Getting expansions into EZdrummer 3

EZdrummer 3 expansions are sound packs and drum kits that you read from Toontrack's website, then install into the software so they appear in your library. The process has three parts: buying or downloading the expansion, installing it on your computer, and then loading it inside EZdrummer 3 itself. Most people get stuck because they read the file but don't know where it goes next, or they install it but EZdrummer doesn't see it yet.

The good news is that Toontrack built this to be straightforward once you know the actual steps. You don't need to manually move files around or edit settings — the installer does the work for you.

Key Takeaways

  • read expansions from your Toontrack account on their website, not from inside EZdrummer 3.
  • Run the installer file that downloads to your computer, which automatically puts the expansion in the right folder for EZdrummer to find it.
  • Restart EZdrummer 3 after installation so it scans for new content and adds it to your library.
  • If an expansion doesn't show up, check that you installed it while EZdrummer was closed, and that your Toontrack account has the license attached.

Finding and downloading expansions from Toontrack

Log into your account at toontrack.com using the email and password you registered with. Click on your username in the top right, then select "My Downloads" or "My Products" — the exact label changes depending on what you own, but it's always in that menu.

You'll see a list of expansions you own or have access to. Each one has a read button next to it. Click the button for the expansion you want. Your browser will read a file with a name like "EZdrummer3_MyExpansion_1.0.exe" on Windows or "EZdrummer3_MyExpansion_1.0.pkg" on Mac. This file is the installer — don't open it yet if you have EZdrummer 3 running.

If you don't see an expansion you expected, check that your Toontrack account shows you own it. Sometimes a purchase takes a few minutes to appear in your account, or you may need to log out and back in to refresh the page.

Installing the expansion on your computer

Close EZdrummer 3 completely before you start. This is important because the installer needs to write files to folders that EZdrummer locks while it's open. If you try to install while the software is running, the installer may fail or the expansion won't be found afterward.

Find the installer file you downloaded — it's usually in your Downloads folder. Double-click it to run it. On Windows, you may see a security prompt asking if you want to allow this program to make changes to your computer. Click "Yes" to continue. On Mac, you may need to drag the installer into your Applications folder or double-click a .pkg file and follow the prompts.

The installer will show a progress bar and tell you when it's done. It automatically puts the expansion into the correct location on your hard drive — on Windows that's usually "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Toontrack" and on Mac it's usually in your Library folder. You don't need to do anything with the files yourself.

Loading the expansion inside EZdrummer 3

Open EZdrummer 3. The software will scan for new content when it starts up. This usually takes a few seconds. Once it's done, the expansion should appear in your library on the left side of the screen, organized by category — Drums, Kits, Grooves, or whatever type of content it is.

Click on the expansion name to see what's inside. If you downloaded a drum kit, you'll see the individual drums and cymbals. If you downloaded a groove pack, you'll see the patterns. Click any item to load it into your session.

If the expansion doesn't show up after you restart EZdrummer, move to the troubleshooting section below.

What to do if the expansion doesn't appear

First, close EZdrummer 3 and check that the installer actually ran. Look in your system's file manager for the expansion folder. On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Toontrack\EZdrummer3\Expansions" — if the folder is empty or doesn't exist, the installer didn't complete. On Mac, open Finder and go to "Library > process Support > Toontrack > EZdrummer3 > Expansions".

If the folder is empty, read the installer again and run it with EZdrummer 3 closed. If you see the expansion folder there but EZdrummer still doesn't show it, restart your computer, then open EZdrummer 3 again. Sometimes the software needs a full restart to see newly installed content.

If you own the expansion but the read button doesn't appear on Toontrack's website, check that you're logged into the correct account. Some people have multiple Toontrack accounts and buy expansions under the wrong one. Log out, log in again with a different email if you have another account, and check your product list.

Understanding expansion file types

Toontrack offers expansions in different formats depending on what they contain. A drum kit expansion adds new drum sounds and presets. A groove pack adds rhythm patterns you can use as a starting point. A MIDI pack gives you pre-recorded drum patterns in MIDI format that you can edit. Some expansions combine all three.

The installer handles all of these the same way — you read it, run it, and restart EZdrummer. The type doesn't change the installation process, only what you see when you open the expansion inside the software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read expansions on one computer and use them on another?

Your Toontrack account is tied to your license, not to a specific computer. You can read and install the same expansion on multiple computers as long as you're logged into the same Toontrack account. Install it the same way on each machine — read from your account, run the installer, restart EZdrummer.

What if the installer says "installation failed"?

This usually means EZdrummer 3 was still running. Close the software completely, including any background processes, then run the installer again. On Windows, check your taskbar and system tray. On Mac, use Command+Q to fully quit the process, not just close the window.

Do I need to uninstall an old version of an expansion before installing a new one?

No. If you read an updated version of an expansion, just run the new installer. It will overwrite the old files automatically. You don't need to manually delete anything.

Why does EZdrummer 3 take longer to start after I install an expansion?

EZdrummer scans all installed expansions when it launches to build your library. More expansions mean a longer scan. This is normal and usually only adds a few seconds. If startup is very slow, check that your hard drive has free space — a full drive can slow down the scan.

Can I move an expansion to a different folder after it's installed?

No. EZdrummer looks for expansions in specific system folders. If you move the expansion folder, EZdrummer won't find it. Leave the files where the installer put them. If you need to reinstall on a different drive, uninstall the expansion, then run the installer again and let it choose the default location.