At NAMM, Sonic Reality is introducing the new Ocean Way Drums Kontakt Player 2 based sample library. The brainchild of engineer/producer and studio owner Allen Sides, OWD utilized the world's most extensive collection of vintage microphones to record drums in Ocean Way's renowned Studio B, designed by recording legend Bill Putnam.

Sides' partners in the project are well known engineer/producer and label executive Steven Miller, and Dave Kerzner, CEO of Sonic Reality. The OWD library incorporates legendary studio acoustics and expert engineering with the highly expressive MIDI-controlled I-Map programming in sample formats such as Native Instruments Kontakt 2, all in one collection.

Sides and Miller recorded full drum kits with the finest kick drums, snares, toms, hi hats and cymbals, utilizing a unique multi-microphone recording technique that captures the sound of each instrument with optimum sonic impact and spatial depth. An enormous variety of sounds are instantly available via preset mixes made by these engineers. Additionally, a virtually unlimited sonic palate is available by experimenting with the various stereo sub mixes, control of the pitch, tone and effect processing.

The sampling sessions of Ocean Way Drums utilized a one-of-a-kind custom console built by the studio's original designer Bill Putman. This console in Ocean Way's Studio B delivers "astonishing clarity" with a slew rate exceeding 200 volts per microsecond running on 28 volt rails, and is considered to be the fastest console on the planet. The historic Studio B has hosted sessions with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Green Day, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Radiohead, among countless other ground-breaking artists. It is the home of one of the best sounding live rooms and some of the most sought after vintage gear in the world. Also employed in the sampling session were highly customized classic outboard gear by Neve, API, UREI, and Fairchild along with rare hand-selected vintage tube microphones and special drum kits that have been recorded by top artists on albums at Ocean Way over the years.

Sonic Reality's I-MAP is a proprietary MIDI note mapping/drum kit layout scheme that facilitates improved live performance of drum kits via MIDI keyboard input. I-MAP places drums in their most flexible and intuitive positions, allowing each of the fingers on both hands independent and coordinated control over the loaded kit. With very little practice, it is possible to lay down complete drum tracks in a single take that have an entirely realistic sound and rhythm.

Additionally, special maps have also been made for control with high-end drum pads such as the Roland V-Drums. Many of the performance articulations from I-Map were designed to be triggered with maximum dynamics and alternate randomization for incredible realism and expression when played from top of the line drum pad controllers. Finally, access to the individual mic channel samples is also available for direct drum replacement in DAWs such as ProTools, Nuendo, Logic and more.

Ocean Way Drums is touted as a complete solution for creating the highest quality drum tracks for all styles of music.

More info when we get it.