Toontrack Decades SDX - In-depth Review

[@DouglasComical]

As a metal/punk/hard rock guy, I absolutely prefer more natural drum sounds like this to the overprocessed/overcompressed modern drum sound

[@learnngwell]

Sold! Yet again. Mike, subscribing to your channel might have been one of the most expensive “clicks” I’ve ever made. Best decision though; I love it!

[@MikeLuke]

Hey Stephen, glad you liked it. I know what you mean, I own probably too much stuff from them. ;)

[@XiyuYang]

Between this and Death & Darkness I pretty much have all my drum needs covered. Both are so well done.

[@MikeLuke]

I fully agree.

[@MyronDavismd]

Between this and all the past 10 years of SDXs, I have everything I need accept for SDX DD, SDX Rock Foundry, SDX Hansa and SDX Legacy of Rock. After I get those, I will be set!

[@sergio_grez]

This sounds absolutely awesome and realistic! Thanks for the review!!

[@cjxj2202]

Not sure when, but I’m definitely picking this up!

[@sergio_grez]

@@cjxj2202 me too! this is the raw 70's & 80's drum sounds I've been looking for from Toontrack!

[@petersvan7880]

Listening to Decades was honestly a special experience to me. It really has this hard to define little extra that makes it so special. Well done Toontrack, and thank you Mike for going in depth with this one!

[@downbeat67]

Thanks Mike for the great review. I'll be adding Decades to my collection.

[@MikeLuke]

Glad I could inspire here. Hope you like the pack as much as I do.

[@karma_moths]

Hey Mike, this is the first comment I've left you but I've been watching your vids for a few months now and I think you're doing a fantastic job man - nice one! I got Superior drummer 3 a while back and it can be a bit daunting at first but I have to say your videos have helped me a lot - I have a preset called Mikeluke, which is based on the vid you did about getting a good starting point by applying some eq and stuff - awesome. I also bought the sdx independent expansion on your recommendation and its a great sounding package. Just got the Decades before you did the review cause like you say Al Schmitt is a legend and it's just fantastic! We live in great times as far as producing your own music goes, the sky really is the limit now even if you're on a budget you can make some great sounding music with the tech that's available. Anyways all the best Mike, and the best of luck with your music, thanks again : )

[@MikeLuke]

Hey Mark, first of all I’d like to thank you for your kind words, which I really appreciate! You see I always read every comment. So glad I could help already. Yeah, the Decades SDX is certainly a no-brainer. When I first heard about this SDX, I KNEW it would sound awesome and they delivered. ;) Thanks again for watching my videos, it’s people like you that give me the motivation to continue uploading. Cheers!

[@biekanez1]

Thank you for this awesome and very interesting review Mike, what concerns me I think you also deserved your star ⭐️ on the Walk of Fame. The drums are sounding extremely well. Have a great week my friend 😎👍👊⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jbentley]

tremendous review! Sold! Thank you!

[@redbearddrums]

Mike, I’m going to pick this up as soon as I can. I can really hear a lot of this being used for modern worship music as well. Thanks for the in-depth review! Great job!

[@oaklandcountyrealestatecin4280]

Hey Red, did you grab it? I plan on using it for worship as well. Curious how it sounds and feels in that space.

[@redbearddrums]

OaklandCountyRealEstateCinema Yep. I really dig it. Lots of possibilities.

[@Beethovan]

Nice demo

[@ChrisBakerDrummer]

The "valve to tape" preset is almost enough to make me buy it right now. Man that sounds so good! Great review video (as always)... I'm not sure I need this at the moment. I still have AD2 and SSD5 kits to explore. I have barely done anything with the Custom Shop EZX for that matter! I need to get busy! Thanks for making this video!!

[@MikeLuke]

Hey Chris. I think this SDX is right in your ballpark, buddy. Hard to describe, but it sounds so natural and so good. The Custom Shop EZX is unique by any means, but this pack here is second to none.

[@gregwilliams2764]

Good to see you again

[@MikeLuke]

Cheers Greg!

[@SteveMonti]

Nice review Mike sure sounds like a great package and a must for me :)

[@MikeLuke]

Hi Steve, you bet 😎 Those Vintage kick drums will sound perfectly in your style of music.

[@gregthegroove]

This indeed does sound sweet!

[@MarkuzP66]

very interesting Video Mike. Now I am close to buy this Expansion... But I use SD3 not very often since I have the mimic.

[@MarkuzP66]

phenix returns pearl mimic Pro Module

[@MikeLuke]

Hey Markus, well, if you have the Mimic pro, it’s a tough decision. I like the Mimic, it’s great for e-drummers. Personally I feel the sounds are overall too similar and too processed, but that’s what they are supposed to be. To be a tool for the drumming drummer who just wants mix-ready sounds right of the box.

[@MarkuzP66]

Mike Luke I know what u mean Mike but I have often no time to edit the sounds in SD when I want to play or cover. I am much faster with the mimic to get good results but I think that SD3 is more powerful in depth. BTW, The mimic sounds are as raw as SD when U turn the compressors etc down. I made a very dry and raw DW Kit for practicing.

[@MikeLuke]

MarkuzP66 Well, I didn’t know. The better then 😉 As I said, SD is really made for engineers and pro productions or studio productions in general or, of course, for all non-drummers who need great sounding drums. The mimic is made for the playing drummer.

[@SvetlanRaketSpringfeldt]

Great review, thanks!

[@MikeLuke]

Thanks for watching!

[@gregthegroove]

That 70’s muffled kit would also sound great on tunes from the early 80’s and late 70’s transition into drum sequencers and drum machines. I like this especially for Queen hits like Another one bites the dust, Under Pressure etc...

[@MikeLuke]

Yeah, I actually like that dry kit a lot. Would love to test it on some material soon!

[@ThePanchomack]

Im about to download Decades this weekend. Seems to work really well for alternative / singer Songwriter as well ... looking forward to it now ;)

[@MikeLuke]

You won’t regret it. It’s so versatile yet still unique sounding.

[@urhottto45]

Got impression from Jeff Porcaro's snare!..this was amazing!!..Cool review!!👍👍+1

[@emersonward6996]

Mike I just stumbled upon your channel as I was looking for some reviews on Superior 3 and some SDXs to compare to what I have been using for years (BFD). Your channel is the perfect combination of useful technical information, tips, and reverence for the engineers and the software. Much respect and appreciation to you for taking your time to do this. It's apparent that you have a deep love for music, it's history, and the people who make it. Well done sir.

[@Max333A]

Great job, Mike! Thank you!

[@MikeLuke]

Cheers Max

[@catsven1973]

I used to use the music city and some of the core library (Yamaha) over all but this one is way superior to it ! It has it all .. great sounding whatever you shown .. Thanks a lot ..

[@sarinsahil]

Thank you Mike for a detailed description! Can you please shed light on a few articulations when it comes to the brushes please? For eg In/Out Accent swirls vs In/Out accent trigger. How is it useful? Thank you very much :)

[@soultrain1973]

👍Now, you have to learn the rosanna groove... no excuses ! 😁👍

[@MikeLuke]

I am afraid I will never learn it 😂

[@kyriakoskarapateas3486]

Mike awesome man as always

[@MikeLuke]

Thanks buddy

[@peruvianmidilover1216]

I hope this SDX works for Latin music (like Vallenato pop for example). Because I tried to do this kind of music genre with the core SD3 and Ezdrummer 2 libraries also tried with some expansion packs like the Custom Shop and I’m not getting good results. Thank you for the video!

[@MikeLuke]

I think this pack is so versatile that it will work for almost every genre.

[@Iskulaatikko]

18:25 ”Rectums were recorded directly. Ha! ” No but seriously, nice review!

[@MikeLuke]

We Germans just struggle to pronounce the word „Rack Tom“ properly ;)

[@joseruiz6453]

Wonderful pack, As of now I have SD3 with Hansa plus Custom Shop, Americana, Indie Folk, UK Pop, Claustrophobic, Dream Pop, and Twizted Kits from EZ drummer. I hope I don't have to buy anything else. It's cool to have the actual Jeff Porcaro snare, but I don't see me buying the pack just for that snare, I wish they make another Kick Snare pack and include it

[@MikeLuke]

That is a wonderful Collection of libraries, Jose - and it will pretty much cover all genres. You are right, probably you don‘t need that SDX. If there‘s one expansion I‘d recommend though, then it‘s the Death & Darkness SDX. It isn‘t a metal library, it‘s a great modern library.

[@joseruiz6453]

@@MikeLuke I will definitely consider it, I also have Slate and AD2 with the Reel Machines, United Pop and Boutique Mallets and just downloaded the EZ Funkmasters for a project I'm working on. I'll check your page for any demos or reviews of Death and Darkness, It will be maybe as a Christmas present!

[@gregwilliams2764]

Tremendous drums

[@christopherpederson1021]

Brush kit is absolutely stunning! Are you playing this with a roland kit?

[@MikeLuke]

I used to have a Roland kit, but currently not playing at all.

[@marcv2290]

@mike this is the best drum libary so far....and it looks like they release a metal sdx tomorrow...if yes then you already have it right? :P am very corious bout it:) i dont have soo much sdx/rzx "just" bob rock sdx, decades sdx, sd2 core, sd3 core libary & custom shop & ukpop ezx...BUT this covers so much .....really great... a very modern metal sdx in the same quallity range like decades would be perfect :)

[@MikeLuke]

Hi Marc, well ... let's wait and see what will come the next hours and days ;)

[@marcv2290]

@@MikeLuke well...i just tried...then i have to say we will get an ezx AND sdx metal drums on friday 1st....right? :))) ok sry...i stop this haha xdd

[@tendingtropic7778]

still the best you heard in 2023 mike? if not which?

[@MikeLuke]

There’s no such thing as „the best“. It all depends on your preferences and taste. For some this library sounds „the best“, while others do not like it at all. I never recommended any expansion pack to no one. On Toontrack’s website you find all packs with all sound examples, making of videos etc.,

[@ThePanchomack]

How would you rate the midi files that come along with decades? The non Drummers are sometimes depend on the midi, guess it has been discussed a few times before ... Need them particular for alternative / Indy singer Songwriter Music Cheers

[@ThePanchomack]

Ok, after looking the video twice i found the part where you talk about the midi Parts, Norman etc .... Also i looked them up in the web shop section to get an impression ...

[@giorgiosale639]

Hello and congratulations for your videos. I recently discovered you and I also have SD3 and really love it but I own just Core sounds right now. I'm thinking to buy some packs cause the raw sounds are a little hard to manage for me at my mixing knowledge level. I have a big doubt. Comparing SD3 to SSD5, what do you think gives a truer and similar sound to a real drum? On SSD5 I like some snares, but sometimes they seem very compressed. Instead I don't like cymbals at all. Obviously I know that they are both extraordinary programs, but choosing one, what do you pick? And staying with SD3 what pack do you recommend for rock/country sound (Kip Moore, Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, John Mayer)? Thank you

[@MikeLuke]

Hi Giorgio, thanks for your question. Well, if you already own SD3, you can stick it. What I always recommend to get the best of both worlds is checking out some expansions for EZDrummer2 (the so called EZX line). They work with SD3, too and they are - similar to SSD5 - slightly pre-processed. Using them within SD3 is pretty convenient. I always suggest going to Toontrack’s website to check their libraries as they usually provide tons of information, audio examples and often making-of-videos of their libraries which will give you a brief overview on how they sound. To answer your question: There are several libraries that come into my mind: the Indiependent SDX is great for that, the Decades SDX of course ... and the Music City SDX, which has been recorded in Nashville.

[@giorgiosale639]

@@MikeLuke Are SDX expansions slightly pre-processed too? And, in your opinion, which is the best between SD3 and SSD5 and what are the differences from your experience? Thank you Mike

[@Denilson.Carreiro]

Does it work in Ezdrummer or only in Superior?

[@MikeLuke]

This SDX (like all other SDX) only work in Superior Drummer (hence the name: SDX = Superior Drummer Expansion), while EZX (EZ Drummer Expansion) work both in Superior and EZDrummer.

[@Denilson.Carreiro]

@@MikeLuke Thank you! Happy New Year!

[@rhythmantic]

BTW: how much RAM are you running this with? Toontrack recommends 16GB. I have a Mac that’s nine years old and it has 8GB of RAM.

[@TredDrums]

rhythmantic - Sal D'Amato Hey Sal, he told me in another video that he was using 16 gb RAM, but of course only him can confirm it.

[@MikeLuke]

Hey guys, in the meantime I’ve upgraded even to 32GB. @Sal, for this SDX I‘d recommend 16GB (like for the core library). I talk about this in the end of my video. When I load some of the room mics, it already needs 5GB - just the samples (due to the level of detail), hence with 8GB you might run into some issues. However, if you stick to just a common setup with a pair of stereo room mics and the Overheads, 8GB of Ram should be enough.

[@rhythmantic]

Mike Luke Yes I just use a standard set and don’t use any of that surroundsound sw. What computer do you have?

[@MikeLuke]

rhythmantic - Sal D'Amato I have a 2013 iMac 27“ with 32GB of Ram and a 3,4Ghz Quad-core i7 processor. It’s still powerful for almost all my purposes.

[@rhythmantic]

Mike Luke Thank you Mike. It’s time to upgrade to another Mac. Yes, those samples you demoed are the best I’ve ever heard.

[@johnsknox]

skip to 03:14 for the review

[@mbwilding]

Hol-y s***

[@MikeLuke]

Is this a bad or good comment? 😂

[@mbwilding]

@@MikeLuke I'm literally blown away with the sounds from this SDX. Once again, a great in-depth analysis from you.

[@Perrythedrummer]

I’ll have to be the negative guy as this has been my least favourite expansion I’ve purchased. Not a good selection of snares, it’s recorded good but none of the drums work for me. But you can never really know until you use it personally

[@BukanIbuMu]

I'm interested on your favorite expansions.