Toontrack Infinity Grid EZX [EZX Sound Expansion]

• Product: Infinity Grid EZX
• Publisher: Toontrack
• Version: 1.0.0
• Format: EZX Sound Expansion
• Requirements: EZdrummer 3.1.2 or later, Superior Drummer 3.4.1 or later
• Source: toontrack.com/product/infinity-grid-ezx

Infinity Grid EZX is a professional drum sample expansion pack for EZdrummer 3 and Superior Drummer 3, featuring three complete drum kits recorded by engineer Steve Blackmon at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville (Back Stage room), performed and designed in collaboration with Jay Postones (TesseracT drummer) and co-produced by TesseracT guitarist Acle Kahney.

Sample library comprises five kicks, ten snares, fifteen toms, twenty-two cymbals, and two hi-hat sets, all captured with full multitrack separation (kick/snare/toms/cymbals/hats/overheads/room channels). Includes mix-ready presets engineered by Steve Blackmon, Toontrack, and Acle Kahney featuring layered one-shot samples on kicks and snares for punch/clarity, original raw multitrack versions for granular mixing, and original mix plus stacks hybrid approach.

MIDI library includes grooves and fills performed by Jay Postones. Compatible with EZdrummer 3.1.2+ and Superior Drummer 3.4.1+. 11 GB download size. Designed for “dynamic, dark and massive-sounding drums” optimized for modern and progressive metal, claiming versatility across genres through full dynamic range capturing delicate ghost notes to crushing authority. $89 USD pricing. Engineer pedigree (Steve Blackmon, Sound Stage Studios) and artist collaboration (TesseracT) position product as professional-grade metal drum library. Target audience: metal/heavy music producers, e-drumset users, recording engineers, progressive musicians requiring cutting-authority, articulate high-gain drum character.

Key Takeaway

Toontrack Infinity Grid EZX delivers professional Nashville-recorded metal drums at exceptional value through engineer pedigree (Steve Blackmon), artist collaboration (Jay Postones/TesseracT), and production-ready presets with full multitrack flexibility. For progressive/djent/heavy metal producers seeking cutting authority through wall-of-guitars, it’s essential; for acoustic-focused or genre-agnostic producers, specialized alternatives recommended.

Crushing Authority With Articulate Precision: Metal Drums Done Right

Modern progressive metal drums need everything: crushing weight for the riffs, intricate detail for the rhythmic complexity, articulate presence to cut through heavy guitars.

Toontrack’s Infinity Grid captures that spectrum through deliberate design: three handpicked drum kits, professional engineer (Steve Blackmon), Nashville studio (Sound Stage Studios), and artist collaboration (Jay Postones, TesseracT).

“From crushing weight to intricate detail – drums in modern and progressive metal need the entire spectrum.”

The philosophy isn’t generic. It’s meticulous: room selection for balance (big enough to breathe, controlled enough to maintain definition), full multitrack recording (every channel individually captured), and mix-ready presets (engineers already did the heavy lifting).

Acle Kahney (TesseracT guitarist) plays two of the included tracks, demonstrating the presets work for real production context.

$89 USD entry point reflects professional quality without premium studio pricing. This is professional engineer + artist collaboration + Nashville studio in software form.

The Three Kits: Intentional Diversity

Rather than one “perfect” kit, Infinity Grid offers three distinct personalities.

Kit 1: Deep, Warm, Lush Sound
Recorded with single-ply coated heads (warmer, more open top-end). Deep, guttural, heavy tone. Resonant character — full ring-out, super lush, super warm, super rich, super deep.

Ideal for lower tunings. Kit designed for warmth/depth, not aggression.

Kit 2: Punchy, Aggressive Character
“Slightly more aggressive than other rooms.” Balanced punch + presence. Different head/tuning approach enables alternative character from same studio.

Kit 3: Size Options
Two kick drums (22″ and 24″) recorded. Direct comparison available. 24″ kick deeper/warmer. Second kick used as resonant drum (fills low-end nicely).

Practical benefit: Hear difference in real time. Choose based on tuning/style.

The Studio: Sound Stage Nashville

Located on Music Row, Sound Stage been professional Nashville studio 40+ years. Specifically, the Back Stage room was chosen for “balance of clarity and punch.”

Key insight: Room choice makes audible difference. Jay Postones selected Sound Stage because:

• Familiar space (worked there multiple times)
• “Offers sense of space without losing punchiness”
• Avoids claustrophobic tightness (can sound boxed-in)
• Avoids washy openness (can lose drum definition)
• Strikes “perfect balance”

Result: Room sounds reflective enough “for drums to sing, tight enough for natural reverb to not drown out detail.”

Professional decision-making evident. Not random studio selection, but deliberate space engineering.

Engineer Pedigree: Steve Blackmon + Jay Postones

Steve Blackmon: Professional recording engineer, meticulous track-laying.

“Steve Blackmon. We’ve worked together on a few projects over the past few years, and the sounds he’s able to capture are so accurate to how I hear them when I’m playing.” — Jay Postones

Jay Postones: TesseracT drummer, 20+ year Toontrack user, progressive metal specialist.

“As someone who has been a user and fan of Toontrack software for over twenty years at this point, it’s a dream come true to have been able to collaborate and make this project happen.”

Collaboration authentic. Not celebrity endorsement, but working relationship between professional drummer and engineer.

The Microphone Setup: Professional Studio Standard

• Kick top mic, kick bottom mic (capture attack + resonance)
• Snare top (AKG C414), snare bottom (capture snare character)
• Hi-hat (Beyerdynamic M160, precision articulation)
• Rack toms (Audio-Technica ATM23HE × 3)
• Floor toms (Audio-Technica ATM25)
• Overheads, room mics

Full multitrack separation enables mixing flexibility. Every channel individually processed, routed, or blended.

Mix-Ready Presets: Three Approaches to the Same Sound

Approach 1: Mix-Ready Presets with Layered Stacks

• Engineered by Steve Blackmon, Toontrack, Acle Kahney
• Chains of effects: saturation, compression, EQ
• Layered kick/snare stacks (one-shot samples) adding punch/clarity/depth
• Designed to cut through heavy guitars immediately
• No additional processing needed (professional preset work done)

Approach 2: Original Mix (Raw Multitrack)

• Unprocessed channels exactly as recorded
• Every microphone channel available
• Maximum control (user responsible for mixing)
• Ideal for engineers who want minimal interference
• More mixing work, but unlimited flexibility

Approach 3: Original Mix + Stacks (Hybrid)

• Raw multitrack + optional one-shot layers
• Stacks initially muted (user controls blend)
• Combines raw character + modern punch option
• Flexible middle ground

Practical Difference:

• EZdrummer 3: Stacked layers grouped in kick/snare channels (simplified)
• Superior Drummer 3: Individual sample access for granular control (advanced)

The One-Shot Samples: Modern Production Approach

Layered samples add punch/smack/clarity without losing original kit character.

Purpose: “Layered samples add weight, attack, and depth without losing natural tone of kit.”

Not synthetic replacement, but complementary samples. Raw drum + layer = enhanced punch while maintaining Infinity Grid character.

Practical benefit: Producers get “unbelievable attack, smack and depth” for modern metal mixes. Modern producer’s approach (sample layering) combined with authentic recording (real kit).

MIDI Grooves & Fills: Performed By Jay Postones

Collection of rhythmical + progressive metal-tinged grooves and fills. Performed by Postones himself.

Organization: Categorized by instrument type (kicks, snares, etc.) — “breeze to look up exactly the parts you’re looking for and stitch together jaw-dropping drum tracks.”

Scope: “Basic collection” (not exhaustive 2,500+ grooves like main EZdrummer library, but solid foundation for progressive metal).

Practical use: Jumpstart song ideas. Postones’ playing patterns provide rhythmic foundation.

Sound Character: Capturing the Spectrum

Dynamic Range: Full spectrum from delicate to crushing.

Ghost notes and paradiddle subtleties captured (intricate detail). Crushing authority on main hits (weight). Every transient cuts with relentless precision.

Metal-Specific Character:

• Dark, aggressive aesthetic (not bright, clean acoustic)
• Punchy (cuts through heavy guitars)
• Articulate definition (no mud in low tunings)
• Roomy (space without losing impact)

Engineer Assessment:
“Although we were focusing on a style of music that most would consider aggressive, I believe we captured tones that can be used across a wide range of genres and musical contexts.”

Versatility claimed beyond metal, though optimization evident.

Workflow Integration: EZdrummer 3 vs. Superior Drummer 3

EZdrummer 3 (Simplified):

• Stacked layers grouped in kick/snare channels
• Simple mixer interface
• Drag-drop workflow
• Presets immediately usable
• Less granular control

Superior Drummer 3 (Professional):

• Individual sample access
• Property boxes, individual faders
• Full mixing console
• Granular control over every element
• Route out for external processing
• Professional mixing workflow

Choice: EZdrummer for quick results. Superior Drummer for professional mixing control.

Where Infinity Grid Shines

Ideal Contexts:

• Progressive metal (djent, complex rhythms, low tunings)
• Death metal, black metal, extreme music
• Progressive rock/fusion
• Heavy alternative rock
• E-drumset augmentation (“feels like sitting behind my kit”)

Secondary Contexts:

• Hybrid productions (heavy drums + other genres)
• Sound design (room character, dynamic range demonstration)
• Modern pop/rock (if aggressive drum aesthetic fits)

Less Ideal:

• Acoustic-focused production (dark, dark aesthetic)
• Pop, soul, funk (genre doesn’t match aesthetic)
• Stripped-down minimal sounds (presets may overcomplicate)

Technical Requirements & Compatibility

Software Requirement: EZdrummer 3.1.2+ or Superior Drummer 3.4.1+

• Cannot use with earlier versions
• Upgrade necessary if using EZdrummer 2
• Software not included ($99+ additional purchase)

Storage: 11 GB download + installation space

• Substantial (may require SSD or external storage)
• Bandwidth consideration for slow connections

CPU: Standard processing power (not reported as resource-intensive)

Professional Quality: 24-bit resolution, professional studio standards

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Professional Nashville recording (Sound Stage Studios, Steve Blackmon).	Requires EZdrummer 3 or Superior Drummer 3 purchase.
Artist collaboration (Jay Postones, TesseracT credibility).	Dark, aggressive aesthetic (not versatile for all genres).
Three distinct kits (warm, aggressive, size comparison).	Large download (11 GB requires substantial storage).
Mix-ready presets (immediate usability, no setup).	Version-specific compatibility (not backward-compatible).
Full multitrack access (professional mixing flexibility).	“Basic” MIDI collection (not exhaustive grooves).
One-shot sample layers (modern production enhancement).	Preset complexity requires host software understanding.
Layered stacks for punch/clarity (metal-optimized).	Setup learning curve (EZdrummer/Superior Drummer mastery).
$89 USD fair pricing (professional studio + artist prestige).	Genre-specific optimization (less versatile than general libraries).
MIDI grooves by Jay Postones (authentic progressive metal patterns).	Software bundling (not standalone, requires additional purchase).
Professional engineer pedigree (quality assurance).	Beginner-unfriendly (complex presets, multitrack mixing).

FAQs

Final Verdict

Toontrack Infinity Grid EZX proves that professional metal drums require meticulous engineering: studio selection for acoustic balance, engineer pedigree (Steve Blackmon), artist collaboration (Jay Postones/TesseracT), and intentional kit diversity.

Three handpicked kits capture spectrum from deep/warm to aggressive/punchy. Full multitrack recording enables professional mixing flexibility. Mix-ready presets with layered one-shot samples provide immediate usability without sacrificing authenticity.

$89 USD fair value for professional Nashville recording, engineer collaboration, and artist prestige. Not budget software—professional tool at accessible price point.

Requires EZdrummer 3 or Superior Drummer 3 (not included, additional investment). Software dependency and version requirements important consideration. Dark, aggressive aesthetic optimized for metal (less versatile for other genres).

Ideal for progressive/djent/heavy metal producers, e-drumset users, recording engineers, musicians requiring cutting authority through wall-of-guitars. Not suitable for acoustic-focused, genre-agnostic, or minimalist production approaches.

Professional consensus: Versatile within metal context. Full dynamic range (delicate to crushing). Cutting-authority through heavy instruments. Authentic performance (Jay Postones’ playing evident).

November 2025 release (recent). Industry recognition (Toontrack’s continued EZX expansion strategy). Artist collaboration adds prestige and credibility.

Professional-grade metal drum library done right.

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Professional drum sample expansion for EZdrummer 3 and Superior Drummer 3. Three complete kits, full multitrack recording, five kicks, ten snares, fifteen toms, twenty-two cymbals, two hi-hat sets. Mix-ready presets with layered one-shot samples. Original raw multitrack versions. MIDI grooves/fills by Jay Postones. Recorded at Sound Stage Studios, Nashville by Steve Blackmon. Designed for modern/progressive metal, claiming versatility across genres. $89 USD. Requires EZdrummer 3.1.2+ or Superior Drummer 3.4.1+. 11 GB download. Professional engineer + artist collaboration pedigree. Essential for metal producers; supplementary for acoustic/genre-agnostic approaches.