BFD Drums has announced the release of BFD 3.5 – a major update to FXpansion’s flagship acoustic drum studio software with an enhanced engine and new features for greater realism, precision and control.
BFD 3.5 builds upon its legacy as a premier drum production tool, introducing an enhanced engine and best-in-class features designed to push realism and sonic customization even further. With an intuitive redesigned workflow, this latest update offers musicians and producers precision, flexibility, and depth in their drum tracks. BFD 3.5 introduces stunning new kits, mix-ready presets and advanced modeling technology for tom resonance and cymbal swells. The revamped interface incorporates a new mixer and sound browser.
BFD 3.5 also introduces Apple Silicon AAX support, cross-platform VST 3 compatibility, and a new Microphone Inspector panel. Users can also benefit from feature-rich parameter controls, enabling them to fine-tune every detail of their drum kits with precision.
New BFD Updated Features Include:
Core library featuring 51 kits – A vast selection of drums to suit any genre, from rock to jazz to metal.
60 mix-ready preset BFD kits – Pre-configured kits with custom parameters, articulations, and effects for instant polished sounds.
Drum Editor’s Tech, Model, and Mic sections – Fine-tune every drum’s tuning, damping, and mic placement for precise sound shaping.
82 Groove Palettes + dozens of grooves – Instantly add human feel and realism to drum tracks with professionally crafted patterns.
48 high-quality audio effects – Built-in mixing tools, including 13 AIR Music Tech effects, for professional-grade drum processing.
Flexible multi-mic control – New ‘Mics’ panel allows users to fine-tune individual microphone levels and placements.
Revamped GUI – A refreshed interface with improved navigation, icons, and readability.
Apple Silicon AAX and VST3 Support – Optimized performance across both Mac and Windows platforms.
Formats:
– macOS: AU, VST, VST3, AAX.
– Windows: VST, VST3, AAX.
BFD 3.5 is now available via the BFD Drums website, for an introductory price of $59.99 (regularly $199.99). A free 10-day demo is available at this link. Introductory pricing is available through April 3.
FeelYourSound has released a new version of its MIDI generator plug-in, TranceEngine (VST + AU). TranceEngine is a specialized songwriting tool.
It can turn any chord progression into melodies, arpeggios, basslines, and hooks.
If you don’t have your own chord progression yet, TranceEngine can generate one for you. Different progression algorithms make it easy to start a new song from scratch. The plug-in is suitable for all Trance styles, but it is a good fit for other genres as well. TranceEngine comes with a list of presets for all sub-genres: Uplifting, Progressive, Psy, Dream, Tech, Futurepop and more.
New in TranceEngine 2.1.0:
Bug fix Logic Pro: No timeline jumps during playback anymore.
Demo fixes: You can click on a MIDI preview to change the preset without losing a “demo export” now.
27 new presets (7 mid bass, 8 acid, 7 piano melody, 5 plucks melody 2oct).
TranceEngine MIDI generator plug-in is available now for $52 / €49 (Standard version) and $416 / €392 (Pro version) at the FeelYourSound website. The update is free for all current TranceEngine customers (download the demo and the installer will find your registration information).
Bradshaw Instruments has introduced Drumkid, an aleatoric drum machine, now available as a Eurorack module.
Drumkid is essentially a standard drum machine, but with the ability to add (or subtract) hits from a rhythm using probability.
Here’s how they explain how it works:
“Imagine starting with a basic drum beat, then flipping a coin on each beat to decide whether to add an extra snare hit. Drumkid does this, but with fine control over, for instance, how often to flip the coin, which channels the coin flip will apply to, how likely the coin flip is to result in “heads”, etc.
In practice, this gives you several knobs (and CV input signals) which can affect the flow of randomness in a way that feels intuitive and musical, producing a sort of hybrid between programmed and live drums.
It’s also possible to push Drumkid outside the realm of human-playable rhythms and into weirder, glitchier beats that operate at high frequencies, creating oscillator-like sounds.”
Features:
2 x audio outputs (CD-quality, 44.1kHz, 16-bit)
4 x trigger outputs
4 x CV inputs
Clock input/output (adjustable)
12 x parameter knobs
SD card slot for loading samples
Tap tempo
Live edit and step edit
Tuplet modes (triplet, quintuplet, septuplet)
4-digit LED display
Open source design with editable firmware
24HP, 55mm deep
Current draw: 55mA +12V, 20mA -12V
Drumkid is available now to pre-order, priced at £250.00.
