FXpansion BFD Vintage Recording Techniques £79

FXpansion’s well-regarded software-based drum instrument comes with its own set of highly detailed sampled kits. If you choose the full install, then 55GB will be eaten-up in one gulp. Whilst you might think that this sort of level of disk real-estate use might take care of most eventualities, sonic nerds know there’s always room for experimentation.

Vintage Recording Techniques is one such case. Here a single (four tom) Ludwig Classic Maple kit (with matching Zildjian six cymbal set) is captured using a range of vintage recording techniques alongside a set of direct mics. Put all these together and you have a whopping 29 simultaneous mic channels to play with.

This collection does not employ vintage mics, and there is no mention of the studio/room, mic pres, or console used during the capture process. In fact, you’ll find a number of mid-priced mics in the mix alongside a few of the more high-end Neumann and AKG staples. However, this doesn’t detract from the overall quality. There is immense flexibility on offer here, and there are bunch of presets to get you started that include the classic ORTF, Glyn Johns, Blumlein, Spaced Pair and Single Mic configurations. Drum bleed is recorded across all mics and kit pieces (except cymbals which only send bleed into other channels).

If you’re after a great-sounding, flexible kit, VRT could be for you. It is also a great way of learning about how different mic configurations alter the sound of a decent drum setup.

www.fxpansion.com

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