Hi. I use FL Studio, and I'm looking for a drum kit with a very synthetic sound — as "artificial" as drums could sound in the 1980s. If there is something like that among FL Studio's native plugins, that would be great, but I'm also open to third-party plugins.
I know the classic drum machines like the 808, and all that stuff, but I`m looking for something beyond that, so to speak.
Any suggestions? Thanx in advance.
Looking for a very synthetic drum kit
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- KVRer
- 1 posts since 12 Jun, 2026
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- KVRist
- 108 posts since 21 Oct, 2024
In addition to the well-known Roland units, the 1980s also saw some great modules from Linn (LinnDrum), Sequential DrumTraks, Oberheim DMX, and relatively affordable Boss units. Some of these, such as Oberheim and Linn, have been emulated many times.
However, most manufacturers (except Roland and Boss) have tended to try to mimic natural drums. So this probably isn’t necessarily for you. When I need more synthetic drums, I use D16 Drumazon 2. You might want to give it a listen.
However, most manufacturers (except Roland and Boss) have tended to try to mimic natural drums. So this probably isn’t necessarily for you. When I need more synthetic drums, I use D16 Drumazon 2. You might want to give it a listen.
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- KVRAF
- 2248 posts since 10 Apr, 2002 from Saint Germain en Laye, France
Use the FPC with some samples from Splice or LoopMasters
https://www.loopmasters.com/search?utf8 ... q=drum+80s
https://splice.com/sounds/search/sample ... sample+80s
https://www.loopmasters.com/search?utf8 ... q=drum+80s
https://splice.com/sounds/search/sample ... sample+80s
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ThoughtExperiment ThoughtExperiment https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=7790
- KVRian
- 1078 posts since 26 Jun, 2003 from UK
Sonic Charge Microtonic is pretty old now, but it's still unbeatable for synthetic drums. There's even a bank of simulated classic drum machines included. Certainly worth checking out IMO.
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- KVRist
- 111 posts since 11 Sep, 2022
Maybe you’re looking for the Simmons SDS sound?
If so, Punk Labs One Trick Simian might do the trick:
https://punklabs.com/ot-simian
Or AlyJamesLab VSDSX:
https://www.alyjameslab.com/alyjameslabvsdsx.html
If so, Punk Labs One Trick Simian might do the trick:
https://punklabs.com/ot-simian
Or AlyJamesLab VSDSX:
https://www.alyjameslab.com/alyjameslabvsdsx.html
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- KVRer
- 6 posts since 18 Dec, 2024
You might want to check out Samples From Mars. They sample not only the classic drum machines but also synth-generated drum sounds. Worth a listen, IMO.
https://samplesfrommars.com/products/all-the-drums
https://samplesfrommars.com/products/all-the-drums
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- KVRist
- 484 posts since 10 Jan, 2026
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- KVRAF
- 2436 posts since 5 Jan, 2006
Lets start with the free:
For very synthetic sound but maybe too modern for what you want:
Ephemere
https://www.ineardisplay.com/
for vintage 70--80s style drum machine:
https://synsonic-instruments.com/apollon/
Drumtrax & Korg Minipops emulations:
https://www.fullbucket.de/music/vst.html
many free drum kits, some are 80s, some are newer:
https://www.goldbaby.co.nz/freestuff.html
Besides the 808, Linn, DMX etc, you had the Korg KR-55 that was used by early Depeche Mode, Cabaret Voltaire, Fad Gadget and others. There's a fantastic emulation of it from Cherry Audio:
https://cherryaudio.com/products/kr-55c
For very synthetic sound but maybe too modern for what you want:
Ephemere
https://www.ineardisplay.com/
for vintage 70--80s style drum machine:
https://synsonic-instruments.com/apollon/
Drumtrax & Korg Minipops emulations:
https://www.fullbucket.de/music/vst.html
many free drum kits, some are 80s, some are newer:
https://www.goldbaby.co.nz/freestuff.html
Besides the 808, Linn, DMX etc, you had the Korg KR-55 that was used by early Depeche Mode, Cabaret Voltaire, Fad Gadget and others. There's a fantastic emulation of it from Cherry Audio:
https://cherryaudio.com/products/kr-55c