Ableton Forum

I am looking for a good all around drum VSTI. I know this is a matter of taste but I am curious what peoples oppinions are on this topic as I plan on picking up some software SOON! I need convincing accoustic drums as well as quality synth based sounds. I have been weighting the pros and cons of linplug's RMIV, FXpansions DR008 and NI's Battery 2.0. Right now I am pretty much sold on the DR008. But I wonder if it is worth picking up a full blown sampler that can do all types of sampling even though I dont do much sample based synth work anymore. But hey that could be because I am using a EMU E5000 and it just is not as nice as to deal with as my VST's.

So if you have some opinions please share them.

Thanks

Fruityloops and RM1V make a nice combo with endless possibilities for drum stuff.

I don't know much about the DR008, but if you're looking for user testimonials then I have to recommend the RMIV. It's versatile and easy and quick to use.

DR008 will be replaced soon by Drum 9 so u might want to check that out on www.fxpansion.com

the top voted vst drum atm is stylus rmx , but its a huge cpu hog...

synth wise tassman and reaktor have some pretty nice modules..

i took a look at stylus rmx but it seems to be more of a loop player than a drum sampler if you know what I mean. The chaos engine looks sick but I do not want to rely on there loops for my tracks all the time. as for inovation i would say that they take the cake though. I am aware of the dr9 but will not be able to afford it by the looks of it. They are saying about 300 USD. I can get DR008 for 120CAN. and that seems like a rely good price concidering that I could get it and a fresh bank of NI sounds for the same price of battery 2.0

haven't used this one yet, but friends really rave about this one:
http://www.soniccharge.com/products
a lot cheaper than the ones mentionned here by the looks of it...

utonic.....WOW!

http://www.soniccharge.com/

I played it earlier this week over a big PA and REALLY liking it.

If you are looking for convincing acoustic drums then jamstix is excellent. http://www.rayzoon.com/index.html
You'll need to put about an hour learning how to use the demo before you can appreciate it, but it generates drum tracks in real time against whatever audio or midi (eg, bass, melody etc) you feed - it is like having a real drummer. Very inspiring if you are looking for a convincing acoustic/human sound. Though it is more biased towards rock & acoustic styles. has an excellent built in kit and can also drive vst.


If you already have a loop library, check out Devine Machine. It's amazing for developing new material from your loops very quickly (not just beats) http://www.devine-machine.com/home.html - also needs a good read of the manual and use of the demo to get the hang of how powerful it is.

Don't know much about most of the synths you've mentioned, but Battery ROCKS!
deadly bit of software.
Definitly worth the money

sweetjesus wrote:Fruityloops and RM1V make a nice combo with endless possibilities for drum stuff.

Ditto on the RMIV. Great machine; gotta love the randomization which makes it sound like a real drummer.

Best is really related to what you want out of the sound. I think the Microtonic is very cool sounding and very easily customized for a synth drum, Battery is cool as a drum sampler. Then there is the Spectrasonics and BFD. All good in their own way.

I'm using The RMIV and Battery 2, but if I had to choose one, it would be the RMIV because it has a drum synth+sampler and plenty of pro features.
I like it better that my MPC.

Get Battery 2!! It's the best damn VST drum sampler out there! I promise, you won't regret it!

as far as bang for buck... you simply cannot beat µTonic
its so freaking cpu light as well, constantly amazes me.

otherwise i use Simpler and Impulse for alot of things, and if i want to get really crazy with the sound design, i throw on the iZotope Spectron or Trash plugin.. does the trick every time.