What is included in the Addictive Drums 2 Custom Collection?

The Custom Collection includes the AD2 engine software plus your choice of any three ADpaks, three MIDIpaks, and three Kitpiece Paks. This allows you to build a personalized library rather than receiving a fixed set of sounds.

Can I choose any ADpak available from XLN Audio?

Yes, the Custom Collection allows you to select any three ADpaks from the entire XLN Audio catalogue at the time of activation. This covers a wide range of genres including metal, jazz, funk, and electronic styles.

How does the selection process work?

After purchasing the Custom Collection, you register the license to your XLN Audio account. You can then browse the available expansions and redeem your credits for the specific paks you want.

Is the Addictive Drums 2 engine included?

Yes, the powerful AD2 engine is included as a central part of the Custom Collection. This engine provides the interface, mixing tools, and editing capabilities for all your loaded drum sounds.

Can I mix drums from different ADpaks together?

Yes, one of the key features of the AD2 engine is the ability to mix and match kit pieces. You can take a kick from one ADpak and pair it with a snare from another to create a unique hybrid kit.

What genres does the Custom Collection support?

Because you choose the expansions, it supports virtually every genre. XLN Audio offers paks for metal, rock, indie, hip-hop, electronic, funk, jazz, and many others.

Does the software include built-in effects?

Yes, the AD2 engine features a comprehensive suite of mixing plug-ins. These include tools for EQ, compression, and other processing needs to polish the drum sound within the plugin.

Is the Custom Collection a standalone application or a plug-in?

It functions as a comprehensive plug-in for use within a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). It is designed to integrate into your existing music production workflow for recording and mixing.

How does this compare to a physical drum kit like a Gear4Music Junior set?

While a Gear4Music Junior kit is a physical entry-level instrument for practice, the AD2 Custom Collection is a professional virtual production tool. It provides studio-quality sounds that would typically require expensive microphones and rooms to achieve in the physical world.

What are Kitpiece Paks?

Kitpiece Paks are smaller expansions focusing on a single instrument, such as a specific boutique snare drum. They are used to add more variety to your kit without needing to purchase a full ADpak.

MIDIpaks are collections of pre-recorded drum beats and grooves performed by professional drummers. They can be dragged into your project to provide authentic rhythms for your chosen kit sounds.

What is the typical price for the Custom Collection?

The typical price for the XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Custom Collection is approximately GBP 159. This price includes the engine and the nine total chosen expansion paks.

Gear article

XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Custom Collection

The XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Custom Collection is a comprehensive drum production suite and software plugin designed for professional music production. It provides a customisable entry point into the Addictive Drums ecosystem, allowing users to select a specific set of virtual drum kits, MIDI patterns, and individual kit pieces.

XLN Audio XLN Addictive Drums 2: Custom Collection

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Overview

The Addictive Drums 2: Custom Collection is a modular software package developed by XLN Audio. Unlike fixed bundles, this collection grants the user the flexibility to choose their own content upon purchase. It serves as a complete drum production solution, integrating high-quality samples with a sophisticated playback and mixing engine. The software is designed to function as a plug-in within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), providing realistic drum performances for various musical genres.

Components and Selection

The Custom Collection package includes the core Addictive Drums 2 engine and a specific allocation of expansion content:

3 ADpaks: These are full kit expansions that include professionally recorded drum sets in specific environments.
3 MIDIpaks: These contain professionally performed MIDI beats and grooves for different styles.
3 Kitpiece Paks: These are individual instruments, such as specific snares or kicks, used to augment existing kits.

This selection model allows users to tailor their library to genres ranging from metal, rock, and indie to hip-hop, electronic, funk, and jazz.

British Drum Company British Drum Co. Maverick 14 x 5.5 Maple Snare Drum

Features and Functionality

The heart of the collection is the AD2 engine, which offers extensive editing and mixing tools. Users can mix and match kit pieces from different ADpaks, allowing for the creation of hybrid kits. The engine includes built-in mixing plug-ins, such as EQ, compression, and reverb, specifically tuned for drum processing. The interface is designed to provide complete control over the sonic character, from the overhead and room mic levels to the pitch and envelope of individual drums.

Sound Character and Utility

The sonic character of the Custom Collection is determined by the specific ADpaks selected by the user. Because the samples are recorded in world-class studios using high-end signal chains, the output is generally regarded as professional and 'radio-ready'. The software is suitable for producers who need realistic acoustic drums but lack the space or equipment to record live kits. It provides a versatile alternative to physical hardware like the Natal Originals Walnut snare or the British Drum Co. Maverick snare by simulating these types of high-end instruments in a virtual environment.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the Addictive Drums 2 Custom Collection?: The Custom Collection includes the AD2 engine software plus your choice of any three ADpaks, three MIDIpaks, and three Kitpiece Paks. This allows you to build a personalized library rather than receiving a fixed set of sounds.
Can I choose any ADpak available from XLN Audio?: Yes, the Custom Collection allows you to select any three ADpaks from the entire XLN Audio catalogue at the time of activation. This covers a wide range of genres including metal, jazz, funk, and electronic styles.
How does the selection process work?: After purchasing the Custom Collection, you register the license to your XLN Audio account. You can then browse the available expansions and redeem your credits for the specific paks you want.
Is the Addictive Drums 2 engine included?: Yes, the powerful AD2 engine is included as a central part of the Custom Collection. This engine provides the interface, mixing tools, and editing capabilities for all your loaded drum sounds.
Can I mix drums from different ADpaks together?: Yes, one of the key features of the AD2 engine is the ability to mix and match kit pieces. You can take a kick from one ADpak and pair it with a snare from another to create a unique hybrid kit.
What genres does the Custom Collection support?: Because you choose the expansions, it supports virtually every genre. XLN Audio offers paks for metal, rock, indie, hip-hop, electronic, funk, jazz, and many others.
Does the software include built-in effects?: Yes, the AD2 engine features a comprehensive suite of mixing plug-ins. These include tools for EQ, compression, and other processing needs to polish the drum sound within the plugin.
Is the Custom Collection a standalone application or a plug-in?: It functions as a comprehensive plug-in for use within a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). It is designed to integrate into your existing music production workflow for recording and mixing.
How does this compare to a physical drum kit like a Gear4Music Junior set?: While a Gear4Music Junior kit is a physical entry-level instrument for practice, the AD2 Custom Collection is a professional virtual production tool. It provides studio-quality sounds that would typically require expensive microphones and rooms to achieve in the physical world.
What are Kitpiece Paks?: Kitpiece Paks are smaller expansions focusing on a single instrument, such as a specific boutique snare drum. They are used to add more variety to your kit without needing to purchase a full ADpak.
What are MIDIpaks?: MIDIpaks are collections of pre-recorded drum beats and grooves performed by professional drummers. They can be dragged into your project to provide authentic rhythms for your chosen kit sounds.
What is the typical price for the Custom Collection?: The typical price for the XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Custom Collection is approximately GBP 159. This price includes the engine and the nine total chosen expansion paks.