OK, did some searching. Using the default suggestion ‘VstPlugIns’, the installation creates a folder Drum Pro (which is ignored by Ableton) with only uninstall-files, but also creates a folder Clap Lab where the files needed for using Drum Pro are, so you have to choose Clap Lab in Ableton (that I had to reset to the VstPlugIn setting. The best drum software for getting hyper-realistic drums, played by humans, without all the complexity of miking and recording an actual drum kit is EZ Drummer 2.0 by ToonTrack. Every sound in EZ Drummer was played by an actual person - often a drumming legend - and are easily customizable through an intuitive interface.
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.
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.
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Riffmaster Pro for MAC |
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RiffmasterPro slow down music software musicians, keeps pitch, learn song easily They Call it The Software revolution that's rocking the Guitar Playing world. RiffmasterPro slow down music software musicians, keeps pitch, learn song easily They Call ... |
Platforms: Mac Other, Mac OS X 10.5 |
Size: 2.8 MB, Price: USD $49.00, License: Free to try, Date: 03/15/2012 |
Riffmaster Pro |
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RiffmasterPro slow down music software musicians, keeps pitch, learn song easily They Call it The Software revolution that's rocking the Guitar Playing world. RiffmasterPro slow down music software musicians, keeps pitch, learn song easily They Call ... |
Platforms: WinXP, Windows2000, Windows Vista, Windows Vista x64, Mac OS X 10.5 |
Size: 7.6 MB, Price: USD $47.00, License: Free to try, Date: 05/14/2012 |
Guitar and Drum Trainer 2 |
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Easily learn your favorite songs and music on guitar or any instrument. Easily learn your favorite songs and music on guitar or any instrument. * Slow down music between 5% and 200% of normal speed * Changing speed does not change pitch * Pitch shift ... |
Size: 1011.0 KB, Price: USD $20.00, License: Shareware, Date: 10/08/2008 |
Musicnotes Player |
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To take full advantage of digital sheet music, which includes to see, hear and print Musicnotes digital sheet music or guitar tablature online you'll need the free Musicnotes Player. To take full advantage of digital sheet music, which includes ... |
Size: 2.3 MB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 02/03/2013 |
Guitar & Drum Trainer |
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Slow down music, loop, pitch shift, filter out sound - play instruments better Play any instrument better by getting more out of your practice time. Easily learn your favorite songs and music on guitar or any instrument with GDT. ... |
Size: 1010.0 KB, Price: USD $39.95, License: Shareware, Date: 01/24/2006 |
Note4Note Player |
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Learn to play music faster in slo-motion, change video tempo without affecting audio pitch. Learn to play music faster in slo-motion, change video tempo without affecting audio pitch. Note4Note Player lends itself especially to the musician wanting to ... |
Platforms: Win2000, Win7 x32, WinVista, WinXP |
Size: 38.3 MB, Price: USD $54.95, License: Free to try, Date: 01/04/2012 |
Gadwin Rockmer |
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The Rockmer is a software for creating, editing, and listening to tablature and sheet music for guitar and other fretted instruments. You can use Rockmer for regular guitar practicing, for learning songs or for advancing your performance skills. Gadwin ... |
Platforms: Windows |
Size: 23.5 MB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 07/08/2017 |
Guitar Shed |
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Includes a guitar tuner, tablature organizer, tab finder, chord library, jam machine, song jammer, and much more. Everything the guitarist/musician needs, all in one package. Integrated software tools for guitarists, bassists, and other musicians. Includes ... |
Size: 6.3 MB, Price: USD $18.00, License: Commercial, Date: 03/07/2006 |
enable Guitar Tuner |
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enable Guitar Tuner performs real-time tuning for a range of instruments, as well as presets for each instrument in a variety of styles. You can transpose, use common jazz and orchestra references or even enter your own custom frequencies for unlimited ... |
Size: 3.7 MB, Price: USD $14.99, License: Shareware, Date: 01/24/2006 |
Chords! |
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The first and only Winamp plugin that shows chords and guitar tabs to absolutely any song, right inside your Winamp. The first and only Winamp plugin that shows chords and guitar tabs to absolutely any song, right inside your Winamp. No more searching ... |
Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 |
Size: 1.8 MB, Price: USD $19.95, License: Free to try, Date: 01/18/2012 |
Power Tab Editor |
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It is intended to be used to create guitar sheet music, more commonly known to musicians as guitar tablature and bass tablature. (aka guitar tab/bass tab). The program provides the most commonly used symbols in tablature, including chord names, chord ... |
Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 |
Size: 5.6 MB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 05/09/2012 |
Guitar & Drum Trainer |
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Easily learn your favorite songs and music on guitar or any instrument with GDT. * Slow down music without changing pitch * Pitch shift music to match your instrument * 16 band EQ and Low Pass Filter to cut out unwanted parts and boost what you want ... |
Size: 1013.8 KB, Price: USD $39.95, License: Shareware, Date: 11/30/2012 |
enable Encore |
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Use the transposition facilities to aid you in writing music or transcribing pieces you don't have sheet music for. Learn to 'tune by ear' using the Play Tone feature, which generates the note you are trying to play while you tune to it. enable Encore ... |
Size: 4.0 MB, Price: USD $19.98, License: Shareware, Date: 01/24/2006 |
Machine online Piano |
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Guitar tabs, guitar chords, bass tabs, drum tabs, piano tabs, song lyrics, music news, albums, biography, discography, guitar lessons, music forums and . Quickly get detailed finger settings for all the guitar chords and scales you can imagine, for _any_ ... |
Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 |
Size: 28.0 KB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 10/08/2008 |
Auralia |
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Auralia's drill based teaching is a fun and easy way to use your computer for ear training. Auralia's drill based teaching is a fun and easy way to use your computer for ear training. Auralia leads you through a variety of graded exercises, and presents ... |
Platforms: Linux |
Size: 1024.0 KB, Price: USD $99.00, License: Demo, Date: 03/02/2012 |
Guitar&Drum Trainer |
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Easily learn your favorite songs and music on guitar or any instrument with GDT. * Slow down music without changing pitch * Pitch shift music to match your instrument * 16 band EQ and ... |
Platforms: Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP |
Size: 1013.8 KB, Price: USD $39.95, License: Shareware, Date: 04/12/2012 |
Sea visual supplement 'Sleeping Mind Relaxation1' for iPad |
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- Adjust the volume levels of music and sound effects in the audio setting. - The timer function allows to preset running time. - While a clip is running, touching on the screen will change it to the following ... |
Size: 157.0 MB, Price: USD $1.99, License: Shareware, Date: 08/14/2014 |
Classical Pieces for Guitar Vol I |
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These guitar pieces are suited for all kind of guitarists who desire to learn this style of music, be it for its intrinsic beauty, phrasing practice, or increasing one's technique. Many 'Electric Guitarists' , whatever style they are playing, are interested ... |
Size: 2.8 MB, Price: USD $28.90, License: Shareware, Date: 07/12/2007 |
123 Guitar Tuner |
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Want to tune your guitar, but don't want to spend $20 down at the music store? Want to tune your guitar, but don't want to spend $20 down at the music store? Are you about to play a gig, and just forget your guitar tuner back home? Don't ... |
Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
Size: 2.9 MB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 02/16/2013 |
FreeGuitarTuner |
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Just click the buttons and tune the guitar with the sound of the tuned string! Have a lot of fun making music!!! Just click the buttons and tune the guitar with the sound of the tuned string! The app has: - Mode for automatic ... |
Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 |
Size: 13.0 MB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 08/10/2014 |
MagicScore Guitar |
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MagicScore Guitar is a perfect tool for any guitar player or band. Offering easy composing, transcribing and notation features, this guitar tab software is made for guitar professionals, music teachers and enthusiasts learning how to play guitar. Compose, ... |
Platforms: Windows |
Size: 18.2 MB, Price: USD $49.95, RUB 1595, License: Shareware, Date: 01/31/2016 |
SlowGold |
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Slow down music from any audio CD with high fidelity - hear and learn every note Slow down music from any audio CD, MP3 file, or Wave file - hear and learn every note. The styles and solos of all the master musicians are yours for the taking with this ... |
Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Linux, Windows CE |
Size: 8.1 MB, Price: USD $49.95, License: Shareware, Date: 01/24/2006 |
SightReader for Guitar |
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'I have a successful career in music, I have played at the Winter Olympics in 2002, the World Expo in Germany and a PBS broadcast. I spent four years at various colleges and conservatories struggling to learn how to sight read. When I saw your ... |
Size: 1.4 MB, Price: USD $29.95, License: Shareware, Date: 03/27/2005 |
KB Piano |
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Easily create song with multiple instruments (guitar, bass, drums, etc), even if you don't know music theory. KB Piano will turn your computer into a piano and more. Easily create song with multiple instruments (guitar, bass, drums, ... |
Platforms: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 |
Size: 10.6 MB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 04/23/2017 |
Chord finder online |
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Find music gutar chord by using this program. Find music gutar chord by using this program. Guitar chord finder. you can find a guitar chords by using this game Excellent resource for finding guitar chords, easy to read graphical interface. Find music ... |
Platforms: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 |
Size: 30.0 KB, Price: USD $0.00, License: Freeware, Date: 03/07/2006 |
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