Kick Drum Vst Plugins

Kick Drum Vst Plugins

Over a period of three decades, the 808 has become an important sound for hip hop, trap, and other electronic music genres. Not many sounds in modern-day music have had quite an impact like the 808.
Kick Drum Vst Plugins VstThe Synsonic BD-909 is a model of the TR-909 Bass Drum. Synsonic has analysed the original circuit and created an accurately digital model for PC and Mac systems. There are also more soundshaping possibilities like distortion, noise decay, tune depth and hold and pitch. The plugin includes factory presets and you can also create your own presets.
With the birth of the internet, plugin manufacturers and sample creators have flooded the market with their products, making it difficult to find the perfect 808.
If you've been searching (and who hasn't?) then look no further. We've compiled a list of some of the best 808 plugins available right now.
Let's check them out.
Top 808 VST's1. Future Audio Workshop SubLabWe find that it's much easier to use plugins when they have a single purpose, making it simpler for music creators to…create! That's why we think that the SubLab from Future Audio Workshop is great. It lets you make just about any sub tone you can think of for almost any genre, but more specifically trap and hip hop.
Sublab is more or less a hybrid VST, consisting of both an analog synth and an X-sub synth layer, which can be routed to a kick drum fairly easily. The easy-to-use (and attractive) interface provides great feedback from the spectrogram and oscillator waveform. You can blend together, three different layers in the 'mixing' section.
The plugin gives every musical 'genius' the ability to play with multiple layers (synth and sample) to create massive sub tones without destroying the bottom end of your mix. If that isn't enough, you can always add in some dirt with the compression and saturation modules.
Let's be honest, no plugin is perfect, and SubLab is no exception. There are only 69 presets included, which might be limiting for some producers. On the flip side, it's not too difficult to build new tones from scratch, making it beginner-friendly.
Pros
Generate sub tones without sacrificing the bottom end
The compression and saturation are very high quality
Three layers to play around with
Cons
sampler section has no visual feedback
Not velocity-sensitive
2. Niche Audio Planet 808If you ever surf the web for samples, you've probably seen about a million different 808 kits out there. While that's all good for modern music producers, many of the kits lack the necessary processing for when they are used in the context of full-on productions.
Niche Audio Plant 808 combats this by providing a number of different vibe-driven 808 kits for just about any music genre. Each of these 808 kits has been sampled, edited, and processed with care. While there are additional patches for a number of soft samplers, the Niche Audio Planet 808 is best used in Ableton Live or Maschine 2.
There are thirteen standard kits and two special kits included, as well as an array of low-end subs and percussion to add a bit of flair to the kits. Every kit has starter patterns to help get some ideas down right off the bat. Each one also comes with different pitches so that you can fit the samples with your music in any key.
Overall, this 808 VST is known for its authenticity. It is meticulously sculpted for Ableton Live and Maschine to make it a viable 808 asset for any kind of modern music producer.
Pros
Versatile pack of 808s
Meticulously sampled, edited, and organized
Comes set up for Ableton Live and Maschine
Cons
You lose many ease of use features in other DAWs
3. Wave Alchemy RevolutionWave Alchemy says that their Revolution plugin is one of the most accurate virtual drum machine plugins available right now. Included in the VST are a number of classic machines like the OB-DX, 908, 606, 78, etc. but the 808s are what stands out.
In order to capture the original tone of each analog drum machine and every little nuance, Wave Alchemy injected thousands upon thousands of samples into the sound engine of the Revolution. The end result is the subtle differences that make analog so unique.
Each sound was captured through a balanced Radial JDI and a NEVE 1073 preamp, which resulted in sounds with a full frequency range response – think warm, punchy and dynamic! Another thing to note here is that each sound was also peak matched to help in the auditioning process.
A really cool feature is that you can load the different drum sounds into the 14 drum voice modules, effectively giving you a frankenstein kit of sorts. Use an 808 kick, a 909 hat, and an OB-DX snare. Get creative!
Pros
A lot of high quality samples to play around with
Comes with FX like reverb and saturation
The interface is nice to look at 😉
Cons
Not as beginner-friendly as some of the other options
4. DopeSONIX Bass Engine 1If you make hip hop beats and you're looking for a HUGE all-around bass plugin, the Bas Engine 1 might be what you've been missing. DopeSONIX went to the trouble of studying the last 30 years of hip hop to get a good representation of every bass sound through each era. You'll get everything from a classic 808 to a vinyl-style upright bass.
The plugin comes arranged with the sounds in order from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. In the 90's collection, you can expect to see samples from machines like the MPC 60 MKII and SP-1200. Those were the days when bass lines were sampled from soul, jazz, and funk records.

By the time we hit the 2000's, producers started getting their hands on hardware bass synths for more powerful bass tones. Some of the more popular samplers included the MPC 3000 and the ASR-10. Included in the Bass Engine 1 are 100 presets to give you those deep, dirty Y2K bass sounds.
Finally, you'll get a collection of 808 and sub-bass sounds that we're all taylored to modern trap, hip-hop, EDM, and dubstep. This is an absolutely impressive collection of hip-hop bass sounds combined with MIDI basslines, ADSR controls, and low CPU to boot.
Pros
Quality bass sounds organized through the decades
Interface is intuitive and easy to use
Very low CPU usage!
Cons
Not as many 808s as we were hoping (only 20)
5. Synsonic Instruments Synsonic BD-808If you hate sifting through tons of different 808 sounds to find the right one, then the Synsonic BD-808 might be right for you – simplicity at its best! The BD-808 is incredibly useful for creating dope 808 bass lines with very little effort.
Unlike other plugins on our list, the BD-808 doesn't use any 808 samples, instead it relies on detailed analysis of the old school bass drum circuits. Furthermore, it makes use of a MIDI control, allowing you to operate the plugin like a bass synthesizer, something you can't do with an 808 sample.
Included are a few parameters to tweak your sounds to perfection.
Accent – emphasizes the attack
Tone – which controls the amount of click on the tone
Plus a few other standard controls, such as Level and Decay.
Besides those controls, there are some other sound manipulation possibilities, such as halftone tuning, fine tuning, extended decay, and MIDISync.
By our analysis, we feel like the DB-808 is one of the simplest 808 VST plugins around for anyone looking for quality 808 sounds. Also, the ultra low price means you won't burn a hole in your wallet.
Pros
Ultra low cost
Simple to Operate
Additional controls for shaping your sound
Cons
Not as versatile as others on the list
Some users have commented that it can be a bit buggy
6. DopeSONIX Beat Machine 2The Beat Machine 2 by DopeSONIX is an upgrade from the DopeSONIX Beat Machine 1 on our list, though this one is more of a drum machine than a bass synthesizer. It was designed for producers who need a wide variety of hip-hop drums for different production styles from different eras.
There are 600 different kits onboard that have been EQ'ed and mixed ahead of time so that they can be used in your productions right off the bat. The days of spending hours on end looking for the right kit pieces are long gone.
The cool thing about the DopeSONIX Beat Machine 2 is that these kits were arranged by era. The first 100 presets bring you the dusty, chopped kit pieces from 90s hip-hop. The second 100 presets are from the 2000s, giving you the new Boombap sounds of producers such as Havoc and Alchemist alongside the 808 driven styles of Lil Jon, the clean-cut sounds of Timbaland, and the new wave West Coast sounds of Dr. Dre. Lastly, you get the 808 and 909 inspired sounds from hood trap producers such as DJ Mustard and Lex Luger.
There are 600 high-quality drum kits, 1200+ samples, 300 stereo kits, 300 multi-out kits, and 50 drum patterns, all wrapped up in a flexible and low CPU plugin.
Pros
Hundreds of incredible drum kits
Sounds arranged by era
Low CPU usage
Cons
The sheer number of kit pieces can be overwhelming
7. D16 Group NephetonD16 Group is famous for their digital emulations of well-known, classic synths and drum machines. The Nepheton is a recreation of the famous 808 drum machine. Every sound that comes out of the unit is perfectly captured enabling you to import the original 808 sounds straight into your DAW.
The Nepheton uses hybrid sequencing, which should please both modern producers as well as the serious drum machine enthusiasts. Built in is a randomize feature allowing you to quickly dial-in some unique rhythms when the original 808 patterns start to get dull.
If you're after a pure 808 emulation, the D16 Nepheton may be the best choice on our list.
Pros
Classic 808 emulation
Hybrid sequencing
Randomizer feature for interesting patterns
Cons
Modern producers may feel limited
8. Wave Alchemy Transistor Revolution MKIIFor producers using Kontakt, the Transistor Revolution MKII is a perfect match. This plugin is a digital recreation of the iconic TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines from the 1980's. Though this plugin has been around for quite some time, it has undergone some reason updates including a full re-script. Expect intuitive workflow and a beautiful interface.
The plugin comes equipped with a 16-track step sequencer, a 10-track mixer for individual drum processing, unified 808 and 909 instruments, reverb and delay defends, tape saturation, and volume and pan controls.
Thanks to the advanced sampling technology available in Kontakt, you can expect some 22,000 samples in this plugin for thick and fat sounds!
Carefully recorded with a Radial JDI and NEVE 1073 preamp, you can expect analog warmth and dynamics – top-notch analog sound at a relatively low price.
Pros
Premium quality analog sounds
Intuitive UI
Cons
CPU hog!
Get Down With the 808If your goal is to create chest-thumping trap, hip-hop or EDM, you need to get your hands on some quality 808s.
Instead of sifting through thousands of samples trying to create a good drum kit, why not pick up one of the best 808 VST's on our list and get back to what you love doing – making music?
Article ContentDrums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that.
Here are the plugins I most often reach for when mixing drums, with some insight as to how I use them:
1. FabFilter Pro-Q 2The ultimate non-analog emulation equalizer is found all over my mixes, including on drums, as it's my absolute utility for 'problem-solving' and ensuring that the different kit pieces play nice with each other, and with the other elements of the mix.
I generally use the Pro-Q 2 as a subtractive equalizer — either by filtering out messy low-end, superfluous high frequencies or by using individual bands to hunt down and remove unwanted rumble, boominess, boxiness, harshness, sizzle — and whatever else.
The bands and bell shapes are incredibly malleable, the GUI is beautiful and packed with a wealth of valuable information that helps me make informed decisions, and the sound is transparent.
If I'm trying to impart color and character onto drums, then I'll likely reach for an analog emulation, but for removing unpleasant resonances and rings (something very common in lower-budget drum recordings) and other applications that require surgical precision, the Pro-Q 2 is my go-to.
Mix Tip:I use Pro-Q 2 on the drum buss in mid-side mode. When I near the 80% complete mark on a mix, I begin dedicating time to processing my busses. If I notice that my snare is conflicting with the vocals, or kick is masking the bass, of course I can apply processing on those individual tracks, but it's helpful to have another level of control in using Pro-Q 2 to boost or attenuate material that sits straight up the middle (kick and snare). If my cymbals (found predominantly in the overheads and rooms, which are heavily panned) are clashing with double-tracked wide electric guitars, I can manage that relationship by focusing in on the sides with the Pro-Q 2 and making adjustments as needed.
Introduction to FabFilter Pro-Q 2Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft
2. oeksound SPIFFSPIFF is an amazing transformative tool for altering the punch and tonality of recordings. I use it to add pluckiness to bass, remove unwanted mouth clicks, or completely mangle synthesizers. Used on highly percussive sources like drums, however, is where SPIFF truly shines.
SPIFF is a self-described 'adaptive transient processor' meaning that it analyzes incoming signal and applies processing only to the components of the sound that you want. Much of what we love about the sound of a drum is the transient — that magical moment when we go from hearing nothing at all, and then, thwack — a sound is born.
What's great about SPIFF is that it allows you to sculpt and control that magical, explosive transient, but while also considering the frequency-based content of the drum. So if you want the snare (the series of chains that rests up against the underside of the snare drum and rattles whenever the drum is struck) to have a punchier, more prominent transient, you can achieve just that. First, by finding out which area of the frequency spectrum that sound exists within (probably in the 2-7 kHz range), and then using the BOOST function on SPIFF to enhance the transient in that range. If that range 'pokes out' a bit too much, you can use the CUT function and remove transient strength for the opposite effect.
I've found SPIFF to be a stunning tool for rescuing poorly tracked or weakly struck individual drums. As for drums that were recorded and played well, it still serves as a great enhancement utility.
Mix Tip:A sonic signature of hard rock, and especially metal, is that 'clicky' kick drum sound. I'd typically resort to drum sample augmentation (more on that later) and use the original kick to trigger a sample that contained pronounced punch in the 4-6 kHz range. Now, I simply use SPIFF to enhance the transient in that range.
With SPIFF, you can transform your source material to such a degree that I've found myself not resorting to samples. I can embellish what I love about the sound, and mask what I don't.
oeksound Spiff: Adaptive Transient Processor [Plugin Review]Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft
3. Soundtoys Devil-Loc DeluxeIt's a compressor, saturator, and equalizer (of sorts) crammed into one easy-to-use plugin. Things get out of hand pretty quickly with Devil-Loc, and that's part of what I love about it. Its volatility is what makes it so much fun. A slight twist of the compression (crush) knob and you've got enhanced punch and leveling (the name and design is derived from the Shure Level-Loc compressor hardware unit), push it a bit more for some wild, dynamic pumping effects. Once you start incorporating the crunch and darkness controls the real fun begins, with Devil-Loc capable of absolutely obliterating a signal. The blend feature is particularly useful for allowing the user to have a combination of both the processed and dry signal audible.
Mix Tip:Devil-Loc can be used on drums in a very subtle, tasteful manner, or employed to decimate percussive sources beyond recognition. When I get heavy-handed with Devil-Loc, I often don't use it for the entirety of the song, as super-smashed, crunchy drums can become distracting or even fatiguing.
I'll use Devil-Loc on kick, snare, or rooms during breakdowns, when non-percussive elements drop out, during transitions, or anytime the drums demand a bit of extra vibe.
Devil-Loc Deluxe – Drum Mixing TechniquesDrums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft
4. Addictive TriggerThe practice of layering samples on top of original drum recordings (or replacing them altogether) is nothing new. Especially for situations in which the recording or drum sound (or both) were less than ideal, this technique can really save a mix. Addictive Trigger from XLN audio allows you to implement pristine recordings of beautiful drums, all while retaining the dynamics of the original performance.
Addictive Trigger reads the transient information of an incoming signal, and triggers a sample if the amplitude of the original signal crosses a set threshold. Brilliantly, the quieter a drummer plays, the quieter a sample is triggered, leaving the user with a dynamic, natural performance, free of 'machine-gunning' snare drums.
There is plenty of excellent drum replacement and augmentation software on the plugin market. Try demoing them, if possible, to see which one offers the sound, flexibility and workflow that's best for you.
Mix Tip:While the most logical approach would be to augment the original drum (let's say a snare) with one of the many beautifully recorded and performed snares that come with Addictive Trigger, try loading non-matching instrument into one of the convenient 'Flexi' spots. Sometimes a snare sound is simply missing a bit of sharp, fast, 'tickiness' to it — in this case, try loading in a cowbell or similar sample to fill out whatever the original sound is missing. Use the Flexi spots to your advantage to create a drum sound appropriate to the rest of the arrangement.
Addictive Trigger – Intelligent Drum ReplacementDrums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft
5. UAD API Vision Channel StripChannel Strip emulations have gotten so good.
I partially view the different consoles (Neve, SSL, API, etc.) as unique flavors that allow you to impart sonic characteristics onto your drums. While I definitely use many of the different channel strip plugins currently available on the market (depending on the needs of the mix), the one I keep coming back to is the API Vision Channel Strip from Universal Audio. It has pretty much everything you would want in a channel strip — filtering and EQ, a gate/expander, and the hyper-punchy 225L compressor/limiter.
Whether you want to fix small issues that perhaps slipped through the cracks while tracking (especially common with drums), or apply broad sonic brushstrokes, the API Vision is an impressive channel strip plugin.
Mix Tip:While the aforementioned modules are excellent utilities, you can also drive the input gain section for a very usable crunch. I find the preamp saturation here to be much more pleasant, versatile and similar sounding to actual analog gear than on most other plugin channel strips. When I want to add girth to kicks, snares or even drum buss, I regularly employ this technique using the API Vision Channel Strip.
UAD API Vision Channel Strip Plug-In TrailerDrums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft
6. FabFilter Pro-RGenerally, I stay far away from using reverb plugins on drums. I usually rely on carefully balancing (and volume automating) the overhead and room recordings for establishing the sense of space surrounding the overall kit. I also use compression on the direct mics to increase the volume of the tails of the drum hits, therefore bringing out more of the room sound.
However, the Pro-R from FabFilter is special in that it does the natural reverb thing really well — transparently emulating an actual space without sounding processed and digital, while also functioning well as a special effect. If I'm trying to place a drum in an unnaturally tight, resonant environment, I can easily pull it off with the Pro-R. If I want to simulate a lush, dreamy, cavernous space, it can handle that with ease as well.
Mix Tip:The Pro- R is packed with a stunning GUI and a couple of features that you won't find on most other reverb plugins. Try creating unique (even ugly looking) curves with both the Decay Rate and Post EQ sections for bizarre sounds you simply won't hear in actual physical spaces.
Introduction to FabFilter Pro R reverbDrums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft
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