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Drums and percussion are the backbone in most of the musical tracks. Choosing the right drums and percussion in music production is crucial and can make the difference in the end. If you do not have the necessary experience to play drums, a drummer friend or money to hire one, then you must use drum sounds from a free drum library or use a free virtual instrument plugin.
We have compiled for you a list with some of the best free drum VST plugins you can find on the Internet. Some of them are more complex for the most advanced and require some knowledge about synthesizing, others are very easy to use and intuitive, but all offers very good drum sounds and can be applied in a wide variety of musical genres. And best of all, they are free!
SL Drums 2 by Beatmaker
SL Drums 2 is the newest version of Beatmaker‘s freeware drum VST, AU plugin available for Windows and MAC OS. Featuring over 450 drum samples, 118 new drum kits, new controls and new GUI design, SL Drums 2 is a great virtual drum machine to have into your DAW. Best part…it’s free!
Free Download: SL Drums 2 Sublime text 3 linux install.
Impakter by de la Mancha
Impakter is a powerful drum tool and one of the best free drum plugin tested and used by us, featuring over 300 drum samples generated by analogue synths like Korg MS20, Roland Juno60, Kakken SX-150 and drum machines such as Yamaha MR-10, Korg KPR-77, Mattel Synsonics and Antonelli Organ 2377 rhythm box.
Impakter comes with 4 modules for kick, snare, hats and percussion sounds, 52 presets covering a range of sounds and styles plus more.
Compatibility: VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Update: No Link Available
MiniSpillage by AudioSpillage
MiniSpillage is a professional quality drum synth plugin featuring 6 oscillators and open Hi-Hat Generator with a noise source and dual resonant filters. Besides this, MiniSpillage also features 3 fully editable drum pads and 3 exclusive AudioSpillage drum synthesis models – BassDrum, WoodDrum and ElectroHiHat. It is very flexible and capable of creating a wide variety of original drum and percussion sounds.
MiniSpillage is a free percussion synthesizer plugin only for Apple Mac OS X music apps.
Free Download: MiniSpillage by AudioSpillage
EXD-80 by Third Harmonic Studios
EXD-80 is a free Drum VST instrument plugin for Windows, featuring 8 drum modules, 4 stereo output pairs (each has its own stereo effects section) and also featuring 128 drum kit patches with 16 preset drum kits. EXD-80 can be used in any EDM music style from Electro, Industrial, Dubstep to Ambient, Bass, Hip Hop and more.
Compatibility: VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Free Download: EXD-80 by Third Harmonic Studios
Drumatic 3 by E-Phonic
Drumatic 3 is a great virtual analog drum synthesizer with all sounds completely synthetic: bass drums, snare drums, hand claps, two tom drums, hi-hats, and bells. Uses graphical envelopes for amplitude and modulation, featuring 6 Stereo outputs, assignable for each sound. Drumatic 3 is a simple but effective drum virtual instrument great for any producer or sound designer.
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Although the E-Phonic has released a new commercial version, Drumatic 4, the previous version is still available for download and is 100% free.
Compatibility: Cyberlink powerdvd ultra 19. VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Free Download: Drumatic 3 by E-Phonic
Drum Boxx by SonicXTC
Drum Boxx by SonicXT is another great freeware VST drum synthesizer with which you can create thousands of unique synthetic drum sounds for your musical productions. Drum Boxx features 12 individual signal channels, each with an individual drum synthesizer that can be tweaked, pitched, filtered, equalized, and distorted independently offering an extensive range of sound modulation and drum sound design. Also, 10 custom preset kits/128 user kits are available.
Compatibility: VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Best Midi Drum Controller
Free Download: Drum Boxx Synth by SonicXTC
Drum Pro by StudioLinked
Drum Pro by Studio Linked is a freeware virtual drum machine designed for Windows and Mac OS and features a collection of 20 drum kits which can be expanded by purchasing new commercial drum expansions from the developer website. The graphical interface has 16 drum pads, and ADSR envelope for the volume and pan controls for each drum pad. Besides this controls, Drum Pro also includes a reverb mix control and a global volume control. You can easily play drum using your MIDI controller and Drum Pro plugin.
Compatibility: VST, AU 32-bit/64-bit plugin format for Windows and Mac OS.
Free Download: Drum Pro by Studio Linked
TS-808 by Tactile Sounds
TS-808 is a VSTi virtual instrument that emulates the legendary drum machine Roland TR-808 and is one of the best plugins of this kind tested by us. Using full schematics for each voice and more parameters this plugin is even an advanced drum machine than his predecessor.
Unfortunately, TS-808 is only available for Windows.
Free Download: TS-808 by Tactile Sounds
MDrummer Small by MeldaProduction
MDrummer Small is the little brother of the MDrummer Large, and is one of the most complex and versatile free virtual drum machine plugin from this list. Even this plugin is the “little brother” still lets you create some very good drum sounds and comes with more than 500 MB of samples, multisamples, rhythms and other data.
MDrummer Small also features MIDI Command Method, Integrated Arrangement Sequencer, Jamming Functionality and many other useful features.
Compatibility: VST, AU plugin format for Windows and Mac OS. A standalone version is also available (only for Windows).
Free Download: MDrummer Small by MeldaProduction
Line of Legends by VST4FREE
Line of Legends is a free drum plugin created by VST4FREE specifically for Hip Hop beat makers, using free drum samples released by RealDrumSamples.com. The GUI is divided in 8 sections: Kick, Snare, Clap, Snap, Toms, Hi-Hat, Ride and Crash, each using its own individual output. Also features punch knobs for attack sculpting and Release, Pan knobs. In total Line of Legends comes with 47 high-quality drum samples.
Compatibility: VST, AU plugin format for Windows and Mac OS
Free Download: Line of Legends by VST4FREE
I think you have already noticed that there are only 9 free drum plugins, not 10. We left this spot open so if you have a recommendation please use the comments section. Depending on your comments we’ll choose the tenth plugin for our list.
We have thought about these plugins:
You might also like to check our list with Best Free VST Synth Plugins of 2015
Thinking about getting a MIDI drum pad controller?
DJ Tech Tools has a great smackdown between the Korg PadKontrol, the M-Audio Trigger Finger and the Akai MPD 24
They compared the MIDI drum pad controller 8 ways:
The bottom line:
“The Akai MPD24 kicked ass in every round that mattered in this smack down (6 our of 8). OK, it’s a bit more pricey than the Trigger Finger and it doesn’t have as much software as either of the other two but it’s built like a tank and really has a pro feel to it.”
See the full smackdown for the details.
We have compiled for you a list with some of the best free drum VST plugins you can find on the Internet. Some of them are more complex for the most advanced and require some knowledge about synthesizing, others are very easy to use and intuitive, but all offers very good drum sounds and can be applied in a wide variety of musical genres. And best of all, they are free!
SL Drums 2 by Beatmaker
SL Drums 2 is the newest version of Beatmaker‘s freeware drum VST, AU plugin available for Windows and MAC OS. Featuring over 450 drum samples, 118 new drum kits, new controls and new GUI design, SL Drums 2 is a great virtual drum machine to have into your DAW. Best part…it’s free!
Free Download: SL Drums 2
Impakter by de la Mancha
Impakter is a powerful drum tool and one of the best free drum plugin tested and used by us, featuring over 300 drum samples generated by analogue synths like Korg MS20, Roland Juno60, Kakken SX-150 and drum machines such as Yamaha MR-10, Korg KPR-77, Mattel Synsonics and Antonelli Organ 2377 rhythm box.
Impakter comes with 4 modules for kick, snare, hats and percussion sounds, 52 presets covering a range of sounds and styles plus more.
Compatibility: VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Update: No Link Available
MiniSpillage by AudioSpillage
MiniSpillage is a professional quality drum synth plugin featuring 6 oscillators and open Hi-Hat Generator with a noise source and dual resonant filters. Besides this, MiniSpillage also features 3 fully editable drum pads and 3 exclusive AudioSpillage drum synthesis models – BassDrum, WoodDrum and ElectroHiHat. It is very flexible and capable of creating a wide variety of original drum and percussion sounds.
MiniSpillage is a free percussion synthesizer plugin only for Apple Mac OS X music apps.
Free Download: MiniSpillage by AudioSpillage
EXD-80 by Third Harmonic Studios
EXD-80 is a free Drum VST instrument plugin for Windows, featuring 8 drum modules, 4 stereo output pairs (each has its own stereo effects section) and also featuring 128 drum kit patches with 16 preset drum kits. EXD-80 can be used in any EDM music style from Electro, Industrial, Dubstep to Ambient, Bass, Hip Hop and more.
Compatibility: VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Free Download: EXD-80 by Third Harmonic Studios
Drumatic 3 by E-Phonic
Drumatic 3 is a great virtual analog drum synthesizer with all sounds completely synthetic: bass drums, snare drums, hand claps, two tom drums, hi-hats, and bells. Uses graphical envelopes for amplitude and modulation, featuring 6 Stereo outputs, assignable for each sound. Drumatic 3 is a simple but effective drum virtual instrument great for any producer or sound designer.
Although the E-Phonic has released a new commercial version, Drumatic 4, the previous version is still available for download and is 100% free.
Compatibility: VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Free Download: Drumatic 3 by E-Phonic
Drum Boxx by SonicXTC
Drum Boxx by SonicXT is another great freeware VST drum synthesizer with which you can create thousands of unique synthetic drum sounds for your musical productions. Drum Boxx features 12 individual signal channels, each with an individual drum synthesizer that can be tweaked, pitched, filtered, equalized, and distorted independently offering an extensive range of sound modulation and drum sound design. Also, 10 custom preset kits/128 user kits are available.
Compatibility: VST 32-bit plugin format for Windows.
Free Download: Drum Boxx Synth by SonicXTC
Drum Pro by StudioLinked
Drum Pro by Studio Linked is a freeware virtual drum machine designed for Windows and Mac OS and features a collection of 20 drum kits which can be expanded by purchasing new commercial drum expansions from the developer website. The graphical interface has 16 drum pads, and ADSR envelope for the volume and pan controls for each drum pad. Besides this controls, Drum Pro also includes a reverb mix control and a global volume control. You can easily play drum using your MIDI controller and Drum Pro plugin.
Compatibility: VST, AU 32-bit/64-bit plugin format for Windows and Mac OS.
Free Download: Drum Pro by Studio Linked
TS-808 by Tactile Sounds
TS-808 is a VSTi virtual instrument that emulates the legendary drum machine Roland TR-808 and is one of the best plugins of this kind tested by us. Using full schematics for each voice and more parameters this plugin is even an advanced drum machine than his predecessor.
Unfortunately, TS-808 is only available for Windows.
Free Download: TS-808 by Tactile Sounds
MDrummer Small by MeldaProduction
MDrummer Small is the little brother of the MDrummer Large, and is one of the most complex and versatile free virtual drum machine plugin from this list. Even this plugin is the “little brother” still lets you create some very good drum sounds and comes with more than 500 MB of samples, multisamples, rhythms and other data.
Max payne graphics mod 3. Re: Best released Max Payne mods?MOD stands for game modification.
MDrummer Small also features MIDI Command Method, Integrated Arrangement Sequencer, Jamming Functionality and many other useful features.
Compatibility: VST, AU plugin format for Windows and Mac OS. A standalone version is also available (only for Windows).
Free Download: MDrummer Small by MeldaProduction
Line of Legends by VST4FREE
Line of Legends is a free drum plugin created by VST4FREE specifically for Hip Hop beat makers, using free drum samples released by RealDrumSamples.com. The GUI is divided in 8 sections: Kick, Snare, Clap, Snap, Toms, Hi-Hat, Ride and Crash, each using its own individual output. Also features punch knobs for attack sculpting and Release, Pan knobs. In total Line of Legends comes with 47 high-quality drum samples.
Compatibility: VST, AU plugin format for Windows and Mac OS
Free Download: Line of Legends by VST4FREE
I think you have already noticed that there are only 9 free drum plugins, not 10. We left this spot open so if you have a recommendation please use the comments section. Depending on your comments we’ll choose the tenth plugin for our list.
We have thought about these plugins:
You might also like to check our list with Best Free VST Synth Plugins of 2015
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MIDI Pad controllers are no longer consigned to the bottom of the controller pile, behind the likes of the MIDI keyboard or even bespoke DAW controller. They now share equal billing in the studio and on stage.
They are an essential part of many a modern producer’s arsenal, with some even placing one at the centre of their setup, replacing the keyboard. Some - notably Native Instruments' Maschine products - come with their own companion software, while others - Ableton's Live-friendly Push 2, for example - are designed specifically for controlling a certain DAW.
No longer used simply for tapping out beats, or triggering clips and samples, today’s best pad controllers are practically instruments in their own right, enabling you to compose and record melodies, chords and basslines. Some also contain powerful sequencers, which can be used to trigger both your music software and other hardware.
Obviously, all of this is great news, especially if you’re not so comfortable when it comes to playing the keys, but which of the many MIDI pad controllers on sale today is right for you?
We’ve corralled the best of the current controllers so that you can see what’s available right now. No matter what your budget, there’s a MIDI pad controller out there with your name on it, so let's help you find it.
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1. Native Instruments Maschine Mk3
Launch price: $599/£479/€569 | Pad grid: 4x4 | Encoders: 9 | Faders: Touchstrip | Screen: Yes | I/O: USB, 2 x 1/4” TRS line outputs, 2 x 1/4” TRS line inputs, 1/4” dynamic mic input, stereo headphone output, MIDI in/out, Footswitch | Power: 15v DC, USB 5V
Colour screens
All-new audio interface
It’s not really accurate to call Maschine a pad controller; it ships with its own companion software, so is pretty much an instrument in itself. The workflow follows the classic MPC blueprint, and gives you a pad-based way of composing, arranging, mixing and performing. The new Mk3 model brings Maschine Studio’s flagship feature – its fabulous screens - to the mainstream model, taking a couple of cues from Maschine Jam, and updating the hardware in general terms. NI has taken the obvious step of building an audio interface into Maschine; a simple 2-in/4-out setup capable of recording and playback at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality.
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2. Arturia BeatStep Pro
Launch price: $299/£185/€249 | Pad grid: 2x8 | Encoders: 20 | Faders: None | Screen: Yes | I/O: USB MIDI, 6x 1V/octave CV/Gate/Velo outs, 8x drum gate outs, Clock in/out, MIDI in/out | Power: USB 5V
Excellent build quality
Fantastic performance device
BeatStep Pro features three independent step sequencers and a set of general purpose MIDI controllers. Two of the sequencers are monophonic, intended for riffs, basslines and the like, while the third is for sequencing up to 16 channels of drums. All three are programmed with 16 velocity-sensitive pads (with aftertouch), 16 step buttons and 16 rotary knobs. Perhaps the most obvious targets for BeatStep Pro's sequencers are hardware synths and samplers, but we had just as much fun controlling standalone music apps on our laptop. The same goes for plugins in a DAW, of course, and we can imagine many studio producers using it to create sequences on the fly that are subsequently recorded into their DAW for further editing. It can also send and receive MIDI clock, and so can act as either master or slave with almost anything.
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3. Ableton Push 2
Launch price: $799/£499/€699 | Pad grid: 8x8 | Encoders: 11 | Faders: Touchstrip | Screen: Yes | I/O: USB, 2x pedal inputs | Power: 12v DC, USB 5V
Awesome build quality
Fantastic sampling functionality
As well as developing Live, the all-conquering production and performance DAW, Ableton also sells its own pad controller: Push 2. This 64-pad grid is used to play and record melodic MIDI clips and Drum Rack beats, either 'live' or through an ingenious step sequencing system. Push 2 also facilitates browsing for devices, presets and sounds, which can be loaded onto tracks in Live, and controlled and automated using the eight rotary encoders, and even offers basic mixing operation. In summary, Push 2 is quite simply the most powerful, wildly creative Ableton Live controller on the market, and a worthy purchase for those who use said software.
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4. ROLI Lightpad Block M
Best compact MPE controller
Launch price: $140/£190/€150 | Pad grid: Configurable up to 5x5 | Encoders: None | Faders: None | Screen: No | I/O: USB MIDI, Bluetooth connectivity | Power: Buss-powered
Healthy selection of MPE tools
Noise app remains fairly weak
Having announced its arrival with the keyboard-style Seaboard controllers, ROLI moved into more affordable territory with its iOS-centric Blocks range. The centrepiece of this is the Lightpad Block M, a rectangular, rubber-topped control surface incorporating MPE technology so it can be played using a variety of expressive gestures. It's a slightly different animal to the rest of the controllers on this list, but now that it's compatible with a wider range of software, it's an intriguing option.
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5. Akai MPD 232
Launch price: $299/£190/€299 | Pad grid: 4x4 | Encoders: 9 | Faders: 8 | Screen: Yes | I/O: USB MIDI, MIDI in/out | Power: 6V, USB 5V
Solid build
Power adapter not supplied
While the previous MPD32 looked utilitarian, the MPD232 looks much more inviting. The larger, flatter case is made from smooth black and red plastic and surrounding the screen (which is mainly used for assigning MIDI data/CCs to the 72 assignable controls), the case morphs into shiny black perspex (unfortunately the same fingerprint and scratch-inviting type found on the recent Advance controllers and on Roland's JD-XA synth). In keeping with recent trends, there's a decent 32 step x 64 track sequencer onboard which adds a welcome new dimension to the MPD range (it can be MIDI-synchronised and used to control software instruments and/or external MIDI instruments).
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6. Novation Launchpad Pro
Best affordable controller for Ableton Live
Launch price: $299/£275/€289 | Pad grid: 8x8 | Encoders: None | Faders: None | Screen: No | I/O: USB MIDI, MIDI in/out | Power: 12V DC, USB 5V
Easy to use
Not as powerful as Push
The Launchpad Pro isn't the be all and end all of Live controllers, but what it does, it does very well. It's not suited to precise mixing but it's intuitive and inspiring for creative purposes - allowing users to fluidly compose without being drawn away in order to jump between views or devices. It's brilliantly suited to live performance too, and we can see it becoming a centrepiece to a lot of musicians' stage set-ups. It's not as powerful as Push, but being more portable and cheaper it doesn't need to be. Its standalone MIDI capabilities give it a distinct edge, too. In all, for the price, the Pro is one of the best controllers on the market.
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7. Livid Instruments Base II
Best customisable controller
Launch price: $299/£275/€289 | Pad grid: 4x8 | Encoders: None | Faders: 9x touchstrip | Screen: Yes | I/O: USB MIDI | Power: 12V DC, USB 5V
Highly customisable
Takes a bit of effort to set up
If you're in the market for a durable and attractive pad controller that's highly customisable and can integrate with most if not all of your music software, the Base II is a fantastic solution. Situated above the pad matrix is an array of nine touch-sensitive fader strips and eight capacitive touch buttons, with a set of eight illuminated silicone push-buttons down the right-hand edge. As with the original Base, all of these controls are freely assignable. The thick, soft pads are highly responsive and default to step through a series of colours when played, depending on how hard you hit or press down on them. With its robust construction, versatility and open-endedness, Base II is a fine pad controller option.
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8. IK Multimedia iRig Pads
Best affordable iOS controller
Launch price: $140/£130/€150 | Pad grid: 4x4 | Encoders: 3 | Faders: 1 | Screen: No | I/O: USB MIDI, iOS (32-pin, Lightning) | Power: Buss-powered
Perfect for iOS control
No display
The iRig Pads is an MPC-style pad controller aimed at iPad/iPhone/iPod touch musicians, but also fully compatible with Mac, PC and Android. It comprises 16 two-colour backlit pads (red and green, but mixable to orange, too), two knobs, a fader, two buttons and a push-button rotary encoder, all of which can be assigned to output a range of MIDI data. The iRig Pad scores well in terms of playability, is pretty easy to program and sits comfortably alongside its acclaimed iRig stablemates. iOS musicians, in particular, should keep it in mind.
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9. Native Instruments Maschine Jam
Best for sequencing and track-building within Maschine
Launch price: $399/£319/€372 | Pad grid: 8x8 | Encoders: 1 | Faders: 8x touchstrips | Screen: no | I/O: USB, Footswitch | Power: Bus-powered
Overhauls the use of Maschine
Missing Maschine's deeper features
Maschine Jam provides a completely new way of interfacing with the Maschine software, which remains largely unchanged; one that neither supersedes nor replaces the original hardware, yet provides a very different user experience. It ditches the 16-pad format in favour of a grip of 64 smaller pads, which are backlit. Its other major addition is a bank of eight touchstrip faders that, broadly speaking, replace the eight Macro knobs of the original Maschine. It also does away with the built-in screens, the functionality of which is replaced by a number of pop-up windows that appear on the computer screen in response to button presses on the hardware. The main consequence of these changes is to move away from the sampler-style workflow of the original hardware towards one focused on 'performance' parameters, along with considerably deeper sequencing and arrangement capabilities.
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10. Keith McMillen Instruments QuNeo
Launch price: $140/£190/€150 | Pad grid: 4x4 | Encoders: 2x rotary pads | Faders: 9x touch strips | Screen: No | I/O: USB MIDI | Power: Bus-powered
Low profile, very portable
Multicolour LED feedback
QuNeo is an LED-rich (251, actually) MIDI controller with 27 touch-based controls including pads, sliders, and rotary 'knobs'. It’s billed as a 3D multitouch pad controller; the point of difference is that the pads are sensitive to note-on, velocity, pressure and 'location' - the XY position of your finger on the pad. Not everyone will fall in love with the QuNeo, but its feel and functionality are undeniably different to most of its rivals. Get your hands on it and see what you think.
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11. Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk3
Launch price: $259/£199/€239 | Pad grid: 4x4 | Encoders: 1 | Faders: 1x touch strip | Screen: Yes | I/O: USB MIDI | Power: Bus-powered
Affordable
Lacking in macro/parameter control rotaries
Last year’s Maschine Mk3, with its added interface and improved screens, did an impressive job of drawing user focus away from the computer, making it easier to select, edit and play sounds without referencing plugin UI.By drastically downsizing the hardware screen, this Maschine Mikro update actually pushes things in the opposite direction; minimising the amount of visual information that’s provided by the controller in favour of more space for hands-on control. While increased reliance on a computer screen might seem counter-intuitive, it actually does make a lot of sense.
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12. Pioneer DJ Toraiz Squid Sequencer
A creative standalone sequencer that can handle all your gear
Launch price: $599/£549 | Pad grid: 4x4 | Encoders: 11 | Faders: N/A | Screen: Yes | I/O: MIDI I/O, USB, CV/Gate, Clock, Din Sync | Power: Mains-powered
Lots of knobs make the Squid very good for live use
Many unique paths make it easy to break out of the step-sequencing box
No Pro-DJ sync with Pioneer DJ’s CDJ units
Groove Bend slider could be a bit more multi-purpose
SQUID (derived from SeQUencer Inspirational Device) is a standalone 16-track polyphonic step sequencer, capable of outputting MIDI, CV, clock triggers and DIN sync. Its interface is focused around a grid of 16 backlit pads that can be played live or used to input sequencer steps. Each of the 16 tracks can be programmed with up to 64 patterns, each with a maximum of 64 steps. One of the great advantages of the Squid is how each track can be set up individually to sequence the output channel and device of your choice. In fact, there's a lot to love about it in general, particularly if you're already the kind of producer who likes to work with a lot of separate machines for sound generation. It opens the door to a world of bespoke sequencing options, with new features like Groove Bend and speed modulation putting a new spin on your step sequencing moves.
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