The drum machine changed music. There’s no getting around it.
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.
Perfect Drums by Naughty Seal Audio (@KVRAudio Product Listing): Perfect Drums is the innovative virtual drum instrument featuring an Intelligent Sampling Engine, that enables anyone to create unique multi-sampled instruments and share them all over the globe in an easy and convenient way. First of all Perfect Drums gives you some of the best drum samples on the market. SL Drums 2 is the newest version of Beatmaker‘s freeware drum VST, AU plugin available for Windows and MAC OS. Featuring over 450 drum samples, 118 new drum kits, new controls and new GUI design, SL Drums 2 is a great virtual drum machine to have into your DAW. Best partit’s free! Free Download: SL Drums 2. Impakter by de la Mancha.
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.
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
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 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
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 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
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 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 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
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
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
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.