set up with EZ Drummer

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Hey Richard - For this video I'm using a Roland KT-10 as the kick pedal, and an FD-9 as the hi-hat controller. I had the FD-8 as part of a TD-3 kit I bought in the 2000s and used it for years and ultimately had to replace the sensor actuator to keep it usable. The FD-9 is absolutely worth the money. To me, it feels better and is considerably quieter than the FD-8. As for how I setup EZDrummer with the SPD-SX PRO, I'm currently working on a video to explain it.

[@reggietelly]

@@jamesrichardsutton cheers. I worked out Steven Slate and EZ Drummer and it is really good. Much better than the stock engine in terms of playability. I think I will get the FD9 as I have heard FD8 gets knackered in time. But I’m interested in the video. Are you monitoring through the SPDSX?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

@@reggietelly Yes, in this case I was using the SPD-SX PRO as the audio interface in my DAW and without any problems or latency. I did finish a video yesterday on how I configure the SPD-SX PRO for use with EZDrummer 3. I hope it’s somehow helpful. I’ve updated the description above with a link.

[@Ace3mb]

This is dope!!! What are using under the KT-10 pedal?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thanks, Javier. I have the Roland NE-10 under each pedal to keep the noise down.

[@Ace3mb]

Nice! Thanks for the response mate 🙌

[@brianleszczynski5796]

Do the Roland NE-10’s work? Would they help in a second story apartment to keep the noise from the concession through the floor from disturbing the people who live on the first floor?

[@nathanjames4242]

This video cost me so much money.

[@geopercussa3023]

Hello, I'm experiencing a latency problem using a sustain pedal on the footswitch input of my spd sx pro, I've already sent several emails to Roland to find out if they're going to do this recall in the next update, do you know anything about this subject?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Hi Geo. What is it that you're trying to accomplish by using a sustain pedal?

[@gsharman1989]

Is the sound a preset from the library or something you mixed?

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Hey Gary. What you're hearing is the "Post Metal" EZX as it is out-of-the-box using the "Aurora" preset with a couple of very minor volume tweaks.

[@Matthew-s5x7d]

needs snare

[@0074craig]

Now if you could show some of us novice type how and what to do to get to that point with SD3 or EZD3 that would be Amazing ,,,,,

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Hi Craig - I did make a video talking about this setup. There’s a link to it in the video description.

[@0074craig]

@@jamesrichardsutton sorry I did see a video after many that you did ,,Thank You