Ocean Way Drums/Mixosaurus - anyone using them?

[feck]

What are your real world experiences/comparisons with the competition? (BFD, Addictive Drums, etc.) One can never have enough kickass drum samples!

[C_F_H_13]

Honestly for me (and I'm sure many others), OWD is WAY WAY WAY WAY over priced...no matter how good it is, I'm not paying 700-900 dollars for a drum sample library.

[Animus]

It is way overpriced but they are counting on the Ocean Way name to sell at that premium. Don't know if it will work with such competition around. If they would have it priced at $500 it would have sold well I am sure. I probably would have bought it.

[lematrix]

Originally Posted by feck

What are your real world experiences/comparisons with the competition? (BFD, Addictive Drums, etc.) One can never have enough kickass drum samples!

Dont know the Ocean Drums but the Mixosaurus are the best sounding drums i ever worked with. It sounds "real" to me and my customers love it. I´m doing a whole major release with it right now and everyone is happy. I also have the "normal" other plugs, but mixosaurus is the only one who feels like a real drummer playing. I believe its because there is no data compression on all the samples, and of corse the millions of samples.


Mathias

[Animus]

You know a Mixosaurus is an actual dinosaur.

[PlatinumSamples]

Originally Posted by lematrix

I believe its because there is no data compression on all the samples, and of corse the millions of samples.

There's only one application which uses data compression - most drum apps like BFD, DFH and EZDrummer don't use any data compression.

Rail

[Steve MacMillan]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSamples

There's only one application which uses data compression - most drum apps like BFD, DFH and EZDrummer don't use any data compression.

Rail

Actually, EZDrummer uses their proprietary TPC compression algorithm. Still sounds good, though.

STeve

[PlatinumSamples]

From my understanding - the data is uncompressed.. but if you enable TPC, then they compress it in RAM. The source data is uncompressed and you don't have to use TPC if you don't want to. I guess that's DFH only. BFD is definitely always uncompressed.

Rail

[chrisso]

From Toontrack's FAQ's:
The core library of EZdrummer contains 7500 sound files at 16-bit / 44.1kHz equivalent to 5Gb of uncompressed wav files.

This means that were the samples shipped as standard uncomressed wav files, a complete install would require around 5Gb of HD space. Yet EZD only requires 1.5Gb (approximately 1Gb of physical space plus required headroom for operation).

As you may be aware Toontrack developed throughout 2005 a groundbreaking technology known as 'Toontrack Percussive Compression' that allows memory requirements for a state-of-the-art software sampler such as the dfh sampler to be kept to a minimum.

TPC in its first incarnation, as enjoyed by Superior pro users, places the samples into RAM as compressed audio - without loss of quality - and, on-the-fly, performs a decompression routine to send the relevant events to your sound card.

TPC generation II goes one step further and stores these files as compressed audio on your hard drive, again without loss of quality, allowing huge hard disc space savings and faster bank loading.

No one as yet has complained about the quality of sound, even though many professionals are using both Superior and EZdrummer.

[relayer]

The mixosaurus guy was over at KVR pre-release and posted some demos that were very impressive. I'm an edrummer though, and it was very apparent that this plug was aimed at keyboard drummers and programmers only.

Ocean Way drums on the other hand has a map for edrums, unfortunately only for one kit - the Roland TD-20. To my ears they sound equally impressive, but the demos aren't done so well. No Chinas or splashes either.

I think it's gonna be hard to get too much feedback - especially on the Platinum Edition of OWD. That's a lot of money to shell out for a plug with no demo.

I own BFD 1 & 2, but actually prefer Addictive Drums - it's a lot more fun to hit things than to process drums and their presets sound great - although the dry settings sound good on their own as well.

Sorry I couldn't contribute anything substantial, but the real authority would be someone who owns and uses both on a regular basis - likely a tall order to find. Both of these are calling my name, but I just can't justify such an expenditure unless I'm confident it fits my needs and gear.

Good luck.

Steve

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by relayer

The mixosaurus guy was over at KVR pre-release and posted some demos that were very impressive. I'm an edrummer though, and it was very apparent that this plug was aimed at keyboard drummers and programmers only.

Ocean Way drums on the other hand has a map for edrums, unfortunately only for one kit - the Roland TD-20. To my ears they sound equally impressive, but the demos aren't done so well. No Chinas or splashes either.

I think it's gonna be hard to get too much feedback - especially on the Platinum Edition of OWD. That's a lot of money to shell out for a plug with no demo.

I own BFD 1 & 2, but actually prefer Addictive Drums - it's a lot more fun to hit things than to process drums and their presets sound great - although the dry settings sound good on their own as well.

Sorry I couldn't contribute anything substantial, but the real authority would be someone who owns and uses both on a regular basis - likely a tall order to find. Both of these are calling my name, but I just can't justify such an expenditure unless I'm confident it fits my needs and gear.

Good luck.

Steve

I must be blind, I can't see any demos up on the Ocean Way site. .....anyone?

Tom

[chrisso]

There used to be some demos on YouTube.
Try searching 'Oceanway'

[kwaehner]

Originally Posted by relayer

The mixosaurus guy was over at KVR pre-release and posted some demos that were very impressive. I'm an edrummer though, and it was very apparent that this plug was aimed at keyboard drummers and programmers only.

Maps for edrums are coming. I took the Mixosaurus plunge recently and I'm really psyched about what I'm hearing. The hi-hats are in another league, that's always been the stumbling block with other offerings IMO.

Programming (modifying MIDI data captured from my V-Drum performance) will certainly enhance the outcome, and how could it not? Uwe's intent, though, is to allow edrummers to record their MIDI performance and immediately playback something useable via Mixosaurus.

[lematrix]

Originally Posted by kwaehner

The hi-hats are in another league, that's always been the stumbling block with other offerings IMO.

Thats right..... i forgot to say that. The Hihat alone is for me the money worth it.

[relayer]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

I must be blind, I can't see any demos up on the Ocean Way site. .....anyone?

Tom

Look under media gallery, then tutorials. One clip for keyboard drumming, and one for using the Roland TD-20. Not the greatest demos in the world, but you can get an idea of the sound.

Steve

[halcyo]

Why in the ****ing WORLD would they not have audio demos on their site?! That is just ridiculous. Who would buy this without hearing it?

Those videos won't playback any audio on my computer. All I see is doofus moving his lips, and then banging on some v-drums....

If you Ocean Way guys are on here - get your head out you asses and put some audio demos up, and fix your broken videos, and lower your prices!


halcyo

[Animus]

If you go to oceanwaydrums.com and click on the "Order Now" link a player loads on the left with a "collage" of demos. I am thinking they sound pretty good and they certainly have a "sound" but they are still too expensive even for the Gold edition. THe $1800 Platinum edition is laughable.

Those Mixosaurus demos sound way better than I remember them sounding. Are they newer demos? The room sound is very cool.

[grandaddy]

Just for information - Toontracks compression (TPC) is lossless, so there is absolutely no loss of quality

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by Animus

If you go to oceanwaydrums.com and click on the "Order Now" link a player loads on the left with a "collage" of demos. I am thinking they sound pretty good and they certainly have a "sound" but they are still too expensive even for the Gold edition. THe $1800 Platinum edition is laughable.

Those Mixosaurus demos sound way better than I remember them sounding. Are they newer demos? The room sound is very cool.

Thanks, OK just heard the collage demo.

Extremely impressive, I'd use these in a heartbeat....I wonder if the demo is the GOLD edition...there is a lot of versatility in there. Mixosaurus is great too, but these might have the edge for versatility. Only thing that strikes me as slightly more like what I listen for is the kick drums in the Mixo kits, they seem punchier. Maybe EQ.


Tom

[babar]

Hi,
I'm an user of the OCean Way Drums GOLD edition.

Just my point of view but I use it intensively since I have it.
I don't think you can judge a drum sound just by the size of the samples, or the price.
If you want to have a really great sound like U2, Metallica or these kind of drums, you have to record a real drummer. And even if you have the right drums, the right drummer, you need to find a good studio in a good room and have the best microphone.
I'm not talking about playing drums with ezdrummer, I'm speaking about doing a real killing sound, that can be used in a top 50 US album int he rock style without beeing ridiculous.

I must say the the sound that comes from this lib, is just as far to the competition as the Vienna is from the Roland String JV expansion lol.

This lib is only for serious producer and I'm sure that even without a very good demo, a huge advertising, with time it will become the reference for the producers.

600 bucks is some money, but what you get is not for dummies.

Something I really really love in this lib it the ability to play the drums and at the end of the mix, change the BUNCH of microphones add more room, so it is the kind of control you can't even have with real drums...

And in the mix it sounds really like rock/metal/pop/folk producers wants the sounds to be.
It is not only the drums and the sounds, the attack of the bass drum and the snares for example are really precise and you can add a lot of voices, bass, percs, synths, it is still here with a great precision and accuracy.

In one word, you get what you pay. there are many inexpensive drums, even some really great kits free on the web, but this sound, so far you need to go in Ocean Way studio or another really great place with top engenieer who really know their job or buy this lib to get it. I don't know if it was recorded at Ocean Way but for example the last Dion album has this kind of drums that really are typical and are very difficult to reproduce with only computers, but are very easy to do with this lib.

I've spent +600 bucks but it was worth, I've also bought BFD but I never liked the interface, the sound needed a LOT of work and processing to be usable. For example if you want to get the same kind of sound from BFD, you'll have to pass the sound thru some vintage gear and re-record it, or maybe liquid mix, but with Ocean Way drums it is already done, and you don't have to touch anything except a little EQ and a global compression on the track...

[Animus]

Is that you Squids? ;-)



Seriously, where did you get it for $600? Cheapest I have seen is $895.


Also, before you discount other libraries I would say Steven Slate Drums are world class and have that mix-ready sound and it's cheap too. And S2 will be awesome as well and much cheaper.

[Animus]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

Thanks, OK just heard the collage demo.

Extremely impressive, I'd use these in a heartbeat....I wonder if the demo is the GOLD edition...there is a lot of versatility in there. Mixosaurus is great too, but these might have the edge for versatility. Only thing that strikes me as slightly more like what I listen for is the kick drums in the Mixo kits, they seem punchier. Maybe EQ.


Tom

From what I understand the Platinum editions only difference is 96k. I mght be wrong though. It's not very clear (like many other things) on their website.

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by Animus

From what I understand the Platinum editions only difference is 96k. I mght be wrong though. It's not very clear (like many other things) on their website.

Got the info from the company:


Ocean Way Gold. 40GB, 24bit, 48k

comes on dvd

Ocean Way Platinum 80GB, 24bit, 96k

comes on a hard drive and also comes with Gold on the same drive.


To upgrade from Gold to Platinum will just be the difference in price.

[PlatinumSamples]

Originally Posted by babar

I've also bought BFD but I never liked the interface, the sound needed a LOT of work and processing to be usable. For example if you want to get the same kind of sound from BFD, you'll have to pass the sound thru some vintage gear and re-record it, or maybe liquid mix, but with Ocean Way drums it is already done, and you don't have to touch anything except a little EQ and a global compression on the track...

Have you listened to our samples for BFD? These demos were done with no additional EQ or compression and have as many as 250 velocity levels and complete control of every aspect of the kit.. just like a true multi-tracked drum kit. My understanding is that the OWR drums have 16 velocity levels max and some of the stuff is pre-mixed so you have less control.

https://www.platinumsamples.com/JoeBarresi.html

They were also tracked at 2 of the greatest rooms in LA - where albums like Nirvana's Nevermind, Petty's Wildflowers, Tool, NIN, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, RHCP, Rage Against The Machine, ... were tracked.

Rail

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSamples

Have you listened to our samples for BFD? These demos were done with no additional EQ or compression and have as many as 250 velocity levels and complete control of every aspect of the kit.. just like a true multi-tracked drum kit. My understanding is that the OWR drums have 16 velocity levels max and some of the stuff is pre-mixed so you have less control.

https://www.platinumsamples.com/JoeBarresi.html

They were also tracked at 2 of the greatest rooms in LA - where albums like Nirvana's Nevermind, Petty's Wildflowers, Tool, NIN, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, RHCP, Rage Against The Machine, ... were tracked.

Rail

Next time I find a pop song with 250 velocity levels in it I will be CERTAIN to write down it's name

TH

[PlatinumSamples]

When your drummer sits at an e-Kit and plays the drums.. those velocity levels most certainly make the difference. Any acoustic drum performance has more than 16 velocity levels.

Rail

[feck]

Hey Rail. I have both the Andy Johns and Joe Barresi sets, and they are both great in their own ways. They are ideal for big rock sounds, but I find that for more subtle playing, the cymbals/hats don't seem to be quite as organic as I would like. I still think that the original DFH Superior has the most realistic cymbals, and it lines up with v-drums right away. Plus, BFD still has the issue of the hi-hat trigger pedal - partial pedaling and half open pedaling is a complete pain in the ass, and doesn't respond realistically at all, resulting in practically unusable midi information on the hi-hat pedal, which then needs to be re-drawn for the whole song. All of that to say that the platinum samples are killer - can't wait for the extra samples that include bashing the edge of all the ride cymbals!

[PlatinumSamples]

Hi Scott,

Which e-Kit do you own? I suggest you try setting "All hats to variable" in the prefs and give that a try. I do know that folks do like the hat control in DFHS... but then you're dealing with RAM based vs. streaming data (so less velocities). The Jim Scott pack we're working on has very organic sounding drums BTW.. perhaps you'll prefer those cymbals. We are also planning to add additional formats to our libraries in the future.

Cheers,

Rail

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSamples

When your drummer sits at an e-Kit and plays the drums.. those velocity levels most certainly make the difference. Any acoustic drum performance has more than 16 velocity levels.

Rail

Well, I'd argue that "ANY" is a big word, and lots of levels can help, with roughs and hi-hat trickery, light cymbal shennanigans, etc, but if that's only 16 velocity levels on the Ocean Way demo up there it's fine by me..

TH

[feck]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSamples

Hi Scott,

Which e-Kit do you own? I suggest you try setting "All hats to variable" in the prefs and give that a try. I do know that folks do like the hat control in DFHS... but then you're dealing with RAM based vs. streaming data (so less velocities). The Jim Scott pack we're working on has very organic sounding drums BTW.. perhaps you'll prefer those cymbals. We are also planning to add additional formats to our libraries in the future.

Cheers,

Rail

Hey Rail. Cool, looking forward to the Jim Scott pack. If you need a beta tester/demos for the site, PM me, as we are always making new recordings with your samples. Don't get me wrong - the hats and cymbals in the Barresi and Johns kits are still damn good. Any idea when the hard ride hits will be available for download?