DrumX drum machine plugin by EastWest Sounds interface

DrumX: Groove Machine Drum Plugin by EastWest Sounds

DrumX is a drum instrument plugin from EastWest Sounds that combines sampled classic drum machines, a 16-pad layout, a step sequencer and a master effects chain. It is available as VST2, AU and AAX for Windows and macOS.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

DrumX is built around sampled sounds from ten well-known drum machines, including the TR-808, TR-909, TR-606, LinnDrum and SP-12. Each machine is captured with multiple tape saturation options and room mic captures, and most offer machine-specific parameter controls. The interface centers on a 16-pad (4x4) layout with per-pad controls and a step sequencer for programming patterns. The developer describes the plugin as a groove machine, with a focus on starting from grooves and building beats from there.

Best for

Hip-hop drum programming
Electro beat making
House and techno grooves
Lo-fi drum sounds
R&B beat production

Developer: EastWest Sounds
Category: Virtual Instruments
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Ten sampled drum machines, including TR-808, TR-909 and LinnDrum
16-pad (4x4) layout with per-pad controls
Powerful step sequencer for programming grooves
Pad Inspector with machine-specific sound parameters
Tape Saturation knob for harmonic distortion
Master effects chain of professional-grade processors
Hundreds of grooves included in DrumX Volume 1
Multiple tape saturation options and room mic captures per machine

03In depth

Sound Design and Pad Controls

Each of the sixteen pads can be shaped individually. The Pad Inspector exposes sound-shaping parameters, and the parameters change with the machine loaded, so the 808 kick offers different controls from the LinnDrum snare.

A Tape Saturation knob adds harmonic distortion, and a master effects chain built from processors the developer calls professional-grade handles the final sound. The result is a workflow that moves between raw machine sounds and processed, mix-ready drums without leaving the plugin.

Groove Libraries and Workflow

DrumX includes a curated set of custom samples and hundreds of grooves, which the developer says were programmed by Jimmy Jam. The grooves give producers a starting point for building beats, and the step sequencer makes it straightforward to edit them.

The plugin suits producers working in hip-hop, electro, R&B, house and techno, since the library draws on machines that defined those styles. Its main value is speed: a producer can begin from a finished groove and adjust sounds and patterns from there.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	EastWest Sounds
Type	Plugin
Category	Virtual Instruments
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does DrumX support?

DrumX is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats.

Which operating systems can run DrumX?

DrumX runs on Windows, including Windows 10 with ASIO sound drivers, and on macOS. The listed macOS requirement is Mac OS X 10.13 or later.

What do I need to run DrumX?

The listed requirements are 16 GB of memory and a quad-core CPU running at 2.7 GHz or above. On macOS, Mac OS X 10.13 or later is required, and on Windows, Windows 10 with ASIO sound drivers is required.