Addictive Drums 2 vs. 1 / Any opinions?
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 513 posts since 6 Mar, 2012
I've been using AD 1 for quite a while now and am pretty happy with it. That is, I wasn't really considering an upgrade. Until yesterday, when I received a mail by XLN informing me about a cheap upgrade path to AD 2.
So, I read a few current reviews - and was a little surprised to learn that all of them are mostly positive.
I'm still a bit hesitant, especially since I'm not sure whether using AD 2 instead of AD 1 will bring me many advantages, or whether I really need the new features of AD 2. Which leaves me with my most important questions:
Are the AD 2 sounds better? Are the AD 2 features more convenient? Are there any drawbacks when migrating from AD 1 to AD 2?
What kind of experience have you had? Which of the new features makes an upgrade worth it, in your opinon?
So, I read a few current reviews - and was a little surprised to learn that all of them are mostly positive.
I'm still a bit hesitant, especially since I'm not sure whether using AD 2 instead of AD 1 will bring me many advantages, or whether I really need the new features of AD 2. Which leaves me with my most important questions:
Are the AD 2 sounds better? Are the AD 2 features more convenient? Are there any drawbacks when migrating from AD 1 to AD 2?
What kind of experience have you had? Which of the new features makes an upgrade worth it, in your opinon?
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- KVRian
- 1020 posts since 3 Oct, 2011 from Christchurch, New Zealand
I'm pretty sure you have to be on AD2 to use fairfax, and the fairfax kits are so good you'll want to upgrade to get access to them
no real drawbacks to upgrading (apart from the cost)
no real drawbacks to upgrading (apart from the cost)
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- KVRist
- 439 posts since 20 Jun, 2005
Take a look at some new features:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-sF4jXiodI
If you can get past all that IAP bs, maybe you'll like it.
EDIT: IAP I mean in app propaganda, not purchase, if there's a difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-sF4jXiodI
If you can get past all that IAP bs, maybe you'll like it.
EDIT: IAP I mean in app propaganda, not purchase, if there's a difference.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 513 posts since 6 Mar, 2012
@XorXisT
Could you specify what you mean by "in-app propaganda"? I mean, AD 1 also contains demo Midi songs of AdPaks I don't own. Has this become more in AD 2?
Could you specify what you mean by "in-app propaganda"? I mean, AD 1 also contains demo Midi songs of AdPaks I don't own. Has this become more in AD 2?
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- KVRist
- 439 posts since 20 Jun, 2005
I never used AD1, but this demo in app, buy this, buy that, get in the way of making music.Skorpius wrote:@XorXisT
Could you specify what you mean by "in-app propaganda"? I mean, AD 1 also contains demo Midi songs of AdPaks I don't own. Has this become more in AD 2?
I know, that's just me, I'm a little picky here, but if you don't really care about this, then AD2 is really good package.
I got it with Sonar X3 Producer, so, for me, AD2 is more than I'll ever need (for now ), i just don't like those marketing-in-app.
Sorry if this is not helping you at all
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- KVRAF
- 6254 posts since 25 Mar, 2004
I just took advantage of the 50% off upgrade deal, and I got the upgrade plus 1 kitpak.
I was skeptical about spending $100 or more on an upgrade, and so I didn't do it at first. But I can tell you that at the sale price, it's definitely worth it. I own a bunch of AD1 kitpaks which convert with the upgrade. The conversions are very nice. Easier to navigate the kits and the beats. Sounds great too, though I don't know if that's just a psychological thing.
In any event, I had a good time feeling my way around the new interface and playing with some of the new parameters.
I haven't downloaded the Fairfax kit yet, but I've heard good things.
Cheers
-B
I was skeptical about spending $100 or more on an upgrade, and so I didn't do it at first. But I can tell you that at the sale price, it's definitely worth it. I own a bunch of AD1 kitpaks which convert with the upgrade. The conversions are very nice. Easier to navigate the kits and the beats. Sounds great too, though I don't know if that's just a psychological thing.
In any event, I had a good time feeling my way around the new interface and playing with some of the new parameters.
I haven't downloaded the Fairfax kit yet, but I've heard good things.
Cheers
-B
Berfab
So many plugins, so little time...
So many plugins, so little time...
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- KVRian
- 705 posts since 23 Jun, 2004
That's why I'm pondering now with the half-price sale. I have AD1 with an investment in several kits, but just upgraded EZD 2 (which also has a similar investment), plus others like Logic Drummer and ones I don't use much though, like Slate 4 limited kit and Komplete stuff. There were some things in AD that I liked that have been made much better in AD2, plus the browser is easier to read with the larger text. Just trying to figure out if it's worth it to upgrade now or just use what I have.BERFAB wrote:
I was skeptical about spending $100 or more on an upgrade, and so I didn't do it at first.
-B
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- KVRAF
- 6254 posts since 25 Mar, 2004
If you already have a lot of AD1 packs, then I would then definitely at least go for the basic option which is $40 right now. All those kits and beats go into the new format and definitely breathe new life into them. The auditioning of kits is actually FUN in AD2, and the new randomizing functions for the MIDI beat files gives you a lot to work with as far as creating new beats.macmuse wrote:That's why I'm pondering now with the half-price sale. I have AD1 with an investment in several kits, but just upgraded EZD 2 (which also has a similar investment), plus others like Logic Drummer and ones I don't use much though, like Slate 4 limited kit and Komplete stuff. There were some things in AD that I liked that have been made much better in AD2, plus the browser is easier to read with the larger text. Just trying to figure out if it's worth it to upgrade now or just use what I have.BERFAB wrote:
I was skeptical about spending $100 or more on an upgrade, and so I didn't do it at first.
-B
If you want to try a new kit (which I did), another $25 (on top of the $40) gets you Fairfax or any other kit pak you desire.
At those prices, it's a very solid new tool.
Cheers
-B
Berfab
So many plugins, so little time...
So many plugins, so little time...
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- KVRian
- 705 posts since 23 Jun, 2004
Thanks Berfab. Yes, in my mind, the fact that I have quite a few kits already is good reason to upgrade (or else sell them all and use EZD2 or vice versa!). So as the OP, I too appreciate any info as it benefits us and anyone else facing this decision.
As for the Fairfax, any thoughts on 1 or 2? I keep reading how great Fairfax is but don't know which they are referring to (I figured 1 since it was out longer). I know it's just $25 but is it THAT incredible over everything else? (and why?)
As for the Fairfax, any thoughts on 1 or 2? I keep reading how great Fairfax is but don't know which they are referring to (I figured 1 since it was out longer). I know it's just $25 but is it THAT incredible over everything else? (and why?)
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- KVRist
- 37 posts since 25 Jul, 2013 from UK
Love AD2 but still waiting for my email from XLN to enable me to upgrade my AD1 kits to AD2.
Usually get plenty of emails from them but this is one Im waiting on coz Ill certainly take the plunge.
Was it a code that XLN sent for the upgrade, coz Im not able to get the upgrade with the 50% discount on their website.
Cheers
Usually get plenty of emails from them but this is one Im waiting on coz Ill certainly take the plunge.
Was it a code that XLN sent for the upgrade, coz Im not able to get the upgrade with the 50% discount on their website.
Cheers
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- KVRAF
- 3071 posts since 29 Sep, 2005
It's tied to your account steveski. Log-in to see your price.
Did you check your spam or junk box for the email? The link in the email takes you right to the discount page.
HTH
Happy Musiking!
dsan
Did you check your spam or junk box for the email? The link in the email takes you right to the discount page.
HTH
Happy Musiking!
dsan
My DAW System:
W7, i5, x64, 8Gb Ram, Edirol FA-101
W7, i5, x64, 8Gb Ram, Edirol FA-101
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- KVRian
- 884 posts since 13 Oct, 2006
same here steveski.
doubting anyway....last week the ad1 suddenly didnt open anymore.reinstalled it,straight to C:\Addictive Drums.
dont like it,and no option to choose i think.why not just in plugin folder?weird things....
also if i buy 2 i want to delete one but then all older projects miss ad1.
that holds me back.
doubting anyway....last week the ad1 suddenly didnt open anymore.reinstalled it,straight to C:\Addictive Drums.
dont like it,and no option to choose i think.why not just in plugin folder?weird things....
also if i buy 2 i want to delete one but then all older projects miss ad1.
that holds me back.
- KVRAF
- 2134 posts since 11 Oct, 2007 from Almanya
I had AD1 plus some expansions, Metal + Indie + something else.
Sold it, because none of it was (as) good for high-speed metal (as Toontrack stuff).
Bought two AD2 packs here recently, I believe it was Studio Prog and Studio Rock or something, and immediately shifted them again after trying to use them for a week or two.
The AD2 libraries I had sounded exactly like the AD1 stuff did.
And by that I mean: they sounded EXACTLY like the AD1 stuff did.
Still no interesting articulations. No flams, no rolls, are you KIDDING me?!
No, seriously.
I firmly believe they used zero/naught/zilch new samples in their "updates", just re-saved the existing AD1 libraries (if at all) to make them work in their new and impressive player plugin.
Which now contains a "browse our product range" in-your-face marketing feature. Oh golly, how funking great, just what I need when making music - distractions. Buy this. You could be buying something new. Sorry, preset only works with another library. Click here to buy.
The only step forward about it is that it's no longer necessary to purchase an additional "frame plugin".
You can now buy a sample library, and it already comes with the plugin to play it back. Great!
XLN MIDI Paks are saved in a specially packed non-MIDI format, "one file per pack", so that only AD2 can read them and they can only be used inside AD2, but not hotlinked into another drum sampler's MIDI library.
Yes, AD2 says it lets me re-route incoming MIDI notes in order to use non-XLN MIDI clips. Yet there's not a single sodding line in the manual that would tell me how to actually get all my .mid clips into AD2.
Sorry to be so negative.
I tried so hard to like AD1, and I tried so hard again to like AD2.
It's probably a good product that, if bought discounted at retailers, is sold for an affordable price and can provide solid sounds for standard pop/rock applications. But I know now that there's a reason why it's not called "superior", and there's a reason why another product is.
Sold it, because none of it was (as) good for high-speed metal (as Toontrack stuff).
Bought two AD2 packs here recently, I believe it was Studio Prog and Studio Rock or something, and immediately shifted them again after trying to use them for a week or two.
The AD2 libraries I had sounded exactly like the AD1 stuff did.
And by that I mean: they sounded EXACTLY like the AD1 stuff did.
Still no interesting articulations. No flams, no rolls, are you KIDDING me?!
No, seriously.
I firmly believe they used zero/naught/zilch new samples in their "updates", just re-saved the existing AD1 libraries (if at all) to make them work in their new and impressive player plugin.
Which now contains a "browse our product range" in-your-face marketing feature. Oh golly, how funking great, just what I need when making music - distractions. Buy this. You could be buying something new. Sorry, preset only works with another library. Click here to buy.
The only step forward about it is that it's no longer necessary to purchase an additional "frame plugin".
You can now buy a sample library, and it already comes with the plugin to play it back. Great!
XLN MIDI Paks are saved in a specially packed non-MIDI format, "one file per pack", so that only AD2 can read them and they can only be used inside AD2, but not hotlinked into another drum sampler's MIDI library.
Yes, AD2 says it lets me re-route incoming MIDI notes in order to use non-XLN MIDI clips. Yet there's not a single sodding line in the manual that would tell me how to actually get all my .mid clips into AD2.
Sorry to be so negative.
I tried so hard to like AD1, and I tried so hard again to like AD2.
It's probably a good product that, if bought discounted at retailers, is sold for an affordable price and can provide solid sounds for standard pop/rock applications. But I know now that there's a reason why it's not called "superior", and there's a reason why another product is.
I don't work here, I just feed the trolls.
My sales thread @ Market Place
My website with lots of free stuff:
Sampled drums and instruments | Clipping plugin | Shure SRH840 EQ correction presets | SFZ syntax mode for Coda2
My sales thread @ Market Place
My website with lots of free stuff:
Sampled drums and instruments | Clipping plugin | Shure SRH840 EQ correction presets | SFZ syntax mode for Coda2