When comes to make a drum track using our DAW, many producers are accustomed to using Drum Samples packs that include one-shot sounds in Wav format. Others use soft samplers, such as Kontakt with some free or commercial Drum Libraries added.

This choice is based primarily, I think, because of the affordable price compared with a Drum Machine VST Plugin. But who wants more originality, flexibility, and to really dive into drum creation and drum sound design this list of best virtual drum machine plugins for Windows and MAC is worth a look.

Virtual Drum Machines plugins can be divided into two categories, those designed to emulate a specific classic hardware drum machine and others that feature original concepts and innovations capable of creating new drum sounds.

All the drum plugins listed in this post are available for purchase at PluginBoutique.com, one of the biggest plug-ins distributors on the Internet.

1. EZDrummer 2 by Toontrack

EZ Drummer 2 drum plugin is the latest version released by Toontrack for their big success with the first version of this virtual drum machine. EZ Drummer 2 brings powerful innovations that, we can say, erase any technical barrier between you and your creativity when comes to make a drum on your computer. You can customize any groove in real-time, write an entire drum track without leaving the program, and more awesome features, all sustained by a powerful audio engine. Priced at £99.00 is A MUST HAVE for any producer.

2. Break Tweaker by iZotope

Break Tweaker drum VST is built on a futuristic MicroEdit Engine and turns everything you know about drums and rhythms. With this virtual drum plugin, you can manipulate, re-invert any beat by controlling pitch, rhythm, or/and texture with maximum resolution and quality. Break Tweaker brings powerful wavetables designed by today’s top producers and also includes some great presets and drum samples. This virtual drum machine is available at PluginBoutique for £138.99.

3. Punch by Rob Papen

As has accustomed us, Rob Papen has released over time some amazing plugins and Punch is not an exception. His virtual drum machine software delivers synthesized drums in the finest audio quality for today’s producer. Punch features classic samples taken from some of the most popular classic analog drum machines. Punch has 2 envelopes, 2 LFOs, and 8 modulation slots, which allow you to use a wide variety of modulation sources to control Punch’s parameters and is priced at £39.94. Also, read Punch-BD Review

4. EVOLUTION by Wave Alchemy

Wave Alchemy delivers with Evolution a completely successful drum engine software plugin. Not only does the interface look damn good, it’s also designed for a quick workflow. The many editing options and onboard effects should leave no wish unfulfilled even for those who love the sound, and the more than 25,000 analog and electronic drum samples include love and the demand for high quality.

5. SPARK 2 by Arturia

Among many big names in the industry, Arturia certainly has a top place in many producers’ heads. Arturia is a reference for quality and innovation in this field, whether it’s about hardware tools or music software. Spark 2 Drum Machine features a cutting-edge sound library, multiple synthesis engines, and advanced sequencing functionalities. Spark 2 is perfectly suitable for real-time live performances and also for studio use. Also supports REX files. Spark 2 is one of the most innovative virtual drum machines released these days using the latest audio engines and programming technology. Priced at £137.43.

6. Nerve by Xfer Records

Nerve has earned a leading position in our “Best VST Drums” list, being one of the best and highly rated software drum machines for both Windows and MAC producers. Featuring a huge sound bank of over 2GB, Nerve offers everything you need: one-shots, drum kits, and even drum loops created by world-class sound designers like SampleMagic, Dom Kane, SampleSquad, PowerFX, Richard Devine, Bitword, and more.

7. Groove Machine by Image-Line

This Groove Machine plugin you can find in FL Studio, allows you to automate every parameter of the sampler, synth, and effects channels on PER-step basic. If you want to use Groove Machine live, Image-Line recommends using this plugin along with a MIDI controller for best performance and efficiency. As the main highlight, this drum virtual instrument features 5 hybrids (Subtractive/FM) synthesizer channels, 8 flexible sampler channels, each with 4 sample layers, 10 DJ-style effects + EQ and Stutter PER channel, and many more. At PluginBoutique.com, Groove Machine is available at £113.95.

8. TRAX | DRUM MACHINE

TRAX is a perfect drum machine for any Hip Hop, Trap, or RnB music producer looking for the best drums and the best way to make drums. Instead of a classic drum library (sample pack), this Trax plug-in offers you 50 Drum Kits with over 400 drum samples, numerous controls, and effects in an interface that looks very good and is very easy to use. We have this plugin already in our store at a special price, so do not hesitate to find out more details.

9. ANALOG TECHNO DRUMS

ANALOG TECHNO DRUMS is created by BeatMaker and includes some of the best drum samples recorded by Marci Scherer. Yes, it’s a sampler drum machine that includes 66 drum kits totaling over 1,000 drum samples from 808 analog drums to electronic drums and more. For its price is a great tool to have it. ATD drum plugin is available for both Windows and MAC music-making software via ProducerSpot.com priced at $30.

10. BIG Kick by Plugin Boutique – £39.94 (Check BigKick Review)

11. Nepheton by D16 Group – £81.94

12. Drumazon by D16 Group – £81.94

13. MicroTonic by SonicCharge – £71.04

14. DrumSpillage 2 by AudioSpillage – £75.00

The prices listed on this post are the regular prices. Plugin Boutique runs many promotions each month, so you can find these plugins at much better prices.

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