General Information

What is BFD Imperial Drums?

BFD Imperial Drums is an expansion pack for FXpansion's BFD3, BFD Eco and BFD2 software drum instruments.


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What do I need in order to use this expansion pack?

BFD Imperial Drums requires a registered copy of BFD3, BFD Eco or BFD2 (versions 2.1 and later only).


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Can I use this product with BFD 1.x?

No - this expansion can only be used with BFD3, BFD Eco or BFD2 (versions 2.1 or later only). BFD 2.1 is a free update to all registered BFD2 users.


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Why does it have these requirements?

BFD3, BFD Eco and BFD2.1 (and later versions) are equipped to handle the data format and custom channel layout featured in this expansion; previous versions of BFD2 and BFD 1.x cannot.


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What kind of limitations exist when using this product with BFD Eco?

When using this expansion in BFD Eco, limitations apply in terms of the audio channels and articulations that are available (this is one of BFD Eco's limitations, as opposed to the fully-featured BFD3 or BFD2).

BFD Eco is a streamlined instrument based on the BFD2 engine.


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What is included?

The following drums, hihats and cymbals are provided with a number of versions played with different stick/beater types, resulting in over 150 kit-pieces in total.

  • DW Kick 22”x18”: Collector’s - Maple – Seashell
  • DW Kick 22”x16”: Collector’s - Maple - Laquered Royal Blue
  • DW Kick 22”x18”: Collector’s - Maple - Matador Red
  • DW Toms (10”, 12”, 14”, 16”): Collector’s - Fast Toms – Maple – Seashell
  • DW Toms (8”, 10”, 12”, 14”, 16”): Collector’s – Maple – Laquered Royal Blue
  • Ludwig Kick 24”x16”: Vistalite
  • Ludwig Toms (14”x10”, 16”x16”, 18”x16”): Vistalite
  • Remo Rototoms (10”, 12”, 14”, 16”, 18”)
  • Paiste China 14”: Rude
  • Paiste China 18”: 2002
  • Paiste Crashes (14”, 16”, 17”, 18”): Signature
  • Paiste Splashes (8”, 10”, 12”): Signature
  • Paiste Ride 20”: Dark Ride Signature
  • Paiste Ride 20”: Flat Ride Signature
  • Paiste Ride 20”: Full Ride Signature
  • Paiste Ride 20”: Dark Full Ride Signature
  • Paiste HH 13”: Thin/Heavy Dimension
  • Paiste HH 14”: Medium Signature
  • Paiste HH 15”: Medium Signature
  • Snare Ludwig 14”x6.5”: Brass - Supraphonic
  • Snare DW 14”x5”: Maple – Seashell
  • Snare Yamaha 14”x5.5” – Birch - 9000 Series Black Laquered
  • Snare Premier 14”x5.5” – Maple – vintage ‘50
  • Snare Ludwig 14”x5” – Black Beauty – Super Sensitive
  • Snare Remo 13”x3.5” - Bronze
  • Snare Yamaha 8”x5” – Cocktail drum
  • Latin Percussion Kit Tambourine

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What equipment was used for the recordings?

Direct channels

  • Kick: AKG D112 (inside), Neumann U87A (outside)
  • Additional kick: Audio Technica AE2500 (double element Dynamic + Condenser)
  • Snare: Beyerdynamic M77TG (top), Neumann TLM170 (bottom)
  • Hihat: AKG414B-TLII, AKG C391B
  • Ride: Neumann KM84, AKG C391B
  • Toms: Sennheiser MD441, Sennheiser MD421, Beyerdynamic M201TG, Beyerdynamic M77TG

Ambient channels

  • Overhead: AKG C414 Silver
  • Overhead 2: AKG C2000B stereo set
  • Room: Neumann U87A stereo set
  • Room 2: Groove Tubes GT61 stereo set

Preamps, conversion and recording notes

  • Focusrite ISA428, API, SSL, Summit Audio, Sony
  • Apogee AD16X, Digidesign 192
  • Recorded at 88.2 kHz with BigBen Master clock and subsequently downsampled to 44.1 kHz.

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Is BFD Imperial Drums related to any previous product?

BFD Imperial Drums is derived from the now-discontinued Scarbee Imperial Drums XL. If you are an owner of this product and would like to enquire about the BFD version, please contact Chocolate Audio directly.


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Why are all the drum/kit-piece photos for the included instruments the same?

BFD Imperial Drums was recorded many years ago and photos of the kit-pieces were not taken. Each instrument within this collection features a generic rendered picture to represent its type.


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How big is the download?

The download size is approximately 8 GB.


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Do you allow license transfers?

Yes, however:

  • If you're the seller, you must contact us in advance of the sale. If you're the prospective second-hand buyer, you must check that the seller is cleared to sell. If in doubt, contact us.
  • There is a flat $50 fee per product for a license transfer, which can be purchased from our online shop.
  • Review copies, NFRs (Not For Resale copies, sometimes used for in-store demos), etc., cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
  • We reserve the right to refuse a license transfer request.

Once a transfer is authorised and the fee has been paid, the new owner is entitled to exactly the same upgrade paths and technical support resources as if they had bought the product new.


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