€149 ($179)
Synthesis expert Rob Papen is one of the leading names in ‘conventional’ synth plugins. You probably know him from the likes of Predator, RAW or Blade, but of course it should come as no surprise that someone who’s made a name from creating synth plugins should also be able to turn his hand to drum synthesis.
Punch was Papen’s first foray into the world of drums, but it was a bold move. A variety of modelled synth engines are combined with sample playback options to create a truly versatile instrument.
As with all Papen’s plugins, the presets provide a mixture of fully formed sound palettes and more basic starting points for further tweaking. Flicking through the banks, there are plenty of highly usable sample-based programs for more realistic sounds, but of more interest here are the patches which rely more heavily on the plugin’s extensive synthesis options, generating sounds from scratch.
Each drum engine has its own approach and its own set of controls, meaning that programming isn’t an overly complex process. As such, the sound itself ranges from more mellow vintage analogue tones through to aggressive digital sounds depending on the way you choose to use it. When you factor in all of those different sound engines – as well as the excellent sequencer – Punch is a great all-rounder.
If you’re only interested in the kick drum options, Punch-BD is a cheaper alternative, clocking in at just €49 ($59).
07.46 AM
I think Drumatic 4 deserves to be on that list! http://www.drumatic.info/
Maybe even Maschine’s drum modules could be on the list.
Other than that, great list! I learned that Kickr was for windows now as well.
04.31 PM
vive le Drumazone
04.36 PM
vive le Drumazon !!!, mais pour faire le râleur, il y a juste une différence de tonalité, mais sinon c’est le top quand on rêve d’acquérir une 909.
10.33 PM
I agree with Sleepydog, Drumatic 4 is an amazing drum synth, would have like to have seen it on here
09.03 PM
Can’t believe Audiospillage and their whole line of drum synths didn’t get included, especially with so many redundant entries that did make it in. Have to give them a plug, but I’m just as happy keeping these all to myself…
03.06 PM
Yeah not sure why Drumspillage 2 and Elecktroid, both by Audiospillage did not make this list
12.18 PM
Waldorf Attack was a great unsing hero of Drum Machine VSTs imo.
09.46 AM
It would make sense to put Spark on the list as well.
12.50 PM
Another vote for Drum Spillage. I’ve demo’d just about all of these, and Drum Spillage is easily at the #1 spot for me. For both sound, and the ability to dial in sounds and timbres.
01.29 PM
Bazzism by Intelligent Sounds & Music – It’s my go to for kickdrums and its priced right!
07.52 PM
Yeah, not sure why we’ve got two kick drum plug-ins on this list?
I second Attack – It’s an oldie, but a goodie, for sure!
Tattoo is okay, but pretty limited sonically, especially when compared to the Audiospillage stuff, which for some reason didn’t make it on the list.
One omission I’m pretty surprised about is LinPlug’s RMV, which I think is totally underrated. I use it all the time… And it was one of the first plug-ins to combine drum synthesis and sampling – way before Punch or even Maschine!
Anyway, my 2 cents.
08.24 PM
Spark?
11.59 PM
you skipped the 2 best ones:
http://audiospillage.com/drumspillage.html
http://www.sonicacademy.com/KICK/
12.07 AM
You need to add Drumspillage 2 to that list.
Seriously!
02.50 PM
ahem…
Sonic Academy KICK was Future Music Gear Of The Year #1 and its not even in your list?
http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/future-music-gear-of-the-year-readers-choice-award-612743