Toontrack has announced the release of the Southern Soul EZX, the fourth EZX sound library expansion since the EZdrummer 2 launch in 2014.

Toontrack Southern Soul EZX

”I think it’s safe to say that never before has so much history, heritage and magic been captured in a drum sample library. There is definitely something unique about Muscle Shoals, Alabama and the FAME Studios. We’re truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to come to this landmark recording facility”, commented Mattias Eklund, Toontrack’s head of Sound Design.

Some studios are famous not only because of their body of work, but because they helped change the course of music history. Because their heritage seeps through to culture and myth. Because they play an integral part in how we define a sound or an era. Because there truly can be magic inside four studio walls. Ask Aretha Franklin, Etta James or Otis Redding and they’ll probably tell you that, yes, there is something that special about a place in the small rural community of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. A place that has soul – true Southern soul: FAME Studios.

With the guidance of original Swampers guitarist Jimmy Johnson, period correct gear and mic placement, the Southern Soul EZX sets out to recreate the unmistakable sound of soul. Crisp, dense and saturated drums – all encapsulated in the hallmark ambience of the FAME room. It comes with five complete kits and two setups – one using all-mono miking techniques and one full stereo setup. On top of that, it features leakage mics for vocals, guitar, piano and upright bass set up in their original spots in the room, a signature FAME trait and key to adding that special band presence to the sound.

From the smallest town with the biggest impact on music culture comes a touchstone collection of drums. Drums that have soul. True Southern soul.

Southern Soul EZX features

  • Five (5) complete kits (Ludwig, Gretsch, Pearl, Sakae).
  • Two setups (’60s/’70s).
  • Produced by Glenn Rosenstein (James Taylor, U2, Ziggy Marley), engineered by Jeff Balding (Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Celine Dion).
  • Sampling and included example MIDI performed by Chad Cromwell (Neil Young, Joe Walsh).

The expansion is available for purchase for 69 EUR.

More information: Toontrack / Southern Soul EZX