MDrummer

Mdrummer is great when it works. I have Bitwig 5.1 and I cannot get it to sync properly for the life of me. Theres times when it gets hung up...I'd press the play button, the time line moves but it generates no sound. Sometimes the time line freezes randomly and it stops playing music. Its buggy. In addition, it does not work with Bitwig. Bitwig would play the MIDI note corresponding to the correct loop and there is a 1 bar delay for it to start playing...and again, sometimes it does nothing.

Also there is no easy, simple way to direct Mdrummer to custom file paths, which is ashamed since this is not a sample management software, the least they could do is give you greater flexibility with custom sample paths. You would think in the last 10 years, it would work flawlessly.

Why am I still giving it 4 stars? Because there is nothing like it on the market. Its a powerhouse hands down. If you truly know the software, you do anything you want. The ability to easily layer drums with other samples and drum synths is unheard of. The main thing that I love about the software is that it allows you to build entire compositions from simple loops, which I dont see anyone else doing. Many drum softwares now are basically loop based and it ends there...after 4-8 bars. Mdrummer gives you the ability to structure your drum loops into greater musical ideas while retaining YOUR style. I dont see this out now.

For now, Im using a sequencers while driving my custom drumkits in Mdrummer...until they can get this DAW Sync thing right.

Well, I have to say that Mdrummer is the best virtual drum machine I have ever used, and I have used quite a few, Mdrummer is versatile, reliable, stable, you can do anything that requires percussion, the features in the mixer where you can use all the Melda plugins, from el, saturation, compression, effects is fantastic. I am more than satisfied with Mdrummer.

Because this isn't a "virtual drummer" VST, but instead an extremely intricate MIDI drum generator and drum VST, I decided to give it a 3/5 - it falls somewhere between Air Strike 2 and Rayzoon Jamstix 4 - both of which I prefer. This should rather be called a "virtual drum [machine/MIDI] programmer" drum VST, or a "drum VST and MIDI drum generator" but it isn't a "live A.I." with a brain like Jamstix, which is the only virtual drum/mer VST. If they called it what it was, I would give it a 4 or 5/5. However, it isn't remotely close to what a virtual drummer is so it lost 2 stars for not being forward. In fact, as much as I think this is better than Strike 2 by Air, I'd rather recommend Strike 2 because it is more of a virtual drummer VST than this is....however, both are inferior by leaps and bounds to Rayzoon.

MDrummer by MeldaProduction claims to be the "ultimate drum machine and virtual drummer." Well, many companies make many claims, so I approached this plugin with skepticism. After three days of intensive exploration, tweaking, and noodling, I found myself mostly agreeing — this is an excellent drum/rhythm plugin. MDrummer really does seem to have endless possibilities. I was able to create any kind of sound I could think of with the sound generator via synthesis or sample (acoustic, electronic, percussive, scratching, etc.). I could then pile up layer upon layer with effects, build a zillion drum-sets, and get it moving and shaking with any genre rhythm in any time signature.

The rhythm generator was the main reason I gave it a go. I'm not a drummer, but I want sound like one. I created a simple beat that fit my track, and then generated variations, intros and fills. It's an amazing feature. If MDrummer was scaled down to only the rhythm generator, I would still consider it a must have and a good value. But it has many other things going for it. . .

• Easy installation, but takes time due to big library
• Simple and resizable interface (not the most attractive GUI, but utilitarian and efficient)
• Gigs of great sounding drumsets and loops
• Several sound generators for samples and synthesis
• Integrated Sequencer with humanization and shuffling
• Tempo adjustments and rhythm changes throughout a song
• In vivo value changes while tweaking
• World-class MeldaProduction effects (EQ, compressors, distortions, phaser, vibrato, tremolo, etc.)
• Jamming mode
• MIDI file drag & drop.

And my two favorite features besides the rhythm generator are. . .

• Lots of support (help system, tutorials, responsive developers)
• Free lifetime updates.

CONCLUSION
MDrummer has a strong, loyal user following. So, I'm confused! Why isn't everyone using this thing? Well, the interface is not for everyone, but the sound and flexibility is there. I highly recommend MDrummer to any e-musician, sound designer, songwriter, or producer who is looking for a primary rhythm box with endless possibilities or a secondary source to help generate unique rhythms that can trigger other plugins. Download the demo and see if it suits your sensibilities and workflow. I give MDrummer three thumbs up and my virtual hat is off to MP for developing such a wonderful rhythm workstation. Thank you.