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µTONIC (pronounced Microtonic) was one of the first real-time drum synths to make a major impact on the plugin market, and it’s a sign of how far ahead of the game it was that it’s still a great option despite relatively few updates over the years (the current sound engine is largely the same as that found in version 2, released nearly a decade ago).
Sonic Charge’s Magnus Lidström is one of the most talented audio plugin developers around, responsible for unique instruments including the Mälstrom graintable synth in Reason and the Brian Eno-endorsed “genetic” synth, Synplant.
As such, Sonic Charge’s own tongue-in-cheek synopsis of µTONIC as “synthetic drums that omfg pwns” doesn’t quite do it justice. What we have here is a drum plugin that doesn’t make any claims to recreate analogue classics, or follow strict rules about how sounds should be created. Instead, it’s all about the end result, and µTONIC sounds great.
Sonically, you could compare it an Elektron MachineDrum or maybe even a Korg Electribe; it’s digital, but with bags of character. Dial in a preset, mess with some settings and push it into new territory. This is a plugin that encourages experimentation and rewards those with an one mind. A cult favourite, and long may it continue.
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