# Toontrack

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Toontrack
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Toontrack.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toontrack
> Source revision: 1334030746
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|Swedish music software company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name                = Toontrack
| former_name         = 
| logo                = 
| logo_caption        = 
| type                = Private
| industry            = [Music software](/source/Music_software)<br />
[Virtual instrument software](/source/Software_synthesizer)
| predecessor         = <!-- or: predecessors = -->
| founded             = {{Start date and age|1999}} in [Umeå](/source/Ume%C3%A5), Sweden
| founder             = Andreas Sundgren, Mattias Eklund
| defunct             = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| fate                = 
| successor           = <!-- or:  successors = -->
| hq_location_city    = [Umeå](/source/Ume%C3%A5)
| hq_location_country = [Sweden](/source/Sweden)
| area_served         = Worldwide
| key_people          = Peter Knutsson, CEO
| products            = [Superior Drummer](/source/Superior_Drummer)<br />
EZdrummer<br />
EZmix<br />
EZkeys<br />
EZbass
| owner               = <!-- or: owners = -->
| num_employees       = 40
| num_employees_year  = 2018<ref name="KVRMay2018">{{cite web|title=The beat of a different drummer: An interview with Mattias Eklund from Toontrack|url=https://www.kvraudio.com/interviews/the-beat-of-a-different-drummer-an-interview-with-mattias-eklund-from-toontrack-39564|website=KVR|date=29 May 2018|access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref>
| parent              = 
| website             = {{url|toontrack.com}}
}}
'''Toontrack''' is a music software company, based in [Umeå](/source/Ume%C3%A5), [Sweden](/source/Sweden). Founded in 1997, it develops [virtual instruments](/source/Software_synthesizer) and [audio plug-ins](/source/Audio_plug-in), including [Superior Drummer](/source/Superior_Drummer), EZdrummer, EZkeys, EZbass, and EZmix. Still headquartered in [Umeå](/source/Ume%C3%A5), Toontrack now has branches in the US, UK, and Germany.

==History==
The origin of the company was initially a project for co-founders Mattias Eklund and Henke Kjellberg's own music production for [video game](/source/video_game)s and [film](/source/film),<ref name="HughesR">{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Russ|title=Behind The Brand: Toontrack|url=https://www.production-expert.com/production-expert-1/behind-the-brand-toontrack|website=Production Expert|date=24 October 2025|access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref> - including music for the [video game soundtrack](/source/video_game_soundtrack)s from the [Umeå](/source/Ume%C3%A5) company [Daydream Software](/source/Daydream_Software), including ''[Traitors Gate](/source/Traitors_Gate_(video_game))'' and ''[Clusterball](/source/Clusterball)''.<ref name=toontrackint>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000608014133/http://www.traitorsgate.com/articles/interview_toontrack.html | url=http://www.traitorsgate.com:80/articles/interview_toontrack.html | title=Toontrack Interview | archive-date=8 June 2000 | publisher=[Daydream Software](/source/Daydream_Software) | url-status=dead | access-date=21 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=macgate>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991004150535/http://www.macgate.torget.se/articles/interviews/Traitorsgate/ | url=http://www.macgate.torget.se:80/articles/interviews/Traitorsgate/ | title=Interview with Nigel Papworth on ''Traitors Gate'' | date=May 8, 1999 | author=Unland, Brice | work=Mac Game Gate | archive-date=October 4, 1999 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 21, 2021}}</ref> When Eklund and Andreas Sundgren weren't able to find the kind of drum sounds that they needed, they decided to record their own with [Tomas Haake](/source/Tomas_Haake), the drummer of local Swedish [extreme metal](/source/extreme_metal) band [Meshuggah](/source/Meshuggah). They named the resulting drum [sample library](/source/sample_library) ''Drumkit From Hell'',<ref name=HughesR/> and began selling it as a product in 2000.<ref name="SOSSep2008">{{cite web|last=Poyser|first=Debbie|title=Behind The Groove: Virtual Drum Instrument Developers' Round Table|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/behind-groove|website=Sound On Sound|date=September 2008|access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref>

In 2001 Toontrack began developing Drumkit From Hell into a [virtual instrument](/source/Software_synthesizer), releasing DFH Superior in 2004.<ref name="SOSMar2005">{{cite web|last=White|first=Paul|title=Toontrack DFH Superior|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-dfh-superior|website=Sound On Sound|date=March 2005|access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref> From 2005, the software was further developed into two products, the simpler EZdrummer and the more fully-featured Superior Drummer. The company later expanded its product line with EZmix [audio mixing](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) software, and EZkeys, and EZbass virtual instrument software.

Toontrack also produces other [expansion pack](/source/expansion_pack)s for its software, including [music genre](/source/music_genre) or application-specific [sample packs](/source/Sample_library) of different instrument models, often recorded in a notable [recording studio](/source/recording_studio), [MIDI files](/source/MIDI_files) of [riff](/source/riff)s, often performed by notable musicians, and [signal chain](/source/signal_chain)s of notable [engineer](/source/Recording_engineer)s or [producer](/source/Record_producer)s.

==Products==
===Superior Drummer===
The first version of Toontrack's virtual drum software was DFH Superior, which originated with the ''Drumkit From Hell'' sample library, which was developed with the help of [Tomas Haake](/source/Tomas_Haake), the drummer of local Swedish [extreme metal](/source/extreme_metal) band [Meshuggah](/source/Meshuggah).<ref name="Sonor">{{cite web|title=Artists: Tomas Haake|url=https://www.sonor.com/drums/artists/artists-detail/tomas-haake|website=Sonor|access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="GilkesonK">{{cite web|last=Gilkeson|first=Kyle|title=Guest Spots: Meshuggah on the Drumkit from Hell|url=https://alarm-magazine.com/2011/guest-spots-meshuggah-on-the-drumkit-from-hell/|website=Alarm Magazine|date=24 January 2011|access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref> The second version, renamed Superior Drummer,<ref name="SOSDec2008">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack Superior Drummer 2.0|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-superior-drummer-20|website=Sound On Sound|date=December 2008|access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref> established itself as one of the most popular virtual drummer programs available.<ref name="SOSOct2017">{{cite web|last1=Walden|first1=John|last2=Gordon|first2=Mark|title=Toontrack Superior Drummer 3|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-superior-drummer-3|website=Sound On Sound|date=October 2017|access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>

The latest version of the software is based on over 230GB of samples of acoustic drum kits and electronic drum sounds, recorded at [Galaxy Studios](/source/Galaxy_Studios) under the supervision of Grammy award-winning engineer [George Massenburg](/source/George_Massenburg).<ref name=SOSOct2017/> Also included is a library of MIDI drum loops, and a mixer that allows the user to adjust the independent volumes of each of the microphones on the drum kit or add [effects](/source/effects_unit).<ref name=SOSOct2017/>

Superior Drummer is expandable with numerous SDX or EZX drum sample expansions and Drum MIDI expansions.

===EZdrummer===
EZdrummer, a simplified version of Superior Drummer designed specifically for [songwriter](/source/songwriter)s, was first introduced in 2006,<ref name="SOSMay2014">{{cite web|last=White|first=Paul|title=Toontrack EZdrummer 2|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-ezdrummer-2|website=Sound On Sound|date=May 2014|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> and, like Superior Drummer, has become one of the most popular drum VIs.<ref name="SOSJun2022">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack EZdrummer 3|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-ezdrummer-3|website=Sound On Sound|date=June 2022|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> The virtual drum instrument is expandable with EZX drum sample expansions and Drum MIDI expansions.

===EZmix===
Toontrack introduced EZmix, a [plug-in](/source/Audio_plug-in) for mixing and [mastering](/source/Mastering_(audio)), in 2010.<ref name="SOSDec2013">{{cite web|last=White|first=Paul|title=Toontrack Emix 2|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-ezmix-2|website=Sound On Sound|date=December 2013|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> EZmix 2, introduced in 2013, added [guitar amplifier](/source/guitar_amplifier) and cabinet [modeling](/source/Amplifier_modeling), and the latest version added [AI](/source/Artificial_intelligence)-assisted functionality.<ref name="SOSNov2024">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack EZmix 3|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-ezmix-3|website=Sound On Sound|date=November 2024|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> The plug-in is expandable with EZmix Packs, many which were developed with notable recording engineers, including [Chuck Ainlay](/source/Chuck_Ainlay) and [Mark Needham](/source/Mark_Needham).<ref name=SOSDec2013/>

===EZkeys===
In 2013, the company introduced EZkeys, a virtual piano instrument.<ref name="SOSJan2013">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack EZkeys|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-ezkeys|website=Sound On Sound|date=January 2013|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> Expandable via genre- and keyboard instrument-specific EZX sample expansions and EZkey MIDI expansions, version 2 was released in 2023.<ref name="SOSAug2023">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack EZkeys 2|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-ezkeys-2|website=Sound On Sound|date=August 2023|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>

===EZbass===
EZbass, a virtal [bass guitar](/source/bass_guitar) instrument, was introduced in 2020. Similar to EZdrummer and EZkeys, EZbass combines a sample library of bass guitar sounds with MIDI bass grooves, and amplifier, cabinet, and effects modeling. EZbass is expandable via genre- and bass instrument-specific EBX sample expansions and Bass MIDI expansions.<ref name="SOSJul2020">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack EZbass|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-ezbass|website=Sound On Sound|date=July 2020|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>

==Collaborations==
Keeping with the company's origins in collaborations with members of Meshuggah, Toontrack has collaborated with many notable musicians, [producers](/source/Record_producer), [engineers](/source/Recording_engineer) and recording studios to create sample libraries and MIDI expansions for the company's virtual instruments.

Musicians contributing riffs for Toontrack MIDI pack expansions include [John "Jabo" Starks](/source/John_%22Jabo%22_Starks), [Clyde Stubblefield](/source/Clyde_Stubblefield),<ref name="SOSMay2009">{{cite web|last=White|first=Paul|title=Toontrack Funkmasters EZX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-funkmasters-ezx|website=Sound On Sound|date=May 2009|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref> [Nir Z](/source/Nir_Z),<ref name=SOSAug2013/> [Ash Soan](/source/Ash_Soan),<ref name="SOSJun2018">{{cite web|last=White|first=Paul|title=Toontrack UK Pop EZX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-uk-pop-ezx|website=Sound On Sound|date=June 2018|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> [Chris Adler](/source/Chris_Adler),<ref name="SOSFeb2019">{{cite web|last=White|first=Paul|title=Toontrack Drums Of Destruction EZX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-drums-destruction-ezx|website=Sound On Sound|date=February 2019|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> and [John Tempesta](/source/John_Tempesta).<ref name="MandMNov2011">{{cite web|title=Toontrack Metal Machine EZX Expansion Pack|url=https://mmusicmag.com/m/2012/03/toontrack-metal-machine-ezx-expansion-pack/|website=M Music & Musicians|date=November 2011|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

Producers and engineers who have contributed to Toontrack products and expansion packs include [Al Schmitt](/source/Al_Schmitt),<ref name="SOSDec2019">{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Mark|title=Toontrack Decades SDX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-decades-sdx|website=Sound On Sound|date=December 2019|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref><ref name=SOSOct2017/> [Steve Albini](/source/Steve_Albini),<ref name="SOSMay2017">{{cite web|last=White|first=Paul|title=Toontrack Alt-Rock EZX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-alt-rock-ezx|website=Sound On Sound|date=May 2017|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> [Neil Dorfsman](/source/Neil_Dorfsman),<ref name="SOSAug2013">{{cite web|title=Toontrack New York Studios Vol 3 SDX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-new-york-studios-vol-3-sdx|website=Sound On Sound|date=August 2013|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> [Hugh Padgham](/source/Hugh_Padgham),<ref name="SOSDec2022">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack Hitmaker SDX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-hitmaker-sdx|website=Sound On Sound|date=December 2022|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> [Eddie Kramer](/source/Eddie_Kramer),<ref name="SOSSep2020">{{cite web|title=Eddie Kramer SDX unveiled by Toontrack|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/news/eddie-kramer-sdx-unveiled-toontrack|website=Sound On Sound|date=9 September 2020|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> [Tom Dalgety](/source/Tom_Dalgety),<ref name="SOSJan2022">{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Mark|title=Toontrack Fields Of Rock SDX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-fields-rock-sdx|website=Sound On Sound|date=January 2022|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> and others, capturing instruments in the ambience of recording studios including [Capitol Studios](/source/Capitol_Studios),<ref name=SOSDec2019/> [British Grove Studios](/source/British_Grove_Studios),<ref name=SOSDec2022/> [AIR Studios](/source/Air_Lyndhurst),<ref name=SOSSep2020/> [Rockfield Studios](/source/Rockfield_Studios),<ref name=SOSJan2022/> [Sunset Sound](/source/Sunset_Sound_Recorders),<ref name="SOSMay2023">{{cite web|title=Michael Ilbert Signature EZX from Toontrack|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/news/michael-ilbert-signature-ezx-toontrack|website=Sound On Sound|date=31 May 2023|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> and [Real World Studios](/source/Real_World_Studios).<ref name="SOSNov2025">{{cite web|last=Walden|first=John|title=Toontrack Real To Reel SDX|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/toontrack-real-reel-sdx|website=Sound On Sound|date=November 2025|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>

==In use==
Toontrack software has been used to produce a variety of albums, most notably [Devin Townsend](/source/Devin_Townsend)'s 2007 concept album ''[Ziltoid the Omniscient](/source/Ziltoid_the_Omniscient)''<ref name="UGSep2020">{{cite web|last=Kiryushkin|first=Alexander|title=6 Albums You Probably Didn't Know Had Programmed Drums|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/6_albums_you_probably_didnt_know_had_programmed_drums-111509|website=Ultimate Guitar|date=29 September 2020|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref> and [Meshuggah](/source/Meshuggah)'s album ''[Catch Thirtythree](/source/Catch_Thirtythree)''.<ref name=GilkesonK/><ref name="Revolver">{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=J.|title=Meshuggah: Tomas Haake Weighs In On Djent Godfathers' Classic Albums|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/meshuggah-tomas-haake-weighs-djent-godfathers-classic-albums/|website=Revolver|date=13 July 2022|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref> It's also been used by [Dethklok](/source/Dethklok) (for episodes of ''[Metalocalypse](/source/Metalocalypse)'' season 2), and [Ben Weinman](/source/Ben_Weinman) of [The Dillinger Escape Plan](/source/The_Dillinger_Escape_Plan) before the band hired drummer Gil Sharone.<ref name="SonorTH">{{cite web|title=Artists: Tomas Haake|url=https://www.sonor.com/drums/artists/artists-detail/tomas-haake|website=Sonor|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjnVxyk_q34 The Toontrack story: 20-year anniversary video on YouTube]

{{Authority control}}

Category:Software companies established in 1999
Category:Swedish companies established in 1999
Category:Companies based in Västerbotten County
Category:Software companies of Sweden
Category:Software synthesizers
Category:Audio software companies

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Toontrack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toontrack) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toontrack?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.