As a follow up to the Drum Masters 1 series, Sonic Reality has announced the new Drum Masters 2 Series featuring the flagship Infinite Player virtual instrument Drum Masters 2 Multi-track powered by Kontakt.

Sonic Reality says that Drum Masters 2 Multi-track is the only drum plug-in to provide discrete mic mixing for both drum kits and live played audio Rex grooves mapped across the keyboard. This combination of kits and grooves played by some of the best drummers in the world offers some of the most realistic emulations of studio drum sessions in a plug-in.

Now in version 2, grooves can be selected from a scrolling keyboard menu and mapped along-side the kits in a "performance mode" that allows both to play on the same MIDI channel and be routed through the same 16 individual outs for seamless transition between MIDI played kits and live-played audio grooves. For the nuances of style and realism, authentic live grooves were performed by master drummers such as Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel), John Blackwell (Prince), Danny Gottlieb (Pat Metheny Group), Ed Greene (Steely Dan) and Nick D'Virgilio (Tears for Fears). These audio drum loops are unique, time-aligned multi-track Rex loops that can be triggered from the keyboard and they automatically snap to your host's tempo while still being able to mix individual mic channels. This is an elastic live studio drum session itself, but to customize drum parts to your song – Sonic Reality also provides the MIDI-playable drum kit from the session.

The Drum Masters 2 Multi-track drum kits are now mapped in GM, iMap, Performance, V-Drum and a Custom map mode with MIDI learn. Now Drum Masters 2 is compatible with any MIDI controller – keyboard, pads or e-drums of all brands and models. Each kit features a proprietary new "Round Robin" feature that randomizes alternate hits of the drum to avoid machine gun effects and to provide greater realism. Instant easy control of each performance articulation is provided, as well as ready-made presets for instant gratification right out of the box. Now with built-in non-destructible DSP effects, swappable kit pieces for unlimited custom "hybrid kits" and a new low price, Drum Masters 2 Multi-track aims to provide an expandable virtual drum studio sound source for any musician.

"Drum Masters 2 Multi-track is the flagship product for a massive series we're doing on drums for our Infinite Player" says Sonic Reality CEO Dave Kerzner. "In 2010, we also have titles featuring Neil Peart, Bill Cobham, Terry Bozzio and other drum legends' kits with the same feature layout so it is easy to learn once and apply to all."

Pricing & Availability

Drum Masters 2 Multi-track comes with Infinite Player, Sonic Reality's expandable "gateway" library module within the Native Instruments Kontakt Player 4 software for playing the best of Sonic Reality's vast sample archives of both drums and other instruments from around the world.

The software works stand-alone for Mac OS X and Windows, as well as a plug-in for ProTools, Cubase, Logic, Sonar, Digital Performer, Live and every major DAW today (VST, AU & RTAS). The Infinite Player sounds also work inside the player or in the full version of Kontakt 3.5 or higher.

Price for Drum Masters 2: MSRP $299, Street $249. Shipping: Q1, 2010.