Easyrider by Michael Kingston

Easyrider is a realistic sounding sampled drum kit. It was recorded and kept in 24bit 48 kHz format to maintain as high quality as possible. All the samples are in stereo.

1.0, Introduction
1.1, Key-map Formats
1.2, The Instruments
1.3, General Notes
1.4, Playing and Recording Tips
1.5, Copyright
1.6, Contact

1.0, Introduction

“If there's one detail about these kits that sets them apart from others, it's the ride. It sounds alive and real.”

Easyrider was recorded around year 2000 when drum sample libraries still sounded quite bad. Back then kits were rather small, catering to the limits of aging hardware samplers. There was sometimes good velocity switching and even simple adjustable bleeding on some libraries. But the norm on the rides, for example, was two samples: loud and quiet. That's not exactly realistic. Still today, even on the biggest libraries, there are mostly only two types of ride hits because of General MIDI requirements.

There is another serious plaque eating away realism on most drum libraries to date and it's only recently begun to change. The samples usually have 'large diaphragm condenser valve mikes everywhere', instead of the usual and crude 57's and D12's we are used to hearing. The large diaphragm sound, while impressive on its own, does not work awfully well in busy mix downs. As such most kits are still only usable as scratch pads. They certainly aren't rock, and they lack balls and realism.

Mission goal manifested itself: there clearly was a lack of real sounding drum kits "with attitude" and things could certainly be done a lot better than before. At the sessions the kits were set up as "dry studio live". The microphones at the sessions were the stock standard drum mikes used in studios everywhere. Things were generally kept as natural as possible with all the bleeding, noise and human error. The final samples are very slightly pre-processed to gently nudge you to the intended direction.

Of course there are nowadays drum libraries getting closer to the 100 GB mark and other free quality kits. Easyrider seems to hold up well against them, although competition isn't the intention. Obviously, there are no multiple microphone choices for each drum, or freely adjustable bleeding. But Easyrider is pretty much in the top class when it comes to realism, unless you're into really gentle playing styles. And the included rides are unlike any other libraries, probably better, too.

1.1, Key-map Formats

EXS24 mkII with individual drum programs or with a pre-configured multi-output kit for easy adjustment of individual outputs and velocities.
Halion 2 with individual drum programs for more flexibility in configuring multiple outputs.
Kontakt 1.5.2 with a pre-configured multi for easy adjustment of individual outputs and velocities.
If problems arise with earlier versions of Halion and Kontakt, they can both import the original EXS24 files quite perfectly. Just remember to import all the drums individually to gain better control of the outputs and velocities. If you simply import the full kits, you will most likely lose all the drum group data.

1.2, The Instruments

The kick, snare and floor tom were part of some alright sounding blue Yamaha set. Kick was 20 X 12, snare 14 X 5½ and floor tom 14 X 14 inches.
The ride was some big, heavy and ugly ************, revered by all drummers who ever heard it, or even walked near it. It had "bash me hard" written all over it.
The crashes and hihat are good sounding run-off-the-mill stuff. They work well, but aren't special in any way.

1.3, General Notes

The samples are in 16bit 44.1 kHz stereo .WAV format.
The relative levels of the single drums are to be adjusted on per song basis, each preferably routed to their own mixing channels. All the samples are at their original recorded velocities and the corresponding key groups are at full velocity: adjust according to needs. If played "as is" the hihats and cymbals will be too loud.
All the samples are rather vaguely labelled.
There is no hihat voice group. The kit sounded more realistic without it.

1.4, Playing and Recording Tips

General MIDI was very loosely used as a guide line to the key maps. Don’t expect very good compatibility. This kit was made for expressive keyboard playing.
The snare velocities have been divided to three keys: E1, F1 and G1. It’s a good idea to generally hit the middle key, and accentuate the beat with the surrounding harder or softer hits. Snare rolls are probably best left to program afterwards by hand. There are, unfortunately, no flams.
Kick velocities were divided between C1 and D1 and should be played similarly to the snare.
The hihat has a bit unconventional setup, too, and should just be played based on the feel of it.
The ride is spread between C3 and G3. It has different hit types with varying velocities. It might take some practise to get used to it.
Don’t quantize to grid. If you don’t understand this requirement, this kit isn’t for you.

This kit sounds pretty good on its own, if maybe a bit boring, like real unprocessed drums do. Treat this as you would treat a real drumkit. As a general guide line you should first process each drum in their own mixing channel with EQ, gate and/or compression and the likes. Then maybe add some ambience and glue them all together in a sub-mix bus.

1.5, Copyright

All Rights Reserved. All samples contained within Ruffrider and all text within this document are the property of Michael Kingston. The samples in Ruffrider are licensed to the original downloader of the instrument for use in music production only. Copying, duplicating, selling, electronically transmitting, renting or other uses of these sounds not specifically for the purpose of personal, non-profit music production is prohibited by law. Please do not distribute these samples from any other website unless given express permission. It should be noted that these samples ARE royalty free, but if you wish to use them in such a way as you'll be making money from it (be that in any form) you must ask permission.

1.6, Contact

Have Fun,

Michael Kingston (info@michaelkingston.fi)

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