Steven Slate Drums 4.0 released today - which version to buy??

doc-phil

I have been waiting for the release of SSD 4.0 for ages! The wait ended as of this morning.

Now the following dilemma arises: Which version do I buy??

The platinum version costs a cool $300: http://stevenslatedrums.com/products/platinum/

The EX version is much more affordable at $99, but seems to have a quarter of the features: http://stevenslatedrums.com/products/ex/

I think it basically comes down to the Platinum version having 100 kits, and the EX version having 25. My question is: is 100 kits overkill and unnecessary? Will I regret dropping the R2400 on the Platinum version? On the other hand, is the EX version too watered down, and will I be forced to download the expansion packs at $60 a pop when they eventually get released?

Has anybody on the forum used SSD in the past? Thoughts?

EDIT: Here's the launch video -

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AlanRatcliffe

Cool! I've been waiting for these too.

Which version you buy boils down to the simple question: Do you need the extra kits? If you are going to buy the $99 version and four or more expansion kits, you might as well buy the platinum version and get the extra 75 kits. The EX will give you all the basics you'll need to cover a variety of styles, but for the inveterate tweaker like myself, I'd rather have all the extra kit (and mix-and-match) options.

doc-phil

I'm going to mull it over for a few days... but I will probably end up going with the EX version. Don't think I can justify $300 on a drum plugin alone as I will prob end up using only half of the kits (if that anyway).

If I ever need to buy an expansion or two, I'll be working and would have earned a bit of cash by then, so I won't feel too bad ?

A quick Q - does the EX version not have the ability to layer two hits and the feature of loading your own samples? Also, I would like to know which kits are included in EX, I can't seem to find a list.

majestikc

I have 3.5 so I get this for half price, but I don't think I will, I use mainly 1 or 2 kits from 3.5 and even then it's just to enhance.

AlanRatcliffe

It looks like the two have the same features aside from number of kits, but it might be wise to hang on a few days and see what pops up in their forum and on their site now the new version is out.

doc-phil

Yeah I'll just sit tight for a bit and see what happens. I've seen there have been one or two issues with faulty licenses being issued, and it's still uncertain whether the 64-bit vst has been released yet.

doc-phil

A guy on youtube was kind enough to tell me what kits are contained in the EX version; it has:

4 deluxe rock kits;
6 deluxe vintage kits;
2 deluxe metal kits;
12 SSD classic kits from the older SSD packs; and
1 dance kit.

That's plenty for my purposes, EX has exactly the same functionality as platinum. I'm gonna buy myself a belated Christmas present just now ?