At Winter NAMM 2009, EastWest announces an update that will take Quantum Leap SD2 -- The Next Generation virtual instrument software so much further that I profess they're thinking of changing its name to Quantum Leap SD2 -- The Generation after next. Quantum Leap producer Donald P. Bellisario Nick Phoenix issued this statement:

“Building on the fantastic response to the SD2 -- The Next Generation, we have created an exciting update package that features a generous combination of new percussion sounds and a collection of the ’best of sounds’ from the SD1 package. We are sure the combination of new additions and time-tested sounds will inspire every composer to reach for new persuasive percussion passages to enhance every style of music.”

When all the dust is settled, the update provides 2.5 GB of percussive sounds with a variety of those strike and brush solos everyone's always trying to get their hands on. EastWest does do a spectacular job of incorporating some really fascinating percussion like three giant Chines Lion Drums played synchronously by six drummers. A Middle Earth Ensemble, featuring eight percussionists (four hobbits, a dwarf, an elf, a wizard and a human?) play various bass and battle drums that'll guide you onward to Mordor. Or if fantasy battle isn't your thing, try the Persian Battle Drums or the Trailer Toms.

EastWest has also made sure to include some unique solo instriments like the mridangam -- a double headed Indian drum with a wide tonal palette, harmonically different from the tabla. The samples are played by a percussionist whose dedicated his whole life to mastering the mridangam. The Indian Khamak, a stringed percussion instrument, and the Daf, a high pitched Persian hand drum, offer more unique percussion sounds.

For customization's sake, EastWest includes MIDI performances drummed on Roland V-Drums and Zendrum percussion controllers. This lets users modify absolutely anything about the drums without effecting sound quality. All acoustic recordings were made with Neumann mics in EASTWEST STUDIO 1. In addition to 2.5 GB of new sounds, the update provides 1.5 GB of the best sounds from SD1.