EZX Latin Cuban Drums — Free Download

Purpose and Sound

The Latin Cuban Drums EZX is a drum and percussion expansion designed for creating infectious Latin-flavored rhythms, from traditional styles to modern interpretations. Its core is the groove, which in Latin music often acts as the song’s lifeblood. The sound was captured in the historic Sear Sound Studios in New York, known for its live room aura and minimal signal path philosophy, giving a warm, present, and classic character.

The included percussion pieces, such as bells, woodblocks, and a timbale, are mounted for quick access, mirroring a practical live setup. A key feature is the sampled floor tom side, played to mimic the traditional ‘cascara’ pattern, a rhythmic backbone common in Cuban music.

Key Capabilities

This EZX provides a diverse set of sounds through two custom kits, four crash cymbals, two cymbal stacks, four ride cymbals, two standard hi-hats, and one right-hand FX hi-hat. Additionally, it includes two mambo bells, two songo bells, two left-foot cowbells, one left-foot woodblock, one hand-held woodblock, and a right-hand timbale. This array allows for layering and creating varied rhythmic textures without leaving the drum mapping.

The inclusion of MIDI performances by Robby Ameen offers a starting point for grooves or a reference for how to combine the various percussion elements. Every instrument was sampled with detailed care, including multiple articulations for the floor tom to support the cascara style.

Workflow and Integration

As an EZX, this product is designed to work within the Toontrack Superior Drummer and EZDrummer environments, loading directly into those hosts as an expansion. Once installed, you can assign each drum and percussion piece to specific MIDI notes, following the standard mapping for ease of use.

The MIDI grooves included are performative in nature, with human timing and ghost notes, making them suitable for dragging into your DAW and adapting. Each instrument group is separate, so you can control the level of the bongos, bells, and drums individually, enabling precise balancing in a mix.

Practical Applications

The Latin Cuban Drums EZX shines in any genre where rhythm is paramount. For Latin music, it’s a direct tool for salsa, songo, timba, and traditional Cuban styles, providing the exact sounds and articulations needed. Beyond that, it’s useful for pop productions seeking a subtle percussive layer—add a mambo bell loop for energy, or use the cascara pattern on the floor tom to add a surprising twist to a rock groove.

In film and game scoring, the authentic Latin vibe can immediately place a scene, whether for a dance episode, a chase, or a cultural setting. The included MIDI can be used as a sketchpad to generate rhythmic ideas, then manipulated to fit your song. For educators, it serves as a practice tool to study the interplay between drums and percussion.

Key features

• Two custom drum kits tailored for Latin and Cuban music
• Mounted percussion: two mambo bells, two songo bells, two left-foot cowbells, one left-foot woodblock, one woodblock, and a right-hand timbale
• Floor tom side sampled to mimic the traditional ‘cascara’ playing style
• Four crash cymbals, two cymbal stacks, four ride cymbals, two standard hi-hats, and one right-hand FX hi-hat
• Includes MIDI performances by drummer Robby Ameen
• Recorded at Sear Sound Studios in New York by Dave Kowalski

Best for

Best for musicians and producers creating Latin, salsa, songo, or timba tracks, or anyone seeking to add authentic Cuban percussion textures to pop, rock, or fusion music. Also useful for composers needing to evoke a Latin atmosphere and for educators demonstrating the role of drum kit in Afro-Cuban rhythms.