The drum machine changed music. There’s no getting around it.
7 Best Free Virtual Instruments – VST/AU Plugins for Mac & PC Virtual instruments are software emulations of traditional instruments or hardware electronic musical instruments. There is a staggering range of virtual instruments available nowadays, covering multi-timbral rompler modules to dedicated emulations of guitars, basses, drums. Free VST Plugins. Mastering Plugins; List of Free VST Compression Plugins(updated18-09-09) List of the best free VST eq plugins; Free VST Guitar Effect Plugin; Reaper Tutorials. Setting Up a Midi Device; Setting Up a Midi Device Part 2; Setting Up Midi Input Record and Monitor; Import Midi; Midi Clock Sync; Midi Sync Two Compters; Piano Roll.
Every DAW software these days comes with some sort of sampler or drum machine built right in. They’ve become a pillar of modern music production.
But picking a sound can be tough when you have infinite possibilities at your fingertips.
That’s why these drum VST plugins are so great. They impose some limitations to help you corral the creative juices a bit.
So here’s the 10 best free drum VST plugins for making your drums pop.
T.REX 606
The name says it all. The T.REX 606 is a compact rompler modelled after the iconic Roland TR-606 drum machine.
The simple interface keeps things basic. Which is nice these days when so many VSTs are needlessly complicated.
It’s just volume, reverb and 7 classic sounds. Easy peasy.
Download it here for free
Djinndrum
The Linn LM-1 is a classic drum machine. It’s been used by everyone from Peter Gabriel, to Prince, to Michael Jackson.
But let’s face it, these days they’ve gotten a bit pricey for what they are.
No problem, The Djinndrum has you set for all that classic sound that the LM-1 packs in.
Download it here for free
Drum PRO
Drum Pro has 20 built in drum kits, 12 pads and global effects, what more do you need from a drum machine plugin?
The Drum Pro has you covered no matter what you’re making. Big EDM? Check. Techno? Check. Everything else you need for sweet drums? Check that too.
Download it here for free
Line of Legends
This plugin may not look as technical as others. But don’t let the looks of Line of Legends fool you.
This plugin boasts 47 high quality samples, 8 individual output channels, and punch, release & attack knobs for some serious tweakage.
Heads up: you may have to set up the output channels in your DAW if it’s only showing one channel. So check your DAW manual to figure out how.
Download it here for free
Sean Pandy Drums
Sean Pandy Drums is based on a sample pack made by heavy metal drummer Sean Pandy. So if you’re looking for a heavier drum sound on your mix, this VST will definitely give you it.
The ‘Sub Blower’ is especially good and certainly lives up to its name…
Download it here for free
KickMaker
2 of the most important elements in any track that thumps is the kick and bass. So they deserve some serious attention.
That’s what makes KickMaker so great. It’s a plugin built for crafting the perfect kick. So what’re you waiting for? Get kickin’.
Download it here for free
Beat Factory Drums
Beat Factory Drums is easy to use, sounds great, and packs a serious punch.
It has fully tweakable ADSR parameters so you can customize each and every kit to your sound. Not bad for a FREE plugin.
All you have to do is enter your email and that’s it.
Download it here for free
MT Power Drum Kit 2
MT Power Drum Kit 2 isn’t just a plugin for drums. In addition to top notch drum sounds that cut through any mix, it also has a fully pre-programmed groove library.
It’s wicked for composing your own patterns, or stringing together grooves for the drum accompaniment you need.
Download it here for free
Dub Turbo DrumTROOP
The DrumTROOP drum machine is big both in its sound and what it offers. It’s a powerful tool for everything from EDM to house and back again.
Their website calls it a “weapon of mass production.” I can’t really disagree with that. It’s definitely massive is every respect.
Download it here for free
Single Cycle Vintage Drum Elements
Vintage Drum Elements has a nice, warm analogue sound that so many vintage drum machines have.
The 12 pad interface is easy to use and tweak, and the preloaded samples are all top notch.
Name your price or enter your email to grab it on the Single Cycle Bandcamp.
Download it here for free
Drumming up the perfect sound
Nothing beats a banging drum track. They’re the backbone of tons of top notch songs.
And the drum machine is a superb way to hone in on a specific sound for your tracks.
So grab these sweet plugs and program away!
Already set for drums? Grab some of our other favourite free VSTs.
G-Sonique Neurofunker XG6 is modern plug-in multi-instrument/rompler created for Drum and Bass / Neurofunk music producers, but can be used in
other bass music styles (dubstep, half-beat) or experimental genres.
Neurofunker XG6includes 146+ high quality, multi octave / multi-layer instruments/sounds ready for music production. Neurofunker XG6 makes your production
faster and sounding better, you can choose from hundreds of high quality sounds made by professional DnB producers in speed of just few seconds, modify
them with internal parameters or use external vst effects (We suggest our G-Sonique Dubshox H8 or other multi-band distortion). Creatinq just one sound
with standard synthesizers can take long hours or days + months of learning, with Neurofunker XG6 your production become more professional, faster and
you can fully focus on creating melodies, arrangements, beats, mix etc. Neurofunker XG6 also saves lot of your CPU and RAM (it is much more effective than
standard synthesizers). This plug-ins includes various styles of dnb basslines, modulated bass, futuristic bass, deep bass, various sci-fi hits, subbass sound,
leads and much more. Listen to the demo videos or better DOWNLOAD DEMO with few example sounds. FULL VERSION of Neurofunker XG6 include huge
library of 890 MB internal files packed together with plug-in!
All instruments/sounds can be additionally modified with LFO (rate and depth) modulating volume/expression, Panning, Pitch, amplitude envelope - attack,
decay, sustain, release, Pan, Space, you can choose glide (+ glide time), mono, legato or polyphonic modes, load additional bonus instruments etc. You can
layer two or more instruments together to create new kind of sounds (use two Neurofunker XG6 Layered together with different instrument/preset but with
same melody) and use various external G-Sonique VST effects to modify the sound to brand new level. Neurofunker XG6 uses special multi-sample/
multi-octave Hard drive streaming technology which saves your RAM (data are loaded from hard drive) with precise hiqh quality sound interpolation.
Neurofunker XG6 is available for Windows and Mac (VSTi plug-in in x32/x64bit for Windows, VSTi plug-in for MAC, AU Audio Unit plug-in for MAC)
other bass music styles (dubstep, half-beat) or experimental genres.
Neurofunker XG6includes 146+ high quality, multi octave / multi-layer instruments/sounds ready for music production. Neurofunker XG6 makes your production
faster and sounding better, you can choose from hundreds of high quality sounds made by professional DnB producers in speed of just few seconds, modify
them with internal parameters or use external vst effects (We suggest our G-Sonique Dubshox H8 or other multi-band distortion). Creatinq just one sound
with standard synthesizers can take long hours or days + months of learning, with Neurofunker XG6 your production become more professional, faster and
you can fully focus on creating melodies, arrangements, beats, mix etc. Neurofunker XG6 also saves lot of your CPU and RAM (it is much more effective than
standard synthesizers). This plug-ins includes various styles of dnb basslines, modulated bass, futuristic bass, deep bass, various sci-fi hits, subbass sound,
leads and much more. Listen to the demo videos or better DOWNLOAD DEMO with few example sounds. FULL VERSION of Neurofunker XG6 include huge
library of 890 MB internal files packed together with plug-in!
All instruments/sounds can be additionally modified with LFO (rate and depth) modulating volume/expression, Panning, Pitch, amplitude envelope - attack,
decay, sustain, release, Pan, Space, you can choose glide (+ glide time), mono, legato or polyphonic modes, load additional bonus instruments etc. You can
layer two or more instruments together to create new kind of sounds (use two Neurofunker XG6 Layered together with different instrument/preset but with
same melody) and use various external G-Sonique VST effects to modify the sound to brand new level. Neurofunker XG6 uses special multi-sample/
multi-octave Hard drive streaming technology which saves your RAM (data are loaded from hard drive) with precise hiqh quality sound interpolation.
Neurofunker XG6 is available for Windows and Mac (VSTi plug-in in x32/x64bit for Windows, VSTi plug-in for MAC, AU Audio Unit plug-in for MAC)