Key Features

A notable list of features to extend the playability and natural realism of this sample library

Soft Takeover

Useful when playing in rolls and hits as part of a passage, and wants to trigger rolls sympathetically and intuitively to the dynamic of the hits being played quickly without having to set the position of the modwheel (whilst also having the option to crescendo/diminuendo if desired). Having the rolls velocity sensitive is great for triggering short rolls to portray drags, flourishes and pickups etc. as part of longer rhythmic passages when physically playing on the keyboard.

Right/Left Mapping

Most of the drums in High Percussion have been recorded with both right and left hand sticking. How much difference does this actually make? Some drums and beater types do have a distinct timbral difference between the two hands which contributes to the feel and realism especially when programming or playing true-to-life rudiments. 

Two Handed Layout

This duplicates the main original mapping blocks to a higher octave, allowing you to play using two hands (spacing the keys out further to feel more like actually playing a drum). 

NOTE: Two handed layout is not available on ‘All in One’ techniques.

Vocal Choking

Playing a hit when a roll key is held will choke the roll. This allows for very tight roll ends to be played in using a single hit.

Instruments

Snare

A vintage 15" diameter snare drum with a chrome over brass shell producing a full-bodied sound with a detailed top end

Sticks (Snares On) 

Sticks (Snares Off) 

Brushes

All in One

Field Drum

A 15” field snare drum with a deep maple shell, producing a much lower tone than a regular snare drum with a rounded character

Sticks (Snares On) 

Sticks (Snares Off) 

Brushes

All in One

Piccolo Snare A 

A 12" diameter piccolo snare drum with a shallow hammered steel shell producing an extremely tight sound to cut across even the densest arrangements

Sticks (Snares On) 

Sticks (Snares Off) 

Brushes

All in One

Piccolo Snare B

A 13" diameter piccolo snare drum with a shallow maple shell producing a crisp and articulate sound with present upper mids

Sticks (Snares On) 

Sticks (Snares Off) 

Brushes

All in One

Bongos

A pair of Cuban bongos adept at carrying strong rhythms with a very focussed and articulate tone

Hands

Sticks

All in One

Mini Bongos

A pair of miniature bongos - a lighter, delicate alternative the traditional bongo drums

Hands

Congas

A Latin American staple, congas combine a forward tone with balanced and controlled resonance presented here in a set of 3

Hands

Darbuka

An Arabian hand drum ideally suited to fast intricate rhythms, producing bright overtones with a distinctive colour

Hands

Brushes

All in One

Djembe

A traditional African hand drum, the djembe produces a deep fundamental and strong overtones

Hands

Brushes

All in One

Log Drums

Hollow hardwood instruments with 6 pitched ‘tongues’ struck with beaters producing a very organic, woody sound

Rubber Mallets

Octobans

A set of 4 Octobans - and unpitched alternative to boobams - producing a fast attack with a clear fundamental and a tight resonance

Sticks

Rods

All in One

Plastics

A set of 3 plastics (Tub, Jerry Can, Bucket), struck with sticks spread across the hall creating a punchy ‘street ensemble’

Sticks

Roto toms

A classic set of 5 rototoms producing a clear and well-defined tone with plenty of carrying power (sizes 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 14”)

Sticks

Brushes

All in One

Shime Daiko

A traditional Japanese drum with a very tight, focussed sound which lends itself to energetic rhythmic patterns

Taiko Sticks

Rods

Hands

All in One

Temple Blocks

Hollow blocks struck with mallets producing woody sounds with a focussed midrange

Hard Mallets

Soft Mallets

All in One

Timbales

Latin American drums with a single head on a metal shell, played with light sticks and producing strong overtones

Sticks

Wood Blocks

Hard Mallets

Soft Mallets

All in One

Toys

A collection of smaller percussion instruments for adding additional colours and textures 

Claves x 6

Castanets

Ratchet

Vibraslap

Whip x 2 (Heavy / Light) 

Guiros x 2 (Wood / Plastic)

Shakers x 4

Caxixi (Basket Shakers) x 2

Maracas (pair)

Key Features

A notable list of features to extend the playability and natural realism of this sample library

Right/Left Mapping

Recalls discrete right and left hand performances on adjacent keys, tapping into the distinct timbral difference between each sticking hand. This allows the programming or playing of true-to-life rudiments when needed.

Two Handed Layout

Duplicates the main original mapping blocks to a higher octave, spacing the keys out further for a faster, more ergonomic performance - akin to playing a real instrument.

Voice Choking

Playing a hit when a roll key is held will interrupt (choke) the roll. This allows for very tight roll ends to be played in using a single hit. In Metal Percussion this extends to single note cymbal hits, allowing choked ('secco') cymbal hits to interrupt the ringing of preceding hits.

Soft Takeover

Roll dynamics become velocity sensitive whilst still maintaining modwheel functionality, allowing rolls to be triggered sympathetically and intuitively when playing without having to set the position of the modwheel. The modwheel remains active, however, with the option of being able to crescendo/diminuendo if desired.

Effects

Reverb