What is the XLN Audio Session Percussion ADpak?

It is a software expansion pack for the Addictive Drums 2 engine that adds 15 exotic percussion instruments to the user's library.

Does this software work as a standalone plugin?

No, it requires the Addictive Drums 2 engine to function, acting as a library expansion rather than a separate application.

How many instruments are included in the pack?

The pack includes a hand-selected collection of 15 unique percussion instruments designed to work together as a single kit.

What is the primary purpose of this expansion?

It is designed to add 'spice' and excitement to productions by providing non-traditional drum sounds that can be layered with standard kits.

Who recorded the samples for this ADpak?

The samples were recorded in high quality using established session musicians to ensure professional performance standards.

Can these percussion sounds be played as a full kit?

Yes, the instruments were curated to blend seamlessly so they can be played together like a traditional drum kit with shells and cymbals.

How much does the Session Percussion ADpak typically cost?

The typical price for this expansion pack is approximately £78 in the United Kingdom.

Is the sound quality natural or processed?

The pack provides a balanced and natural sound, recorded with professional microphones to ensure an immaculate and authentic character.

Can I layer these sounds with other Addictive Drums kits?

Yes, it is designed to be layered effortlessly with other kits to create a more dynamic and expansive rhythmic sound.

Is this pack suitable for replacing standard snare drum sounds?

Yes, it is marketed as a way to change up 'tired old drum sounds' by introducing fresh, exotic textures to a mix.

What kind of hardware was used for the recordings?

XLN Audio used premium hardware and professional-grade microphones to capture the 15 instruments included in the pack.

Does this pack include items like the Sela Melody Tongue Drum?

While it features 15 exotic instruments, specific branded items like the Sela Melody Tongue Drum are separate physical products and not listed as part of this digital pack's contents.

Gear article

XLN Audio Addictive Drums 2: Session Percussion ADpak

The XLN Audio Session Percussion ADpak is a professional software expansion for the Addictive Drums 2 engine, featuring 15 hand-selected percussion instruments. It is designed to function as a cohesive kit, providing a balanced and natural sound for layering or independent rhythm tracks.

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Overview

The Addictive Drums 2: Session Percussion ADpak is a specialised expansion pack developed by XLN Audio. Unlike standard drum expansions that focus on traditional kick and snare setups, this pack provides a unique assortment of 15 exotic instruments. It is intended to add rhythmic texture and 'spice' to modern music productions, offering a curated selection of hand-selected pieces recorded with high-end microphones and hardware.

Design and Workflow

A key design philosophy of the Session Percussion ADpak is its ability to be played as a single, cohesive kit. While it contains individual pieces such as shakers and skins, the instruments have been picked to blend together seamlessly. This allows producers to treat the expansion as a full kit with shells and cymbals rather than a disjointed collection of individual samples. The recordings were performed by established session musicians to ensure authentic timing and feel.

Sonic Character

The sound of the Session Percussion pack is described as balanced, natural, and immaculate in quality. Because the instruments were recorded in a professional studio environment using premium hardware, the resulting audio provides a dynamic and expansive sound. It is specifically engineered to be layered effortlessly with existing drum kits, allowing users to replace or augment 'tired' or standard drum sounds with more creative alternatives.

Applications

This ADpak is particularly suited for producers looking to deviate from standard rock or pop drum sounds. It works well in electronic music, world music, and experimental pop where standard snares—like a Natal Originals Walnut or a DW Collectors Series Stainless Steel—might be too conventional. It serves as a creative tool for building complex grooves that require more organic textures than a typical kit provides.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the XLN Audio Session Percussion ADpak?: It is a software expansion pack for the Addictive Drums 2 engine that adds 15 exotic percussion instruments to the user's library.
Does this software work as a standalone plugin?: No, it requires the Addictive Drums 2 engine to function, acting as a library expansion rather than a separate application.
How many instruments are included in the pack?: The pack includes a hand-selected collection of 15 unique percussion instruments designed to work together as a single kit.
What is the primary purpose of this expansion?: It is designed to add 'spice' and excitement to productions by providing non-traditional drum sounds that can be layered with standard kits.
Who recorded the samples for this ADpak?: The samples were recorded in high quality using established session musicians to ensure professional performance standards.
Can these percussion sounds be played as a full kit?: Yes, the instruments were curated to blend seamlessly so they can be played together like a traditional drum kit with shells and cymbals.
How much does the Session Percussion ADpak typically cost?: The typical price for this expansion pack is approximately £78 in the United Kingdom.
Is the sound quality natural or processed?: The pack provides a balanced and natural sound, recorded with professional microphones to ensure an immaculate and authentic character.
Can I layer these sounds with other Addictive Drums kits?: Yes, it is designed to be layered effortlessly with other kits to create a more dynamic and expansive rhythmic sound.
Is this pack suitable for replacing standard snare drum sounds?: Yes, it is marketed as a way to change up 'tired old drum sounds' by introducing fresh, exotic textures to a mix.
What kind of hardware was used for the recordings?: XLN Audio used premium hardware and professional-grade microphones to capture the 15 instruments included in the pack.
Does this pack include items like the Sela Melody Tongue Drum?: While it features 15 exotic instruments, specific branded items like the Sela Melody Tongue Drum are separate physical products and not listed as part of this digital pack's contents.