Sampling The Iconic 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Set
The 1980s marked a golden era for Gretsch drums, particularly the USA Custom Series. Known for its impeccable craftsmanship and rich, warm sound, the Gretsch USA Custom became a sought-after kit for drummers across various genres. From jazz to rock, funk to pop, its maple shells and meticulous design made it a favorite of top drummers like Vinnie Colaiuta. As the digital age evolved, capturing the soul of such iconic gear through the sampling process became an essential challenge for producers and sound designers alike. In this blog, we explore the creation of the LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit for Native Instruments Kontakt Player, delving into the sampling process, the technical features of the Drums VST, and how it brings the feeling and sound of these legendary drums into the digital world.
The Sampling Process
Sampling an iconic drum kit like the 80s Gretsch USA Custom is no small feat. It starts with selecting the right instruments, then carefully mic'ing and recording each component. For this project, we wanted to capture the essence of the Gretsch drums, the warmth of the maple shells, and the unique character that each drum brings to the table.
Our team used an array of high-quality microphones, including dynamic and condenser mics, to ensure that every subtle nuance of the drums was recorded. This included close mics for capturing the attack and snare crack, as well as overhead mics to capture the full ambiance and tonal richness of the drums. The floor tom and bass drum were recorded with a mix of close and room mics to ensure a deep, resonant sound that would translate well to both acoustic and electronic environments.
Precision in Sampling
To ensure accuracy, we took multiple samples at various velocities. The dynamic range from soft taps to hard-hitting rimshots was crucial to authentically representing the drums. The Gretsch USA Custom drums have a unique tonal quality that comes from their construction, and capturing this with different velocities ensures that the VST version behaves dynamically as the real drums would.
Multiple Mic Positions
In addition to the close mics and overheads, we used room mics to capture the full, natural reverb of the drum kit in a spacious recording environment. Plus an additional FX mic which is a mono compressed signal above the bass drum pointing towards the drummer. This multi-microphone approach gives users flexibility in their mixes and allows for a more authentic drum sound that will give you exactly what session drummers use in real world recording sessions.
Bringing The 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit to Life in Kontakt
Once the drums were recorded, the next step was translating them into a digital format that would retain their authentic sound. The LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit for Native Instruments Kontakt Player uses cutting-edge technology to bring these drums into the world of digital audio production. By leveraging the power of Kontakt, utilizing some clever algorithmic management of the samples, we’ve created a VST that offers flexibility, realism, and ease of use.
The Role of Kontakt in the VST
Native Instruments Kontakt is a powerful sampler that has become a staple in modern music production. Its ability to handle complex instrument libraries with detailed control over every parameter makes it ideal for virtual drum kits. Our goal with this VST was to preserve the iconic sound of the 80s Gretsch USA Custom while integrating features that make it an invaluable tool for musicians and producers alike.
User Interface Design for Realism
A crucial part of the sampling process was designing the user interface (UI) to make the drums feel and sound as real as possible. Our UI was designed with ease of use and immersion in mind, ensuring that even the most detailed adjustments could be made quickly and intuitively without over loading the user with too many options.
Drum Kit View
In the UI, each drum has its own individual fader, allowing users to control volume, tuning, and other parameters. The interface is designed to replicate a physical drum kit layout, so users can easily navigate through the various drums: the snare, bass drum, toms, and cymbals. The UI’s simple layout ensures that producers and musicians can focus on their creative process without getting bogged down by overly complicated controls.
Advanced Features for Authenticity
The 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drums VST features advanced controls that enhance realism. The ability to manipulate the tuning of each drum with pitch and pitch envelope controls, combined with velocity-sensitive response, allows the drums to react dynamically, just like their acoustic counterparts.
Additionally, the drum kit includes options for adjusting the microphone placement within the virtual environment. By adjusting the room mic’s distance, users can recreate different acoustics, from tight and dry to expansive and ambient.
Features That Make the Drums Feel Real
One of the standout features of the LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom VST is the inclusion of the 80s Tama Bell Brass snare and 80s Paiste cymbals. These additional pieces of gear provide a unique character to the overall sound and make the kit stand out in any genre of music.
Tama Bell Brass Snare Drum
The 80s Tama Bell Brass snare is a true standout. With its unique metallic tone and deep crack, it has been carefully sampled to reflect its aggressive yet versatile sound. Whether you're tracking a heavy rock beat or adding a touch of snappy funk to your groove, the Tama Bell Brass snare delivers exceptional power and clarity.
Paiste Cymbals
Paired with the drums are the 80s Paiste cymbals, known for their bright, cutting tone. The Paiste cymbals have a sharp attack and a smooth decay that blend seamlessly with the Gretsch drums. Whether you're using the ride cymbal for intricate jazz patterns or crashing the cymbals during an intense rock section, the Paiste cymbals hold their own in every musical context.
The Power of MIDI and Groove
In today's digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and FL Studio, MIDI has become the backbone of modern music production. The LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit VST is fully MIDI-compatible, allowing for seamless integration with any DAW. Whether you're composing for pop music, jazz, or electronic genres, MIDI control offers endless possibilities for shaping your drum performance.
Groove Control
With the LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit, you're free to create grooves that feel truly authentic by playing directly from an electronic drum kit or midi controller. The responsive articulation and nuanced dynamics replicate the real feel of a live drum kit, giving your music the same organic touch and energy. Whether you're laying down a groove in rock, funk, jazz, or any other genre, the ability to play with real-time feel ensures that your rhythms flow naturally and authentically. This unparalleled real-feel experience adds a layer of depth and expression to your tracks, helping you craft beats that resonate with the power and precision of live drumming.
Workflow Integration
Built for Native Instruments Kontakt 6 V6.8.0 and above, seamless workflow integration is one of the standout features of this drum VST. Whether you’re working in Logic Pro, Steinberg Cubase, or Reaper, the intuitive interface and high-quality samples integrate smoothly into your existing setup. The VST is designed to work with both high-end studio setups and home studios, ensuring that producers at every level can take advantage of the power of this kit.
Customization and Playability
The LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit offers extensive customization options to tailor the playability of the samples to your exact preferences. With our custom velocity curve settings, you can fine-tune the response of each drum and cymbal, ensuring that every hit feels natural and dynamic. Whether you're using an electronic drum kit or a MIDI controller, the ability to adjust the velocity curve gives you complete control over the expressiveness of your performance.
Switching between different high hat articulations is seamless with an easy toggle between CC4 (continuous controller) or keyboard programming. This feature allows you to instantly switch between a range of articulations, including closed, open, and foot splashes, ensuring that your high hat playing is as nuanced as a live performance.
For even more flexibility, creating custom MIDI mapping presets is simple and intuitive. This allows you to ensure that your electronic drum kit or MIDI controller is fully connected to the LA Session Drummer UI, delivering a smooth, seamless experience. Whether you're using a favorite e-kit or designing a unique setup, the customization options in the UI ensure that your gear works perfectly with the 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit, providing an effortless workflow that lets you focus on creating your music.
Conclusion
Sampling the iconic 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit and bringing it to life in the form of a VST for Native Instruments Kontakt Player was a labor of love, combining traditional recording techniques with modern technology. By incorporating real-life features, customizable controls, and a user-friendly interface, we’ve created a tool that allows musicians, producers, and session musicians to harness the timeless sound of this legendary drum kit in their own music. Whether you’re producing for rock, pop, jazz, or electronic genres, the LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit offers the flexibility, realism, and tone that make it a must-have for any virtual drum library.
Drums, Cymbals & Articulations Included in the LA Session Drummer 80s Gretsch USA Custom Drum Kit VST
Drums:
- Kick Drum: Gretsch 1980s 16x22 (Hard & Soft Beater Options) The Kick Drum features both hard and soft beater options, allowing for a range of dynamics and tonal variation in the performance.
- Snare Drum: Tama 1981 Bell Brass 14x6.5 The Tama 1981 Bell Brass snare includes a wide variety of articulations for maximum flexibility. It offers snare center hits, off-center hits, rimshots, and cross-stick sounds. Additionally, all snare articulations are available with the snares off, providing even more tonal variation.
- Tom 1: Gretsch 1980s 8x12 The first tom in the kit offers tom center hits and tom rim clicks.
- Tom 2: Gretsch 1980s 9x13 Like the first tom, the second tom includes articulations for tom center hits and tom rim rim clicks.
- Tom 3: Gretsch 1980s 14x16 This tom continues the theme with tom center hits and tom rim rim clicks.
- Tom 4: Gretsch 1980s 16x18 The largest of the toms in this kit, it offers tom center hits and tom rim clicks.
Cymbals:
- HiHat: Paiste 602 15in The 15-inch Paiste 602 HiHat is fully articulated, with options for both closed (tip and shoulder of stick) and open (tip and shoulder of stick). with a toggle for CC4 or keyboard programming when using open closed HiHat.
- Ride Cymbal: Paiste 2002 22in The 22-inch Paiste 2002 ride cymbal offers multiple articulations, including ride bow (center and edge), ride edge, and ride bell, giving producers plenty of options for texture and dynamic expression in the ride pattern.
- Crash 1: Paiste Signature Full Crash 18in The 18-inch Paiste Signature Full Crash provides both crash bow and crash edge articulations, allowing for smooth crashes as well as sharp, cutting sounds when the edge is struck.
- Crash 2: Paiste Signature Full Crash 19in Like the first crash cymbal, the 19-inch Paiste Signature Full Crash includes crash bow and crash edge articulations, offering a slightly larger option with a bit more sustain and impact for dramatic moments.
- Fx Cymbal: Paiste Signature Thin China 20in The 20-inch Paiste Signature Thin China cymbal offers both china bow and china edge articulations, providing a dynamic sound with plenty of trashy, explosive tones perfect for accents and transitions.
This detailed selection of drums, cymbals, and articulations ensures that every nuance of the 80s Gretsch USA Custom kit is captured in the VST, offering exceptional realism and versatility for producers across various genres.
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