Not all virtual drum plugins are built for the same job. While Superior Drummer 3 and EZdrummer 3 share the same Toontrack DNA, they’re designed for very different workflows. In this Superior Drummer 3 vs. EZdrummer 3 comparison, we’ll explore the key differences in their sample libraries, songwriting tools, mixing capabilities, customisation options, and overall value.
Whether you’re a guitarist looking to sketch ideas quickly, an electronic drummer searching for realistic sounds, or a producer building polished mixes, understanding these differences is essential when deciding which plugin is right for you.
In a hurry?
| Superior Drummer 3 | EZdrummer 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Library Size | 230GB Immersive mix playback up to 11.1 | 15GB |
| Mixing Options | 35 built-in effects covering EQ, compression, reverb and much more Import custom samples Bleed controls per microphone Tune, pitch, envelope controls Stack, mix and match | No mixing plugins Mix-ready presets for a wide range of styles and sounds Tweak macro parameters, including in each preset |
| Included MIDI Grooves | More than 1,600 individually played grooves Groove alternatives and patterns Organised in song structure format Suitable for genres like rock, Latin, funk, hip-hop, and more Recorded in several time signatures | More than 2,500 individually played grooves Groove alternatives and patterns Organised in song structure format Suitable for genres like rock, Latin, funk, hip-hop, and more Recorded in several time signatures |
| Songwriting | Grid Editor Step Sequencer Tap2Find Real-time Play Style Editing Song Creator Audio-to-MIDI conversion with The Tracker | Bandmate Grid Editor Step Sequencer Tap2Find Real-time Play Style Editing Song Creator |
| Included Drum Kits | Seven kits, recorded in one room 16 Kicks 25 Snares 350+ Electronic Sounds and samples Wide range of Percussion Sampled with Sticks and Brushes | Seven kits, recorded in three rooms 14 Kicks 24 Snares 30 Toms 34 Cymbals Wide range of Percussion |
| Studio & Engineer | Galaxy Studios, Mol, Belgium George Massenburg | Hansa Studios, Berlin, Germany Michael Ilbert |
Superior Drummer 3 vs. EZdrummer 3
Sample library
While both plugins include a plethora of professionally recorded drum sounds, Superior Drummer 3 has a significantly larger collection, specifically, a 230GB library recorded by legendary engineer George Massenburg at Galaxy Studios, Belgium.
With this plugin, you get seven full drum kits, 16 kick drums, 25 snares, an extensive selection of cymbals, a broad range of percussion instruments, and more than 350 electronic drum samples.
The library was captured in traditional stereo as well as surround formats up to 11.1 for immersive playback. Sampled using sticks and brushes, Superior Drummer 3 offers additional tonal options for different genres and playing styles.
EZdrummer 3 takes a more streamlined approach with a 15GB sample library. Recorded by Michael Ilbert at the iconic Hansa Studios in Berlin, it also includes seven full drum kits spread across three distinct recording rooms, such as a vocal booth, a large bright room, and a “main” room.
The library comprises 14 kicks, 24 snares, 30 toms, 34 cymbals, and a carefully selected range of percussion instruments.
For most songwriters and musicians, EZdrummer 3 provides more than enough sounds to build professional drum tracks. But if you need more variety or advanced production options, go for Superior Drummer 3.
Customisation
This is where we find one of the clearest distinctions between Superior Drummer 3 and EZdrummer 3.
Superior Drummer 3 is designed as a comprehensive drum production environment. Beyond swapping kit pieces, you can import and blend your own samples; layer multiple instruments on a single MIDI note; adjust the pitch, volume, and ADSR envelope of each drum; and control how every element responds within the overall mix.
The plugin also provides detailed microphone bleed management, allowing you to determine exactly how much of each drum is captured across the close, overhead, room, and ambient microphone channels. These tools make it possible to create highly customised drum sounds that would otherwise require extensive processing within a DAW.
EZdrummer 3, on the other hand, focuses on delivering professional results with a streamlined workflow. You can swap kit pieces, tune individual drums, adjust mixer routing, and customise the velocity response and dynamics of each instrument – great if you’re an electronic drum kit player who needs precise control over trigger sensitivity and playing feel.
In essence, Superior Drummer 3 is the best choice if you want complete control over every aspect of your drum sound, while EZdrummer 3 provides speed, simplicity, and enough flexibility for most songwriting and recording applications.
Mixing abilities
Mixing abilities are where Superior Drummer 3 clearly moves into producer and engineer territory. EZdrummer 3 gives you quick, polished drum sounds, but Superior Drummer 3 gives you far more control over how those sounds are shaped.
Superior Drummer 3 includes 35 built-in mixing effects designed specifically for drums and percussion. These cover the key tools you would expect in a full drum mix, including compressors, limiters, EQs, filters, saturation, distortion, delays, and reverbs.
This means you can shape kicks, snares, toms, cymbals, room mics, and percussion inside the plugin, without needing third-party effects plugins.
EZdrummer 3 takes a simpler, more songwriter-friendly route. Its mixer centres around professionally designed presets created by renowned mixing engineers and the Toontrack Sound Design team.
Each preset changes the mixer layout, processing, and overall character of the kit. You also get macro controls, letting you adjust the amount of processing in a quick, musical way.
The trade-off is that EZdrummer 3 does not let you swap out or fully edit the effects within each preset – but for fast results, it’s brilliant.
Songwriting options
Songwriting capabilities are one of the biggest reasons musicians choose EZdrummer 3 over Superior Drummer 3. Both plugins do include tools for creating drum parts and arranging songs… but EZdrummer 3 is built specifically to help you move from an idea to a finished track as quickly as possible.
The headline feature here is Bandmate, which is exclusive to EZdrummer 3. To use it, simply drag in a recording of your guitar, bass, piano, or any other instrument; the software will then analyse the performance to identify the tempo, feel, and rhythmic characteristics of your song. It will suggest compatible drum grooves from its MIDI library – much quicker than manually auditioning hundreds of patterns.
Once you’ve found a groove, you can use the Song Creator to automatically generate matching song sections, including verses, choruses, bridges, fills, and endings. Basically, you can build complete arrangements without getting lost in manual editing.
Superior Drummer 3 includes many of the same composition tools, including the Song Creator, Grid Editor, Step Sequencer, and Play Style controls for adjusting MIDI performances. However, without Bandmate, the songwriting workflow feels less immediate.
Price
Superior Drummer 3 is the more expensive of the two plugins because it offers a substantially larger sample library and advanced mixing and customisation tools. It’s aimed at professional producers and composers and comes in a variety of bundles, including the SDX Value Pack and Superior Drummer 3 Bundle.
EZdrummer 3 is the more affordable option, making it an excellent choice for hobbyists, songwriters, home studio musicians, and anyone looking for realistic drum sounds without paying a fortune. Again, there are a range of bundles here, including the EZX Value Pack and the EZDrummer 3 Bundle.
Which plugin is right for you?
There’s no one “best” plugin – the right choice is about what you specifically need from it and the kind of music you typically create.
Superior Drummer 3 is aimed at users who want complete control over every aspect of their drum production. If you regularly mix your own music, produce records for clients, replace live drum recordings, work with electronic drum kits, or need highly customised drum sounds, we recommend Superior Drummer 3.
The larger sample library, advanced mixer, microphone bleed controls, sample layering, and detailed editing tools allow you to shape drums at a level that rivals dedicated drum production software.
EZdrummer 3 is the better choice if you primarily write music. Its streamlined workflow, Bandmate feature, Song Creator, and mix-ready presets help you turn ideas into finished drum parts with minimal effort. If you’re a guitarist recording demos, a singer-songwriter building arrangements, or a home producer looking for realistic drums without spending hours tweaking settings, EZdrummer 3 is ideal.
Choose Superior Drummer 3 if you:
- Produce and mix music professionally
- Want detailed control over every aspect of your drum sound
- Need advanced routing, mixing, and sample editing tools
- Work with electronic drum kits or drum replacement workflows
- Want the largest possible library of drum and percussion sounds
Choose EZdrummer 3 if you:
- Primarily write songs and create demos
- Want realistic drums with minimal setup
- Need inspiration from tools such as Bandmate and Song Creator
- Prefer mix-ready sounds straight out of the box
- Value speed and simplicity over deep editing
FAQs
Is EZDrummer 3 better than Superior Drummer?
EZdrummer 3 and Superior Drummer 3 are designed for different users; one is not “better” than the other. EZdrummer excels at songwriting and drum beat creation, whereas Superior Drummer 3 delivers extensive mixing, routing, and customisation features for your final productions.
Can you upgrade from EZDrummer to Superior Drummer?
You can upgrade EZdrummer to Superior Drummer using Toontrack’s discounted Crossgrade option. The upgrade provides a more affordable route to Superior Drummer ownership. Eligibility requires a registered copy of EZdrummer on your Toontrack account.
How much RAM is needed for Superior Drummer 3?
8 GB of RAM is recommended for Superior Drummer 3. Other system requirements include 64-bit macOS 10.10 or higher or 64-bit Windows 7 or newer.
Final thoughts
So now you know that the Superior Drummer 3 vs. EZdrummer 3 debate isn’t as simple as it seems! Both plugins excel in different areas. Neither is objectively better, but whatever your way of working, Toontrack has something to suit.
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