Drum synthesis plugins - where are we at in 2026?

[CrystalWizard]

I’ve always hoped for more output bussing (like C, D etc) in addition to the already implemented A and B.

It has a multi out version now with 8 channels

Yes, I know. What I'm asking for is not the same thing. It is the ability to pass any pad to one of 4 stereo outputs...by adding a C & D set. Microtonic currently has two stereo busses: A & B. I'd like two more...C & D.

Easily done with the multi out. Run chan 1 and 2 to a stereo channel,3 and 4 to another stereo channel, 5 and 6...7 and 8. (easy in Reaper)
I'm not sure how you do that in each different DAW, although i'm guessing it's easy enough. but another option is to link those output channels, so 1 & 2 mono get linked, 3 & 4 get linked, 5 & 6, 7 & 8.
However you do it, you'll get 4 stereo output buses.

Trummor 2 by Vult in VCV rack as been pretty nice

Yes, it is.

[Weasel-Boy]

Easily done with the multi out. Run chan 1 and 2 to a stereo channel,3 and 4 to another stereo channel, 5 and 6...7 and 8. (easy in Reaper)

I appreciate the response but this can't be done simply in Cubase, as the 8 channel version automatically creates 8 mono tracks that would have to be bussed and some made "not visible'. It's a PITA easily solved if C & D existed.

[CrystalWizard]

Easily done with the multi out. Run chan 1 and 2 to a stereo channel,3 and 4 to another stereo channel, 5 and 6...7 and 8. (easy in Reaper)

I appreciate the response but this can't be done simply in Cubase, as the 8 channel version automatically creates 8 mono tracks that would have to be bussed and some made "not visible'. It's a PITA easily solved if C & D existed.

Maybe "easily done" wasn't quite accurate for all DAWs.

[JoeCat]

What is missing for me from any plugin and that only one, afaik, has provided is a single voice instance: drummax

Why? Because it would be way more convenient for handling a mix of different drum synths and samples in Ableton Live Drum rack.

Over 2 decades (literally at this point) of thinking there might be something better, but for Live, IMHO the best single-voice drum synth to use in a rack is Operator. About the only thing it's missing for me is the ability for an osc to bypass the filter (for noise, especially), and maybe the ability to adjust the linearity of the envelopes (this is available for the filter envelope but not the oscs).

The updated cytomic filters / drives and shaper can get you almost anywhere beyond clean FM, but there are a lot of other features I appreciate too. Like the ability to dial in the exact phase degree of any osc - you can create great kicks with a single sine by adjusting the phase for the click, and adding the pitch envelope, and some drive / shaper.

The Time parameter is something every FM synth should have - a single parameter that adjusts all envelopes times; besides making it really easy to create things like hi-hats open->close, key tracking Time is great for modeling physical / acoustic instruments - making it really easy to create various sized toms, realistic marimbas, etc. by shortening all envelopes at higher midi pitches.

There are a lot of other things you can do with the addition of Max for Live midi effects. For example, you can use the LFO Midi effect with a random waveform and map it to any oscillator phase to round-robin hits.

I keep thinking something else will come along better just because I'm bored with the same interface, but the only other drum synth that does it for me is in hardware (my Digitone 2)

[JoeCat]

Not drum synthesis, but wanted to add these to the list for those of us more into the "experimental":

Audiolab EmergentDrums 2:
https://audialab.com/products/emergent-drums-2/

and Tensorpunk Mace:
https://tensorpunk.com/product/mace/

These are both AI sound generators, but before you smack me:

These are both great for generating unique samples to use directly in their respective instruments or to export as samples for anything else of course (especially something like Battalion, where you can layer the sample over a synthesized tone). The one musical AI use I enjoy is for sample generation because it's guaranteed to be at least somewhat unique (though to be fair, for percussion sounds, how many different kicks / hats can there be?).

For experimenting you can get some great sort-of random, glitchy/crunchy ideas going. There are big differences between the two.

Emergent's engine is cloud-based (and so of course you need an internet-always-on connection to generate), and the datasets used will get you closer to the traditional sounds you'd expect. You can also regenerate samples close to a previously previous or random with adjustments in between. It's quick to use so even if you get crap, a fast toss and regenerate will usually get you something usable.

Mace runs its engine locally (and you need decent PC specs to run it - be sure to check), but the prompt editor gets you to some real experimental places. It can generate loops, and although they tend to be rhythmically similar, you can get a great variety of odd tones (been tons of fun importing into the Roland P-6 sampler and chopping them). The prompt editor uses under-the-hood "helpers" (so if you say "lo-fi techno" it already has a starting point), but you can go completely "Raw" - and end up with tom-toms that sound like a choir. If that doesn't piss you off, it's fun kit! You can also save all the prompts separately, and it keeps a history (cache) of previous samples per-pad.

Both support drag-drop samples to DAW, and a few of the usual quality-of-life tweaks (envelopes, eq / filters, etc.), though I think they function better as sample generators than full-fledged instruments in their current versions.

If you need to be quick and production ready, neither of these feels to me like they're ready to be replacements for good synthesis / curated sample-based plugs, and I'm sure both companies are working to improve them to get close, but I like them now because they're still a bit "off". They are also reasonably priced. They are the definition of "happy accident" tools.

Lastly since I'm babbling: I miss Tremor

[Krakatau]

2026 will be (like all the previous ones), the year for Stylus RMX 2. Finally!

See you again for 2027...

I'd like to see that !!!

[Paul_Pulsonix]

I've just added a complete TR-808 into BeatForge. Wasn't easy, luckily the service manual is very clear. no samples, everything modelled from the circuit.

[CrystalWizard]

Not drum synthesis, but wanted to add these to the list for those of us more into the "experimental":

Audiolab EmergentDrums 2:
https://audialab.com/products/emergent-drums-2/

and Tensorpunk Mace:
https://tensorpunk.com/product/mace/...

Not a fan of AI slop as used by the masses but these look fascinating

...(though to be fair, for percussion sounds, how many different kicks / hats can there be?).

...
Lastly since I'm babbling: I miss Tremor

I still use it on my two W7 machines. I have to separate my sound design from my noise making with Tremor because i can get lost in the awesome details it presents.

2026 will be (like all the previous ones), the year for Stylus RMX 2. Finally!

See you again for 2027...

I'd like to see that !!!

I still use it, but, mostly with rex files that i converted.

[Chicken Drummy]

I make do with Bingo Drum Machine and good old Microtonic. Those plus Slicex and my DAW's sequencer, I've got everything I'll ever need.

[svrc]

Not drum synthesis, but wanted to add these to the list for those of us more into the "experimental":

Audiolab EmergentDrums 2:
https://audialab.com/products/emergent-drums-2/

and Tensorpunk Mace:
https://tensorpunk.com/product/mace/...

Not a fan of AI slop as used by the masses but these look fascinating

...(though to be fair, for percussion sounds, how many different kicks / hats can there be?).

...
Lastly since I'm babbling: I miss Tremor

I still use it on my two W7 machines. I have to separate my sound design from my noise making with Tremor because i can get lost in the awesome details it presents.

2026 will be (like all the previous ones), the year for Stylus RMX 2. Finally!

See you again for 2027...

I'd like to see that !!!

I still use it, but, mostly with rex files that i converted.

Also there is Neural Drumkit from Fazertone. It generates samples without internet connection and there is lite version if you like to try. https://www.fazertone.com/plugin/neuraldrumkit