As reel as it gets: eight drum kits, three rooms, and the warmth of analog tape, captured by Kevin Killen.
Toontrack’s Real to Reel SDX for Superior Drummer 3 is a love letter to one of the most iconic recording spaces in the world: Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.
Recorded by Grammy-winning producer/engineer Kevin Killen (U2, David Bowie, Elvis Costello), the expansion delivers a staggering level of detail, vibe, and versatility. Across eight full drum kits and three contrasting rooms, it’s designed to bring the depth and energy of world-class drum tracking into any session.
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A studio with history
Real World Studios, tucked away in the English countryside, is legendary for its unique acoustic spaces. The Big Room delivers massive, open tones, while the Wood Room offers natural diffusion and a controlled, musical reverb. For tighter textures, the Wood Booth provides a dry, intimate sound with just the right amount of character. Killen captured it all with a variety of close and ambient mics, giving producers everything from arena-sized hits to crisp, focused grooves.
Key features
- Recorded by Kevin Killen at Real World Studios, UK
- Eight complete drum kits plus extra snares, kicks and cymbals
- Captured in three distinct rooms for maximum sonic variety
- Select kits tracked with surround and additional ambience mics
- Classic Studer A820 analog tape machine in the signal chain
- Extensive MIDI grooves and fills tailored to the library
- Mix-ready presets by Kevin Killen included for each kit
A blend of old and new
Every hit in Real to Reel SDX carries the subtle warmth of tape saturation, marrying modern digital precision with vintage analog charm. With presets that can be used instantly or customised from scratch, the pack is as practical as it is inspiring. For anyone chasing the feel of a world-class session drummer in a legendary room, this is about as reel as it gets.
For more information on the Real to Reel SDX, head here.
